Maintenance recommendations for ELPS batteries
Effectivity: Global 5000/6000/5500/6500 aircraft
ATA: 33
By: Jonathan Coulombe - Technical Services Emergency lights power supply (ELPS) batteries play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and dispatchability of aircraft. In this article, we will discuss the recommended maintenance practices for ELPS batteries (Part Number: 8ES360000-00) to maintain their health and reliability.
The ELPS provides power to emergency lights, ensuring sufficient exterior and interior illumination during emergencies. When the DC essential power is no longer available, the ELPS automatically activates the emergency lights if the EMER LIGHTS switch is set to ARM. Proper battery maintenance is essential to meet safety requirements and ensures that during emergencies, both the interior and exterior emergency lights are adequately powered.
Weekly Battery Maintenance Recommendations:
To ensure that ELPS batteries always have sufficient capacity, follow these recommendations:
Ambient Temperature: Maintain an ambient temperature at the ELPS between approximately +10°C to +25°C (+50°F to +77°F).
Ground Power: Ensure the aircraft is supplied by ground power.
Emergency System Mode: Set the emergency system to OFF or ARMED mode.
Emergency Lights: Keep the emergency lights switched OFF.
Charging Time: Allow a minimum of two hours for full battery recharge; however, the supplier recommends four hours.
In addition to weekly maintenance recommendations, adhere to the following maintenance tasks for emergency lights:
Functional Test:
Schedule a functional test of the emergency lights power-supplies every 15 months. The 15-month interval can be lowered to minimize the memory effect.
Refer to AMM (Aircraft Maintenance Manual) TASK: 33-51-09-720-801.
Section D, to be used for bench testing.
Section E, to be used for on-wing testing (preferred method).
Operational Test:
Conduct an operational test of the emergency lights at 1,000 flight hours.
Refer to AMM TASK: 33-51-00-710-801.
Additional Considerations:
Frequent Testing: Operators can perform functional tests AMM TASK: 33-51-09-720-801 more frequently to minimize memory effects that may impact battery reliability.
Proper Usage: Emergency lights should only be used during actual emergencies or during testing. Avoid using them for maintenance, grooming, or other non-emergency purposes, as this can lead to diminished battery capacity over time and potential battery failure.
New Batteries: Operators should adhere to the weekly maintenance recommendations to ensure that newly installed batteries operate at their full capacity.
By following these maintenance practices, operators can ensure the ELPS batteries remain in optimal condition, contributing to overall aircraft serviceability and safety.