Five Steps To Extend The Life Of Your Aircraft's Batteries

June 2025

An aircraft's batteries are some of THE highest-maintenance components on board, with items due every three months or 100 hours. Yet they are often ignored, abused, and left idle for long stretches of time. Well-maintained batteries can provide 3-5 years of dedicated service. If you apply the simple steps below, you may get even more.

1. Make sure the master switch is in the off position before shutting down the aircraft and walking away.
2. When on the ground, disconnect the aircraft's batteries and use ground batteries.
3. Use ground power assist at start-up.
4. Perform periodic voltage and visual inspections. There should be no substantial difference in voltage between the cells, nor should there be electrolyte build-up or bulging cells.
5. Don’t ignore the 100-hour inspection requirement.

Duncan Aviation MRO Battery Services

Duncan Aviation operates a full-service aircraft battery shop at all three of its MRO facilities (Battle Creek, Michigan; Lincoln, Nebraska; and Provo, Utah). They operate seven days a week and have nearly every test set, battery charger, and capacity gauge available to perform capacity checks, testing, and maintenance for every aircraft battery in service on today’s business aircraft. They have dedicated rooms for lead-acid and NiCad battery services, environmental chambers, and a battery cooler.  Their advanced diagnostic test sets include a 2400W programmable DC electronic load bank, lead acid analyzers, and main NiCad charger analyzers.

Batteries sent to the MRO locations for service are checked, charged, and returned to customers within 5 days.

Duncan Aviation Satellite Battery Services

Many of Duncan Aviation's Satellite locations also provide core battery services that include:

• Battery replacements and restoration
• Deep cycle and capacity checks
• Battery re-blocks and bench tests
• Emergency battery and emergency light battery services
• AGM and NZ battery orders and replacements

Most Duncan Aviation locations support over 48 different battery models from leading aviation brands, including Aero Design, Concord, L3 Harris, Marathon, Saft, and Securaplane, among others.

For battery sales, visit DuncanAviationParts.com or call 800.228.1836. 
For battery service, please contact CustomerSalesService@DuncanAviation.com or call 800.562.6377.
For battery service at a Satellite, contact the nearest location for additional details and scheduling.