Start Pac (Booth No. 1734) is here at Heli-Expo’09 displaying the first lithium battery-powered ground power unit (GPU). The Li2800QC lasts twice as long as lead-acid batteries and is 42 percent lighter and 33 percent smaller than other batteries, according to Smart Pac.

In addition, the batteries, which are the same as those used in electric cars, do not suffer from sulfation problems. In other words, the unit can be left in a completely
discharged state without causing damage to the batteries, the company said.

The LI2800QC uses a full 28-volt DC battery and can provide starts on all electrically started piston or turbine engines. It has dual redundant chargers, with a total of seven amps output and a recharge time of four hours.