True Blue Power launched sales of its new 16 amp-hour TEX16 lithium-ion main-ship battery designed for experimental aircraft at EAA AirVenture 2015. Special pricing of $2,800 is available during the show.

“The TEX16 is designed with the same architecture as FAA-certified True Blue Power battery products,” according to True Blue Power, a division of Mid-Continent Instruments. This includes A123 nanophosphate lithium-ion chemistry, a built-in charger and an automatic heater, plus internal protection circuitry. The protections help prevent overcharge, overdischarge, over-current, short circuits, over-temperature and under-temperature (via the heater). The TEX16 weighs 15.6 pounds, a 45-percent weight savings compared with equivalent lead-acid and nicad batteries.

In addition to stronger starting power and faster engine starts, especially in cold weather, one of the key benefits of True Blue Power’s lithium-ion technology is reduced maintenance expense and hassle. According to the company, the “battery’s extended two-year maintenance cycle equates to 50 to 90 percent maintenance cost savings.”