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LI2800QC – Start Pac® Portable Lithium-Ion Starter Pack Unit
Available now on the Airparts.aero Marketplace.
Overview
The Start Pac® LI2800QC is a high-performance, lightweight, portable Ground Power Unit (GPU) and engine starter, engineered around advanced Lithium-Ion battery technology. This unit is designed to deliver the immense power required for starting virtually all turbine engines in the turboprop, light-to-mid-size jet, and helicopter categories. Delivering an impressive 2800 peak amps, the LI2800QC provides the cool, fast starts that are critical for minimizing turbine stress and preventing hot starts. It also serves as a source of clean, stable 28VDC power for avionics maintenance, software updates, and pre-flight checks without depleting the aircraft's onboard battery.
The core of the LI2800QC is a powerful, high-discharge Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) battery pack, which offers a massive power-to-weight advantage over traditional lead-acid start carts. The "QC" or "Quick Change" design is a standout feature, allowing the entire battery module to be swapped out in seconds for continuous, uninterrupted operations. Protected by a rugged, portable case and managed by a sophisticated internal Battery Management System (BMS), the LI2800QC is the definitive modern solution for professional flight departments, FBOs, and MROs.
Key Features
Advanced Lithium Iron Phosphate (
LiFePO4) Battery: Utilizes the safest, most robust lithium-ion chemistry, providing exceptional thermal stability, a very long cycle life, and high power density.
Massive Starting Power: Delivers 2800 peak starting amps, capable of providing fast, cool starts for a wide range of turbine engines, including those with high ITT start temperatures.
Quick Change (QC) Battery Module: The entire battery pack is a line-replaceable unit (LRU) that can be swapped in seconds, allowing for continuous operation with a spare battery on the charger.
Integrated Battery Management System (BMS): A sophisticated internal computer continuously monitors cell health, balances the cells during charging, and protects the battery from over-charge, over-discharge, short circuits, and over-temperature conditions.
Lightweight & Portable Design: Weighing a fraction of a comparable lead-acid start cart, the unit can be easily carried by one person directly to the aircraft, even in remote locations.
Stable Voltage Output: The lithium chemistry provides a very flat discharge curve, maintaining a stable 28VDC under heavy load, which is critical for protecting sensitive avionics and ensuring proper starter-generator performance.
Technical Specifications
Part Number: LI2800QC
Component Type: Portable Lithium-Ion Ground Power Unit (GPU) / Starter
OEM Manufacturer: Start Pac®
Nominal Voltage: 28.5 VDC
Peak Amps: 2800
Capacity: 52 Amp-Hours
Battery Chemistry: Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4)
Charger: External, automatic, multi-stage charger designed specifically for the QC battery module.
Cables & Connector: Heavy-gauge, flexible copper cables with the standard 3-pin aircraft ground power plug.
Aircraft Compatibility
The LI2800QC is a universal ground power unit designed to start a wide range of turbine-powered aircraft. It is ideal for:
Turboprop Aircraft: All models using P&WC PT6A and Honeywell TPE331 engines (e.g., Beechcraft King Air, Pilatus PC-12, Daher TBM, Cessna Caravan).
Light & Mid-Size Business Jets: All models using P&WC JT15D, PW500, PW300 series; Williams FJ44 series engines (e.g., Cessna Citation series, Bombardier Learjet, Embraer Phenom, Hawker).
Turbine Helicopters: All 28VDC turbine-powered rotorcraft (e.g., Bell, Airbus Helicopters).
Note: Consult the Start Pac® application chart to confirm the recommended unit for a specific aircraft model.
Applications
Turbine Engine Starting: Provides the primary external power source for turbine engine starts, preserving the life of the aircraft's onboard battery.
Avionics Ground Power: Supplies clean, stable 28VDC power for extended maintenance, database updates, and pre-flight cockpit setup without the noise or expense of running the APU.
Remote Operations: Its portability makes it the ideal solution for starting aircraft at remote airfields or away from the main FBO power grid.
Why Choose LI2800QC?
The Start Pac® LI2800QC makes legacy lead-acid start carts obsolete. Its Lithium-Ion technology offers unparalleled power density, delivering massive starting power from a unit that weighs less than 60 pounds, compared to lead-acid carts that can weigh several hundred. The "Quick Change" battery feature is a game-changer for high-volume operations, eliminating downtime. The stable voltage output protects the aircraft's expensive avionics from the voltage sag common with lead-acid batteries. For any modern flight operation, the LI2800QC is a smarter, lighter, more powerful, and more reliable investment in ground support.
The exceptional safety and stability of the LI2800QC are rooted in the electrochemistry of its Lithium Iron Phosphate (LiFePO4) cathode. Unlike the layered-oxide structure of Lithium Cobalt Oxide (LiCoO2) used in consumer electronics, the $$$\text{LiFePO}_4$$$cathode is based on a robust, three-dimensional olivine crystal structure. Within this structure, the P-O covalent bond in the phosphate (PO4)³⁻ polyanion is extremely strong. This strength makes the material highly resistant to the release of oxygen, even under abuse conditions such as overcharging or internal short circuits. The lack of available oxygen is the fundamental reason why$$$\text{LiFePO}_4$$$ is inherently non-combustible and far more resistant to thermal runaway than other lithium-ion chemistries. This intrinsic chemical stability is a critical safety feature for a high-amperage device used in the demanding, fuel-rich environment of an airport ramp.
Note: The LI2800QC is a high-power electrical device. Always follow the manufacturer's operating instructions. It is designed for engine starting and to provide 28VDC ground power; it is not an aircraft battery charger. The "Quick Change" battery modules must only be charged with the specific, corresponding Start Pac charger to ensure safety, proper cell balancing, and maximum battery life. Always confirm the aircraft's master switch and all other electrical systems are in the correct configuration before connecting external power.
Documentation
Start Pac® Website: Comprehensive product specifications, application charts, and user manuals for the LI2800QC and its associated charger and battery modules are publicly available for download from the official Start Pac® website.
