So recently I noticed that the fault LED on my EarthX ETX900 battery had gone on (steady), so I contacted EarthX and they told me to file a warranty claim.  Despite not being able to locate my receipt (it's somewhere...) they quickly approved my claim and shipped out a brand new battery.  Thanks EarthX!!

Not sure why that happened - I haven't used the battery or even connected it to anything (I bought it about a year ago).  Maybe sat too long?

In any case I decided I probably should get a proper charger/maintainer, so I looked on EarthX's website for their recommendations and decided on their top choice (they actually sell it), the Tecmate TM series chargers (not all models though), which are also called Optimate.  I got the TM-291 model.

1.5 hrs. torquing the engine mount bolts and starting the external alternator install.

You need probably 18" of wrench extension to get to the top bolt heads...

Torquing a top bolt/nut.  As per the manual I greased (aircraft engine oil) the threads before putting on the nuts.  I then tightened the 4 bolts/nuts incrementally with a regular socket wrench.  Then I torqued them incrementally to 20Nm, 30Nm and then the final value of 38Nm.
The bottom bolts go in "backwards" and you can really only torque the bolt heads and not the nuts.

Starting to do the external alternator install.  JimP has good info on it here.

Coming to Oshkosh this year?  Want to Sling with the Slingers?

Then come to the 2nd Annual Sling Ding Party on Thursday, July 25th at 5!!

See all the particulars here and I'll see you there!

In case you don't do Facebook, then here's a map showing where we'll gather at 5-ish on Thursday of AirVenture:

1 hr. trying to debug my fuel pump assembly leak...

Took off the hose - is this scratch the culprit??

Spent 10 minutes buffing that out and smoothing it all the way around...

Put it all back together with a new hose (slightly longer) and new clamps...  Still a strong leak, even trying the clamp in slightly different positions...

Is this a pinhole??  Let's put it back together and take a closer look (keeping the "pinhole" uncovered).

Well, let's take a closer look and try and pin down where the leak is...

Maybe I'll try a small brush to better ascertain where the leak is... But, I think it's that pinhole on the inlet seam of the pre-fabricated part that forms the lower part of the fuel pump assembly.  Time to get another one - hopefully from CA...

1 hr. setting up the fuel pump pressure tester and testing.

Bought this to make the connection from the tester to the hose.

The parts ready to be tightened up.  The part on the left of the connection I already had in my pneumatic parts cache...

All assembled....

I set it to 28 psi....

Though when you open the valve and try to readjust the input pressure and lock it in (push in the knob) it was difficult to keep it at exactly 28.  30 will do....  Seems to be holding the pressure...  ...But, when I applied soapy water (used the Extreme Simple Green and water) at all the junctions I found one spot that had a clear leak (input to the Aux pump).  Trying to readjust and tighten the screw clamp didn't work.  I think I'll try a new piece of hose tomorrow and see how that goes.  What if that doesn't work?  Maybe the metal nipple part has a scratch/gouge?  I'll examine closely tomorrow and see.  Stay tuned!

Quick half hour today.  Big family event this weekend, so I won't be able to get back to the plane until Sunday.

Starting to prep for testing the fuel pump.  For sealing the outlet of the pump I cut a length of hose and applied at least an inch of epoxy (a generous amount) inside.

Then clamped it down and applied some at the end too.

Need to go to the hardware store to figure out what to use to get from the pressure gauge outlet (right side) to the same hose size as what I used above.  I won't use the red hose that comes with the gauge for this use.

Got my silicone tape.😎

I had to slug Crosby because he was begging.  He took it like a champ.  OK, just kidding, he's a good boy!  He does beg sometimes though... But I don't slug him for it, I sometimes give in...  😁

I think I'll buy some of this for use in the engine compartment!

Here's a 6 pack in a variety of colors that I'm ordering.