MADE IN THE USA!
Free Economy ShippingProduct Specifications for EarthX ETX1600 LiFePO4 Lithium Battery
| BM Part #: | ETX1600 |
|---|---|
| Brand: | EarthX |
| Made In: | U.S.A. |
| Voltage: | 13.2 Volt |
| Cold Cranking Amps: | 760 CCA / 1600 PCA |
| Capacity: | 32 Ah |
| Type: | LiFePO4 |
| Length: | 6.5" |
| Width: | 5.1" |
| Height: | 6.6" |
| Shipping Weight: | 8.90Lbs |
| Warranty: | 2 Year Factory Direct |
| Product Manual: | Download |
| Datasheet: | Download |
What's in the box:
- 1 x ETX1600
- 2 x 6mm screws with washers and lock washer
- Made in the USA. Why it matters:
- Superior craftsmanship; rigorously tested; high-quality parts.
- 1,600 Peak Cranking Amps: Starts large engines reliably in experimental aircraft, airboats, and high-output race cars.
- Weighs Just 8.9 lbs: Replaces lead-acid U case batteries weighing up to 45 lbs, saving you up to 36 lbs instantly.
- 32Ah of Fully Usable Capacity: Nearly 100% of rated capacity is accessible, unlike lead-acid which delivers only 30–60%.
- Redundant BMS with Built-In Fault Indicator: Aviation-grade protection circuits continuously monitor charge, temperature, and cell health.
- Rated for 160A Alternators or Less: Designed for vehicles and aircraft operating within this charging system range.
- Made in the USA: Engineered and assembled domestically with AS9100 D quality certification and a 2-year warranty.
Product Description
If your application depends on reliable starting power, the last thing you want is a battery that's working fine one day and dead the next. The EarthX ETX1600 is a 12V LiFePO4 lithium battery built for the demanding roles where that kind of failure simply isn't an option — experimental aircraft, airboats, race cars, and high-load motorcycles.
The ETX1600 fits the footprint of a standard U case or YIX30L lead-acid battery, so there's no fabrication or modification required. What changes immediately is the weight. A conventional lead-acid battery in this size class can tip the scales at 45 lbs. The ETX1600 weighs 8.9 lbs. That's up to 36 lbs back in your hands — weight that matters whether you're building for speed, lift, or both.
Who It's Built For
The ETX1600 is recommended by EarthX for the following applications:
- Experimental aircraft with a 160-amp alternator or less
- Airboats (EarthX's specifically recommended battery for airboat use)
- Race cars and drag cars
- Harley-Davidson touring bikes and large-displacement motorcycles
- UTVs and side-by-sides
- Police motorcycles replacing dual-battery setups
- Deep cycle applications
Stable Power Until It's Gone
Lead-acid batteries don't give you much warning before they give out. As they discharge, their voltage drops steadily, and performance degrades with it. LiFePO4 chemistry works differently: voltage stays relatively flat throughout most of the discharge cycle, so the ETX1600 delivers consistent power right up until it's nearly depleted. The 32Ah of usable capacity is fully accessible, unlike lead-acid where only 30–60% of rated capacity is actually usable.
Aviation-Grade Protection in Every Build
As an ETX-Hundred Series battery, the ETX1600 features redundant electronic circuits designed to meet the same performance standards as FAA-certified lithium aircraft batteries (RTCA DO-311a, DO-254, and DO-160). The onboard Battery Management System (BMS) actively guards against overcharge, over-discharge, short circuits, temperature extremes, and cell imbalance — and it's designed so that no single point of failure causes an unexpected disconnect.
It's also rated for operation up to 50,000 feet and carries an IP66 water resistance rating, so it's equally at home in an open airboat cockpit or a sealed aircraft compartment.
Understanding the Black Pigtail Wire
The ETX1600 ships with a small black pigtail wire. This is the battery's fault indicator output. Connect it to the EarthX 5MM12 12V LED indicator light (sold separately) mounted on your panel, or wire it directly into your EFIS. The LED will alert you in real time if the battery detects anything outside its normal operating range — overcharge, over-discharge, high temperature, or a cell imbalance condition. Full wiring diagrams and EFIS connection instructions are available in the EarthX Battery Manual.
Alternator Compatibility Requirement
The ETX1600 is designed for charging systems of 160 amps or less. Aircraft with alternators producing more than 20 amps require an automatic over-voltage protection device. Review the manual and confirm your charging system output before installation.
Replaces
The ETX1600 is an exact size replacement for the YIX30L and other U case lead-acid batteries. No modifications to your battery tray or hold-down hardware are required.
Ready to make the switch? Add the ETX1600 to your cart today. Pair it with the EarthX BB-TH-U Thermal Battery Box for aviation use, or the BB-U Lightweight Aluminum Battery Box for a clean, secure installation in any build.
Typical Charging Times
| Charging Amps | Charging Time |
|---|---|
| 1 amp | 30 hours |
| 5 amp | 7 hours |
| 30 amp | 1 hour |
Fault Conditions
This table shows the most common fault conditions and possible causes.
| LED Light | Voltage | Possible Cause | Recommended Action |
|---|---|---|---|
| Slow Flashing (5s on / 5s off) | Less than 12.8V | Battery over-discharged (due to faulty charging system) | Charge battery. Once charged, the light will stop flashing. |
| Slow Flashing (5s on / 5s off) | Less than 13.2V | Weak or failing cell | Charge battery. If voltage drops below 13.2V within a few days, discontinue use. |
| Slow Flashing (5s on / 5s off) (>1 hour time period) | 13.2V - 14.6V | Weak or failing cell | Discontinue use. If in flight, this is not an immediate issue unless it is in conjunction with a charging system failure. |
| Slow Flashing (5s on / 5s off) | Greater than 15.2V | Over-charging (due to faulty charging system) | If in flight, shutoff charging system immediately. Aircraft over-voltage protection is required if alternator charging system is greater than 20 amps (i.e. over voltage crowbar circuit) |
| Slow Flashing (5s on / 5s off) | 13.2V - 14.6V | Cell to cell charge levels are not balanced | May come on briefly during periods of high current charging until the cells are automatically balanced. Try charging with a plugin charger, like an Optimate Lithium charger. |
| Solid Light | Any voltage | BMS electronic issue | Discontinue use. If in flight, this is not an immediate issue unless it is in conjunction with a charging system failure. |
| Solid Light that turns off after 3 minutes | Any voltage | Short Circuit protection was activated | Nothing neds to be done. |
| Short Flashing (2s on / 2s off) | Any voltage | High battery temperature (> 65°C / 150°F) | Let battery cool down prior to cranking or charging. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the ETX1600 compatible with my alternator and electrical system?
A: The ETX1600 is designed for use with charging systems of 160 amps or less. For aircraft applications, any alternator producing more than 20 amps also requires an automatic over-voltage protection device (crowbar circuit). If your setup falls within these parameters, the ETX1600 is a compatible replacement. Refer to the EarthX Battery Manual for full installation requirements, or contact our team if you're unsure about your specific charging system.
What is the black pigtail wire, and do I have to connect it?
A: The pigtail wire is the fault indicator output for the ETX1600's built-in Battery Management System. It connects to the EarthX 5MM12 12V LED indicator light (sold separately) on your control panel, or to a compatible input on your EFIS. The LED will alert you to conditions like overcharge, over-discharge, high temperature, or a cell imbalance. Installation of the fault monitoring circuit is required for ETX-Hundred Series batteries. Wiring diagrams for Dynon, Garmin G3X, and Grand Rapids EFIS systems are included in the manual.
What lead-acid batteries does the ETX1600 replace?
A: The ETX1600 is an exact size replacement for the YIX30L and other batteries in the standard U case. Dimensions are 6.5" L x 5.1" W x 6.6" H. No modifications to your battery tray, hold-down hardware, or cable routing are needed. If you're currently running two batteries in a police motorcycle setup, the ETX1600's 32Ah capacity and 1,600 peak cranking amps are sufficient to replace both with a single unit.
Do I need a special charger for the ETX1600?
A: The ETX1600 is compatible with most modern smart lead-acid chargers and 4-cell LiFePO4 chargers, provided the charger does not exceed 14.6V, turns off automatically when the battery reaches full charge, and does not include a de-sulfate, deep conditioning, or pulse mode (which can push voltage above 15V and cause damage). EarthX recommends Optimate lithium-compatible chargers for best results. Avoid chargers older than approximately 10 years, as these often lack adequate voltage regulation. See the Charging section of the manual for full guidance.
