jezzie Posted April 13, 2014 Report Posted April 13, 2014 When I changed my panel over I did not reinstall the traditional cigarette lighter. with all the new USB powered Ipads etc seems to me to make sense to install USB style rather than a cigarette lighter receptacle. I have come across this one Model TA 102 True Blue USB charging port, just wondering if anyone has used this one or others. What they you doing to run external devices. Thanks for your input. Quote
Schinderhannes Posted April 13, 2014 Report Posted April 13, 2014 Beautiful, but with $407 out of my price range. In the meantime your post inspired me to do some research and I am on my way to West Marine... http://www.westmarine.com/portable-chargers/blue-sea-systems--12v-dual-usb-charger-socket-panel-mount--14152532 Quote
carusoam Posted April 13, 2014 Report Posted April 13, 2014 I sent an email to Sporty's yesterday... I have two devices (possibly four) vying for the one spot. They have a cigarette lighter plug for dual USB 2.1 amp. Their technical data indicated 12volts only... And a triple socket that indicated 12 volt only. This didn't sound proper either.... I need 24V, USB or cigarette lighter style plug. Garmin Portable, iPad, iPhone, SkyRadar... All non-essential, battery powered, but would be nice to have a plug.... Best regards, -a- Quote
M016576 Posted April 13, 2014 Report Posted April 13, 2014 10 bucks to buy a cigarette lighter to USB adapter at just about any gas station and they are pretty much flush with the recepticle. Works for us 12 volt kind of guys. 2 Quote
Awful_Charlie Posted April 13, 2014 Report Posted April 13, 2014 I need 24V, USB or cigarette lighter style plug. Look in a truckers catalog - most trucks are 24/28V, but try and get sale or return - some of the voltage droppers create a lot of RF and/or audio interference Quote
jezzie Posted April 13, 2014 Author Report Posted April 13, 2014 Thanks for all the feedback, I will learn to be happy with a newly installed lighter socket and an adapter 1 Quote
Marauder Posted April 13, 2014 Report Posted April 13, 2014 For optimal charging, see if you can get one that will charge at 2.4 amps. The new iPad Air comes with a 2.4 amp charger. I think my Mini did as well. 2 Quote
MARZ Posted April 14, 2014 Report Posted April 14, 2014 And you can get one that will plug up 4 devices at 2.1 amps with a nifty blue light to show its in correctly 2 Quote
PTK Posted April 14, 2014 Report Posted April 14, 2014 Not all usb car cigarette lighter chargers are created equal! Watch out for those cheap ones! In the airplane I need a charger that can deliver serious watts to the device to charge it fast while running. I use the Scosche reVOLT 12+12. It has 2 USB ports packing a whopping 12 Watts (2.4A) of power each. It will charge two iPads simultaneously rapid fast. It also has a low profile and fits flush in the cigarette lighter socket. Quote
carusoam Posted April 16, 2014 Report Posted April 16, 2014 Got an email from Sporty's today. They have two cig lighter models that are suited for 24V, just the catalog seams to have missed the detail??? The Scoshe website was nice. Nothing about 24v stood out. Took the advice and found some related to trucking, but they were not as nice as the Scoshe. Probably go with the Sporty version for some time. Determine how well it works for my current situation. Then settle on something more permanent. Still thinking... Best regards, -a- Quote
mooniac15u Posted April 16, 2014 Report Posted April 16, 2014 Does anyone have any experience installing either a dedicated USB or standard cigarette lighter style outlet for the rear seats? My passengers often want to power their devices too. Quote
PTK Posted April 16, 2014 Report Posted April 16, 2014 Does anyone have any experience installing either a dedicated USB or standard cigarette lighter style outlet for the rear seats? My passengers often want to power their devices too. I have the same exact thought. I'm going to run a line between the seats in the back for this purpose. I think it's a great idea. A standard dc power line should be easy to do. Just make sure to connect the hot wire to where it runs on and off with the master. This way you avoid potentially draining the battery. Quote
mooniac15u Posted April 16, 2014 Report Posted April 16, 2014 Are you going to run it off the same CB as the panel power socket? What is needed for this mod; 337 or just a sign-off? Quote
PTK Posted April 16, 2014 Report Posted April 16, 2014 I was going to run it in series with existing cigarette lighter circuit on the same CB unless I hear otherwise from my A&P. Quote
orionflt Posted April 16, 2014 Report Posted April 16, 2014 It is not a major alteration so it would not need a 337 Quote
wishboneash Posted April 16, 2014 Report Posted April 16, 2014 From what I have read there are "charge only" USB cables which short the data pins together in the cable which allows full charging capability of the charger. The "Apple" ports have this done which works for iPads and the like. For Android, even if the port can supply 1A or 2.1A the device may not communicate properly restricting the current to 0.1A or 0.5A. Google "charge-only micro USB cable" and you can read more about it. The other way I get around the charging issue is to take along a portable ~100W 12V->110V inverters plug it into the 12V socket and use a regular 110V charger that came with the device which will charge at the max possible rate. A bit kludgy but it works. Moreover, the inverter can be used for other things. Use at your own risk! Quote
N201MKTurbo Posted April 16, 2014 Report Posted April 16, 2014 If you are running wires for another cigarette lighter outlet just make sure you are using wires that are the same gauge or larger then the ones currently running to the existing lighter and use good Tefzel insulated wire. Quote
JohnB Posted April 21, 2014 Report Posted April 21, 2014 I just had a dual 2.1 usb power outlet installed in my airplane. On the cigarette lighter adapter 28v, I had my avionics shop split off another cigarette lighter plug under the panel for neatness sake, which I use to plug in my 110v inverter, which I use to power my iPad and my stratus which is connected to the rear seat are by power cable which I had tucked under the side panels to keep the cabin looking neat. So I now have two 2.1amp USB ports, two 110 v outlets which I use to plug in adapters for the higher drain items (iPad, Stratus). I've found that no cigarette lighter to USB adapter can really keep the iPad charged when actually using it in flight, but the inverter works great with the iPads own charger. You may be able to install the permanent power outlet in the back if there's enough space between your door and the frame to put it if you really need it in the back. To do the power outlet is more pricey, and requires adding another circuit breaker. Using the inverter is less pricey, and as long as it's not a permanent part of the airplane, (you can plug or unplug it) it won't require much, and costs around $60. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk Quote
TWinter Posted April 21, 2014 Report Posted April 21, 2014 Works like a champ. Just another way of looking at it. Quote
1964-M20E Posted April 29, 2014 Report Posted April 29, 2014 Get an Avidyne IFD 540 or 440 when they come out (supposedly in June) the databases are updated by any USB jump drive it does not need to be a special one form Avidyne and the USB port can be used for charging and run your I pad. Quote
M016576 Posted April 29, 2014 Report Posted April 29, 2014 Get an Avidyne IFD 540 or 440 when they come out (supposedly in June) the databases are updated by any USB jump drive it does not need to be a special one form Avidyne and the USB port can be used for charging and run your I pad. Nice. I'm curious to see one of this first hand when they finally come out... Quote
mooniac15u Posted April 29, 2014 Report Posted April 29, 2014 Get an Avidyne IFD 540 or 440 when they come out (supposedly in June) the databases are updated by any USB jump drive it does not need to be a special one form Avidyne and the USB port can be used for charging and run your I pad. I'm not sure I would like having a USB cord sticking out of my main nav unit while flying. It seems like it might get in the way. Quote
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