AUX Power Output

[mulro767]

I have a Garmin Aera 510 hard-wired to the avionics bus and panel-mounted with an AirGizmo.  After 6 hours of flying and turning off avionics master, I get a battery low message on the Aera 510.  I thought, How can this be?  It's been in the cradle charging this whole time.  Then my girlfriend plugged her iPhone into the cigarette lighter charger and said that after 3 hours her iPhone was barely charged.  Again, this makes no sense as it would be fully charged 30 minutes in a car.  So I had my avionics guy look at it today.  He showed the Aera 510 and the auxiliary output power to be very good.  So far, his only solution is to send the Aera back to Garmin and replace cigarette lighter.There must be something happening in flight where the output drops significantly.  He was stumped.   So am I.  Anybody have a similar problem with this? Ideas?  

[fantom]

My hard wired Aera 510 used to do the same thing. I put new batteries in it, and now make a point of manually turing it off when I shut down, and I haven't had that message in a year.

[Steve Dawson]

I'd check again for the output of the cigerette lighter and possibly find another tie in to your system or check your altenator output.  I've had my 510 and I Pad plugged in and found the same problem. Not a problem when plugged into my car.  

[carusoam]

Mulro767,

 

A few things to consider.

 

Portable Garmins have a voltage indicator.

 

When on self contained batteries, voltage will indicate 5 - 6 volts.  When on ship's battery, it will indicate 12/14 or 24/28 volts.

 

The old cigarette lighters do not make good contact with modern plug devices.  They can be replaced.

 

As for the hard wire connection.  Check the indicated voltage, the polarity, then ground, then determine what circuit it was connected to.

 

It should work as you expect.  Careful using non aviation devices in 24v aircraft. Check to make sure the power supply is rated for voltage being used.

 

Best regards,

 

-a-

[jetdriven]

Ours will only add one bar of battery life in 3 hours to the aera.  I think the system voltage is too low, the aera shows 13.5 volts, I am going to adjust it to the full 14v and see if it helps. 

[mulro767]

I would take one bar per three hours.  Mine loses 3 bars in 5 hours.  I spoke with Garmin and they suggest using charge mode when Aera is not being used.  Meaning, when I'm not navigating or using XM.  Umm, hello??? What the hell did I buy this thing for if I can't use it while I'm flying?  One of the many great features on this is the HSI mode.  If I end up losing everything (electrical or pitot static) at least I will still have battery power backup and HSI mode to get me out of the soup.  Well, as long as I have some battery life left.  For now I'll just take it home with me after every flight and charge it at home.  Thanks for the help!