External Power Port

[aerobat95]

Hey I was wondering if there was an "easy" way to add a external power port?  I have flown old Cessna 172's that have them, and I kinda wish the Mooney had one too.

[danb35]

There's at least one approved way, and that's IAW Mooney drawing # 950086.  I presume you could get that, along with the associated parts kit, from Mooney.

[jrwilson]

my 63c has 1.

[Newmooneyguy]

My 66e has one, not sure if it was an addon.  Well  worth the expense if your battery dies.

[DaV8or]

I'd like one too someday. Anybody have this installed and know the costs involved?

[carusoam]

My 65C had one.  Only used it a few times in ten years though.  To copy this design would include cutting the sheet metal and installing a door over it...

Sounds expensive.  

I would like to keep my battery on a conditioner/charger.  That would need the external plug for convenience.

[danb35]

My F has it, that's why I know the drawing number--it's in the logs back in '67.  Unfortunately, I didn't own her back then, so no idea of the work or costs involved.  I also use the jump start door to route the wiring for my battery minder.

I'd expect the bulk of the parts to be pretty much standard, but a bit of sheet metal work would be required.

[1964-M20E]

Quote: danb35

There's at least one approved way, and that's IAW Mooney drawing # 950086.  I presume you could get that, along with the associated parts kit, from Mooney.

[MoonFlyer68]

Reviving and oldie but a goodie, adding external power ports to vintage Mooney's.  I have a 1968 M20F and have sourced all the required parts already.  What I am wondering is about the Mooney drawing 950086 that I see people referencing. Given that I am sure it is proprietary property of Mooney Inc. I wouldn't expect that anyone would be willing to share that item with me if they had it.  Back in the day, I would obviously reach out to Mooney directly about this drawing but I am not sure how well that would work considering their current status.  If I am trying to get that drawing, would I reach out to Mooney directly or possibly check with the service centers to get it?

Thanks

[LANCECASPER]

7 hours ago, MoonFlyer68 said:

Reviving and oldie but a goodie, adding external power ports to vintage Mooney's.  I have a 1968 M20F and have sourced all the required parts already.  What I am wondering is about the Mooney drawing 950086 that I see people referencing. Given that I am sure it is proprietary property of Mooney Inc. I wouldn't expect that anyone would be willing to share that item with me if they had it.  Back in the day, I would obviously reach out to Mooney directly about this drawing but I am not sure how well that would work considering their current status.  If I am trying to get that drawing, would I reach out to Mooney directly or possibly check with the service centers to get it?

Thanks

https://www.mooney.com/contact-2/          Since this is a technical support question try support@mooney.com

[Ragsf15e]

On 7/19/2024 at 9:31 PM, MoonFlyer68 said:

Reviving and oldie but a goodie, adding external power ports to vintage Mooney's.  I have a 1968 M20F and have sourced all the required parts already.  What I am wondering is about the Mooney drawing 950086 that I see people referencing. Given that I am sure it is proprietary property of Mooney Inc. I wouldn't expect that anyone would be willing to share that item with me if they had it.  Back in the day, I would obviously reach out to Mooney directly about this drawing but I am not sure how well that would work considering their current status.  If I am trying to get that drawing, would I reach out to Mooney directly or possibly check with the service centers to get it?

Thanks

I agree with @LANCECASPER, try Frank Crawford at Mooney.

[KSMooniac]

Failing an "official" data transfer from Mooney or an MSC, an alternate solution might be to look at an IPC from a later model that has the option, and build your bill of materials (BOM) from the IPC, including the hardware.  You can assemble the kit of stuff on the battery box lid, and use it to locate the hole you'll have to cut in the tailcone access panel to make way for the access door.  All of this should be a minor mod that your IA can approve, in my engineering opinion, especially using factory Mooney parts.  If you have a tailcone access panel as part of your kit, you can presumably use it as a template to make the mods to yours, or see if it will just fit your plane as-is, and repaint as necessary.

In practice, how many folks here have actually used the power port for a dead battery situation?  Doesn't it risk hurting the battery and alternator if you get a jump from dead, and then go fly immediately?  I'd rather take the minor delay and get a proper charge if my battery died away from home...they're too expensive these days to risk damage IMO.  (That is why I have not added the port to my plane yet.)

[Flyler]

20 hours ago, KSMooniac said:

Failing an "official" data transfer from Mooney or an MSC, an alternate solution might be to look at an IPC from a later model that has the option, and build your bill of materials (BOM) from the IPC, including the hardware.  You can assemble the kit of stuff on the battery box lid, and use it to locate the hole you'll have to cut in the tailcone access panel to make way for the access door.  All of this should be a minor mod that your IA can approve, in my engineering opinion, especially using factory Mooney parts.  If you have a tailcone access panel as part of your kit, you can presumably use it as a template to make the mods to yours, or see if it will just fit your plane as-is, and repaint as necessary.

In practice, how many folks here have actually used the power port for a dead battery situation?  Doesn't it risk hurting the battery and alternator if you get a jump from dead, and then go fly immediately?  I'd rather take the minor delay and get a proper charge if my battery died away from home...they're too expensive these days to risk damage IMO.  (That is why I have not added the port to my plane yet.)

I just hooked up my truck using jumper cables, left everything in the plane turned off, and let the truck idle and charge the battery for 30 minutes.  Disconnect truck, start up plane.  Seems to work fine!

[65MooneyPilot]

950086_1 APU plug.pdf try this file, If it doesn’t work PM me and I will send it to you. I just modified my Mooney and instead of installing the APU as they call it I installed the battery minder. 

[Echo]

I bought a set of aviation jumper cables as I have the external power port on my plane.  What is the process for stating by the book?  I have not found information on that.

[tony]

On 7/26/2024 at 10:09 AM, Echo said:

I bought a set of aviation jumper cables as I have the external power port on my plane.  What is the process for stating by the book?  I have not found information on that.

The external jumers cables are not part of your aircraft.  They are ground support equipment.  

[1980Mooney]

On 7/26/2024 at 9:09 AM, Echo said:

I bought a set of aviation jumper cables as I have the external power port on my plane.  What is the process for stating by the book?  I have not found information on that.

The "Batteryminder" external plug set-up above is totally different from what you likely have.  I assume that you have the traditional heavy duty "Cessna Oval 3 Pin Plug"

Male receptacle for the GPU (Ground Power Unit) {also called an APU - Auxiliary Power Unit} installed on your plane:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/extpowerrect.php#productMainImage-1

https://lasar.com/electrical-instruments/apu-receptacle-an2552-3a

GPU Jumper cables:

https://www.chiefaircraft.com/asoc-6141.html

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/jumpercables.php

Take a look at the schematic in the attached drawing above (upper left hand corner of the drawing).  Alternatively you should find the electrical schematic for your plane in the shop manual but it is harder to read.   There are two (2) solenoids - The first, when energized, connects your jumper in parallel with your existing battery.  The other solenoid, when energized, supplies power to your starter by connecting it to your battery (which is in parallel with the the jumper source when the jumper power source is plugged in).

First , connect your jumper cable to a power cart, APU or to a running car/truck (if your plane is 12 volt).   Then plug the 3 pin plug into the receptacle on your plane.  Notice that there is a smaller third (3rd) pin in the plug and receptacle.  The GPU plug's third pin is connected to (+). It's shorter, so it makes contact last. When the plug is inserted, first the main (+) and (-) make contact. When the third plug pin touches, it energizes the solenoid and the contactor in the solenoid closes, and GPU power goes to the battery. Therefore, there is no chance for a spark when connecting the "hot" 3 pin plug.

If the battery on your plane is dead, initially there will be a surge of power to it from the power cart or running car/truck.  Personally I would let it sit and charge but there is no danger to the starter or engine if you choose to start the plane.  You just have 2 sources of power in parallel connected to the starter.  If your plane battery is heavily discharged the power coming from the your jumper will be flowing to both the discharged battery and your starter.  There might be too much current with resulting voltage drop such that the starter doesn't turn fast enough.  The plane battery needs to recover some charge first in that case.  If your plane does start and you choose to unplug the GPU immediately after the engine starts, it puts a big strain on your alternator.   It is better to let everything charge for a while.

Also, unless an absolute emergency, it is not smart to take off with a dead battery that is charging.  Retracting the gear could put enough load to kill everything.  @kortopates has opined on this many times.

 

 

Edited July 27, 2024 by 1980Mooney

[Echo]

5 hours ago, tony said:

The external jumers cables are not part of your aircraft.  They are ground support equipment.  

My cable is for jump starting as discussed by 1980.  Traditional positive and negative clamps on one end and the three pin male on the other end.  Duly noted on NOT jump starting plane from the unit and risking gear incident from dead battery.

[Echo]

I have a female battery tending line in baggage that I plug into tender while in hanger.