Power port in panel?

[Jay Honeck]

Is it legal to have your A&P install a "power port" (NOT a cigarette lighter
outlet) in your panel? Does it require a field approval?

I want something on the pilot's side that is more robust than a cigarette
lighter, to power our yoke-mounted GPS.
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[[email protected]]

Jay Honeck > wrote:
: Is it legal to have your A&P install a "power port" (NOT a cigarette lighter
: outlet) in your panel? Does it require a field approval?

Silly Jay... *everything* requires a field approval.

: I want something on the pilot's side that is more robust than a cigarette
: lighter, to power our yoke-mounted GPS.
: --

Take a look through an electronics catalog for panel-mount
connectors. Try to find one that's keyed, can take 10-20A, and rugged.

-Cory
--
************************************************** ***********************
* The prime directive of Linux: *
* - learn what you don't know, *
* - teach what you do. *
* (Just my 20 USm$) *
************************************************** ***********************

[EDR]

In article <NmWeb.666754$uu5.107616@sccrnsc04>, Jay Honeck
> wrote:

> Is it legal to have your A&P install a "power port" (NOT a cigarette lighter
> outlet) in your panel? Does it require a field approval?

Was it an option from Piper when ATLAS was built?
If the manufacturer installed it on other airframes, why would you not
be able to install one on yours?

[Gerry Caron]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:NmWeb.666754$uu5.107616@sccrnsc04...
> Is it legal to have your A&P install a "power port" (NOT a cigarette
lighter
> outlet) in your panel? Does it require a field approval?
>
> I want something on the pilot's side that is more robust than a cigarette
> lighter, to power our yoke-mounted GPS.

Sounds like a landing light troubleshooting aid to me. 8-)

Gerry

[Jon Woellhaf]

My IA _eventually_ got approval (Denver) to install three power outlets in
my 182. It took over a year to obtain but was complicated mainly by the
addition of a standby power source for my electric horizon. Without that, I
think the approval would have been easy.

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:NmWeb.666754$uu5.107616@sccrnsc04...
> Is it legal to have your A&P install a "power port" (NOT a cigarette
lighter
> outlet) in your panel? Does it require a field approval?
>
> I want something on the pilot's side that is more robust than a cigarette
> lighter, to power our yoke-mounted GPS.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"

[JerryK]

Maybe you A&P just needs to "repair" your cigarette lighter with the new and
improved 3 outlet 10 AMP part.

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:NmWeb.666754$uu5.107616@sccrnsc04...
> Is it legal to have your A&P install a "power port" (NOT a cigarette
lighter
> outlet) in your panel? Does it require a field approval?
>
> I want something on the pilot's side that is more robust than a cigarette
> lighter, to power our yoke-mounted GPS.
> --
> Jay Honeck
> Iowa City, IA
> Pathfinder N56993
> www.AlexisParkInn.com
> "Your Aviation Destination"
>
>

[Kyler Laird]

"Jay Honeck" > writes:

>I want something on the pilot's side that is more robust than a cigarette
>lighter, to power our yoke-mounted GPS.

I didn't pursue it, but here are my (old out-of-date) notes on EmPower.
http://www.ecn.purdue.edu/~laird/flying/products/EmPower/

--kyler

[Paul Sengupta]

Got an XLR connector put in my panel that I run my GPS off (28V electrics).

Paul
(Hi guys, just popped in briefly!)

> wrote in message
...
> Take a look through an electronics catalog for panel-mount
> connectors. Try to find one that's keyed, can take 10-20A, and rugged.

[Jay Honeck]

> Got an XLR connector put in my panel that I run my GPS off (28V
electrics).
>
> Paul
> (Hi guys, just popped in briefly!)

Hey -- where you been? We were just talking about you (behind your
monitor, of course... :).

What the heck is an "XLR connector"?
--
Jay Honeck
Iowa City, IA
Pathfinder N56993
www.AlexisParkInn.com
"Your Aviation Destination"

[Kyler Laird]

"Jay Honeck" > writes:

>What the heck is an "XLR connector"?

http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=XLR+jack
An advantage to XLR is that you can find them at Radio Shack. Having
three pins (plus ground) gives you the option of being creative; add a
power line that isn't switched by the master, or run an audio input to
your intercom, for example.

--kyleer

[df]

Kyler Laird wrote:
> "Jay Honeck" > writes:
>
>
>>What the heck is an "XLR connector"?
>
>
> http://froogle.google.com/froogle?q=XLR+jack
> An advantage to XLR is that you can find them at Radio Shack. Having
> three pins (plus ground) gives you the option of being creative; add a
> power line that isn't switched by the master, or run an audio input to
> your intercom, for example.
>
> --kyleer

I've used Morotola style plugs in various aircraft I've owned. The panel
side would be the female with the center conductor being B+.

Nice and small, just add a fuse and your done.

[Paul Sengupta]

"Jay Honeck" > wrote in message
news:N5Vfb.43971$%h1.28461@sccrnsc02...
> > Got an XLR connector put in my panel that I run my GPS off (28V
> electrics).
> >
> > Paul
> > (Hi guys, just popped in briefly!)
>
> Hey -- where you been? We were just talking about you (behind your
> monitor, of course... :).
>
> What the heck is an "XLR connector"?

Hi Jay (et al)...sorry I've been a bit busy! Work and all that, no time.
Also been nice flying weather
here this summer! :-)

An XLR connector is normally used for professional audio, microphones and
things. They will handle
enough current for aircraft accessories. The advantages are low cost and
easy availability, and as
per your requirements, they lock. Usual is 3 pins (I only use 2 of them) but
you can get more if
you so desire.

Paul

[Jim Weir]

The DISadvantage is that the rascals are HUGE compared to a decent aircraft
sized connector.

Jim



->An XLR connector is normally used for professional audio, microphones and
->things. They will handle
->enough current for aircraft accessories. The advantages are low cost and
->easy availability, and as
->per your requirements, they lock.
Jim Weir (A&P/IA, CFI, & other good alphabet soup)
VP Eng RST Pres. Cyberchapter EAA Tech. Counselor
http://www.rst-engr.com

[Paul Mennen]

> The DISadvantage is that the rascals are HUGE compared to a
> decent aircraft sized connector.
>
> Jim

I agree that the XLR connectors are bigger than necessary.
I've used a Coaxial DC Power Jack from Radio Shack (274-1576)
for in the panel and Coaxial DC Power Plug (274-1573) for
anything that plugs into it. (Each part cost $2.49). I wired
it to the Vbat bus thru an in-line fuse (also avail. from Radio Shack).

I have a little 12V lamp I sometimes plug in there for illuminating
under the panel when I'm trying to work under there. I also have
one of those car battery solar chargers - which I cut off the cigar
plug connection in favor of the DC power plug. (I usually have
a carbon monoxide detector plugged into my cigar lighter.)

I've also found this plug to be handy to power various gadgets
on occasion. (You never know when a little 12 volts comes in handy :)

Is this legal? Probably not. Ask me if I care.

By the way, don't make the mistake of using a phono jack/plug.
The problem is that the act of inserting the plug usually shorts
it out momentarily. Not long, but long enough to blow your fuse.

~Paul Mennen

[Dave Stadt]

"Paul Mennen" > wrote in message
m...
> > The DISadvantage is that the rascals are HUGE compared to a
> > decent aircraft sized connector.
> >
> > Jim
>
> I agree that the XLR connectors are bigger than necessary.
> I've used a Coaxial DC Power Jack from Radio Shack (274-1576)
> for in the panel and Coaxial DC Power Plug (274-1573) for
> anything that plugs into it. (Each part cost $2.49). I wired
> it to the Vbat bus thru an in-line fuse (also avail. from Radio Shack).
>
> I have a little 12V lamp I sometimes plug in there for illuminating
> under the panel when I'm trying to work under there. I also have
> one of those car battery solar chargers - which I cut off the cigar
> plug connection in favor of the DC power plug. (I usually have
> a carbon monoxide detector plugged into my cigar lighter.)
>
> I've also found this plug to be handy to power various gadgets
> on occasion. (You never know when a little 12 volts comes in handy :)
>
> Is this legal? Probably not. Ask me if I care.
>
> By the way, don't make the mistake of using a phono jack/plug.
> The problem is that the act of inserting the plug usually shorts
> it out momentarily. Not long, but long enough to blow your fuse.
>
> ~Paul Mennen


Switchcraft makes a very high quality industrial version of the coaxial
power plugs and jacks. They have a set that locks so you can mount them
vertical if you want. Cost is reasonable and you can get them from any of
the large electronic supply houses. Once you see these the Rat Shack ones
will scare you.

[James M. Knox]

"Paul Mennen" > wrote in news:%Y7gb.7840$Fy3.5498
@newssvr29.news.prodigy.com:

> I've used a Coaxial DC Power Jack from Radio Shack (274-1576)
> for in the panel and Coaxial DC Power Plug (274-1573) for
> anything that plugs into it. (Each part cost $2.49). I wired
> it to the Vbat bus thru an in-line fuse (also avail. from Radio Shack).

I have the same thing in my plane (and yes, legal... all signed off <G>).

But I am going to swap them out one of these days. Believe it or not,
folks DO try to plug a headset into them. Doesn't work (doesn't even begin
to go in, since there is a center pin), and does manage to short out the
power (which just pops the fuse). But annoying. Next time I am going for
either something with a cover or something with completely recessed pins.

-----------------------------------------------
James M. Knox
TriSoft ph 512-385-0316
1109-A Shady Lane fax 512-366-4331
Austin, Tx 78721
-----------------------------------------------

[Kyler Laird]

"Paul Mennen" > writes:

>By the way, don't make the mistake of using a phono jack/plug.
>The problem is that the act of inserting the plug usually shorts
>it out momentarily.

I'd enjoy seeing you try to short a phono jack/plug. I'm guessing
that you mean a 1/8" or 1/4" phone jack/plug (where there are
multiple conducting segments on the center pin).

--kyler

[Paul Mennen]

Perhaps I used the wrong terminology. Probably the RCA style phono
plugs and jacks would have worked. Once I used a typical 3 conductor
1/8" audio plug/jack combination and it didn't work. Shorted out nearly
every time.

~Paul


"Kyler Laird" > wrote in message
...
> "Paul Mennen" > writes:
>
> >By the way, don't make the mistake of using a phono jack/plug.
> >The problem is that the act of inserting the plug usually shorts
> >it out momentarily.
>
> I'd enjoy seeing you try to short a phono jack/plug. I'm guessing
> that you mean a 1/8" or 1/4" phone jack/plug (where there are
> multiple conducting segments on the center pin).
>
> --kyler

[Kyler Laird]

"Paul Mennen" > writes:

>Probably the RCA style phono
>plugs and jacks would have worked.

I was surprised to see that my old DME uses an RCA jack for power (as I
recall).

>Once I used a typical 3 conductor
>1/8" audio plug/jack combination and it didn't work. Shorted out nearly
>every time.

Yeah, that makes sense. If you had used the "ring" as the ground and
the "tip" as the supply (leaving the other tip segment(s) unused) you
shouldn't have this problem, but if you put both the supply and ground
on tip segments or use the segment nearest the ring, you're in for
trouble. It's still not a great connector for power though.

I'm really warming to the idea of using XLR connectors. They're hardly
bigger than standard cigarette lighters and they're so readily
available.

--kyler