In flight phone/camera charging

[[email protected]]

Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?

Hopefully, something small and simple.

[Martin Gregorie[_6_]]

On Thu, 14 Nov 2019 18:23:59 -0800, bensoaring wrote:

> Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and
> action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?
>
> Hopefully, something small and simple.
>
A web search for "12v USB charging socket" will find lots.

Even after ignoring the ones that fit in a cigar lighter and jump out
when you're not looking, there are a lot to choose from. Most seem to be
dual socket. Some are for panel mount. Loads of 'em on Amazon and eBay.



--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

[[email protected]]

I always carry a couple of the little batteries with cables for recharging just in case of a landout. I also have USB panel mount plugs wired into aircraft power, but the battery packs are the simplest solution. Just stick them in the side pouch.

[Wyll Surf Air]

On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 6:24:02 PM UTC-8, wrote:
> Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?
>
> Hopefully, something small and simple.

I have one of these panel mounted in my glider. The fact that they are aluminum makes me think that they are shielded better than your usual 12V usb charger. So far they seem to work and I haven't had any noise issues yet.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DBXRSRC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=A1OW2KY1U2Z1FL&psc=1

[Dan Daly[_2_]]

On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 9:24:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?
>
> Hopefully, something small and simple.

https://charge4.harkwood.co.uk/

[Emir Sherbi]

I had a lot of noise issues with the USB ports. Some of them work, others not. The most practical was to carry a portable powerbank, but is another thing that you have to remember to charge....

[Dave Nadler]

On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 10:14:13 PM UTC-5, Martin Gregorie wrote:
> ... jump out when you're not looking ???

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=20&v=8P80cdzlE8s&feature=emb_title

[Martin Gregorie[_6_]]

On Fri, 15 Nov 2019 05:27:27 -0800, Emir Sherbi wrote:

> I had a lot of noise issues with the USB ports. Some of them work,
> others not. The most practical was to carry a portable powerbank, but is
> another thing that you have to remember to charge....

My PNA used to run off an el-cheapo Fleabay cigar-lighter USB charger,
but noise from it was never an issue because it was inside a Maplins
cast metal enclosure, for shielding, and I'd stripped off its plastic
case and soldered on a decent 12 v connection to avoid any 'leaping out
of the socket' syndrome. About two years ago the original USB charger
failed after over 10 years use and was replaced by a 'brick', a solid
state 3A 12v->5v converter, which seems to be working very well indeed.

I've included this link to a similar one that might also suit the OP:
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Converter-Adapter-Regulator-Connector-FlowerPEI/
dp/B07YB17YL7/ref=sr_1_5?
keywords=12v+to+5v+power+converter+3A&qid=1573830147&sr=8-5

I said similar because this one has two USB sockets already connected to
it, while mine has a single pair of bare output wires. These things are
dirt cheap - under $4 excluding postage.

--
Martin | martin at
Gregorie | gregorie dot org

[Senna Van den Bosch]

Op vrijdag 15 november 2019 03:24:02 UTC+1 schreef :
> Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?
>
> Hopefully, something small and simple.

Might not be what you're looking for, but I'm using a 10k mAh powerbank with 2 USB ports, which I both use for my GoPro and smartphone(xcsoar).

[Brian[_1_]]

On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 6:27:30 AM UTC-7, Emir Sherbi wrote:
> I had a lot of noise issues with the USB ports. Some of them work, others not. The most practical was to carry a portable powerbank, but is another thing that you have to remember to charge....

I have tried a few as well and also had issues with noise. So far been using a powerbank as well. But if willing to try some recommendations for low noise outlets.

Brian

[Charlie Quebec]

5v 1amp solar panels are available on ebay, and are small enough to amount on the top of the instrument panel. Personally, I use a 10ah power bank in combination with a solar panel.

[Eric Greenwell[_4_]]

Wyll Surf Air wrote on 11/14/2019 11:01 PM:
> On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 6:24:02 PM UTC-8, wrote:
>> Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?
>>
>> Hopefully, something small and simple.
>
> I have one of these panel mounted in my glider. The fact that they are aluminum makes me think that they are shielded better than your usual 12V usb charger. So far they seem to work and I haven't had any noise issues yet.
>
> https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07DBXRSRC/ref=ox_sc_saved_title_8?smid=A1OW2KY1U2Z1FL&psc=1

I have an identical appearing one out of plastic, and it caused a lot of noise on
the radio. I'm glad there is one that is quiet.

--
Eric Greenwell - Washington State, USA (change ".netto" to ".us" to email me)
- "A Guide to Self-Launching Sailplane Operation"
https://sites.google.com/site/motorgliders/publications/download-the-guide-1

[[email protected]]

On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 9:24:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
> Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?
>
> Hopefully, something small and simple.

Thanks for all the input. Most important was learning the possibility of noise; this I hadn't considered.

[kinsell]

On 11/15/19 5:05 PM, wrote:
> On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 9:24:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
>> Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?
>>
>> Hopefully, something small and simple.
>
> Thanks for all the input. Most important was learning the possibility of noise; this I hadn't considered.
>

Garmin makes a nice little panel-mount device, lots of power and claimed
to be quite quiet. Although a little pricier than the $5 junk you'll
find at your local gas station, or on FleaBay, it should serve nicely.
They're quite proud of it.

https://www.garmin.com/en-US/blog/aviation/gsb-15-new-powerful-usb-charger-for-aircraft/

[[email protected]]

Ouch!!! Your not kidding garmin is proud of there little panel mount!! While their connector looks real slick and may have better shielding than the norm, at a price of $350 I think I will pass and keep my cig lighter port that has worked flawlessly for the last 6 years. lol. I guess they think they need that kind of price to justify/reclaim the expense encured getting that FAA approval. Or maybe they can charge that much simply because its an “aviation� related item. I will wait for them to market the same connector for the motorcycle and auto market, the price will then be about $40.

[Dan Marotta]

Yes, I bought a cheap, direct connect USB supply at Amazon.Â* The radio
noise was incessant and the squelch would not silence it.Â* One flight
and in the trash.

On 11/15/2019 5:05 PM, wrote:
> On Thursday, November 14, 2019 at 9:24:02 PM UTC-5, wrote:
>> Would like to add an in-cockit dual charge "station" to charge phone and action camera in flight. Any suggestion for hardware?
>>
>> Hopefully, something small and simple.
> Thanks for all the input. Most important was learning the possibility of noise; this I hadn't considered.

--
Dan, 5J

[Dan Marotta]

How about $1.92
<https://www.wish.com/product/57ce99d204dd70200e7d126d?hide_login_modal=true&from_ad=goog_shopping&_display_country_code=US&_force_currency_code=USD&pid=googleadwords_int&c=%7BcampaignId%7D&ad_cid=57ce99d204dd70200e7d126d&ad_cc=US&ad_curr=USD&ad_price=1.92&fallback_cids=59edb3695373415aac0da4b2&campaign_id=7203534630&gclid=Cj0KCQiA2b7uBRDsARIsAEE9XpHfLxu0T10YTSTdLMmY PlakFmIIW_qFXtsMa5z29Wc4cPDV2llh1usaAqXREALw_wcB>?Â*
Just google motorcycle usb charger.Â* There are plenty of options.Â* One
cost as much as $15.00!

On 11/16/2019 5:04 AM, wrote:
> Ouch!!! Your not kidding garmin is proud of there little panel mount!! While their connector looks real slick and may have better shielding than the norm, at a price of $350 I think I will pass and keep my cig lighter port that has worked flawlessly for the last 6 years. lol. I guess they think they need that kind of price to justify/reclaim the expense encured getting that FAA approval. Or maybe they can charge that much simply because its an “aviation� related item. I will wait for them to market the same connector for the motorcycle and auto market, the price will then be about $40.

--
Dan, 5J

[[email protected]]

I hear ya there Dan. I was pretty careful when I wired up my bird. I kept the radio/speaker wiring on one side of the ship and wired in the cig 12v socket on the far right with some alum shielding around the socket. Works great, no noise except for when I am begging for some lift lol.

[Andreas Maurer[_2_]]

On Fri, 15 Nov 2019 09:30:25 -0800 (PST), Brian >
wrote:

>On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 6:27:30 AM UTC-7, Emir Sherbi wrote:
>> I had a lot of noise issues with the USB ports. Some of them work, others not. The most practical was to carry a portable powerbank, but is another thing that you have to remember to charge....
>
>I have tried a few as well and also had issues with noise. So far been using a powerbank as well. But if willing to try some recommendations for low noise outlets.


Never use a 12V car charger, but use an RC UBEC instead that is
usually used to power RC components in model aircraft. These UBECs are
designed to create as little noise as possible in order not to disturb
the RC receiver.

An example:
https://www.banggood.com/External-BEC-UBEC-5A-5V-30V-Receiver-Power-Supply-p-1027700.html?rmmds=search&cur_warehouse=CN

Been using many of those for ages. Works like a charm.

[2G]

On Saturday, November 16, 2019 at 4:04:30 AM UTC-8, wrote:
> Ouch!!! Your not kidding garmin is proud of there little panel mount!! While their connector looks real slick and may have better shielding than the norm, at a price of $350 I think I will pass and keep my cig lighter port that has worked flawlessly for the last 6 years. lol. I guess they think they need that kind of price to justify/reclaim the expense encured getting that FAA approval. Or maybe they can charge that much simply because its an “aviation� related item. I will wait for them to market the same connector for the motorcycle and auto market, the price will then be about $40.

Here is one that will work in an aircraft and is MUCH cheaper:

https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/elpages/easmartdualusb.php?gclid=Cj0KCQiA2b7uBRDsARIsAEE9X pGea7QMqTcSnlMtKPLSkk4V2RUflR98Q13gNp_gL-E8LJuqZvWOGW4aAiW4EALw_wcB

Tom

[[email protected]]

On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 12:30:28 PM UTC-5, Brian wrote:
> On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 6:27:30 AM UTC-7, Emir Sherbi wrote:
> > I had a lot of noise issues with the USB ports. Some of them work, others not. The most practical was to carry a portable powerbank, but is another thing that you have to remember to charge....
>
> I have tried a few as well and also had issues with noise. So far been using a powerbank as well. But if willing to try some recommendations for low noise outlets.
>
> Brian

I use a cheap Autek brand 12V to 5V converter for powering the Nook, and with some ferrite rings on the input and output wires there isn't any significant radio noise.

A "power bank" may create noise too. Each such has a 3.7V lithium battery coupled with a switching mode power circuit to convert it to 5V output. That said, has anybody had noise issues with them in practice? Also in turbulent conditions simply putting the power bank in a side pocket may not be safe.

[Terry Walsh[_2_]]

We use this one and it works with no noise in our glider.

https://www.navboys.com/DOUBLEUSB.html

Terry Walsh







At 22:22 27 November 2019, wrote:
>On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 12:30:28 PM UTC-5, Brian wrote:
>> On Friday, November 15, 2019 at 6:27:30 AM UTC-7, Emir Sherbi wrote:
>> > I had a lot of noise issues with the USB ports. Some of them work,
>othe=
>rs not. The most practical was to carry a portable powerbank, but is
>anothe=
>r thing that you have to remember to charge....
>>=20
>> I have tried a few as well and also had issues with noise. So far been
>us=
>ing a powerbank as well. But if willing to try some recommendations for
>low=
> noise outlets.
>>=20
>> Brian
>
>I use a cheap Autek brand 12V to 5V converter for powering the Nook, and
>wi=
>th some ferrite rings on the input and output wires there isn't any
>signifi=
>cant radio noise.
>
>A "power bank" may create noise too. Each such has a 3.7V lithium
battery
>=
>coupled with a switching mode power circuit to convert it to 5V output.
>Th=
>at said, has anybody had noise issues with them in practice? Also in
>turbu=
>lent conditions simply putting the power bank in a side pocket may not be
>s=
>afe.
>
>