No electrical system, which road to take with a radio install?

Becker radio and PS engineering intercom installed in right wing root panel. Wind driven alternator mounted on cabane, battery under front seat.

Charlie Aileron said:

Becker radio and PS engineering intercom installed in right wing root panel. Wind driven alternator mounted on cabane, battery under front seat.View attachment 38700View attachment 38701

Click to expand...

Nice set up Charlie. What battery are you running?

Many years ago, I installed a motorcycle battery in a J-3 and a small solar panel inside the skylight. Ran a King 97 just fine. Plane parked outdoors, though.

MTV

mvivion said:

Many years ago, I installed a motorcycle battery in a J-3 and a small solar panel inside the skylight. Ran a King 97 just fine. Plane parked outdoors, though.

MTV

Click to expand...

It's a math problem. It all depends on the load on the battery (time the radio is 'on') vs time that the panel is exposed to sunlight. Both vary greatly. Occasionally an aircraft may be flown several hours each day with the radio in use at all times. Others times the aircraft may be parked for days or weeks with the radio shut down. As for the solar panel, you may live in the desert where you get about 20 minutes of cloud cover each year, so your panel will be producing almost continuously. But if you live in the midwest, in the fall or winter your daylight is very limited. Or up here it can be non existent.

You'll have to calculate if a solar panel will work for you and for your operation in your present conditions.

Web

A portable or easily removed battery can be charged some while driving to and from the airport. Vehicles usually have 12v power ports (cigar lighters for the aged) that can be used with the right adapter and a couple of alligator clips. Good for a day or two of use if the amp demand is low.
Gary