USB adapter Question
- Thread starter Richgj3
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wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
Some do, some don't. You'll need to check the 'voltage in' spec on the adapter. Most will say something like '12 volts DC only'. You need one that gives a voltage in spec that covers 28 volts, such as '14 to 28 VDC' or '9 to 33 VDC'.
Web
Web
frequent_flyer
Registered User
Arizona, USA
A search for "28 volt USB port" answered the question for me.
First thing to check would be the voltage at this aircraft's "cigarette lighter" socket. If it is 12 V then any of the car USB adapters will work. If the voltage is 28 V then a USB adapters specified as 28 V compatible would be needed. Most of these adapters use switching regulators and some produce more RFI than others. I have a couple of Anker adapters and have not noticed any RFI problems. Have not checked them with a spectrum analyzer though.
Some discussion here - https://mooneyspace.com/topic/18393-ipad-charging-on-a-28-volt-system/
edit to add - I see you found the answer while I was typing.
jrussl
BENEFACTOR
Madison, WI
A somewhat related issue……..I bought some aftermarket GoPro batteries and they came with a charger that allowed them to be charged by power supplied by a usb cable. I thought this was going to be great as I could charge batteries while flying. No go. When the charger was plugged in, the comm radio was completely unusable. Talk about noise! Took me a couple of minutes before it dawned on me what was going on.
Jeff
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Cub Builder
MEMBER
North Central AR
FWIW, I installed two of these dual port adapters in each of my planes, one of which is 28V. No PMA, but works well and doesn't create any noise or interference. $20 from Aircraft Spruce. <https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/usb-adapter.php?clickkey=27926>
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behindpropellers
Registered User
NE Ohio
In addition to radio interference, you should also be looking to see if a USB adapter uses charge negotiation. Charge negotiation allows for the max current delivery to be made to the device.
I once sent in a radio to get repaired. The radio was fine. The friend that I took with me to OSH had plugged in his cheapo USB charger...
Tim
I once sent in a radio to get repaired. The radio was fine. The friend that I took with me to OSH had plugged in his cheapo USB charger...
Tim
frequent_flyer
Registered User
Arizona, USA
One Aircraft Spruce review for this product reports "static on headphones". Switching power supplies usually generate RFI in fairly narrow frequency bands. If the emission is not at, or close to, a COM frequency that you use then you won't hear it. If it is close to a frequency you use then you'll be out of luck.
It's not just switching power supplies that can interfere with COMs. All clock oscillators of tablets and cell phones also radiate at discrete frequencies. You may be lucky and you may not be. Switching supplies usually produce "hash" but tablet and phone clock oscillator will usually radiate a clean signal on one stable frequency. They can produce a beat tone in the same way as a stuck mic does.
I am not a tech guru. I have a son who is though. He taught me that if I install the typical USB plug (that I always try to insert upside down) that has been around since about 1996 into my Patrol build, then next year I'll probably wish I had installed a USB-C type of a plug....different from the 1996 version. (it can be inserted either way).
This one has both and is manufactured by Radient. They make electronic light weight airplane stuff so I imagine they know about radio buzz and switching. Its not 28V though. It requires 9-13V.
This one has both and is manufactured by Radient. They make electronic light weight airplane stuff so I imagine they know about radio buzz and switching. Its not 28V though. It requires 9-13V.
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frequent_flyer
Registered User
Arizona, USA
I used a spectrum analyzer to sweep the tablet and cell phone that I often use in the airplane as an "EFB". I could find no significant radiation in the aircraft band. The offender that I had looked at a few years ago was my Stratux ADS-B receiver. This is Raspberry Pi based kit that has quite strong radiation in the aircraft Coms band. Later models may have improved shielding. (Note Stratux, not Stratus)
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
I've put a bunch of these in airplanes over the last few years. I've had two that made noise, so I can live with that ratio. At less than $20 I'm also ok with the bill when I give it to the customer. Pretty tough telling the owner that you're going to charge him $200+ for a unit that works the same way as the cheap ones. Always size the breaker to protect the wire and check for noise before the customer picks up the airplane.
I suppose that I'll need to source ones that have the newer style port, now.
Web
Farmboy
MEMBER
Middlebury, VT
Yeah my 20’dollar one worked great as well. Of course not much to disrupt, one comm.. But if you find a good type C version let me know as the power output is much better
I’ve also found some cords don’t allow the same charge rate that others do, sadly.
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org
I’ve also found some cords don’t allow the same charge rate that others do, sadly.
Sent from my iPhone using SuperCub.Org
Utah-Jay
MEMBER
Heber City, UT
I had a USB/cigarette lighter unit, it created lots of noise when I used it to power my GoPro that had the plane audio hooked up. Maybe I was just unlucky
Here is an example of the noise: https://youtu.be/zFGLkdIs2So
Here is an example of the noise: https://youtu.be/zFGLkdIs2So
Thanks! I will power mine from the main bus to ensure no power draw when the battery master is off.
I just saw that Sporty's has a cigar lighter plug in unit with both old and new USB receptacles, works with 12v and 24V. inexpensive, displays system voltage.
https://www.sportys.com/flight-gear-usb-12-24v-slimline-charger.html
I just saw that Sporty's has a cigar lighter plug in unit with both old and new USB receptacles, works with 12v and 24V. inexpensive, displays system voltage.
https://www.sportys.com/flight-gear-usb-12-24v-slimline-charger.html
behindpropellers
Registered User
NE Ohio
Sometimes.... you just need to spend some $$ and buy a decent one. I would not even put one of these in my car. No chance they include charge negotiation for $15. Anker makes decent auto units, and they will actually charge your Ipad while using it.
CamTom12
Registered User
Huntsville, AL
No issues with this one. Charges my iPad while the screen is on. No radio noise, either.
Car Charger, Anker Quick Charge... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K9MQ8WW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
Car Charger, Anker Quick Charge... https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01K9MQ8WW?ref=ppx_pop_mob_ap_share
hotrod180
FRIEND
Port Townsend, WA
I installed a couple of micro-USB adapters, hardwired to the avionics circuit,
to power my stratux adsb-in and to keep my tablet charged.
They seem to work flawlessly.
I also bought a 2-port cigar-lighter usb adapter, similar to the pic.
The voltage display is a nice feature.
Clued me in once to a popped generator breaker.
It's been in place for months, but I don't think I've ever actually used it for it's intended purpose
(charging my phone if required).
Think I'll try it out today to see if it generates any radio static etc.
Speaking of charging phones, a hardwired usb adapter that's not on the master
(on a separate circuit like an electric clock) would be handy.
For when you're camped out (or whatever) & need to charge your phone (or whatever).
I know a guy who alligator-clips a USB adapter to his battery for this purpose,
but that's not a very elegant solution.
to power my stratux adsb-in and to keep my tablet charged.
They seem to work flawlessly.
I also bought a 2-port cigar-lighter usb adapter, similar to the pic.
The voltage display is a nice feature.
Clued me in once to a popped generator breaker.
It's been in place for months, but I don't think I've ever actually used it for it's intended purpose
(charging my phone if required).
Think I'll try it out today to see if it generates any radio static etc.
Speaking of charging phones, a hardwired usb adapter that's not on the master
(on a separate circuit like an electric clock) would be handy.
For when you're camped out (or whatever) & need to charge your phone (or whatever).
I know a guy who alligator-clips a USB adapter to his battery for this purpose,
but that's not a very elegant solution.
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wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
If you need to do that, consider using a jump pack and the proper adapter. They are made for that and it will insure that you don't run your aircraft battery low.
Web
hotrod180
FRIEND
Port Townsend, WA
Tried it out today-- hooked my phone on to charge while flying to lunch.
No static on any of the radio freq's I tried.
I bought this at Walmart a year or two ago,
I think it was less than ten bucks.
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Steve Pierce
BENEFACTOR
Graham, TX
So I installed this USB charger under the panel like I have done many times before and this one makes a lot of noise when the owner's iPhone is plugged in. This airplane has a master relay on the firewall so I wired off the switched side of it and grounded to the firewall at the base of the relay. It is close to the Becker radio. Ideas" Bad charger, to close to the radio? https://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/pspages/usb-adapter.php
sjohnson
FRIEND
Boise, ID
Start by checking or changing the cable. There are some really crummy ones out there. Note that USB cables that support higher charge currents have internal digital circuitry to negotiate charging rate, including most USB-C and USB-Apple cables.
wireweinie
FOUNDER
Palmer, AK
I've had a couple of charge ports do this to me over the years. Both times I swapped it out with another charge port and the noise went away. I guess it's the downside to using a $30 charge port instead of a $200 one. I can live with that.
As for checking if it's to close to the com, temporarily connect it up with long wires and move it around the cockpit to see if the noise goes away.
Web
gdafoe
FRIEND
Castle Well Airpark SE of Wickenburg AZ
I have used maybe close to 30 of these and not had a problem yet. Blue Sea makes some good stuff aimed at the marine industry. I have had problems with others. https://powerwerx.com/blue-sea-1045...R_a7CVHTmCTbhCoBNZAj3AEjOQxjBq6gaAuH4EALw_wcB
