USB Power Plugs?

[Lionclaw]

I have usb chargers for my gps, cell phone, and PDA. It'd be nice to have charging ports that aren't attached to big 12v accessory adapters. Has anyone tried to mount a powered usb hub or other product to power usb devices?

[sjjonesnz]

I've got a 12v cigarette lighter socket, and a belkin auto charger ... http://www.belkin.com/IWCatProductPa...duct_Id=474680

Works really well

[nucleus]

I wonder if the USB ports on the Grands Rapids EFII would do it. Don't see why not.

Hans

[Jamie]

Certainly not a bad idea, although I just use a usb charger in my cigar lighter socket and it works fine. I say "use" but what I really mean is "once used". Yeah, I haven't charged that much with it.

If I were to do it again, I maybe would put a cigar light outlet between the seats. That seems to be the common gathering spot for things like cell phones, handheld radios, etc.

[DCat22]

If you wanted to panel (or elsewhere) mount it, you could a jack like this, and the run an internal cable to a powered hub. (Or build the power part yourself...somewhat like this and this.)

Also, a decent "industrial" USB hub that runs off 12-24V if you wanted to actually be able to use the USB port for more than power, etc. (Of course, breaking down a car USB charger would work just as well for just power.)

[topgun260]

Panel mount USB jacks are available here.
here.

The power provided via USB is 5vdc @ 500ma.

You can either buy or build a circuit to drop 12vdc to 5vdc.

Something like this would work if you didn't want to build a circuit.
http://www.expansys-usa.com/d.aspx?i...artner=froogle

Brian

[Steve]

I noticed my local AutoZone stocks an adapter with 3 12v holes and 1 USB port. I don't know for sure if the device has circuitry to step the 12v down to 5v for the usb port. Cost is $18.00.

[monsoon]

Does anyone know if an STC is required to panel mount a bank of USB power outlets in a 172? (C172SP with G1000.) We usually have 2 iPhones (5V, 1A draw), an iPad (5V, 2.1A draw) and a hand-held ICOM radio (? draw) on board. The iPad gets a lot of use due to the ForeFlight app and we're always swapping cords back and forth to juice up the iPhones or ICOM before landing. It'd be nice to just plug them all in and forget them.

I envision at least 3 USBs banked together and labeled 5V OUT (with some smarts to the circuit that will give proper amperage based on the device plugged in to it) and 1 traditional barrel type 12V OUT socket. I'd also be willing to build something between the seats if this gets around a required STC.

Note: The iPad wants 10W (5V, 2.1A) to charge quickly. Anything less takes forever to charge this thing up... as much as 8 hours if only given 1A.

The link to the L-Com sight was nice to see. This place has a ton of connectors that you're hard pressed to find anywhere else. I've used them for all sorts of things in the past. Especially nice for home theater builds.

[DakotaHawk]

The power provided via USB is 5vdc @ 500ma.

Pin #18 on the 37 pin DB on the Dynon D10 EMS is regulated 5V dc. The installation guide says that provisions should be made to connect this output to several devices such as engine manifold pressure sensor, etc. This would be a good source for the USB power port.

Wiring diagram shows location of 5V+ to VCC.

edit: Dynon Support says (in a later post on this thread)

The 5V out on a Dynon EMS cannot do the 500mA that most USB devices want. Please don't do that

[647jc]

I don't think using the DYNON 5 volt excitation voltage as a USB power source would be a very good idea. The purpose of this voltage is to excite sensors that require excitation and this typically is a very low current circuit. I seriously doubt if this 5 volt source would be able to provide enough current to charge devices via a USB connection. Trying to do so may also damage the DYNON instrument and/or cause invalid or erratic engine sensor readings.