DC Power Source For Aircraft Systems Tests

[Frankster13]

I do not want to run down my battery while doing system checks and I am looking for an AC plug in system that then provides DC power to aircraft. I need something robust that will allow me to test all electrical draws. Any ideas or suggestions? I fried a 15 amp radioshack box already so need something with more amperage.

[bcondrey]

I?ve been using one of these for quite a while for both AC and other projects. Several friends have also purchased one for their own use. https://www.eham.net/reviews/detail/7294

They are available with or without the meters and from a variety of sources.

[Carl Froehlich]

This works well - and puts out enough power to charge your battery while it powers your panel.
https://www.dxengineering.com/parts/...iABEgI65PD_BwE
Carl

[N96TJ]

I use the S-350-12 from www.megawattpowersupplies.com
I get no radio noise even with the battery switched out of the system.

[mulde35d]

I have been using this, works great so far.

https://www.amazon.com/SKYRC-eFUEL-R...sr=1-1-catcorr

[cderk]

One word of caution. Not all supplies are created equal. I bought a MeanWell supply, which is a decent brand. All my avionics seem to work fine except both radios. Squelch is constantly broken on the radios. And its definitely the power supply. When i hook up a battery, it works fine.

[rapid_ascent]

Two general comments on this. 1) Any decent power supply will have current limiting to protect itself so you shouldn't be able to overload it and kill it. It should protect itself. A supply may not be able to handle an overload indefinitely though. 2) For powering up a new installation I would suggest a power supply that has an adjustable current limit. That way if you have a wiring error you won't just melt the wiring it will shut down and you can investigate further. Power supplies with a 30A output need to be used very carefully since they can destroy wiring, wiring harnesses and etc. Sure once once you have checked your sub-circuits and powered up the equipment separately then they can be used, but always with an awareness that they can also cause damage.

[lr172]

Originally Posted by rapid_ascent

Two general comments on this. 1) Any decent power supply will have current limiting to protect itself so you shouldn't be able to overload it and kill it. It should protect itself. A supply may not be able to handle an overload indefinitely though. 2) For powering up a new installation I would suggest a power supply that has an adjustable current limit. That way if you have a wiring error you won't just melt the wiring it will shut down and you can investigate further. Power supplies with a 30A output need to be used very carefully since they can destroy wiring, wiring harnesses and etc. Sure once once you have checked your sub-circuits and powered up the equipment separately then they can be used, but always with an awareness that they can also cause damage.

I believe it is much safer to leave the battery in the circuit and put a charger on it. Once the battery is floating, the charger is providing all of the power. The benefit is the battery is there to even things out and deal with any draws greater than the power supply can handle.

Larry

[Steve Melton]

My DC power cigarette lighter outlet usually supports my Dynon D2. While en route yesterday I thought I would test my backup GPS but it needed power so I pulled the D2 plug from the outlet. the plug failed at the tip and released the spring loaded built in fuse into the outlet and shorted the system and popped the circuit breaker. the fuse was stuck in the outlet sideways so that was the end of that. I'm glad it failed when I didn't need it.

[Waiex-guy]

The obvious problem with not having redundant cigar lighters...I?m sure the space shuttle had triple redundancy in this important regime.