[flyboy1963]

HI all,
installing a cigar lighter socket to power GPS, cell phone charger, MP3 etc.
I can't find the current draw on the typical GPS, such as AvMap.
anyone found this info? how many amp breaker should one run to a multi-purpose accessory plug like this?
by the way, may also plug in a solar battery charger on occasion to top up the battery, but I'd guess thats less than an amp flowing into the circuit?

thanks

 

[Jamie]

I simply looked at the "reserve" amps I had built into the system (what I had left over after everything else was powered on). I also looked at various electronics with cigar plug adapters and most of them drew between 1-5 amps. The current draw is almost always in the user manual, available at the manufacturer's website. I went with 7.5 amps and used an appropriately sized wire.

I had several people tell me a cigar power plug wasn't worth the effort and panel space but I've used it to charge my backup handheld radio and my cell phone on more than one occasion.

If you're going to use a trickle charger be sure to put it on your battery buss or at least switchable to your battery buss, but I'm sure you already knew that.

 

[chaskuss]

Cigarette Lighter receptacle ideas

HI all,
installing a cigar lighter socket to power GPS, cell phone charger, MP3 etc.
I can't find the current draw on the typical GPS, such as AvMap.
anyone found this info? how many amp breaker should one run to a multi-purpose accessory plug like this?
by the way, may also plug in a solar battery charger on occasion to top up the battery, but I'd guess that's less than an amp flowing into the circuit?

thanks

Perry,
I found the current draw for the AvMap below. It draws 10 watts (at 14 volts that's about 3/4 of an amp) See

http://www.airplanegear.com/avmap-details.htm

You might want to consider wiring your cigarette receptacle for 10 to 15 amps, IF you might want to use electric clothing (for high altitude, winter or high latitude flights). See

http://www.motorcyclecruiser.com/accessoriesandgear/electric_clothing/index.html

DIY electric vest

http://www.klr650.marknet.us/diy-Electric_Vest.pdf

Along with the uses mentioned earlier, the outlet can be used to re-charge an Ipod or other MP3 player.
You might also want to consider a cigarette lighter socket/plug combo that "locks" into place. (vibration, ya know) These are available at boating supply stores, like Boat Owners Warehouse. Below is the Sealink model 12VPK See

http://www.marinco.com/product/sealink-12v-plug-amp-receptacle

Charlie Kuss

 

[flyboy1963]

power plugs

thanks guys!
good point about the plug, perhaps I will toss my 99 cent autowrecker sockets and get the fancy plug......would be most inconvenient to lose the GPS when I really need it!

 

[MS19087]

Great source for high quality "cigarette" sockets

check our : www.powerletproducts.com it may not be shown but call and ask for their cigarette socket.

 

[MS19087]

here is the exact link . . .

http://www.powerletproducts.com/product/panel-mount-cigarette-socket/6

expensive but high quality . . .

 

[flyboy1963]

dc power

thanks guys, I've checked out the powerlets before, and although overkill being weatherproof, at $18 they aren't prohibitive, and have the nice locking feature ( funny that they are really just the combo of a headphone jack and a cigar plug!)
I just haven't made the choice that I want to hack up all my accesories to add the compatible male end, although adaptors are available as a last resort, nullifying the locking feature.

For stuff I'm always going to use in the plane, I think there are a few locking Molex? or similar positive locking connectors that would work too.