I have had a no-name twin USB port adapter to power my Stratus 2 and iPad Mini 4 for several years. My airplane is a 55 year old P172D, with the 12V electrical system modernized with an alternator conversion. My theory has been that the devices should be powered by ship's power, and that their internal batteries should be backups. However, if I started with both of them fully charged, after a long day of flying (roughly 8 hours), I could count on the iPad Mini 4 being down to about 75% and the Stratus 2 down to less than 60%. Both would have been likely dead if they hadn't been plugged in, so the adapter was accomplishing something, just not keeping up--not doing what I wanted it to do.

I should have bought this MGF adapter much sooner. I've had it for only 3 flights now, each of them less than half an hour. I don't try to conserve power, so I usually have my Mini's screen turned up all the way except at night. I don't know if the Stratus 2 uses more power when it's busy, but today's flights were quite busy with weather and traffic. On each flight, both devices started somewhat discharged, and their charge was increased from whatever they had been showing by 3 percentage points. For such short flights, that's impressive!

My only complaint, which is really minor, is that the positive terminal, which is spring loaded, has enough oomph that it pushes the adapter out of the power receptacle. I've solved that in my installation with some electrical tape, but that might not work for everyone.

$30 well spent, and highly recommended.

Cary

Cary: Thanks for the timely post. I was searching today for a USB 3A USB charger to accomplish the same thing. My tablet shuts down at 2H 45m even when it is connected to the ships power.

Your pirep just got them another sale.

Rich

Apple and Android use different "pins" in the USB side of the connector to allow full-rate charging. Some adapters, even though rated at 2.1 amps or better, won't allow your Apple or Android device to charge at full-rate, depending on how they're pinned.

I've got an Aukey flush-fit dual 2.4 amp (4.8 amp total) USB adapter that keeps my phone and iPad charged while I fly. Phone is usually starting at a low percentage since I have a crappy battery iPhone 7, the iPad is usually in the 80's when I get it plugged in and usually stays on and open and laying in the passenger seat. They're both always 100% when I unplug them. I've not tried Android devices with this adapter.

I got mine for ~$8 from amazon. It doesn't say aviation anywhere on it, so if that's important to you then I guess get the $30 one. I'll burn the extra 47 minutes of avgas.

I should have mentioned that the static I used to hear from the radios on some frequencies is totally gone. Whether a less expensive adapter not being sold as aviation compatible would do the trick as well, I don't know. If so, that's great.

Cary

Cary wrote:I should have mentioned that the static I used to hear from the radios on some frequencies is totally gone. Whether a less expensive adapter not being sold as aviation compatible would do the trick as well, I don't know. If so, that's great.

Cary

I should have mentioned that the aviation comment wasn't directed at you, by the way. I re-read my post and it sounded like it was.

I have the MGF adapter, and have also noticed the spring terminal is a little too energetic. I just give it a nudge and it's fine, and I aim the power LED where I can see it. You and I also likely have the same vintage of Cessna cigarette lighter ports, so there may be something to that as well.

I do get static sometimes, but have not yet attributed it to that adapter. I also run a Stratux and some other stuff, so have been doing process of elimination. The plane is getting noise filters on the alternator and entire avionics bus currently, unsure if that will help but we will see when I get it in the air again. My electrical system is noisy to begin with.

I have several sub cigar lighter adapters. One of them cause my Zeftronics charge controller to misbehave. Took me a long time and two sets of generator brushes to figure this out. I have just ordered an Aukey one as I really would like a flush one with the power.


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And why not this http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Incipio-2-4 ... SwCL9ZqAYr

or this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-2-Port-USB ... SwV4BZxj-H

Tim

qmdv wrote:And why not this http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Incipio-2-4 ... SwCL9ZqAYr

or this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-2-Port-USB ... SwV4BZxj-H

Tim

Because they tend to be noisy as all heck and often cause interference problems with some radios. They're not shielded and generally made with the cheapest electronic components available. I have an Icom handheld that can't be anywhere near the cheap stuff. I guess it's snobby.

~Chris

Chris In Marshfield wrote:

qmdv wrote:And why not this http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Incipio-2-4 ... SwCL9ZqAYr

or this http://www.ebay.com/itm/Dual-2-Port-USB ... SwV4BZxj-H

Tim

Because they tend to be noisy as all heck and often cause interference problems with some radios. They're not shielded and generally made with the cheapest electronic components available. I have an Icom handheld that can't be anywhere near the cheap stuff. I guess it's snobby.

~Chris

Not snobby. I asked a question and you answered it with the knowledge you have gained.

Tim

I use four of these in the 185 and two in the SQ2, never had a problem and they fully charge my inReach, iPad, iPhone, Stratus, and GDL 39.

http://www.scosche.com/consumer-tech/usb-car-charger-dual-port

qmdv wrote: Not snobby. I asked a question and you answered it with the knowledge you have gained.

Tim

I meant my radio is snobby Any bit of noise will set it off. I can't even walk into the FBO without it going berzerk!

Barnstormer wrote:I use four of these in the 185 and two in the SQ2, never had a problem and they fully charge my inReach, iPad, iPhone, Stratus, and GDL 39.

http://www.scosche.com/consumer-tech/usb-car-charger-dual-port

Scosche makes quality stuff. I've used a lot of their equipment when I worked in mobile audio back in the day. I appreciated the detail that they put into their products.

~Chris

colopilot wrote:I have the MGF adapter, and have also noticed the spring terminal is a little too energetic. I just give it a nudge and it's fine, and I aim the power LED where I can see it. You and I also likely have the same vintage of Cessna cigarette lighter ports, so there may be something to that as well.

I do get static sometimes, but have not yet attributed it to that adapter. I also run a Stratux and some other stuff, so have been doing process of elimination. The plane is getting noise filters on the alternator and entire avionics bus currently, unsure if that will help but we will see when I get it in the air again. My electrical system is noisy to begin with.

The worst plug-in offender used to be the Zaon traffic watch doo-hickey, but it hasn't caused a problem in awhile--not sure why it did or didn't. The other occasional offender has been the power supply for my XM radio (tunes only). But the previous no-name USB adapter was the real static-producing annoyer. One thing I did just a few days ago was to do a pretty thorough job of using electrical tape to pull all of the various plugs, not just the MGF adapter, tightly into their receptacles, so that they won't come unplugged so easily.

Cary

One suggestion I'd like to make is to look for one that has BOTH a bus voltage readout and a load current readout.
I have bought a bunch of these and having a readout is a must for me. I can see my battery voltage at a glance and also see what my charging rate to my Ipad is. Found that the cord you use makes a difference big time. Similar cords both the same length one charges a low Ipad mini at 1.9-2.0 amps, the other at .9 amps. It has been very useful in sorting out the junk cords.

Tom

a3holerman wrote:One suggestion I'd like to make is to look for one that has BOTH a bus voltage readout and a load current readout.
I have bought a bunch of these and having a readout is a must for me. I can see my battery voltage at a glance and also see what my charging rate to my Ipad is. Found that the cord you use makes a difference big time. Similar cords both the same length one charges a low Ipad mini at 1.9-2.0 amps, the other at .9 amps. It has been very useful in sorting out the junk cords.

Tom

I agree that using quality cords (not the skinny little cords that come with iThingies). I have used high performance, shielded cords for the two that I ran for iThingies, my Mini and phone. I used the stock cord that came with the Stratus 2, which appears to be a quality cord and has one of those ferrite doodads on it.

Every time I've gone up since starting to use the MGF adapter, I'm really pleased. Even after the little sight-seeing flights of less than an hour, my devices have a greater charge than they started with.

Cary

I've had a Scosche charger for a few years. It has a 1A and a 2.1A outlet. The blue LED burned out but it still works. I only use the 2.1A outlet and usually only to charge my iPad. My Stratus usually lasts for my full day as does my iPhone.

I have had no noticeable interference with this charger, and it will add 5% charge to my iPad mini every 30 minutes with me using the iPad. It will add 6% to my Stratus in the same time with the device running in the low power mode.

However, last weekend I attempted to charge my Stratus from the Scosche and it would not accept a charge from it. Charged the iPad just fine. Any ideas what caused that?

I also like the elegance of the panel-mounted ports like this one (http://www.lonestaraviation.com/USB-Cha ... -Port.html) but it is hard for me to justify the expense over the plug-in style.

Joe

I have had a lot of luck with the MGF USB charger as well. I use it to charge my IPAD mini and Stratus at the same time and I have never had a problem with it or any interference, and have used it in my Stinson, pawnee, Eagle DW-1, a CJ, Maule M5 all the way to Talkeetna, AK, and a couple other random planes. It actually has been the only one I have used thus far that was able to charge both at the same time and not kick off or overheat. Just my experience if it helps anyone!

I got an email from Appareo this morning, hawking a 2 for one sale on their panel mount TSO'd USB ports. Instead of paying $350 for one that provides 2 2.5 amp outlets, you can pay $350 for two that provide 4 2.5 amp outlets. Of course, on a certificated airplane, that means paying your friendly A&P to install them. Still seems pretty pricey to me.

Cary

Cary wrote:I got an email from Appareo this morning, hawking a 2 for one sale on their panel mount TSO'd USB ports. Instead of paying $350 for one that provides 2 2.5 amp outlets, you can pay $350 for two that provide 4 2.5 amp outlets. Of course, on a certificated airplane, that means paying your friendly A&P to install them. Still seems pretty pricey to me.

Cary

I got that email too, tempted to look for a partner to share. Still pricey at half price though!