I need a good power source for my iPad mini. I installed a blue sea systems http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B0082CXEI ... SY165_QL70

It does claim to be 2.1 amps but most likely that's combined. It does not have enough power to keep the iPad charged. It helps but it slowly sucks the battery down. It is very very noisy as well. I can't even use it on the ground when at idle and on some radio frequencies I have to unplug it.

True blue makes a certified one but its $700 some dollars. There are some cig lighted adapter versions but I would really like a panel mount. What are yall using?

I had two of the True Blue units installed at my recent round of upgrades. They were spendy, but only about half of what you posted. I got mine at Aircraft Spruce for about $350 ea: http://www.aircraftspruce.com/catalog/e ... -12159.php

I am pleased, although I have not tested my iPad much. I could try that for you next time I am able to fly. So far have mainly used them to run my iPhone, which has no problems at all keeping up.

It's spendy, but it's a nice little package, with the benefit of being approved.

-DP

I use cigarette lighter style sockets and plug in a USB adapter with two 2.1 plugs. It's inexpensive, light, and allows plugging in other devices that have the old style cigarette lighter plugs. I've got four installed in the wagon allowing me to charge as many as eight devices at the same time. And no RF interference.

I just installed one earlier this month.
I bought a $5 one from our equivalent of Radio Shack, wired it in off the master bus with a switch and a circuit breaker, wire gauge to suit CB & device rating etc.
Works great, 3A rating, charges in no time. Zero extra radio noise, though I was careful to earth it correctly at the starpoint, and keep the feed away from the radio, shielded wire, etc.

iPad needs up to 5 amps if using internal gps.

WilgaBeast wrote:iPad needs up to 5 amps if using internal gps.

I power my iPad-mini (with internal GPS and Bluetooth), iPhone (with internal GPS and Bluetooth), and Delorme inReach, all off the 2.1's and they all stay fully charged all the time. Even the Stratus 2 when I use it.

Denali- Good to know they are half what i had thought.

Barnstormer- Do you know the brand of usb charger you are using?

My pad is a new retina but not cell capable so no internal gps. I do use a a GDL 39 3D witch definitely uses allot more power.

All Apple chargers should have a 5 volt output. The smaller (iphone) chargers only output 1 amp, though. The bigger chargers (ipad) output 2.1 amps.

If your panel-mount USB has an output of at least 5 volts and at least 2.1 amps (be careful, some multiple-port usb converters will combine usb port amperage and market that, which is a little misleading) your ipad will charge.



Are there any panel mount USB options that the experimental guys are using with good results? I like the advice above about installing a cigarette lighter socket to charge other things that might not have a USB charger (like an older sat phone).

PAMR MX wrote:...Barnstormer- Do you know the brand of usb charger you are using?

http://www.justwirelessintl.com/products/power-series/dual-usb-car-charger-1 Mine's black, not white.

I bought them from the Apple store but don't see it there now. It was called "Just Wireless Dual USB Car Charger for iOS Devices".

Look around at Best Buy, eBay, Amazon, Target, etc and I'll bet you'll find a dealer.

I use the same setup in the SQ-2. One under the panel so I can power my docked iPad-Mini, and then a cable to keep my iPhone charged that I keep up on the glare shield. The second is up on the right wing root. I keep the inReach mounted there so have a very, very short cable that powers it, and the second slot is available for the person behind me to charge their device.

I have 2 blue sea systems USB chargers, 1 identical to yours, installed in my Fiero, and another model that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the Cessna. They are 2.1 amps total, but if only 1 thing is plugged in it gets the whole 2.1 amps. They will both keep an I-phone and 7 inch android tablet charged at the same time, and I have not had any noise problems from them. If your power and ground connections are good, I would suggest sending yours back for warranty replacement. They have a switching power supply inside, and it is NOT supposed to create RF noise.

Im using one of these. It's not TSO'd but works very well and is reasonably priced.

http://www.commitlift.com/usbchargers.html