Best USB Cigarette Charger for two iPads?

DesertNomad

DesertNomad

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DesertNomad
I have a 12V cigarette lighter socket in my plane. It has a 4.8V (Dual 2.4V) charger that stopped working today after 4 years. It still seems to work some of the time. I tried reseating the charger, resetting the breaker, but no change. The green LED light stays on so it is getting power from the plane, but not sending it to the iPads.

Can someone suggest a good replacement? I don't really want to panel-mount anything but would rather just use a car-charger. Just looking for one that won't smoke or die after a short while and that doesn't induce static on the radio.
 
Add me to the list of folks who like the Anker brand products.
 
Another vote for Anker.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
Are we still allowed to say "cigarette lighter" these days? I thought the politically correct term was "auxillary car power outlet" now? ;)
 
And your sure it’s the charger and not the socket?
 
asicer said:
Are we still allowed to say "cigarette lighter" these days? I thought the politically correct term was "auxillary car power outlet" now? ;)
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I'm offended . . .

That's discriminatin' against my *truck!*



Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk
 
benyflyguy said:
And your sure it’s the charger and not the socket?
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I am not sure at this point. The small LED on the charger lights up, but removing the charger and re-inserting it (or rotating it in the socket) did not help at first. I switched cables, tried to blow any dust out of the USB ports, and eventually got it to charge. When it failed, I would plug in and would get a charging indication on the iPad that would then revert to the "nothing plugged in" icon after a second or two.

My panel was re-done in October of 2017 and this socket was changed then - not sure if it is the original socket from Piper but at a minimum it was rewired.

Tomorrow I will try the charger in my car. The socket is of course very simple and controlled by a breaker. resetting the breaker did noting... and the breaker never popped on its own. It seems like the charger is getting power (since the LED comes on) but not always delivering it to the iPads.

I would think that if it were a problem with the socket, there would either be 12V or zero volts... and with zero volts the green LED on the charger would not light up. I can't think of a way that there could only be (for example) 9V at the socket... enough to light up the LED but not charge... but then after fiddling with it charge fine for more than an hour (till we landed).

This thread implies that the cable might be to blame:

https://www.pilotsofamerica.com/community/threads/stratus-usb-charger-and-ipad-problem.109831/

I used to have two white USB-A to Lightening cables and they worked. Recently I bought a Space Gray Apple mouse that came with a USB-A to Lightening cable that was black (and therefore less distracting in the cockpit). Maybe the cables that came with the iPads are somehow rated for higher power.

Thumper said:
I have used this one: https://www.amazon.com/SCOSCHE-Comp...ipad+charger&qid=1561770310&s=wireless&sr=1-3 since they first came out and it has been perfect from day one.
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I ordered one of these from Aircraft Spruce today - if only to have a backup.
 
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What I do to convert cig/plugs to USB

Oops, didn't notice they were upside down.. :)
 

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The cables don’t last forever either. Amazon makes black iPad charging cables of various lengths that work fine and are reasonably priced under their Basics lineup. I’d borrow or buy a new cable first before getting a new charger.
 
flyer770 said:
The cables don’t last forever either. Amazon makes black iPad charging cables of various lengths that work fine and are reasonably priced under their Basics lineup. I’d borrow or buy a new cable first before getting a new charger.
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I have a panel mounted USB charger, which I highly recommend. I went through a half dozen cigar(ette) adapters and all of them started causing radio static after a while. The panel mount has been great. But recently, I thought it was failing, but it turned out to be the USB cable from the adapter to the Ipad. $20 later, everything was fine again.
 
JOhnH said:
I have a panel mounted USB charger, which I highly recommend. I went through a half dozen cigar(ette) adapters and all of them started causing radio static after a while. The panel mount has been great. But recently, I thought it was failing, but it turned out to be the USB cable from the adapter to the Ipad. $20 later, everything was fine again.
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What charger did you get?
 
I replaced the console ashtray in my AA-5 with a Stratus dual USB-A port, using the power cable from the decrepit and falling apart cig lighter socket. Each port provides 2.5 A of solidly connected, noise-free charging. It's great for a micro-USB powered unit, and a little stingy for USB-C powered devices, which can draw more current if available. If going USB-A to USB-C, use a quality cable, as not all of them are properly set up to charge USB-C devices properly. I've had good luck with Cable Matters units. The 1 meter lengths are perfect for front seat occupants and/or yoke-mounted devices. I keep both micro-USB and USB-C terminated cables in my flight bag. (One for a legacy tablet EFB and one for my phone or backup USB-C device if needed.)
 
Like @chemgeek , I got the Stratus dual USB panel mount. That was about a year and a half ago. I don't know if there have been improvements since then. If memory serves, I paid around $375, but that was just part of a larger project. I really enjoy the hassle free service of the panel mount, vs the frequent troubleshooting of radio static.
 
DesertNomad said:
My Dakota POH calls it a "Cigar lighter". I cringe to picture that.
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I think that was the only reason my friend bought his 172, so he could smoke while he flew. I don't think he smoked in his Lance with its beautiful leather, but it wouldn't surprise me if he did. He couldn't when he rented and it drove him nuts.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
Second for Scosche (well, I have 4 of them)
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I just got eat Scosche one and the USB cables seem very tight fitting into it. I doubt I could remove the cable without also pulling the charger out. I'll see how it goes when I take it to the plane.
 
yes,.. but I just leave the cables in; I find always removing them results in a shortened life span.
 
Let'sgoflying! said:
yes,.. but I just leave the cables in; I find always removing them results in a shortened life span.
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I remove cables for landing. If I have to get out quickly, I don't want anything blocking my way. Part of my emergency checklist for landing off field includes removing headsets too.
 
Have used a few but this is the one that works, with out any noise.... have several now for cars also....
AUKEY Car Charger with Quick Charge 3.0, 39W Dual Ports for Samsung Galaxy Note8 / S9 / S8 / S8+, LG G6 / V30, HTC 10 and More | Qualcomm Certified
 
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