Building/Buying 12 VDC Ground Power Unit

[kontiki]

My grumman Tiger is new to me, I want to troubleshoot some back lights, Hobbs and spend some time exploring the operation of a Fuel Flow meter, Aspen Panel, and Programming the Garmin.

My first thought was pick up something like this to provide ground power without dragging the battery down ->

http://www.dxengineering.com/search...htylite-switching-power-supplies?autoview=SKU

Anybody tried anything like this? My airplane dosen't have an external power connector, I'd maybe kludge some kind of short circuit protection together to protect thiings if a clip gets kicked off a terminal stud or something.

 

[RotorAndWing]

My grumman Tiger is new to me, I want to troubleshoot some back lights, Hobbs and spend some time exploring the operation of a Fuel Flow meter, Aspen Panel, and Programming the Garmin.

My first thought was pick up something like this to provide ground power without dragging the battery down ->

http://www.dxengineering.com/search...htylite-switching-power-supplies?autoview=SKU

Anybody tried anything like this? My airplane dosen't have an external power connector, I'd maybe kludge some kind of short circuit protection together to protect thiings if a clip gets kicked off a terminal stud or something.

I built a ground cart for my helicopters a few years ago. Went to Tractor Supply, bought a small cart, built a box for it, put in a couple of deep cycle batteries (24V) and a battery charger and made the cables out of welding cable. Kept it plugged in the hangar and came in handy on cold morning starts and when doing maintenance. I also used it on my airplanes for the same purpose.

You could install a ground power plug on your Grumman.

 

[Clip4]

My grumman Tiger is new to me, I want to troubleshoot some back lights, Hobbs and spend some time exploring the operation of a Fuel Flow meter, Aspen Panel, and Programming the Garmin.

My first thought was pick up something like this to provide ground power without dragging the battery down ->

http://www.dxengineering.com/search...htylite-switching-power-supplies?autoview=SKU

Anybody tried anything like this? My airplane dosen't have an external power connector, I'd maybe kludge some kind of short circuit protection together to protect thiings if a clip gets kicked off a terminal stud or something.

Why cant you just get a ground plug/cable, a 12v battery and use a 5-10 amp charger to charge it back up when your done. Assuming the Gruman has a plug.

 

[kontiki]

I'm just looking for different ideas. I do like gear that can also be used on a bench, because I like hobby electronics too. I already have a 12 VDC power supplies, but nothing that can supply any current. Lead acid batteries can be cumbersome for some things.

 

[bnt83]

Quick observation, for a low current app, say under 10 amps, what stopping you from plugging in a 13 volt regulated power source into the cigar lighter socket?

 

[Tom-D]

When I'm trouble shooting or operating equipment for long periods I simply place a charger on the battery.

do the precautions of removing the cell caps, and other safety stuff.

 

[bnt83]

When I'm trouble shooting or operating equipment for long periods I simply place a charger on the battery.

do the precautions of removing the cell caps, and other safety stuff.

Removing cell caps while charging is an OWT. Reading the ICA for condcorde CB batteries says to install caps before charging.

 

[Tom-D]

Removing cell caps while charging is an OWT. Reading the ICA for condcorde CB batteries says to install caps before charging.

some old wives I believe. Ever see what happens when a vented cap fails to vent?

It will usually blow the cap out of the battery and when that happens a lot of acid comes out with it. I don't like acid spilled in my aircraft, when simply removing the caps will prevent that.

one chance in a million? maybe, but when our batteries are made in China, I'll not take the chance.

It's just me taking better care of your aircraft than you do. Because I do not want to tell you of the mess I made in your aircraft.

 

[Tom-D]

Quick observation, for a low current app, say under 10 amps, what stopping you from plugging in a 13 volt regulated power source into the cigar lighter socket?

Nothing,,,,,,,, If it makes you warm and fuzzy getter done.

 

[Capt. Geoffrey Thorpe]

My grumman Tiger is new to me, I want to troubleshoot some back lights, Hobbs and spend some time exploring the operation of a Fuel Flow meter, Aspen Panel, and Programming the Garmin.

My first thought was pick up something like this to provide ground power without dragging the battery down ->

http://www.dxengineering.com/search...htylite-switching-power-supplies?autoview=SKU

Anybody tried anything like this? My airplane dosen't have an external power connector, I'd maybe kludge some kind of short circuit protection together to protect thiings if a clip gets kicked off a terminal stud or something.

A plain old ordinary battery charger will be about 1/3 the price. You can get low capacity chargers that will plug into the cigarette lighter socket.

But unless you sit there for hours, or your battery is crap you shouldn't kill it.

And, if you do play too long and run the battery down just a bit, your airplane does come equipped with a starter handle.

 

[weirdjim]

Shucks, just go down to the local electronics recycling store and get an old computer power supply. Completely shielded, +12 regulated to a gnat$ a$$, and lots of amps. RUns from 110 or 220. Cheap like free ripped out of an old tower computer.

Jim

 

[JHW]

Do the caps need to be removed when being charged by the alternator? That could be 40 amps as opposed to the 5 amp limit of my charger.

 

[NoHeat]

Do the caps need to be removed when being charged by the alternator? That could be 40 amps as opposed to the 5 amp limit of my charger.

Good point -- but about the 40 amps, are you sure that you're really charging the battery at that rate? If the alternator is putting out 40 amps, I'd think most of that should be going to loads like lights and radios, not the battery.

 

[JHW]

Good point -- but about the 40 amps, are you sure that you're really charging the battery at that rate? If the alternator is putting out 40 amps, I'd think most of that should be going to loads like lights and radios, not the battery.

Nope. After starting both engines total amps are about 52-55. A short while after takeoff that's down to about 15 amps with all the same stuff turned on.

 

[Jeff K]

Do the caps need to be removed when being charged by the alternator? That could be 40 amps as opposed to the 5 amp limit of my charger.

The issue is accumulation of hydrogen. With the propeller turning/aircraft flying there is generally enough airflow to prevent that.

p.s. just drilled back and I see you where talking about caps being blown off from pressure. Yeah.... I'm scratching my head about that one also... seems like flying or on the ground no difference here.

 

[docmirror]

http://www.amazon.com/s?ie=UTF8&page=1&rh=i:aps,k:schauer battery charger

Radios and interior lights take up nothing in terms of amperage. If you are going to work on landing lights, nav lights, and pitot heat for a while you might use some current but for what you talk about 6 amps will be fine. The battery in your plane is the best voltage spike buffer ever made.

 

[Jeff K]

My grumman Tiger is new to me, I want to troubleshoot some back lights, Hobbs and spend some time exploring the operation of a Fuel Flow meter, Aspen Panel, and Programming the Garmin.

My first thought was pick up something like this to provide ground power without dragging the battery down ->

http://www.dxengineering.com/search...htylite-switching-power-supplies?autoview=SKU

Anybody tried anything like this?

Absolutely not. This is a regulated power supply intended for the bench NOT a battery charger. It would be a great bench supply however.

If your goal is to work in the aircraft, I'd just open up the battery compartment and slap a quality automotive charger on it. It effectively acts as the alternator, since it charges based on voltage observed. Being the compartment is open, the hydrogen disperses. If I was actually doing work in the battery compartment that required charging, or nearby that might generate a spark, I'd then also hook up a fan.

 

[PW_Plack]

Shucks, just go down to the local electronics recycling store and get an old computer power supply. Completely shielded, +12 regulated to a gnat$ a$$, and lots of amps...

...but it won't charge a "12V" lead-acid battery, which has a resting-state voltage of 12.6. Normal charging circuits run 14+ volts.

Some of those computer supplies are adjustable and can be dialed up a little higher if the current is derated, but a cheap automotive battery charger is made for this job.

 

[gismo]

Shucks, just go down to the local electronics recycling store and get an old computer power supply. Completely shielded, +12 regulated to a gnat$ a$$, and lots of amps. RUns from 110 or 220. Cheap like free ripped out of an old tower computer.

Jim

Many PC supplies require a fairly decent load on the +5 or +3.3v output in order to regulate the +12.