Stratus Power Source from Sporty's

[grbamford]

Going through my piles of emails this morning I found this from Sporty's. A USB power source for those of us using tablets and Stratus has been a topic of conversation. I've been using a portable power source. Would this be compatible with our planes?

stratus-powertm.html

Greg

[Homer Landreth]

Yes, but ; A TSO'd USB Power source for $350.00 ??? You have GOT TO BE ***TTING ME. (with a Capital SHI)

[CamTom12]

Can one just add a cigar lighter and use a high powered adapter? I've got an Aukey that's dual 2.4 amp and keeps my phone and ipad charged with no issues.

[Gilbert Pierce]

I'am with Homer, $350! That's nuts. I guess that is the cost to fund the FAA bureaucracy.

I use two of these. Anker Power Drive 2 Car Charger. https://www.anker.com/products/A2310022

Buy at:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00VH88CJ0...151&kwr_id=562

Keeps my cell phone, GoPro, Stratus and iPad charged. $9.99 each.
Had them for 4 years no failure. Used two dual 2.4 amp chargers from Sportys; they both failed within 3 months.

[deandayton]

I tried using a cheap car charger to power my stratux and Nexus tablet but got noise on the radio. After looking at some ham radio operator recommendations I bought this https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've been using it for a year or more, no problem.

[Gilbert Pierce]

All 5 volt USB supplies reduce the 12 volts to 5 by switching the 12 volts off and on. This causes a square with lots of harmonics that interferes with radios and even messes up the mic audio going into my GoPro.
The good ones have filters to get rid of the harmonics. It adds a few bucks to the cost but not $320 or so dollars worth.
Switching power supplies generate less heat and use less power than a resistive one would.

[Bob.shea]

why not just buy a cord and wire it into a circuit breaker, thats all we did. if the plane is running I have power. beats the hell out of a cigar plug

[deandayton]

why not just buy a cord and wire it into a circuit breaker, thats all we did. if the plane is running I have power. beats the hell out of a cigar plug

I've considered this, but I doubt I could get my IA to sign off on it. I'll ask him the next chance I get.

[Bob.shea]

He might. Mine liked the direct cord. That way he knew exactly what power demand is. But then he is vary old world. Vary realistic about things

[Homer Landreth]

I've considered this, but I doubt I could get my IA to sign off on it. I'll ask him the next chance I get.

He better say no:

Deep into the following reference that was previously submitted relative to this or a real close equivalent issue answers the question of the wiring of OTS portable components to the aircraft electrical system. Bottom line is that it has to be readily able to be disconnected from the aircraft electrical system. That means the USB adapter, not just your cable from the box to the USB adapter, that means the USB adapter has to be readily dis-connectable.:

Relative to the issue of the TSO USB adapter, the receiving a TSO Authorization is not an approval to install and use the article in the aircraft. It means that the article meets the specific TSO and the applicant is authorized to manufacture it. This would require an FAA 337 to document the installation.

A commercial-off-the-shelf (COTS) electronic hardware device that is not approved or certified by the FAA can be authorized for use by a principal operations inspector if it meets the EFB criteria discussed in FSIMS, volume 4, chapter 15, section 1 and AC 120-76A.
(This is not us). This is us. For part 91 operators other than 91K, FAA authorization for use of an EFB is not required. However, installation and airworthiness requirements specified in AC 120-76A are still applicable.