iPad cockpit power

[aroundtheblock]

Howdy. What are you guys/gals using to charge/maintain power while using an IPad during flight. We have a King Air 200 and I need a safe 28 volt cigarette lighter adapter cord. Thanks.

 

[ultrarunner]

We have 115 vac outlets outboard of each pilot seat.

 

[guido411]

Stop playing Angry Birds during cruise and you should have no problem with battery lasting as far as a King Air can fly, laying over for several hours then flying back.

Are you sure the cigarette plug is 28V? In many airplanes those plugs are 12V even though the airplane is a 28V system. If it's a 12V you can buy a cheap power inverter that will convert DC to AC. If the plug is indeed a 28V source I would caution against plugging your iPad into it.

 

[aroundtheblock]

Yes, I had the plug tested and it is 28 volt. A quick way to check, but knot always accurate, is the engraved 28vdc on the side of the lighter itself.

 

[guido411]

I would try to contact somebody at Apple before plugging into 24-28V. I am reminded of my multi-CFI that plugged his cell phone into the ol' Aztec's cigar lighter plug. It smoked the phone (and the cockpit).

I was being somewhat serious that the iPad battery shouldn't have a problem lasting and shouldn't need an inflight charge. Have you noticed otherwise?

 

[aroundtheblock]

I do not have an office at the airport and I farm most of the flights out to contract pilots, so the iPad sits on the fo seat for sometimes a week or more between flights. Though the iPad battery does last long enough for most King Air flights when fully charged I need a to recharge it during flights. Thanks.

 

[guido411]

We're using the iPad 2. We take it from the charger in the morning, use it on a 3 hour leg. Leave it in the airplane (cover closed so it sleeps) and come back 3 days later to 90+% battery life remaining and fly home. Before I ever put them in the airplanes I did a sleep test with them. Started with them fully charged and didn't touch for 8 days and still had battery life in the high 80% range while asleep. But if you need to charge them look below.

Couldn't help but do a little searching of my own. Found this:

http://www.lonestaraviation.com/Power-Adapter-USB-Socket.html

Looks like this would fit the bill. The iPad isn't actually taking the whole voltage, hence the USB connection on all Apple's devices. The Ipads (iPhone, iPod, etc) all take lower USB voltage. It sounds like you need something that is capable of withstanding 28V input but converts to 5V USB output. So long at the plug you buy only outputs 5V USB the adapter should fry before the iPad gets any of the current in the event of a malfunction.

 

[CA1900]

I think a much more cost-effective option would be one of these, topped off once a month just in case you need it:

Universal Backup Battery

 

[guido411]

I think a much more cost-effective option would be one of these, topped off once a month just in case you need it:

Universal Backup Battery

In theory this sounds good but if the OP is having trouble with his iPad battery staying charged during a long idle stint I am guessing this backup battery would give the same result?

 

[rice]

I'm thinking that if the OP can afford to farm out most of the flying to contract pilots, the operation could probably afford to buy each one an iPad. Problem solved.
Then again that's just me thinking, maybe not.