Trying to power devices in general aviation aircraft

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yipk4
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Hello,

Don't know if anyone out there can help, but thought this would be a good place to ask.

I have a small aircraft (piper arrow) that I would like to run a few devices in while traveling.

These devices include a laptop, a GPS puck (GPS18) and custom unit that retains postions received by the GPS puck. The aircraft has a 12v power source (cigarette adapter). I have tried connecting an inverter to the aircrafts power source, then connecting an iGo to the inverter that powers the laptop. The GPS puck is connected a cigarette adapter run from a power supply connected to the inverter.

I am using a Cobra CPI1550 inverter, 1500 watts continuous and 3000 peak. This doesn't seem to be enough power as either the laptop or the GPS lose power. Or is there possibly an issue in wire connections? I am no electrician and this is just a hobby type thing I'm putting together.
 
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yipk4 said:
Hello,

Don't know if anyone out there can help, but thought this would be a good place to ask.

I have a small aircraft (piper arrow) that I would like to run a few devices in while traveling.

These devices include a laptop, a GPS puck (GPS18) and custom unit that retains postions received by the GPS puck. The aircraft has a 12v power source (cigarette adapter). I have tried connecting an inverter to the aircrafts power source, then connecting an iGo to the inverter that powers the laptop. The GPS puck is connected a cigarette adapter run from a power supply connected to the inverter.

I am using a Cobra CPI1550 inverter, 1500 watts continuous and 3000 peak. This doesn't seem to be enough power as either the laptop or the GPS lose power. Or is there possibly an issue in wire connections? I am no electrician and this is just a hobby type thing I'm putting together.

Welcome to the PF.

Why do you need to use a 110Vrms inverter to power those devices? Seems like they should each have a 12Vdc adapter available that can run them off of a car-style plug.
 
Would the single 12v source in the aircraft power the GPS puck, the iGO for the laptop and another 12v source without overloading it? Sorry if I don't make much sense, I will be the first to admit I don't know much about all of this. Thanks for the help!
 
I suppose I could get a 1-3 adapter to plug all devices into the 12v aircraft source...I have yet to try that
 
yipk4 said:
Would the single 12v source in the aircraft power the GPS puck, the iGO for the laptop and another 12v source without overloading it?

If it won't, then connecting it to a 1500W/3000W inverter will ABSOLUTELY not work. The Piper Arrow comes standard with a 60A alternator, this should be sufficient to power your inverter (~30A max), if there is no other load (Lights, radios, etc), but it would be FAR MORE efficient to directly power your devices from the 12V source.

A quick google on the Arrow's charging system suggests many owners have chosen to upgrade their alternators to 75A-100A versions. You might consider this next time the alternator maintenance comes up on your check list.

Fish
 
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