USB Plug for Ultralight?

[TinmanJones]

Good evening.
I’d like to install a USB plug into my airplane w/out spending $300+ like those on Airplane Spruce.
What are you all using to keep iPads & iPhones charged in your airplanes?
USB plugs fitted into a panel, cigarette plugs w/ the adapters that fit? Or is there something else I’m not seeing that would work?
Thanks.

[Mike M]

NONCERTIFIED aircraft, yes, both USB plugs mounted in the panel and cigarette lighter adapters have worked for me. Recommend you get the same output capacity as the supplied AC adapter.

[Dana]

I would suggest a cigarette lighter socket and an adapter in that, that way it's easier to replace if it craps out or you need to upgrade to the latest greatest fast charging standard.

[rick9mjn]

here is my 2, .02 cent idea's.........look for / google "marine usb" items , the cost should be more in line with what you are wanting.....here is a llink to a dual usb """https://www.bluesea.com/products/1016/12_24V_Dual_USB_2.1A_Charger""" , most things via the "blue seas" should be ok for your usage ,,,,,another idea ""this worked for me "" is a cigar plug / usb out of the "sporty catalog " / , the last one that i got for "Sporty" catalog the one i have use was listed on the third page......................good day / good luck / rick

[FlyingRon]

Watch out. Most cheap-o USB charger plugs throw a lot of RF noise that can cause havoc with the antiquated modulations used in aviation radios.

[Airmutt]

Take a look at Belite Aircraft - Radiant Technologies. They sell a dual port USB plug for $75. They are back up and running for instrument deliveries since last June’s fire.

[Dana]

I put two in my Hatz, one is a dual USB power with a voltmeter and the other is a plain cigarette socket that I can plug anything into. Oddly, one of the USB others causes my intercom to break squelch, while the other one in the same device does not.

[Kyle Boatright]

I have a $3 plug in adapter (goes into the 12V port) for the RV-6. I think I picked it up out of a bin at a computer store.

Happily, it doesn't produce any electronic noise in the RV-6.

Cheap *can* work.

[TinmanJones]

Take a look at Belite Aircraft - Radiant Technologies. They sell a dual port USB plug for $75. They are back up and running for instrument deliveries since last June’s fire.

Airmutt, thanks. I have a Belite Radiant VSI, ASI & Altitude instrument in my FP202. I'll go see if I can find one of these USB plugs. Thank you again.

[TinmanJones]

Take a look at Belite Aircraft - Radiant Technologies. They sell a dual port USB plug for $75. They are back up and running for instrument deliveries since last June’s fire.

Airmutt, looking at the Belite USB plug, can you tell me how this hooks up to power? I've looked at the pic on the site, but it only shows the front of the plug and not the back, showing how this hooks up. Any help?

[Airmutt]

Unfortunately I can not. There is no manual or schematic online either. Also noted that only the dual port unit is currently available.

[Eric Page]

FYI, the Radiant USB units are just a re-badge of a commercial-off-the-shelf charger made by Molex (https://www.molex.com/molex/products/part-detail/io_connectors/0795405067). You can get them from Digi-Key (https://www.digikey.com/en/products/filter/battery-products/85?ColumnSort=0&FV=-1%7C23&page=1&pageSize=25&quantity=&s=N4IgjCBcoLQExVAYygFwE4FcCmAaEA9lANogCsIAugL74wTQ gqQBmAhgDYDOehJIATgAMQqvgAOqKCBDVaIBJFKYuAIwAESABZ t0Ac2zoQ%2BKtSA&sf=0&sv=0) for about 1/3 the price. Radiant's markup is, frankly, absurd.

Here is the connector (https://www.digikey.com/products/en?keywords=347910040) that mates with it to provide power, and here are the crimp pins (https://www.digikey.com/product-detail/en/molex/5600230548/WM16762CT-ND/7428700) for the connector.