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Ground power supplies DIY

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jskiba(at)icosa.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 3:59 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

Okay so I am trying to create a Ground power supply for a low cost and found items like this on ebay 

High Quality Universal Regulated Switching Power Supply for CCTV-12V 30A DC 360w 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Quality-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply-for-CCTV-12V-30A-DC-360w-/331735582614?hash=item4d3cfb4796:g:~EEAAOSw~otWc4iO 

  

Question is would something like this be okay to supply modern aircraft avionics power via the ground power jack ? 

  

I mean it supplies 30amps of power from either 110v or 230v (via switch selection) 

  

So why are pre made aircraft power supplies so expensive ?? 

  

What am I missing or should I not do ??? Should I be looking for a different type of power supply ? 

  

I really want to use it to sit in the aircraft and config all the avionics (battery will be connected but that can get drained after a few hours with everything  on and no alternator Turing to power things) 

  

  

Thanks 

Jeff.

enginerdy(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 4:34 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

I do not see a UL listing label anywhere. Buyer beware, safety not guaranteed!

 	  Quote: 	
		  On Jan 11, 2016, at 5:56 PM, Jeffrey W. Skiba <jskiba(at)icosa.net (jskiba(at)icosa.net)> wrote:

Okay so I am trying to create a Ground power supply for a low cost and found items like this on ebay

High Quality Universal Regulated Switching Power Supply for CCTV-12V 30A DC 360w

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Quality-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply-for-CCTV-12V-30A-DC-360w-/331735582614?hash=item4d3cfb4796:g:~EEAAOSw~otWc4iO

 

Question is would something like this be okay to supply modern aircraft avionics power via the ground power jack ?

 

I mean it supplies 30amps of power from either 110v or 230v (via switch selection)

 

So why are pre made aircraft power supplies so expensive ??

 

What am I missing or should I not do ??? Should I be looking for a different type of power supply ?

 

I really want to use it to sit in the aircraft and config all the avionics (battery will be connected but that can get drained after a few hours with everything on and no alternator Turing to power things)

 

 

Thanks

Jeff.

ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 5:19 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

That's probably something to at least       check, if you do purchase it. You should be able to check for       safety with an ohm meter. Just check from each low voltage       terminal to every line level terminal to be sure it's       transformer-isolated.

       

       Other than that, I'd probably go for it. The hotdog aviation       supplies may be set up to run at 14 volts instead of 12, to mimic       actual operating voltage with the alternator online, but that's       not significant. After all, if your alternator quits, your       electronics will still need to operate on battery-only.

       

       If you don't need to run your entire panel for hours at a time,       you can achieve the same thing with a cheap 12V SLA battery and a       fully automatic trickle charger. If you already have both on hand,       you wouldn't need to buy anything but hookup bits & pieces.

       

       Charlie

       

       On 1/11/2016 6:32 PM, Daniel Hooper wrote:

     

      	  Quote: 	
		                I do not see a UL listing label anywhere. Buyer         beware, safety not guaranteed!

                        	  Quote: 	
		             On Jan 11, 2016, at 5:56 PM, Jeffrey W. Skiba             <jskiba(at)icosa.net (jskiba(at)icosa.net)> wrote:

                                                                   Okay                     so I am trying to create a Ground power supply for a                     low cost and found items like this on ebay

                 High                     Quality Universal Regulated Switching Power Supply                     for CCTV-12V 30A DC 360w

                 http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Quality-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply-for-CCTV-12V-30A-DC-360w-/331735582614?hash=item4d3cfb4796:g:~EEAAOSw~otWc4iO

                  

                 Question                     is would something like this be okay to supply                     modern aircraft avionics power via the ground power                     jack ?

                  

                 I                     mean it supplies 30amps of power from either 110v or                     230v (via switch selection)

                  

                 So                     why are pre made aircraft power supplies so                     expensive ??

                  

                 What                     am I missing or should I not do ??? Should I be                     looking for a different type of power supply ?

                  

                 I                     really want to use it to sit in the aircraft and                     config all the avionics (battery will be connected                     but that can get drained after a few hours with                     everything on and no alternator Turing to power                     things)

                  

                  

                 Thanks

                 Jeff.

jskiba(at)icosa.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 6:08 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

So what’s the difference of using one of these ? 

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SE-1275A-Automatic-Onboard-Battery/dp/B000BO8TTY 

  

I have one already could I just connect it to external power plug and be good to go (the battery is still on line) is it not as clean for power output ? (granted  it’s really only 12amps) 

  

  

    

Subject: Re: Ground power supplies DIY 

 

 

   

That's probably something to at least check, if you do purchase it. You should be able to check for safety with an ohm meter. Just check from each low voltage terminal to every line level terminal to be sure it's transformer-isolated.

 

 Other than that, I'd probably go for it. The hotdog aviation supplies may be set up to run at 14 volts instead of 12, to mimic actual operating voltage with the alternator online, but that's not significant. After all, if your alternator quits, your electronics  will still need to operate on battery-only.

 

 If you don't need to run your entire panel for hours at a time, you can achieve the same thing with a cheap 12V SLA battery and a fully automatic trickle charger. If you already have both on hand, you wouldn't need to buy anything but hookup bits & pieces.

 

 Charlie

 

 On 1/11/2016 6:32 PM, Daniel Hooper wrote: 

  	  Quote: 	
		    

I do not see a UL listing label anywhere. Buyer beware, safety not guaranteed! 

 

    	  Quote: 	
		    

On Jan 11, 2016, at 5:56 PM, Jeffrey W. Skiba <jskiba(at)icosa.net (jskiba(at)icosa.net)> wrote: 

 

     

Okay so I am trying to create a Ground power supply for a low cost and found items like this on ebay 

  

High Quality Universal Regulated Switching Power Supply for CCTV-12V 30A DC 360w 

  

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Quality-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply-for-CCTV-12V-30A-DC-360w-/331735582614?hash=item4d3cfb4796:g:~EEAAOSw~otWc4iO 

  

  

  

Question is would something like this be okay to supply modern aircraft avionics power via the ground power jack ? 

  

  

  

I mean it supplies 30amps of power from either 110v or 230v (via switch selection) 

  

  

  

So why are pre made aircraft power supplies so expensive ?? 

  

  

  

What am I missing or should I not do ??? Should I be looking for a different type of power supply ? 

  

  

  

I really want to use it to sit in the aircraft and config all the avionics (battery will be connected but that can get drained after a few hours with everything  on and no alternator Turing to power things) 

  

  

  

  

  

Thanks 

  

Jeff.

enginerdy(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 6:30 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

 	  Quote: 	
		  On Jan 11, 2016, at 7:15 PM, Charlie England <ceengland7(at)gmail.com (ceengland7(at)gmail.com)> wrote:

That's probably something to at least check, if you do purchase it. You should be able to check for safety with an ohm meter. Just check from each low voltage terminal to every line level terminal to be sure it's transformer-isolated.

	


That is is isolated is virtually guaranteed. The question is whether it will stay that way!



The UL requirements and tests ensure that it both will not pose a fire hazard and it will be electrically isolated from the line during reasonable use and *throughout the life of the product*.



Basically without the UL listing, there’s no verifiable way to know just what you’re getting.

skywagon

Joined: 11 Feb 2006
Posts: 184

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 6:34 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

I purchased one like this from eBay a couple of years  ago.  The PS comes from China.

 It does as it is advertized to do and is well made, or at  least the one I have.

 My 185 has a ground power jack box built in near the  battery.  I use it for running the panel when doing adjustments, etc. to  the avionics.

 I used some medium heavy duty alligator clips to connect  to my heavy duty plugs.  You great care in connecting this way so you don't  create a short.  Or, if you don't mind spending lots of $$, buy a set of  the mating jack/plugs for that external jumper junctions. A lot safer. .  .

  

 My unit came with no instructions  nor data other  than its rating.

 You may have to figure out what terminals on the terminal  board go to "where".

 The PS also needs to be turned on before connection to the  aircraft, like any bench "style" unit.

  

 The regulated output DC voltage is set via a small pot  adjustment.  So use a V meter to get the output set about right and then,  after connection, you may have to tweak the pot a tad to get the voltage you  need.  It will hold that voltage very well up to its max current  rating.

  

 If the PS is the same/similar to the one I have it is a  heck of a deal for powering up the avionics panel.

 Dave

  

   

  

 [quote]   ---

ceengland7(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 7:31 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

I'd certainly try it out. You might try       some sort of inexpensive 12V audio device first, to see how noisy       it is.

       

       Even if it's too noisy, you can still run battery only for quite a       while, then recharge between sessions.

       

       On 1/11/2016 8:04 PM, Jeffrey W. Skiba wrote:

     

      	  Quote: 	
		                         <![endif]-->   <![endif]-->                

So             what’s the difference of using one of these ?         

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SE-1275A-Automatic-Onboard-Battery/dp/B000BO8TTY         

          

I             have one already could I just connect it to external power             plug and be good to go (the battery is still on line) is it             not as clean for power output ? (granted it’s really only             12amps)         

          

          

                                  

Subject:                 Re: Ground power supplies DIY           

         

         

                     

That's probably something to at least             check, if you do purchase it. You should be able to check             for safety with an ohm meter. Just check from each low             voltage terminal to every line level terminal to be sure             it's transformer-isolated.

             

             Other than that, I'd probably go for it. The hotdog aviation             supplies may be set up to run at 14 volts instead of 12, to             mimic actual operating voltage with the alternator online,             but that's not significant. After all, if your alternator             quits, your electronics will still need to operate on             battery-only.

             

             If you don't need to run your entire panel for hours at a             time, you can achieve the same thing with a cheap 12V SLA             battery and a fully automatic trickle charger. If you             already have both on hand, you wouldn't need to buy anything             but hookup bits & pieces.

             

             Charlie

             

             On 1/11/2016 6:32 PM, Daniel Hooper wrote:         

          	  Quote: 	
		                          

I do not see a UL listing label               anywhere. Buyer beware, safety not guaranteed!           

           

                          	  Quote: 	
		                                  

On Jan 11, 2016, at 5:56 PM,                   Jeffrey W. Skiba <jskiba(at)icosa.net (jskiba(at)icosa.net)>                   wrote:               

               

                                                                         

Okay                         so I am trying to create a Ground power supply                         for a low cost and found items like this on ebay                   

                                        

High                         Quality Universal Regulated Switching Power                         Supply for CCTV-12V 30A DC 360w                   

                                        

http://www.ebay.com/itm/High-Quality-Universal-Regulated-Switching-Power-Supply-for-CCTV-12V-30A-DC-360w-/331735582614?hash=item4d3cfb4796:g:~EEAAOSw~otWc4iO                   

                                        

                    

                                        

Question                         is would something like this be okay to supply                         modern aircraft avionics power via the ground                         power jack ?                   

                                        

                    

                                        

I                         mean it supplies 30amps of power from either                         110v or 230v (via switch selection)                   

                                        

                    

                                        

So                         why are pre made aircraft power supplies so                         expensive ??                   

                                        

                    

                                        

What                         am I missing or should I not do ??? Should I be                         looking for a different type of power supply ?                   

                                        

                    

                                        

I                         really want to use it to sit in the aircraft and                         config all the avionics (battery will be                         connected but that can get drained after a few                         hours with everything on and no alternator                         Turing to power things)                   

                                        

                    

                                        

                    

                                        

Thanks                   

                                        

Jeff.

jimkale(at)roadrunner.com
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 11, 2016 8:07 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

Power supplies have several different types of ratings, and most have no overvoltage protection in case the power supply regulator fails.

One of the ratings is how much current (Amps) will it provide while maintaining the rated voltage.

Ripple is a rating about how much the voltage is allowed to fluctuate while providing current.  The fluctuation is normally at about 60 Hz (cycles per second) for older designs, however, the modern switching type power supplies may have ripple at many different frequencies that may or may not show up as a humming noise on radios, etc.

Some have voltage adjustments, some don’t.  If you get an adjustable one and it is inadvertently turned up too high, it can fill your airplane with very expensive smoke in short order.  Too low of a voltage can also cause some serious problems with SOME avionics.

The old adage LET THE BUYER BEWARE is very appropriate here.  An attempt to save money might be extremely expensive.

Jim

 

 

From: owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com [mailto:owner-aeroelectric-list-server(at)matronics.com] On Behalf Of David Lloyd

Sent: Monday, January 11, 2016 8:24 PM

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com

Subject: Re: Ground power supplies DIY

 

I purchased one like this from eBay a couple of years ago.  The PS comes from China.



It does as it is advertized to do and is well made, or at least the one I have.



My 185 has a ground power jack box built in near the battery.  I use it for running the panel when doing adjustments, etc. to the avionics.



I used some medium heavy duty alligator clips to connect to my heavy duty plugs.  You great care in connecting this way so you don't create a short.  Or, if you don't mind spending lots of $$, buy a set of the mating jack/plugs for that external jumper junctions. A lot safer. . .



 



My unit came with no instructions  nor data other than its rating.



You may have to figure out what terminals on the terminal board go to "where".



The PS also needs to be turned on before connection to the aircraft, like any bench "style" unit.



 



The regulated output DC voltage is set via a small pot adjustment.  So use a V meter to get the output set about right and then, after connection, you may have to tweak the pot a tad to get the voltage you need.  It will hold that voltage very well up to its max current rating.



 



If the PS is the same/similar to the one I have it is a heck of a deal for powering up the avionics panel.



Dave



 



 

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nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 6:41 am Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

At 08:04 PM 1/11/2016, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  So what’s the difference of using one of these ?

  http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SE-1275A-Automatic-Onboard-Battery/dp/B000BO8TTY 

  

 I have one already could I just connect it to external power plug and be good to go (the battery is still on line) is it not as clean for power output ? (granted it’s really only 12amps) 	


   Those do not deliver smooth DC voltage. They are

   CHARGERS . . . not POWER SUPPLIES.



 

 

   Bob . . .

jluckey(at)pacbell.net
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 7:50 am Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

Is that a YES or a NO, Bob?

Doesn't a charger, in combination with a battery, deliver power that is clean enough to do the job?



Sent from my iPad



On Jan 12, 2016, at 06:36, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com (nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com)> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		    At 08:04 PM 1/11/2016, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  So whatâ€™s the difference of using one of these ?

  http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SE-1275A-Automatic-Onboard-Battery/dp/B000BO8TTY 

  

 I have one already could I just connect it to external power plug and be good to go (the battery is still on line) is it not as clean for power output ? (granted itâ€™s really only 12amps) 	


   Those do not deliver smooth DC voltage. They are

   CHARGERS . . . not POWER SUPPLIES.



 

 

   Bob . . .     =================================== >www.buildersbooks.com matronics.com/contribution =================================== st">http://www.matronics.com/Navigator?AeroElectric-List =================================== cs.com =================================== matronics.com/contribution ===================================

user9253

Joined: 28 Mar 2008
Posts: 1920
Location: Riley TWP Michigan

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 8:01 am Post subject: Re: Ground power supplies DIY

I have an RV-12 E-LSA with a Odyssey PC680 battery.  If I intend to sit on the ground with the Dynon D-180 turned on for more than 5 minutes, I will connect a battery/maintainer similar to this one: Walmart #: 001036720

It is a charger, not a power supply.  But it has worked fine for me for the past 5 years.  I have read that modern avionics should be capable of withstanding anything that an aircraft electrical system can throw at them.  I suspect that the Schumacher charger will not put out as much noise and voltage spikes as an aircraft electrical system with relays, contactors, RF transmitters, motors, strobes, alternators, and etc.

  An avionics technician doing serious bench testing, will want a high quality power supply.  But for a pilot sitting in the airplane pushing buttons to learn how to use a glass panel, I agree with Charlie's posts above.

_________________
Joe Gores

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 9:48 am Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

At 08:04 PM 1/11/2016, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  So what’s the difference of using one of these ?

  http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-SE-1275A-Automatic-Onboard-Battery/dp/B000BO8TTY 

  

 I have one already could I just connect it to external power plug and be good to go (the battery is still on line) is it not as clean for power output ? (granted it’s really only 12amps) 	


   Those do not deliver smooth DC voltage. They are

   CHARGERS . . . not POWER SUPPLIES.



 

 

   Bob . . .

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 9:48 am Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

At 10:05 PM 1/11/2016, you wrote:

  	  Quote: 	
		  Power supplies have several different types of ratings, and most have no overvoltage protection in case the power supply regulator fails.

 One of the ratings is how much current (Amps) will it provide while maintaining the rated voltage.

 Ripple is a rating about how much the voltage is allowed to fluctuate while providing current.  The fluctuation is normally at about 60 Hz (cycles per second) for older designs, however, the modern switching type power supplies may have ripple at many different frequencies that may or may not show up as a humming noise on radios, etc. 	


    Here's my present value-choice for an AC

    mains ground power supply . . .



  http://tinyurl.com/zbn5g6m



    It comes with lots of approvals. There's

    no reason to suspect that the 'protective'

    features cited are not equal to the best

    we know how to do in that industry.



    . . . and it's tough to beat the price/performance

    numbers.  This is on a part with a 20A switchmode

    supply I used to sell out of the 'Connection

    inventory about 10 years ago . . . but at 1/4th

    the price.



 

 

   Bob . . .

nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelect
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 9:56 am Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

 	  Quote: 	
		     . . . and it's tough to beat the price/performance

    numbers.  This is on a part with a 20A switchmode

    supply I used to sell out of the 'Connection

    inventory about 10 years ago . . . but at 1/4th

    the price. 	


   Oh yeah, order the 15 volt version and adjust it

   down to 14v to run your airplane.



 

 

   Bob . . .

enginerdy(at)gmail.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 9:58 am Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

 	  Quote: 	
		  On Jan 12, 2016, at 11:47 AM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com (nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com)> wrote:

 Here's my present value-choice for an AC   mains ground power supply . . .

	


So connecting this 15V supply through a silicon diode would put the output at around 14.4V.. is that the idea?



Thanks,

Daniel

Bob McC

Joined: 09 Jan 2006
Posts: 258
Location: Toronto, ON

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 10:22 am Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

No. The output is adjustable. Simply turn the voltage adjustment slightly counterclockwise to achieve the desired output.



Bob McC



From: enginerdy(at)gmail.com

Subject: Re: AeroElectric-List: Ground power supplies DIY

Date: Tue, 12 Jan 2016 11:56:46 -0600

To: aeroelectric-list(at)matronics.com



 	  Quote: 	
		  

On Jan 12, 2016, at 11:47 AM, Robert L. Nuckolls, III <nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com (nuckolls.bob(at)aeroelectric.com)> wrote:

 Here's my present value-choice for an AC   mains ground power supply . . .

	




So connecting this 15V supply through a silicon diode would put the output at around 14.4V.. is that the idea?

Thanks,

Daniel

_________________
Bob McC
Falco #908
(just starting)

edpav8r(at)yahoo.com
Guest

Posted: Tue Jan 12, 2016 10:42 am Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

On Jan 12, 2016, at 9:56 AM, Daniel Hooper <enginerdy(at)gmail.com> wrote:

 	  Quote: 	
		   So connecting this 15V supply through a silicon diode would put the output at around 14.4V.. is that the idea?

 

 Thanks,

 Daniel


	


There's a potentiometer on the unit that allows output voltage adjustment within approximately +/-10% of nominal.  The listing says the limits are 13.5V - 16.5V.



Eric

jskiba(at)icosa.net
Guest

Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2016 12:36 pm Post subject: Ground power supplies DIY

Just wanted to follow up with all that I ordered one of the suggested power supplies and turned it down to 14v and it works GREAT !! Thanks to all 

  

I have also enclosed so pics 

  

Thanks again Jeff 

  

    

Subject: RE: Ground power supplies DIY 

 

 

   	  Quote: 	
		   

   . . . and it's tough to beat the price/performance

    numbers.  This is on a part with a 20A switchmode

    supply I used to sell out of the 'Connection

    inventory about 10 years ago . . . but at 1/4th

    the price. 	
 



   Oh yeah, order the 15 volt version and adjust it

   down to 14v to run your airplane.

 

 

 

  

  Bob . . .

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