On 3/20/2010 10:34 PM, Linda Abrams wrote > My panel has a "cigarette lighter" type of power outlet, presently > used to run my portable AvMap GPS. I would like to use a "splitter" > that turns that 1 outlet into 2, so that I can occasionally also plug > in a small portable CD player... What other information do I need to find > out and post here, to learn whether it would be ok to occasionally > add the portable CD player to my existing set-up? Is it Amps or...? > Since the 'Coupe originally was not equipped with a cigarette lighter, the first thing to look at is how yours is wired in. It should have a fuse or circuit breaker. The rating of the breaker will give you an idea of how much current you can draw from it. A good rule of thumb is to add the current requirements of the devices you intend to use together and see if they are more than about 70% of the circuit capacity. If not, then go ahead and give it a shot.
The next thing to worry about is the total current draw of everything you have in the aircraft that counts as continuous load, including your GPS and CD player, and compare that to the charging capacity of the generator. Here the rule is no more than 80%, so, if you have a 12 amp generator, the continuous load cannot be more than 9.6 amps (say 10). Transmitter loads, landing lights, etc. do not count as continuous loads, but strobes, radio receivers and nav lights (if you fly at night) do. Technically, the GPS and CD player don't count either as they are not permanently installed, but if you intend to use them continuously, you should figure them in. -- John Cooper Skyport East www.skyportservices.net
