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jwjenks View Drop Down
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Joined: 28 Aug 2013
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    Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 1:45pm
Just a newbe here;
Will the 540 have any ability to use portable backup power?
For example a jack on the front that allows 14v input to the unit and simultaneously disconnects it to the buss would be a great option that allows the nav/com feature unit to remain operational.
Yes, there is the issue of audio panel power and associated switch gear but when the alternator craps out, being able to navigate and communicate is essential.  I have a portable ICOM but it's kind a sad having a $15000 GPS/Com unusable because of lack of power in the age of readily available battery power.  You can get a 5Ah, 2 lb, NiMH pack for $60.
I'm guessing it's much too late in the process for this to be an add-on.
But does Avidyne make a unit that allows for portable power to selected instruments?
Some sort of electric switch gear?
JWJ
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phkmn View Drop Down
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Why not just install the B&C backup alternator?  That will power the entire suite.
PH
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Hi JWJ,

No, the IFD540 does not have any ability to support some portable backup power.  We also don't make that kind of product that allows for this kind of power supply.

The principal reason the IFD540 doesn't support this is that we designed it to be plug and play with the existing 530 trays and we optimized the power supply for that design.
Steve Jacobson
sjacobson@avidyne.com
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jwjenks View Drop Down
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Points: 50 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote jwjenks Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 8:52pm
Let's see... $60 for a 5Ah battery or $2,200 + installation for a standby generator.  That's a tough choice.
I'm in Apollo 13 (Cessna 172) and I need to keep essential Nav/Com operational. 
Turn off all lights, autopilot, radios, except IFD 540 and maybe the Xpond.   If I plug in a battery to the 10Amp fused cigarette lighter then just my clock, two electric gyros, and the IFD 540 will have power.
How much current will the IFD 540 take?
JWJ
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Paul View Drop Down
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Points: 285 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Paul Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 9:44pm
Doesn't your 172 already have a battery?

If you lost the alternator in IMC I'd expect you to use the IFD-540 to find the nearest airport with a usable approach and the frequency to use to declare an emergency.

Maybe Steve or someone else from Avidyne can describe the procedure for quickly finding such an airport.
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tony View Drop Down
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Points: 466 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tony Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 10:52pm
JWJ,  If you desire that type of functionality, why don't you just handle it with the installation by putting in a DPDT relay and wiring it accordingly? 
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Originally posted by Paul Paul wrote:

Doesn't your 172 already have a battery?

+1.

There are also other solutions in-between $60 and $2000, like any of a number of portable GPS units that are available.  No, those aren't going to give you all the capabilities of the IFD, including the ability to fly IFR approaches in hard IMC, but that's what thousands of pilots do today to back up their current panel-mounted GPS.
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