Backup Power
Printed From: Avidyne
Category: Avidyne General
Forum Name: IFD 5 Series & IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
Forum Description: Topics on Avidyne's IFD 5 Series and IFD 4 Series Touch Screen GPS/NAV/COM
URL: http://forums.avidyne.com/forum_posts.asp?TID=294
Printed Date: 14 May 2025 at 1:38am
Software Version: Web Wiz Forums 12.01 - http://www.webwizforums.com
Topic: Backup Power
Posted By: jwjenks
Subject: Backup Power
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 1:45pm
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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 |
Replies:
Posted By: phkmn
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 4:06pm
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Why not just install the B&C backup alternator? That will power the entire suite.
------------- PH |
Posted By: AviJake
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 7:26pm
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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 |
Posted By: jwjenks
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 8:52pm
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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 |
Posted By: Paul
Date Posted: 28 Aug 2013 at 9:44pm
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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. |
Posted By: tony
Date 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? |
Posted By: MysticCobra
Date Posted: 29 Aug 2013 at 6:06am
+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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Paul wrote: