USB outlet to charge ipad

[Keith W]

A while ago I fitted a usb outlet into the panel of my J230 Jabiru to keep my iPad charged as I’m flying, I bought it from jaycar and it worked fine for a while but now it doesn’t charge although the charge icon on the iPad screen is green, can anybody recommend a good replacement thanks Keith.

[skippydiesel]

Depends on how many $$$ you want to outlay.

 

My aircraft came with no less than two USB sockets;

Guardian Avionics, Dual USB -A 2.7 amps/5 VFC Output - mega bucks. $About $240.0 US

 

I also use:

Single 12V “cigarette lighter” female port. 5 amp fuse. That could have a cheap JayCar USB charger plugged in - I use if for my hand geld Garmin GPS. Dont forget to include a suitable fuse.😈

 

 

[IBob]

I have a couple of USB panel mount marine chargers. I've had no trouble with them and they seem to do the job. Bought on NZ TradeMe, look like this:

[skippydiesel]

When I Googled "USB panel mount marine chargers" I found a great range from about $11 -$180 😈

[IBob]

Can't remember exactly Skippy, but mine cost very little. They seem to be offered in various combinations, sometimes with other fittings, in little panels that I guess you bolt on your boat or whatever. I contacted the vendor and bought a panel  with 2 USB units, discarded their panel and fitted them to mine.
Full disclosure: I've never metered or scoped them to ensure they are behaving themselves.
One normally powers my Samsung tablet with Ozrunways, the other my uAvionix Ping for ADSB-In.

[skippydiesel]

Hi IBob,

 

I guess most of use have tried a range of 12 V car chargers, for our iPad/Phone/etc and found some don't do the job from "get go", others don't last BUT after much trial & tribulation, come up with a good charger or two - not necessarily the most expensive ones either. I don't know any way to improve on this hot & miss selection process - seems to go with the products. Such is life!😈

[pluessy]

iPads are fussy when charging. My iPad says "not charging" when plugged in an AC power adaptor but still charges but very slowly. Have you tried a few different cables, they can affect the charge rate quite a bit? I have a Jaycar 2-outlet USB port in my Tecnam for nearly 10 years and no problems (no radio noise and good charge).

Edited July 9 by pluessy
spelling

[Keith W]

some won’t charge an iPad , I think a phone only needs a 1 amp charger but an iPad needs 2.1-2.5 amps to charge , when my power outlet broke I replaced it with a usb outlet but it would only charge a phone I went to jaycar and told them my problem and they sold me the outlet which  I have now that worked fine till about 2 months ago and now it doesn’t charge 

[Blueadventures]

14 hours ago, Keith W said:

A while ago I fitted a usb outlet into the panel of my J230 Jabiru to keep my iPad charged as I’m flying, I bought it from jaycar and it worked fine for a while but now it doesn’t charge although the charge icon on the iPad screen is green, can anybody recommend a good replacement thanks Keith.

Are you using the same connection cord? If so It may have corroded contacts.

[Keith W]

No I tried a different lead still the same

[skippydiesel]

I think we have all been through the mix & match (charger/cables) but when you get a good set,  its like finding a nugget😈

[spacesailor]

Those slow charger's have their use .

I  harge my tablet overnight & it's 99% , when I get up in the morning .

spacesailor

[Kyle Communications]

As much as I have to say this buy a genuine cable..they are outrageously priced I know but they work. I was always having trouble with apple car play with generic leads...I bit the bullet aND BOUGHT THE GENUINE APPLE ONE AND THE PHONE CHARGES FAST AND APPLE CARPLAY WORKS ALMOST EVERY TIME...IT DOESNT WORK I BELIVE DUE TO THE HEAD UNIT IN THE TRITON..oops sorry for the caps wasnt watching while typing

 

[Keith W]

I did by a genuine cable from apple as they were the only ones that had a half metre cable that I wanted, I might try spraying some contact cleaner in the usb outlet but I can’t see that being the problem as it’s mounted underneath the panel where the old power outlet was

[Kyle Communications]

 

4 hours ago, Keith W said:

I did by a genuine cable from apple as they were the only ones that had a half metre cable that I wanted, I might try spraying some contact cleaner in the usb outlet but I can’t see that being the problem as it’s mounted underneath the panel where the old power outlet was

It maybe that the USB charger is toasted..they are not high quality if your paying 30 bucks..the aviation ones though are outrageous its like they just charge you 3 times what its worth because its avaiavtion.

I should look at building a decent suppressed one. TI have a lot of chips for these now and also lots of application notes to use. I am sure there will be high quality ones

 

[Keith W]

I see Narva have a duel outlet 2.5 amp each outlet you would hope to be reasonable quality compared to what you see on eBay etc, any thing you go to buy and mention it’s for aviation the price is always dearer maybe they think you have to be rich to own a plane, don’t know were I went wrong

[Freizeitpilot]

“You have to be rich to own a plane “……..

Pacific Avionics have a ‘special’ for a USB charger (with TSO) for a mere $660 !

 

• 0)

Features

• Output Current: 15 – 30 watts / 3 – 6 amps
• Input Voltage: 10 – 32 VDC
• Output Voltage: 5 VDC ± 0.25 per port
• Simultaneously charge smartphones, iPads, tablets and EFBs at full power
• Ideal for in-seat, cabin, cockpit and galley USB power
• Multiple configurations include USB-C and USB-A connectors, single and dual port, lighted and non-lighted options
• Short circuit, power surges, overload and over temperature protection
• Designed and built in Wichita, Kansas, USA
• Limited Lifetime Warranty (details)
• FAA TSO Certified

[Blueadventures]

I have a dual USB from Jaycar and soldered in the mod RFGuy suggested a few years back to eliminate clicking noise and working great ever since.  Used often to charge mini ipad and iphone with no issues.  Most recently on an 11.3 hour trip of 4 hops.

[Admin]

Come on guys, tell me, is there any reason why you will not support Clear Prop. Clear Prop has had these things in stock for years:

For Aircraft :: Instruments :: Cigarette Lighter socket with dual USB sockets

WWW.CLEARPROP.COM.AU

---

Cigarette Lighter socket with dual USB socketsA Cigarette Lighter socket that comes with a push in dual USB socket insert Can be used...

 

If you don't support Clear Prop then I will have to close Recreational Flying as it is getting to costly to run

[Geoff_H]

On 09/07/2025 at 7:40 AM, Keith W said:

A while ago I fitted a usb outlet into the panel of my J230 Jabiru to keep my iPad charged as I’m flying, I bought it from jaycar and it worked fine for a while but now it doesn’t charge although the charge icon on the iPad screen is green, can anybody recommend a good replacement thanks Keith.

Make sure it's not a cable problem.   Most times I have had this problem it was a cable faulty. 

[Moneybox]

I find some devices won't charge properly without the original Apple cable and the original certainly seems to outlast all others. The one on my Honda quad is so old that it has no plastic cover left on the cable. It's just bare metal from end to end and still works. The DC Distribution marine cigarette lighter outlet on our bus (comes with a panel of six rocker switches and circuit breakers) is now over ten years old and has a Nava twin cigarette lighter outlet hanging off it to charge the phones, ipads, headphones, detector batteries, torches etc. It's never given any trouble but the aftermarket cables are always an issue.