POWER CONSUMPTION
OK - I got to measure power consumption in the glider.
While it was still charging the device measured 432mA - With a fully charged device this should drop to around 380-400mA. The Glidertools converter measured 15mA as advertized.
This compares reasonably favorably with the high 300mA's reported for similar earlier generation PNA's reported on the PostFrontal forum.
While I was at it I compared this to power consumption of other devices.
My Becker transponder drew 390mA under very low interrogation conditions
My radio sucked 30mA with no x or TX, and a whopping 1220mA when transmitting.
Is that 400mA from the 12V battery or through the 5V USB connection? Any issues of noise in the radio or other systems from the GliderTools converter?
ReplyDeleteCraggy Aero Ultimate draws 800 mA for a bit larger screen, ClearNav uses 600 mA (manufacturers' data). So I can believe ~400 mA @ 12 V for this one.
DeleteHi Michael
DeleteAll measurements were made at the battery terminal - 12V - since this is what dictates total power dissipated - teh glidertools unit is 95% efficient so the actual current draw of the device will be about 5% less than I measured - so you can reference to an 'actual current' this way if you prefer.
Peter, I meant to ask but forgot: is the internal battery user-replaceable, and if so, are they available? Lithium batteries in PNAs age rapidly and die early because of the way we run them in gliders: always fully charged from external power and HOT. It'd be pity to waste a $300 device because of a non-replaceable $50 battery. Thanks for any info.
ReplyDelete