Messages

16

Technical Support / Re: Garmin GPS AT575 with Pilotaware

« on: July 26, 2023, 10:29:14 pm »

Re-radiating GPS isn't a great idea, I'm surprised someone has tried it in that link you posted.  The signal power is so low (~ -150dB), you can easily swamp it and degrade other GNSS receivers in the area if you take a 29dB amp and 'broadcast' the signal. Not a great idea in aviation.  Been there, done that, never doing it again.

You can get USB GNSS dongles with a connector for an external antenna.  You would need to check the datasheet for the antenna to see what power it needs.  I can't find one after a quick search, so how old is it?  It may have failed if it's not been connected to anything for a while, so you'd need to test it.  Those take between 4.5v - 15v I think, depending on the actual part number (there are several AT575 variants).  A USB dongle will provide a max of 5v DC bias and may be happier with a higher voltage.

You're making your own GPS Mouse with an external antenna.

17

Technical Support / Re: PAW Classic now reports Volt=Error and works intermittently

« on: July 01, 2023, 05:46:01 pm »

OK, that's a fair drop just from the USB cable, but about what's expected.  With the dongles attached it's getting pretty low, so they must be drawing some power.

Low voltage warnings on the Pi kick in around 4.63v (+/-5% so 4.39v to 4.86v). 

Does one particular dongle cause a large drop?  If so, that is probably the culprit, dragging the supply down.  I suspect the cigarette supply has dropped over the years, which they can do depending on the parts used and the design.  Combined with a dongle starting to be a bit iffy too.

Do you see dropouts if you run the Pi at home with SkyDemon hooked up etc.?  From memory, as it's been a while, you can get the PAW running at home, hook up SkyDemon, and just choose 'go flying'.  Other traffic will display etc., but you should see if things drop out on the home power supply.  I'd ignore the low voltage when at home, but see if the dropouts occur.

RAVpower USB supplies are pretty chunky, so should be absolutely fine when testing at home.

18

Technical Support / Re: PAW Classic now reports Volt=Error and works intermittently

« on: July 01, 2023, 05:04:34 pm »

Voltmeters are great for diagnosis, so see what is being supplied, but they are lossy. 
So we know you get 5.2v from the supply drawing 750ma. That should be fine. 

Something isn't right if you see the lower voltage, even with nothing in the USB ports.  What voltage do you see if you boot the Pi up with the power meter in one of its USB ports?  It will show no current, but the voltage should be close to the 5.2v you have confirmed leaving the power supply.

19

Technical Support / Re: PAW Classic now reports Volt=Error and works intermittently

« on: July 01, 2023, 04:10:52 pm »

Was the sporadic lower voltage with the power meter still there? 

The meter will tell you what the output is at the connector.  So you can check the voltage and current draw. The voltage will be lower after the power monitor.  So 5.2v at home should be OK.  Reading 5.03v in flight should just about be OK, assuming the USB cable is short.

Don't leave the power monitor in the circuit for active use. They drop the voltage the end device sees.  USB connectors are quite lossy power-wise, so the added couple of connectors will drop the voltage. 

You could plug the power monitor into a USB port on the Pi, as that will show what the Pi is actually getting voltage wise.

Check the ground connection of your cigarette socket in the aircraft.  If there is any resistance on that, the PAW will see this as a lower voltage when the power draw goes up.

20

Technical Support / Re: PAW Classic now reports Volt=Error and works intermittently

« on: June 24, 2023, 03:19:13 pm »

Have you tried a new USB cable powering it?  Cables are consumable items, over time vibrations and use will cause strands in the cable to break.

Simple to check, and causes many issues.

21

Technical Support / Re: Status Volt error

« on: May 12, 2023, 05:32:21 pm »

Pop the case open and look at the mini-USB connector on the Pi (The Power In connector), especially the solder joints on the connector.  With the cable in but unpowered, gently raise and lower it a few mm. There should be no movement on the pins on the main PCB.

The socket isn't that robust, and the solder joints can crack, leading to oddities.

22

Technical Support / Re: Avidyne IFD Capstone support

« on: May 02, 2023, 02:24:15 pm »

Avidyne IFD navigators running V10.3 software allow traffic (and weather) display from non-certified ADS-B receivers such as Stratus using the Capstone protocol.  Has anyone had any luck configuring this to work with PilotAware? I have just tried but got a message implying that no messages were being received from the PilotAware, even though both devices are connected to the same (PilotAware) WiFi network. Have I configured something incorrectly,  or is Capstone not supported (yet)?

Did you set PAW to transmit at 115,200?  I have a distant memory of an Avidine system that would only take input at that speed.

23

General Discussion / Re: Aircrew Traffic Display

« on: May 02, 2023, 12:37:18 pm »

I feel his pain!

It has taken way too long to add USB-C to my chargers, a combination of Covid and parts.  A 4-port version with 2 x Type A and 2 x Type C will be available shortly.  Literally just waiting for the assembled PCB panels to arrive.  The website will be updated in a couple of weeks, including options to upgrade a current v2 charger to USB-C.

Trying to get parts is still a huge problem, even for contract custom electronics projects.  There can be 5000 processors on a Monday, go to order on Wednesday, and they've gone. Just left with the option to back order for delivery in 2024.  Crazy.

24

General Discussion / Re: Aircrew Traffic Display

« on: May 01, 2023, 10:53:26 pm »

The company behind it is dissolved, but the IP and assets may have been sold.

Given the shortage of parts it may have been a victim of that. I have been quoted lead times of 40 weeks plus recently.

25

Technical Support / Re: PilotAware & Dynon.....An Update

« on: April 09, 2023, 10:48:12 pm »

I’d look to upgrade the Pi to one with built in WiFi, then you won’t need 5 USB ports.

26

General Discussion / Re: 24V fag lighter to 5V supply

« on: February 26, 2023, 11:01:56 am »

It would be interesting to see how the 'newest' USB-A with 'IQ' plus USB-C with 'Power Delivery' adaptors perform 'noise wise' in an aircraft, though I'm loath to spend £29.99 just to find out

I wonder what IQ is, the QC USB add-on was from Qualcomm.  USB-C all have 'power delivery' to an extent, as they won't supply power at all without some kind of communication with the device plugged in.  Or they shouldn't, if they comply with the specification. 
Be aware that multi-port USB-C chargers will often switch power off to all the ports when you plug another device in, or remove one.  They will often limit power to the lowest level of all the attached devices.  The attach causes the power delivery to renegotiate on all the ports.  Mine don't do that, the two USB-C ports are independent of one another, just like the A's.  So no nasty surprises there.

27

General Discussion / Re: 24V fag lighter to 5V supply

« on: February 26, 2023, 10:54:18 am »

Funny you should mention USB-C...

Once I finish getting everything ready for a production run, my chargers will be available with USB-C too.  Limited to 15W to comply with the CS-STAN 20W per port limit.  The base unit stays as 2 x Type A but to make a 4 port the choice will be 4 x Type A or 2 x Type A and 2 x Type C.

All existing v2 units will be upgradeable to take the additional 2 USB-C ports too.  An existing 4 port unit needs a firmware update and an internal board swap, a 2 port just firmware plus the additional Type C 2 port board.  Plus a new front panel.  The aim is to have upgrade kits and an upgrade service for those who don't want to do it themselves.

Shouldn't be more than a couple of months away now.

28

General Discussion / Re: 24V fag lighter to 5V supply

« on: February 26, 2023, 10:19:21 am »

It is quite rare these days to sell a charger with a cigarette lighter lead.  I haven't bought any new plugs for a couple of years now.  It isn't recommended to use the cigarette socket, they are poor for long term power delivery.  By design they are meant for short term delivery at high current, to heat the lighter.  They also don't take to vibration well over time.  People only do it to save the installation fee.

On the Anker website, if you search for 'car' it does find their chargers, and lets you put them in the basket for purchase. 

If you buy a new aircraft from some manufacturers you will find my chargers are a standard fit these days.  None of them have fitted cigarette lighter sockets for years.

29

General Discussion / Re: 24V fag lighter to 5V supply

« on: February 25, 2023, 07:40:12 pm »

I know of some licensed aircraft who plug my chargers into the cig lighter socket, to save the fitting fee. I don’t know how they have mounted them though…

30

General Discussion / Re: 24V fag lighter to 5V supply

« on: February 25, 2023, 09:52:32 am »

Anker still seem to have some...

https://www.anker.com/uk/products/a2727?variant=37339902836900

From the Anker in Japan has the manual available, says 12v/24v

https://lp.ankerjapan.com/hubfs/aoos/manual/A2727Manual.pdf

I had a PowerDrive 2 in the lab for a while, it got a bit warm at 24v when under load.

The one above is available on Amazon -> https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Charger-PowerDrive-Adapter-iPhone-Black/dp/B07PGT7LSR?ref_=ast_sto_dp&th=1&psc=1
Plus the PowerDrive2 is still there too -> https://www.amazon.co.uk/Anker-Charger-PowerIQ-Technology-Motorola-black/dp/B00VH84L5E?ref_=ast_sto_dp


For some people these work well, others have noise issues, a lot depends on the aircraft wiring and other fitted equipment.  This is based on customer feedback over the years.