Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

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Quinn1
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Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by Quinn1 »

What do you think about using the cigarette lighter in my 2003 DA40 to power a small Arctic Air Cooler? Could it be used before flight or even during flight?
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Lou
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by Lou »

Be careful you don’t burn the fuse. The circuit is not tied to a breaker and the fuse is a real pain to replace. I would check the load and if it is anywhere close to the rating, don’t try. I am sorry but I cannot recall the rating now but it is not very high.
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by Soareyes »

Quinn1 wrote: Tue Mar 16, 2021 4:15 pm What do you think about using the cigarette lighter in my 2003 DA40 to power a small Arctic Air Cooler? Could it be used before flight or even during flight?
From a blog post on the subject: http://da-40.blogspot.com/2013/05/arctic.html

The Arctic Air unit draws 5 amps but the panel power outlet comes standard with a 2 amp fuse so you have to install a new fuse. This is easily done from the oil door without removing the cowling. Look through the oil door toward the back of the instrument panel. There is a white box with some fuse receptacles on top of it. Install a higher rated fuse in the receptacle labeled “3A AUX PWR F7.” See picture.

Fuse receptacle.jpg
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by Karl »

Exchanging a standard fuse for one of a higher rating is not a recommended practice.
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caseyayers
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by caseyayers »

Does anyone regularly use the cigarette jack in flight? I was under the impression it was not for use outside of ground ops and so I haven't ever really touched it before.
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by CBeak »

caseyayers wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:39 pm Does anyone regularly use the cigarette jack in flight? I was under the impression it was not for use outside of ground ops and so I haven't ever really touched it before.
I have used it on longer flights just to keep my iPad charged for ForeFlight. I have not done any research regarding the pros/cons.
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Rich
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by Rich »

caseyayers wrote: Thu Mar 18, 2021 5:39 pm Does anyone regularly use the cigarette jack in flight? I was under the impression it was not for use outside of ground ops and so I haven't ever really touched it before.
The limitation on the accessory plug (not a cigarette lighter) to ground operations only is widely ignored. It's unclear why the limitation is there except that given the location of the fuse it's not reliable in flight. I replaced mine with a USB port wired to the avionics bus. Before that I used it to power all sorts of electronic things in the plane

I wouldn't increase fuse size without confirming the amp capacity of all the components, especially including the wires, in that circuit. Onboard fires are not something I would want to invite.
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by Shodan01 »

Have you thought about using a Jackery or Goal Zero battery pack?
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by Quinn1 »

Great feedback. I’ll look into battery pack. Thanks everyone!!
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Re: Use cigarette lighter in flight for Arctic Air Cooler?

Post by perossichi »

I was using accessory adapter with my B-kool unit. I blew the fuse. Now I use two lithium phosphate motor cycle 12v batts in series. Works great and weighs nothing.
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