Light Aircraft Association

There's been discussion elsewhere about charging USB-compatible devices from a/c electrics. A simple solution, but prone to distributing RF interference, is a simple converter plugged into your a/c's 'cigar' lighter.

We're trying this custom-made solution from the States: http://goo.gl/oB2SLG; not cheap, but not as expensive as the 'certified' version (£250+).

Has anyone experience of similar equipment, preferably sourced in the UK?

I bought a cheap USB charger from Halfords to use in the aeroplane with a recently purchased Nexus 7 and was a little concerned it would not charge or cause noise on the radio.

In the event, I have no noise on the radio and it does charge although very slowly. On a recent flight of about 40 minutes, the charge went up from 65% to 67%.

I also use a double socket & USB adaptor plug from Halfords, It charges the iPad & phone, no interference. I fitted a 5amp MCB into the socket casing to feed it.

I have just bought one of these for charging a device with a USB plug.

Blue Sea - Dual USB Charger Socket - 2 Usb Ports W/Watertight Cap from Amazon at £20.50

Delivery next week so I can't comment on weight or dimensions etc let alone possible radio interference. But, on the face of it, likely to turn out to be a neater solution than mounting a typical 12v 'cigarette' style socket in the panel and then pushing in a USB adaptor.... unless of course an existing 12v socket is already in place and retained for other purposes!

Here is another very similar device (maybe the same core?) with tubular fitting/panel mount options:
Motorcycle Twin USB Power Supply Socket Adaptor 12v Weatherproof from Amazon

Both this and the previous one have a minute power drain to the LED even when not in use. But the usual practice of taking power downstream of the master switch would isolate the unit in any case.