Sun Powered Avionics System

Taking to air and flying through the clouds has always fascinated the human intellect and still continues to do so even after a century of the first flight. It is amazing how we have come such a long way forward in aviation technology, yet one wonders if we need to now think of stuff that is away from the beaten path. The design and working of the carriers that take flight across the planet seem so rigid and it is almost as if we have resigned to following a set pattern. While modern aviation because of all its commercial reasons concentrates on developing speed and safety simultaneously, it seems we have lost flair fro individuality.

A commercial pilot who also owns a personal, single-engine, four-seater aircraft was looking for a better way to power his avionics system. The glass cockpit package in his airplane is a Garmin G1000 avionics, and is a 24-volt system. In order to power up the aircraft’s avionics system, either the battery must be turned on via a switch with the engine off, or the aircraft engine must be started and running. This either wastes battery power, or creates heat, loud noise and smoke, and burns and wastes high-cost aviation gas. On the front right side of the aircraft, there is an electrical DC power port that can be used to jump-start the airplane’s engine in case of battery failure by using a spare battery or to charge the airplane battery using AC power and a transformer. The pilot flies his airplane to several remote locations where there is no AC power. In addition, to carry a spare aircraft battery on flights occupies limited space, is heavy, and is expensive.

The step-up of DC-DC converter and a 12 volt battery powered by energy supplied by the solar panels helps the process work. The unit can be used for approximately 90 minutes before the portable battery required recharging. Ninety minutes of power is more than sufficient time to plan a flight, check weather, etc. During these preflight checks the aircraft engine does not have to be running, nor does the aircraft battery have to be used. This saves on both on costs and on pollution. To recharge the portable battery when low on charge would require 3-4 hours of good sunlight when using two 42-watt solar panels. The solar panels can be draped and secured over the aircraft wing, and left in place while the aircraft is parked on land until the next flight. When not in use, the portable system can be stored inside the aircraft until it is needed again.