Mid-Continent Instruments and Avionics has introduced the MD93H Digital Clock/USB Charger.
The high-power USB charger delivers 3 amps per port to simultaneously charge electronic flight bags, cell phones, tablets, and other electronic devices at full power, according to company officials. The unit’s 2″ design allows it to fit in any standard panel cutout, officials add.
The six-digit, seven-segment LED clock has five modes: Local Time, UTC/Zulu Time, Countdown Timer, and Stopwatch.
An internal battery, with a life expectancy of more than 10 years, maintains time and flight timer memory when not powered by the aircraft, company officials note.
Additional features include external lighting control and built-in photocell for automatic dimming. The MD93H protects itself and the charging device from short circuit, power surges, and over-current potential, company officials said.
Price: $684.
Pilots should be advised that despite a charger claiming to provide 3A, their cockpit device will only charge at the rate the device determines, and then only if the charger presents the proper signal on the data pins as to what it’s capability is. There are no devices that use the USB Standard A interface that charge at more than 2.4 A. If this charger isn’t “smart,” and there is no indication on their web-site that it is, your device might only charge at 0.5 amp. Let me reiterate: charging rate is NOT controlled by the charger, it is controlled by the device.