True Blue Power has introduced FAA-certified wireless chargers for the cockpit and aircraft cabins.
The TWC15 Series Wireless Chargers provide up to 15 watts of power to smartphones, wireless earbuds, and personal electronics.
Available in three configurations for aircraft, the chargers meet the latest standards for radio frequency (RF) emissions and protect against short circuit, power surge, overload, and overtemperature, according to company officials.
The chargers also feature Foreign Object Detection (FOD) and will not operate when an electronic device is not present, company officials noted.
Price: $698.
So how is this $700 device any better any other Qi charging unit, which cost about $12 ?
It’s not…. This is beyond ridiculous.
Charger, $12. FAA approval, $688. Simple aircraft economics.
Because the FAA tax is included.
It looks like their 25 watt unit would be hard wired to the aircraft bus, so it would need to have FAA PMA approval.
The $12 units are 10-15 watt and plug into a USB connector, so these don’t need any FAA approval.
I don’t see the utility of a wireless charger that is 60% efficient [ 25 watts in, vs 15 watts out].
So, why not just connect the device using a USB cable . ?