Stratus 3 weirdness

[Rich]

For years I've had a Stratus USB power adapter wired into the plane's avionics bus. This was an old model with a pair of USB-A ports. These powered both my Stratus 3ADS-B receiver and a succession of iPads. Over the years my iPad Pro 11 with Foreflight came to consume more and more power to the point where the power source just barely/maybe/kind of kept up with its power draw. Enter the Stratus Power Max, with two 30W USB-C ports. So I had this installed. Of course, this means a change in USB cables. Both the Stratus 3 and iPad use USB-C, so I get a couple of USB-C right-angle cables. Works fine on the iPad, but no joy on the Stratus 3. To cut to the bottom line the Stratus 3 (admittedly an older example) simply won't power up with any fully USB C cable I could find, with any USB-C power supply at all - not just the Power Max.

The cobbled solution was to use the USB-A to USB-C cable I have been using to power the Stratus 3, coupled with a USB-C to USB-A adapter at the Power Max end. Works fine but upsets the fengshui of the plane.

[mysands]

I encountered a similar problem when using a generic USB A to C cable. Their customer service advised me to use their cable, which resolved the issue. Interestingly, my charging brick functions properly with the Stratus. I wonder if attempting a different USB-C cable might resolve your issue?

[Rich]

I encountered a similar problem when using a generic USB A to C cable. Their customer service advised me to use their cable, which resolved the issue. Interestingly, my charging brick functions properly with the Stratus. I wonder if attempting a different USB-C cable might resolve your issue?

I have numerous such cables and none work. Never had a problem with USBA-USBC cables. Not a bad thought to check with Appareo.

[Rich]

Just got word that Appareo has recalled some serial numbers of the Power Max. It includes mine so I'll be getting a replacement unit. This may or may not cure the cable weirdness.

[Skywayman]

Interestingly on the Appero website for the pro max it states it won't charge a Stratus, does seem like a bit of a missed opportunity for them if their products are not compatible...

[Rich]

Interestingly on the Appero website for the pro max it states it won't charge a Stratus, does seem like a bit of a missed opportunity for them if their products are not compatible...

Given the kludge I came up with, it certainly powers the Stratus 3. I'll need to check on the ability to add to the charge. The problem seems to be in the ADSB receiver, not the pro max, since the receiver has the same problem with every USBC power supply/charger I've tested.