Power on a Boeing 777

Pie · 09-19-2006, 01:32 PM

So, United Airlines says they have something called "EmPower" available in Business Class on their 777s. I'm going to be stuck in one of those tin cans for over 26 hours in the course of a week; I need power for my PalmPilot (with books, magazines, games and music, not a bad entertainment unit!)
So, has anyone gotten a power adapter for their laptop? Or for USB devices? Any recommendations? The PC is a Dell D600, and the PDA takes USB or wall outlet.

xoxoxoBruce · 09-20-2006, 09:57 PM

Are they letting electronics on board these days?

glatt · 09-21-2006, 07:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xoxoxoBruce

Are they letting electronics on board these days?

On domestic flights, yes. Don't know about international.

MaggieL · 09-21-2006, 10:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pie

So, United Airlines says they have something called "EmPower" available in Business Class on their 777s. I'm going to be stuck in one of those tin cans for over 26 hours in the course of a week; I need power for my PalmPilot (with books, magazines, games and music, not a bad entertainment unit!)
So, has anyone gotten a power adapter for their laptop? Or for USB devices? Any recommendations? The PC is a Dell D600, and the PDA takes USB or wall outlet.

When I flew to the UK, it was cheaper to buy an additional 4-hour battery for my HP Pavillion ZV5220us than to upgrade the ticket to First Class so I could have power at the seat. Belden makes a power adapter that worked with the outlets in the UK, and my PDA watch recharges from the USB.

Of course today my batteries might be suspected of being a bomb. And they might be...but I don't think they were made by Sony.

tw · 09-22-2006, 12:26 AM

Originally, seat power was supposed to be provided by a customized small plug that received commands from the plane as to whether the receptacle could be powered and to limit that power. A special adapter plug, called Empower, was required. Since then, I have seen an Empower plug that was, instead, a receptacle that could accept the power plug from most any country including America, British, Japanese, and Eastern Europe. Those universal plugs required no adaptor; accepted any conventional AC power plug.

Furthermore, I have seen references to power being limited to 75 watts or 150 watts. I have also seen references to air line that require you to remove batteries when operating portable appliances.

I don't know what Empower means. So I assume it means a power plug - no special adaptor - that can power with 120 VAC any of the world's AC power plugs.

Why 120 VAC? Because any portable device that cannot operate from 90 to 265 volts automatically is defective - unacceptable in today's electronic marketplaces. Even a computer with a Bulgarian power plug should work just fine at 120 VAC - assuming it does not draw too much power.

Would be most interested to learn how much of the above speculation is true.

Pie · 09-22-2006, 07:28 AM

I'll let you know how it works out.

Most of my compadres are ditching their pcs for the trip because of export issues, so I'll have my PDA, iPod and camera to worry about.
Thanks for the feedback, all.

09-19-2006, 01:32 PM	#1
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	Power on a Boeing 777 So, United Airlines says they have something called "EmPower" available in Business Class on their 777s. I'm going to be stuck in one of those tin cans for over 26 hours in the course of a week; I need power for my PalmPilot (with books, magazines, games and music, not a bad entertainment unit!) So, has anyone gotten a power adapter for their laptop? Or for USB devices? Any recommendations? The PC is a Dell D600, and the PDA takes USB or wall outlet. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

09-20-2006, 09:57 PM	#2
xoxoxoBruce The future is unwritten Join Date: Oct 2002 Posts: 71,105	Are they letting electronics on board these days? __________________ The descent of man ~ Nixon, Friedman, Reagan, Trump.

09-22-2006, 07:28 AM	#6
Pie Gone and done Join Date: Sep 2001 Posts: 4,808	I'll let you know how it works out. Most of my compadres are ditching their pcs for the trip because of export issues, so I'll have my PDA, iPod and camera to worry about. Thanks for the feedback, all. __________________ per·son \ˈpər-sən\ (noun) - an ephemeral collection of small, irrational decisions The fun thing about evolution (and science in general) is that it happens whether you believe in it or not.

09-22-2006, 12:26 AM	#5
tw Read? I only know how to write. Join Date: Jan 2001 Posts: 11,933	Originally, seat power was supposed to be provided by a customized small plug that received commands from the plane as to whether the receptacle could be powered and to limit that power. A special adapter plug, called Empower, was required. Since then, I have seen an Empower plug that was, instead, a receptacle that could accept the power plug from most any country including America, British, Japanese, and Eastern Europe. Those universal plugs required no adaptor; accepted any conventional AC power plug. Furthermore, I have seen references to power being limited to 75 watts or 150 watts. I have also seen references to air line that require you to remove batteries when operating portable appliances. I don't know what Empower means. So I assume it means a power plug - no special adaptor - that can power with 120 VAC any of the world's AC power plugs. Why 120 VAC? Because any portable device that cannot operate from 90 to 265 volts automatically is defective - unacceptable in today's electronic marketplaces. Even a computer with a Bulgarian power plug should work just fine at 120 VAC - assuming it does not draw too much power. Would be most interested to learn how much of the above speculation is true.

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 members and 1 guests)