USB charger adapters on your bike?

weekendrider

weekendrider

Iron Horse cowboy
Top Contributor
Messages
5,686
Reaction score
1,319
Points
213
Location
S.W. MO
It used to be fairly easy to find somewhere to "steal" electricity to charge your phone or camera.
Out side receptacles were fairly common at convenience stores, old gas stations turned auto sales,
eating establishments have tables close to outlets. This seems to be changing with outlets being removed or simply "un-wired".
But if you are sitting twiddling your thumbs while it charges. . . . you ain't making miles.
I'm sure some have already fixed something to charge their phone/camera while riding.
Post up your solutions.
I'd be particularly interested in reviews of products that are similar to this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Ten...ash=item33bc5c06f1:g:Qu4AAOSwewJTm2Xo&vxp=mtr
 
weekendrider said:
It used to be fairly easy to find somewhere to "steal" electricity to charge your phone or camera.
Out side receptacles were fairly common at convenience stores, old gas stations turned auto sales,
eating establishments have tables close to outlets. This seems to be changing with outlets being removed or simply "un-wired".
But if you are sitting twiddling your thumbs while it charges. . . . you ain't making miles.
I'm sure some have already fixed something to charge their phone/camera while riding.
Post up your solutions.
I'd be particularly interested in reviews of products that are similar to this.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Battery-Ten...ash=item33bc5c06f1:g:Qu4AAOSwewJTm2Xo&vxp=mtr
Click to expand...

My Bike is outfitted with an Antigravity Battery AND with the usb cable device you just linked - mine hangs just under the seat. So convenient, charges fast and the perfect solution
 
Last edited:
I too am in the market for something similar. Looking for something small. Just a plug and a couple wires. I use my phone as a GPS, and GPS speedo. Like to tap in to a wire in the headlight bucket that is only hot with the ignition on.
 
That USB port thing looks pretty cool, my kids just got me a deltran battery tender for my birthday on Tuesday and it was just in time
beings how all the sudden,my bike doesn't seem to charge the battery like it used to.
Think I`ll look into one of those.
 
I've been using a battery tender pigtail off the battery for awhile. It makes plugging in to check charge rate (or just checking battery voltage) while riding SO easy. Most of the time it is just down there. Thought I would double down on the purpose for it. I don't use a gps so don't really need an attachment on the bars.
I am concerned about the charge rate for the one I linked to. I thought phone chargers were rated in millyamps (sp?).
Don't want to fry anything.
 
upload_2016-8-5_1-45-0.png
https://www.amazon.com/Waterproof-M...qid=1470375778&sr=8-8&keywords=usb+motorcycle
 
Here's the old "USB" thread:

http://www.xs650.com/threads/usb-port.33807/

The thing to watch for is the power output and the terms "Charging" and "Power".

The USB 2.0 spec calls for 5v 500ma / 2500mw
The USB 3.0 spec calls for 5v 900ma / 4500mw

But, port power can exceed that for multiple devices, and/or for charging.

Those devices above, have the term "charging" and list the larger currents.

More info by Googling "USB power spec", and:

http://superuser.com/questions/690074/what-is-the-power-output-of-a-usb-port
 
Last edited:
I have one of these and two more on order.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/252222123813

s-l1600.jpg


hotrod-resto-006-jpg.86561


I have it tied into the iggy OUT lead so it's switched. The module is zip tied under the top triple. just reaches the phone. Very handy to have it where it's easy to plug the phone in without kneeling, digging out the adapter etc. no accidental battery discharge. I use the free Here WeGo GPS ap on the Galaxy S5 it downloads the maps when you are on wifi no data used or cell signal needed. 2 amp chargers won't keep up to that load, the phone tends to get hot. That's a rokform phone mount, expensive but "rok" solid. Face it WER it's only a matter of time before you have the GPS on with a bluetooth helmet. It actually makes you more adventurous. No matter how "off the beaten track" you wander. "back towards destination" is a click away. Hint; shortest route often takes you on "interesting roads"! yeah my old eyes have a hard time seeing that screen. but a map in the tank bag pouch isn't very readable either... On my big bikes I use a tablet. Dorky, but lost is dorkier.

attachment.php
 
I picked up a mirror/bar mount iPhone holder with a built in USB plug. Only problem is that my bike is battery-less, run off a capacitor. Anyone know what the fluctuating power would do to whatever was charging on the USB? I know my headlight and tail light both flicker at idle.
 
Auto USB chargers have a regulation system that converts +12v down to +5v. A high quality charger should be able to handle spurious voltages, but the risks would rise when opting for budget stuff. Could add a capacitor near the device, but it would be huge.

For those who like gadgets, here's another one:

Item: USB Charger Doctor Capacity time Current Voltage Detector Meter Battery Tester

URL: http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=301703498509&alt=web

Alt URL: http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-Charger...e-Detector-Meter-Battery-Tester-/301703498509

USB-ChargeDoctor.jpg
 
These chargers worked great for my tablet but when it's battery got low, my Galaxy S5 HATED them. May be an old battery issue but the little turd refused to take a charge from anything but a "real Samsung" charger, gave all kinds of warnings and stopped the phone from charging, a bit inconvenient on an MC camping trip in Canada! I was able to trick it enough to partially charge the battery a few times and limp the phone home. Plugged into a Samsung charger at home now it's happy as a hog in a waller.
 
Back
Top