Charging mobile from a motorbike.

[Eddie Hitler]

Need some advice regarding this, heading over to Europe in the next few weeks for a short tour. Need a cheap charger to charge my phone, if possible whilst on the move.

Checked Google, did some searching on here but all that I can find is some £25 jobs on eBay. Surely there's a cheaper way to do this? Or should I suck up it up and splurge the money?

Cheers

[gfrancisdev]

Wire a 12V car socket into the bike and use whatever car chargers are needed (usually just a usb converter+cables you probably have lying about)

if it's only going to be phones/etc you can get away with wiring it to the ignition/rear light line, otherwise you'll want to put in a relay and fuse etc

pretty simple to do, shouldn't cost more than 20 odd for wire+socket+connectors etc

[raesewell]

you need one of these
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-DC-Converter-Regulator-12V-Step-down-to-5V-3A-Power-Supply-Module-Waterproof-/300880724421?pt=UK_BOI_Electrical_Test_Measurement_Equipment_ET&hash=item460de381c5

[ws4936]

Either wire in one of these, has to have the waterproof cover...or one of these, which are very good. They turn off after your mobile reaches 100% charge. Or do both, then your laughing.
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If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough.

[doggone]

The 5V USB charging is now becoming so universal it's high time most vehicles had one or more fitted as standard.

[J.M.]

Absolute cheapest, bodge-job, way to do it:

- Purchase relay, wire relay in (not strictly needed, but do it..)
- Purchase in-car charger
- Crack open in car charger, de-solder terminals, solder on longer wires
- Attach these new longer wires to relay
- Wrap in tape
- Enjoy
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[G]

[Casper]

I use this

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/12v-Universal-Cigarette-Socket-Lighter-Accessory-/260811741915?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item3cb9975adb

And

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Mini-DC-USB-2-Port-Output-Car-Charger-Adapter-12V-24V-For-iPhone-5-iPad-Mini-/350727486205?pt=UK_MP3_Player_Accessories_Chargers_Docks&hash=item51a8fcbafd

Wired into brake light switch but direct will be fine as you take the phone with you when away from bike. £5.70, how cheap can it be?

[Dave_R]

I say spend about a tenner;

Fuse piggy back - £4
Lighter socket (pre wired) - £4
Lighter socket USB charger - £2

Find a sub-circuit fuse that's powered on with your bike and piggy back off it, no need for relays or 'regulators'.

[Eddie Hitler]

Brilliant, didn't think of wiring in a car cigarette lighter, that's the option I'll go for I think. Plenty of good ideas.

[EazyDuz]

I did an even more bodge job.
Wired a fused cig lighter socket direct to battery. Means i can plug a phone/tablet in for example, and leave it on the bike for a couple of hours...

I had heated grips draining my battery over a few weeks and even they didnt drain it enough to not start the bike, so as long as you dont go potato and forget you have your phone charging on it, you shouldnt have an issue.

I just have it cable tied by the handlebars so i can charge the 5 year old satnav while on the move (its so old it has about half an hour charge left in it)
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To shreds you say? Tss tss tss

[covent.gardens]

I did what JM did, only cost about £3.

Then I bought a ctek battery charger, comes with a lead you attach permanently to the battery. Other end of the lead, has a plug, you can attach the charger to, or another ctek accessory, and they do a 12v cig lighter accessory (ready fused). I use that now, with a 12v-cig-lighter-to-USB converter, I keep it under the seat. It only really cost me £10 for the accessories as I needed the charger anyway.

No messing with wiring, this is plug and play

[kernow24]

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/DC-Converter-Buck-Module-12V-convert-to-5V-usb-output-power-adapter-/330761530133?pt=UK_CarsParts_Vehicles_CarParts_SM&hash=item4d02ec6b15

I use one of those, same as someone posted above, but it has a usb plug attached already. Although they were a lot cheaper before, but I can't seem to find the seller, they were around £2 - £3

Chuck a couple of ring terminals on the end, attach directly to the battery and the jobs a goodun.

Can plug any usb cable in to it, although I've used one of those multi ended cables to enable a charge up a multitude of things.
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[c-m]

Don't bother with a relay.

Otherwise you'll not be able to charge the phone with the bike turned off. Like say when you're at a campsite for a day or so.
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Motorcycle headlight bulbs and HIDs
Blogging about my bike and trips
https://ridershandbook.com/

[stinkwheel]

https://i48.photobucket.com/albums/f216/stinkwheel/rbr/DSCN0793.png
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“Rule one: Always stick around for one more drink. That's when things happen. That's when you find out everything you want to know.”
I did the 2010 Round Britain Rally on my 350 Bullet. 89 landmarks, 3 months, 9,500 miles.

[Wobbling Dog]

half expected to see a candlestick telephone in there !

[Casper]

[kernow24]

[Casper]