USB port on bike

[Chalky.]

Hi

Been reading through past posts on this subject, just want to check a couple of things.

Want to put a USB port on my bike, to be permanently live.

I get some wire, red and black. Connect red and black to battery. Wire other end of red and black into a step down regulator thing, to provide me with 5V and not 12V. Connect USB port wires to 5V wires from regulator.

???

Profit?

Any input?

Thanks

[Itchy]

Yup pretty much it is as easy as you state.

HOWEVER always always always solder/wire in some sort of fuse.

I recommend an inline blade fuse holder:

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/221234253521?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&device=c&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108

Namely because automotive fuses you can get anywhere and everywhere, like super markets and petrol stations. While the quickblow cylinder types I could buy at Halfords and the odd motorfactors.

You can also use it as a switch by yanking the fuse, if the port is external to prevent people charging their whatever off your bike.
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Spain 2008France 2007Big one 2009 We all die. The goal isn't to live forever, the goal is to create something that will. In the end, your life will flash before your eyes. Make sure it is worth watching.

[Timmeh]

1. Needs a fuse.
2. You should also use a diode and smoothing caps to get yourself rock-steady 5V.
3. Even little regs get hot. Consider using a TO220 heatsink.
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GSXR400 x2 | '94 RVF400 | '93 TZR125 4DL (again)
20:22:30 BLUEX5: i would love to be forced to undergo a**l plugging with different sizes
20:48:18 Temeluchus: comp you hunk of smouldering homos3x you

[Ben90]

Option B
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Yamaha FZ6 S2

[doggone]

Not sure it's worth having dedicated wiring just for that.
Makes more sense to install a cigarette socket or SAE connector which can also be used for trickle charge.
(then get a USB adapter for that).
In practice you likely won't need the USB very often at all but nice to have especially if touring.

[Chalky.]

Great, thanks guys.

Tim, you've lost me slightly I'm afraid. Diode and smoothing caps?

Aware there is "off the shelf" stuff from China, fancy a bash myself though if it's not too hard.

Dog - it'll be used permanently for a tracker. If it kills the battery too quickly from being permanenly live, I'll put it on the tail light.

Thanks for the help.

Starting to wish I didn't just spend my physics lessons seeing how many bulbs I could blow up on crocodile clips.

[Timmeh]

[Timmeh]

[Chalky.]

[orac]

its also worth noting that icrap also has other feature that can cause headhaches, there is sometime a small peice of coms between the charger and device, something as simple as tieing data lines can be done but care must be taken

[Chalky.]

Any idea what amp wire I need? Ta

[BTTD]

[Major Doss]

[bugeye_bob]

Buy a 99p 12v Ciggy lighter usb charger,
Take it apart and add 2 wires, red/Live with fuse in,
All the voltage smoothing is done for 99p lol

hth

[orac]

[bugeye_bob]

The ones I saw were 3.1A

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-Port-USB-3-1A-Dual-IN-Car-Mobile-Phone-Charger-Adapter-For-iPhone-5-4-4S-IPAD-/181432026089?pt=UK_MobilePhones_MobilePhoneAccessories_MobilePhoneChargers&hash=item2a3e3103e9

[J.M.]

Did this on my XJ600. Worked just fine around Spain.

Things I noted; it only charged at around 500ma, so it charged quite slowly. Although not a real issue as it was on charge at all times when riding.

Though it was very pointless I feel. I feel as if I should have just wired in a cigarette lighter.
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2004 R1 & 2018 XSR900

[Marmalade]

There are loads of usb sockets/cigi sockets etc with fuses built in or on the wiring, come on handlebar clamps.
Just clamp it to the bars, feed the wiring and connect it to the battery, fitted in 10 mins, minimal hassle and for under a tenner.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[bugeye_bob]

[Robster]

Chalky, did you wire up the regulator yourself? if so do you have a pic? I fancy installing a 12v socket to my Vara for a sat nav and would like to know the best reg to use for this, so the wire's not live all the time.
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Up the bum no babies.

[Hetzer]

I have a triple-port fag lighter wired into my sidelight and a USB plug that fits into one of the ports. It took about ten minutes to wire it in and works like a charm.
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"There's the horizon! Ride hard, ride fast and cut down all who stand in your way!"

[Marmalade]

put the cigi/usb port where you want it and use a usb extension lead to have it coming out from the front of the seat.
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Nobby the Bastard: How yo tell the difference between the actual japanese and her just screaming because she's had live fish stuck up her arse? [url=https://www.nicks-shop.co.uk/bcf-goodies-15-c.aspGet BCF stickers and things here[/url] Reflective helmet stickers - Legal requirement in france - Clicky

[Shreeve]

Apologies for the post resurrection, I have bought a USB charger with an in-line fuse with a 5V output.

I was going to wire it straight to the battery as this post states but have read that even when nothing is plugged in it can still drain the battery?

Is this true and if so what would be the next best option?
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Current: Suzuki GSX650F (2010), Suzuki GSXR1000 K7, Suzuki GS250T (1980) currently restoring: Clicky.
Previous: Honda CBF 125 (2011), Suzuki GSXR750 K4

[bamt]

It will still drain, but very slowly. If the bike isn't left for weeks on end you probably wouldn't notice.

Alternatively, if you want a "permanently on" supply, put a switch between the charger and the battery, so it is on all the time but you can turn it off for storage purposes. This is useful e.g. for keeping something charging when your bike is parked, or stopping a GPS shutting down at the petrol station.

If you don't need it to be on when your ignition is off, then put a relay in as people do for heated grips.

[Shreeve]

Cheers for the reply, I use it for commuting so it should be fine.
____________________
Current: Suzuki GSX650F (2010), Suzuki GSXR1000 K7, Suzuki GS250T (1980) currently restoring: Clicky.
Previous: Honda CBF 125 (2011), Suzuki GSXR750 K4