Cig outlet on stripe??

[nickrp83]

Anyone add a cig lighter outlet to their striple??? I'm looking to add one so I can charge my iPhone on my twice weekly 200 mile commute. Anyone have any recommendation?? How hard are they to install??? Looking to install on handlebar maybe or fork??? Not sure. Suggestions? Pictures????

[topgunz1]

I have one that plugs into the Battery Tender leads that were already on my bike. I don't usually have it on the bike, but it's an easy cheap option and I just tuck it under the seat when I do.

[williamr]

A much neater option as long as you have a USB charging cable is a little USB socket I found. As USB sockets incorporate a 5V DC/DC converter you have to have it switched though, as the converter draws enough current to flatten the battery if the bike isn't used for two or three weeks - as I found when I went on holiday last year.

Current draw on USB is low enough that any ignition switched supply - sidelight or tail light - can be used without any other modification. Its small and neat enought to stay under the seat.

One word of warning. If you want to use it with a sat nav a lot of sat navs will go into USB Mass Storage mode and while they'll charge fine you won't actually be use them while they're charging.

Rob

[Neanderthal]

I installed a Powerlet on mine, although as time goes by I am sort of wishing I went with a standard cig-style socket. The Powerlet (DIN) stuff is much more secure and robust, but the interface with everything is a hassle. You either need an adapter or attach new DIN plug-ends on everything. Most folks don't know that "Hella" is the same thing for a lot less money.

[Neanderthal]

Originally Posted by williamr

...One word of warning. If you want to use it with a sat nav a lot of sat navs will go into USB Mass Storage mode and while they'll charge fine you won't actually be use them while they're charging.

Rob

Powerlet and 3BR both make cables that charge and operate at the same time.

[01xj]

I have a USB outlet from Burnsmoto and it will charge and run my GPS. I run my GPS or charge my phone off it. I had originally used a cigarette outlet but everything bounced out of it.

[williamr]

Neither the 3BR, Powerlet or the Burnsmoto USB connector will let my Navman GPS operate in run mode. Pity because the Burnsmoto socket sits under the seat taking up no room at all and a retractable USB cable runs up to the GPS. I don't use it much, so it's no effort to pull the cable and use it on its internal battery if I actually want to navigate with it.

My mobiles are fine and I think my Kindle is OK, although there are other problems in trying to read while riding at high speed or in heavy traffic.

The retractable cable has micro and mini usb tips so that is happy to coil under the seat with a 'phone, so charging things isn't a problem at all. I don't use the 'phone while I'm riding because it interferes with my reading lol.

Rob

[williamr]

Neither the 3BR, Powerlet or the Burnsmoto USB connector will let my Navman GPS operate in run mode. Pity because the Burnsmoto socket sits under the seat taking up no room at all and a retractable USB cable runs up to the GPS. I don't use it much, so it's no effort to pull the cable and use it on its internal battery if I actually want to navigate with it.

My mobiles are fine and I think my Kindle is OK, although there are other problems in trying to read while riding at high speed or in heavy traffic.

The retractable cable has micro and mini usb tips so that is happy to coil under the seat with a 'phone, so charging things isn't a problem at all. I don't use the 'phone while I'm riding because it interferes with my reading lol.

My preferred outlet is actually the 2 pin sockets sold for marine use, which are vibration proof and fully waterproof, but using one means changing the plugs on everything that you use with it.

Rob

[Neanderthal]

Odd that the Navman would operate like that, the Nuvi's work. I custom-shortened the 3BR cable (that's one of the nice things about a DIN plug) so there wouldn't be a lot of "slop" hanging around.

[SkyAdam]

I just put a 12v outlet in the Radiator cowl. The kit is sealed with a rubber cover and the power wire is fused. I did have to extend the positive wire to reach the battery under the tank. Haven't had any issues but haven't been caught in a full on downpour since putting it in either.

This is what I bought:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FSQ8KO/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004FSQ8KO/ref=oh_details_o02_s00_i00

edit: adding pics