The VFR is proving to be most awesome as a sport tourer! I already have a Gerbing Jacket liner for it and that's been a miracle invention up here in the northwest!
Anyway, just a couple questions. I want to add a few more electronic toys on my longer rides. I'm thinking the easiest solution is to get a simple car charger cigarette-type adapter and plug it into my battery. Then I can just plug in my gps or phone to charge. But I also want the option to use my liner, and possibly a second liner for my wife. I looked at a few specs on Gerbing and other sources, and it says two liners and a GPS/Cell charge is fine for the battery. By the way, electricity is magic to me as I haven't done much with it.
If I decide to go to RadioShack and buy a simple cigarette-plug, how will I be able to connect two liners and charge something at the same time? Do I need to buy multiple plugs to attach to the battery? That sounds a little unsafe to me. I saw the Powerlet options, but I don't see a need to buy something so expensive when the RadioShack option is less than $10. Also, with Powelet, you need to actually buy the adapter for whatever it is that you need connecting.
Am I missing some other option that I'm not even aware of? Attached are the pictures from the Enercell brand sold at RadioShack. The single costs $8.99: http://www.radioshac...ductId=3896268#
From you comment of electricity is magic comment, I'm thinking this might go over your head, but I'll say it anyway. I would suggest a fuseblock that is triggered from a relay to keep from having many connections at the battery. This set-up seems to be a favorite here, and is what I have setup on my bike as well.
I would recommend a Powerlet in the steering stem. You can then buy a powerlet to cigarette adapter, plug in a 3 port cigarette block (stored in your tank bag), and you'll have plenty of ports. However, as hondalover said, you'll need to put a fuse block in.
Also, Radioshack is way overpriced. You can get similar products on Amazon for much cheaper.
PLUS 1........... for using wiremybike link...... tell him what you're wanting to link , and he can help you with selections..........
absolutely agree. I ordered the steering stem outlet and its been my favorite addition. I can run my GPS and a cell phone charger all at once with no issues. Great person to buy from and well worth the $ for the convenience
Not to hijack the thread but regarding electronics... I recently hooked up a cigarette lighter 12v to my VFR. The negative wire to the battery, the positive wire to the 10A fuse that runs the starter. I checked the pins to make sure it was protected by the fuse and ran only when the bike is on.
This is a very hacky way to do it but is it safe? With the bike "on" I get around 12v and with the bike running I get somewhere around 14v. Am I going to zap whatever I plug into it?
Also,
I didn't go with a powerlet because I felt it would interfere with the positioning of the RAM mount which is attached to the fuel tank screws. I was able to stash the 12v connector behind/under the left side fairing. (On the right side there is a heatsink, the same space on the left side is a seemingly huge empty protected area.)
[image: View Post]DesignGoggles, on 12 June 2012 - 10:17 AM, said:
Not to hijack the thread but regarding electronics... I recently hooked up a cigarette lighter 12v to my VFR. The negative wire to the battery, the positive wire to the 10A fuse that runs the starter. I checked the pins to make sure it was protected by the fuse and ran only when the bike is on.
This is a very hacky way to do it but is it safe? With the bike "on" I get around 12v and with the bike running I get somewhere around 14v. Am I going to zap whatever I plug into it?
Your device will be fine. It will be the stock wiring you tapped into that will be in danger since you are pulling more current through the wire than it was possibly rated for (common enough problem with the VFR all ready).
Best safe method to do is get a Fuseblock as it has a built in relay. Then you run your positive to the battery, negative to the chassis, and your 12V source you could safely wire to your starter with no danger of melting stock wiring.
:+1: to Wiremybike.com. Very competitive pricing on Powerlet devices and Tightwad knows his stuff. :fing02:
[image: View Post]vanion2, on 12 June 2012 - 10:35 AM, said:
[image: View Post]DesignGoggles, on 12 June 2012 - 10:17 AM, said:
Not to hijack the thread but regarding electronics... I recently hooked up a cigarette lighter 12v to my VFR. The negative wire to the battery, the positive wire to the 10A fuse that runs the starter. I checked the pins to make sure it was protected by the fuse and ran only when the bike is on.
This is a very hacky way to do it but is it safe? With the bike "on" I get around 12v and with the bike running I get somewhere around 14v. Am I going to zap whatever I plug into it?
Your device will be fine. It will be the stock wiring you tapped into that will be in danger since you are pulling more current through the wire than it was possibly rated for (common enough problem with the VFR all ready).
Best safe method to do is get a Fuseblock as it has a built in relay. Then you run your positive to the battery, negative to the chassis, and your 12V source you could safely wire to your starter with no danger of melting stock wiring.
:+1: to Wiremybike.com. Very competitive pricing on Powerlet devices and Tightwad knows his stuff. :fing02:
[image: View Post]vanion2, on 12 June 2012 - 10:35 AM, said:
and your 12V source you could safely wire to your starter with no danger of melting stock wiring.
With this setup the starter wire would just power the on/off switch for the relay? Did I interpret that correctly?
[image: View Post]DesignGoggles, on 12 June 2012 - 10:17 AM, said:
Also,
I didn't go with a powerlet because I felt it would interfere with the positioning of the RAM mount which is attached to the fuel tank screws.
I have this exact setup, RAM mount on the tank screws and Powerlet in the stem, and haven't really had any interference issues. Granted, YMMV depending on what you're attaching to the RAM ball, and where you prefer to have it positioned. However, I usually run with my GPS on the RAM mount, and I find it's positioning range adequate with the Powerlet connected.
[image: View Post]Stucky, on 12 June 2012 - 11:35 AM, said:
I have this exact setup, RAM mount on the tank screws and Powerlet in the stem, and haven't really had any interference issues. Granted, YMMV depending on what you're attaching to the RAM ball, and where you prefer to have it positioned. However, I usually run with my GPS on the RAM mount, and I find it's positioning range adequate with the Powerlet connected.
[image: View Post]DesignGoggles, on 12 June 2012 - 10:58 AM, said:
[image: View Post]vanion2, on 12 June 2012 - 10:35 AM, said:
and your 12V source you could safely wire to your starter with no danger of melting stock wiring.
With this setup the starter wire would just power the on/off switch for the relay? Did I interpret that correctly?
Correct. :fing02:
[image: View Post]DesignGoggles, on 12 June 2012 - 10:17 AM, said:
Also,
I didn't go with a powerlet because I felt it would interfere with the positioning of the RAM mount which is attached to the fuel tank screws. I was able to stash the 12v connector behind/under the left side fairing. (On the right side there is a heatsink, the same space on the left side is a seemingly huge empty protected area.)
it doesn't. I have the same setup and plug my gps which is RAM mounted to the tank bolts right into my steering stem powerlet
End of thread · 15 posts recoveredWayback Machine snapshot 22 Jun 2012