12V to micro-usb (5V smart-phone) on the CHEAP

[stevewfl]

I use my 4G EVO phone for GPS, MP3, Pandora, TV, text messaging, internet, gmail, work mail,

Ok, we've all seen people take expensive cigarette lighter cords for phones and then buy a 12V outlet on top of it, then mate it and hardwire to bike.  Then one ends up with a "twisty" cord for onboard power.

Gibberish.  9 minutes and a couple of dollars.

$2 plus 6 dollars shipping an Amazon and you're done.  Matter of fact, I bought a few because shipping was the same.

Order this little part from Amazon, its a 12v cigarette receptacle to usb adapter. Soldier 2 wires to it.  Insure you use a hot gun and tin metal first.  Then tin the ends of the wires for the other end as they will hardwire into bike:


Use two tie straps and without stressing the wires, secure them to the base of the adapter:


Find an extra USB to phone cable laying around to plug in:


Secure and weatherproof with sealant and tape:


Don't settle for the wires NOT going opposit directions:


You're done!


Disclaimer:  you want to be fused.  Persoanlly I installed the FUZEBLOCK product, it allows switched or unswitched power on each outlet, depending on which slot you place the fuse.  My phone is going "unswitched" so it will continue on bike pow-ah even with ignition off.


Of course an inline tiny 5-7.5 amp fuse will more than suffice



Have fun watching MotoGP racing on the bike (with it parked), or google maps or anything.  GPS was up on this pic and the flash blew it out.  I didn't feel like getting the tripod set up in the garage for a balanced exposure -)

[C1xRider]

Very fancy Steve, an inline 12VDC to 5VDC converter w/ USB Type-A connector.

Didn't know you were so handy! 

Nice pictures too!

[booger]

Neat

[stevewfl]

Thanks guys, and C1xRider I'm not handy on these C14 bikes by far, I've always wrenched on little sport bikes. Other than a few small mods this bike is still mysterious to me   

[OregonLAN]

I made mine from a $5.00 Harbor Freight USB adapter, a small $3.00 Radio Shack project box and a bit of 2 strand wire I stole from a decommissioned wall-wart. I tore the 12v adapter's case apart and mounted the gut in the box using some hot glue. The box is water resistant and mounts with ease. Using tape works OK, but it turn into a sticky gooey mess over time.

[stevewfl]

I made mine from a $5.00 Harbor Freight USB adapter, a small $3.00 Radio Shack project box and a bit of 2 strand wire I stole from a decommissioned wall-wart. I tore the 12v adapter's case apart and mounted the gut in the box using some hot glue. The box is water resistant and mounts with ease. Using tape works OK, but it turn into a sticky gooey mess over time.

Nice, wish you'd have shared some pics and know-how. I'd have spent less time "thinking about it all" and probably done it better

[B.D.F.]

I just added USB power outputs on my bike as well and did it in a similar fashion. I used an old TOM-TOM 12 volt power supply and hacked it open, hard- wired it to the bike (switched input via the ignition) and used two mini-B USB whips as outputs; one goes to the front / right of the bike and the other one hangs out from the left hand side of the seat. The front one is primarily used to power up a spare GPS (Nuvi) while the back cord is for cell phones and my wife's MP3 player mostly.  The power supply itself is under the seat on a frame rail on my bike but it is the same idea.

Brian

I use my 4G EVO phone for GPS, MP3, Pandora, TV, text messaging, internet, gmail, work mail,

Ok, we've all seen people take expensive cigarette lighter cords for phones and then buy a 12V outlet on top of it, then mate it and hardwire to bike.  Then one ends up with a "twisty" cord for onboard power.

Gibberish.  9 minutes and a couple of dollars.

$2 plus 6 dollars shipping an Amazon and you're done.  Matter of fact, I bought a few because shipping was the same.

Order this little part from Amazon, its a 12v cigarette receptacle to usb adapter. Soldier 2 wires to it.  Insure you use a hot gun and tin metal first.  Then tin the ends of the wires for the other end as they will hardwire into bike:

<snip>

[stevewfl]

I just added USB power outputs on my bike as well and did it in a similar fashion. I used an old TOM-TOM 12 volt power supply and hacked it open, hard- wired it to the bike (switched input via the ignition) and used two mini-B USB whips as outputs; one goes to the front / right of the bike and the other one hangs out from the left hand side of the seat. The front one is primarily used to power up a spare GPS (Nuvi) while the back cord is for cell phones and my wife's MP3 player mostly.  The power supply itself is under the seat on a frame rail on my bike but it is the same idea.

Brian

Awesome

[freebird6]

Save the Amazon shipping.... those usb ports are 2.99 at any Pilot truck stop. 4.99 if you want the version with 2 outputs. I lik the idea of inserting it into a fuseblock.

[So Cal Joe]

Wouldn't this do the same thing? But it's not hard wired so you would have to use the accessory plug.
http://1saleaday.com/wireless/

[Rhino]

Nice! But whats the Nikon lens cap for?

[Flathead]

This works rather well too....
Available at most BestBuy stores.

[freebird6]

Thats like the one I use from Pilot truck stop. Mine has a pretty blue glow.  . 

Have to remember to take it out when it rains though. I like his pigtail because I can put it in the box and everything stays dry and my droid keep on talking to me.

[B.D.F.]

Because not everyone has a dessicated rodent to work with on motorcycle projects.

 



Brian

Nice! But whats the Nikon lens cap for?

[stevewfl]

You guys missed the point. I took the parts you displayed from bestbuy and such and soldiered it.  Of course I had outlets and USB solutions that "plug in"  but they don't hold up in weather and such.

Only Kirby understood my post..... "soldier and hardwire it in!" 

[Flathead]

Didn't miss a thing  just offering up alternatives for those without the tools or skills. All good.