$5 Weather Proof USB Power Outlet on sale at Princess Auto until Dec 31 2011

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Vlad said:
The writeup on how I did it is here.
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Thank you for offering up your help and write up! I registered onto that site just to access this info!! :D I have never done anything with electronics, but I am going to give this one a shot. It sounds easy enough.. :confused4:

In my scrolling I also found another link :How to get all of your accessories to turn off when you turn off the key

That didn't require any logins for those interested: http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php



relay-diagram-final.jpg
 
afong56 said:
fwiw, your diy link goes to a member login page. . .
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I wasn't aware of that, sorry. I guess you'll have to register to access that page then...
 
cutekill said:
Dear Santa,

I've been a really really good girl this year and would really like one of these for my bike so that I'm never without my music and don't have to steal Randy or Steve's IPOD when mine dies.

Really, it's like you'd be giving three people a gift with this one item dropped in my pretty little stocking. :) :) :)
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My tiny Sony Walkman MP3 player goes an astounding 28 straight hours playing music, with 1 hour of charging. I fall asleep at 11:00pm for example and keep the mp3 player in my ears running till 7:00am and the screen will still show 3 lit bars out of 4. Impressive.

I still want a USB plug for my sucky-life Android phone though, and my GPS unit.
 
IRONLUNG said:
Thank you for offering up your help and write up! I registered onto that site just to access this info!! :D I have never done anything with electronics, but I am going to give this one a shot. It sounds easy enough.. :confused4:

In my scrolling I also found another link :How to get all of your accessories to turn off when you turn off the key

That didn't require any logins for those interested: http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php



relay-diagram-final.jpg
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Definitely going to pick up one of these power outlets, always wanted one but never got around to ordering it.

My install is pretty much same as the link above except I used a fused dist. block from PA (look in the trailer section). Top block is fused power, bottom block is unfused ground. Relay is right beside it, there's another inline fuse on the main power wire at the battery. It's been 70k km since I set it up, haven't had to touch it since except for adding things. The setup was a lifesaver when my GPS died on a trip, was able to wire up a replacement Zumo in five minutes with nothing more than a multitool.

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IRONLUNG said:
That didn't require any logins for those interested: http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php
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That's a very good generic diagram and it's easy to follow. I would just add that one should determine which power supplies can/should be turned off when the ignition is off or need to be switched through a relay. Also, some warrant installing a separate fuse while some don't.

Case in point, none of the devices listed in the diagram above need to be turned off when the ignition is off. It's assumed you will turn off or remove the GPS and radar detector if leaving your bike for longer than a few minutes (neither will drain the battery in less than a few hours). You disconnect the electric vest when you park the bike and heated grips can be powered from the starter switch.

Keep it simple - the less wiring, contacts and relays the better. That said, there are seven relays on my bike despite my best efforts to reduce their number, but I have a pretty extensive setup.

Most devices you are going to power (example, auxiliary headlights) don't need a separate ground wire. Just hook them up to the nearest convenient chassis ground point, like a mounting screw.
 
I'm not very technically advanced so would this item require the installation of an inline fuse? or can it be wired directly to the battery? It doesn't look complex to install just not sure regarding the fuse situation.
 
mimico_polak said:
I'm not very technically advanced so would this item require the installation of an inline fuse? or can it be wired directly to the battery? It doesn't look complex to install just not sure regarding the fuse situation.
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I personally would use a fuse if wired directly to the battery. Pop down to cantire and you can get an inline fuse and battery terminals to solder onto the USB wires. On my packets, it said there were connectors, but there were none in the packaging.
 
kiwi said:
I personally would use a fuse if wired directly to the battery. Pop down to cantire and you can get an inline fuse and battery terminals to solder onto the USB wires. On my packets, it said there were connectors, but there were none in the packaging.
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OK sweet thanks! I can't decide if it's better to have a USB, or a Cigarette lighter connected but I'll look into it later tonight.
 
Does anyone know where to get this product from the 1st post for $5 or so?
 
They are discontinued now so if you can find them they will be in the surplus section of the store.
 
BuckWild said:
Does anyone know where to get this product from the 1st post for $5 or so?
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I just got a similar one at crappy tire for I think 9.99 or 12.99 or something in that range. Same thing but the end is round. Waterproof etc. Had enough to attach to the battery and hide under the tail for easy access.
 
Dave L said:
They are discontinued now so if you can find them they will be in the surplus section of the store.
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Roomie said:
I just got a similar one at crappy tire for I think 9.99 or 12.99 or something in that range. Same thing but the end is round. Waterproof etc. Had enough to attach to the battery and hide under the tail for easy access.
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They don't seem to have them anymore at PA.
Thanks for the tip Roomie. I will check Can Tire.
I saw them on Ebay but they are well over $25+ for a $5 item.
 
BuckWild said:
They don't seem to have them anymore at PA.
Thanks for the tip Roomie. I will check Can Tire.
I saw them on Ebay but they are well over $25+ for a $5 item.
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Mine looks just like this

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and I just use my iphone car adapter to charge it if I need to. This style obviously lets you use other than usb if you needed to.
 
^ your iphone adapter is not waterproof, would suck getting stuck in the rain. My PA adapter has held up through hours of rain with just a usb cable plugged in and no extra cover for it.
 
Obviously I wouldn't charge it in the rain. I meant the charging unit itself has a waterproof cover and is under the tail in a fairly dry area anyways. If you were that worried you could put your phone in a plastic bag wrapped in a cloth or something. Or just wait and charge it when you got home.
 
Roomie said:
Obviously I wouldn't charge it in the rain. I meant the charging unit itself has a waterproof cover and is under the tail in a fairly dry area anyways. If you were that worried you could put your phone in a plastic bag wrapped in a cloth or something. Or just wait and charge it when you got home.
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Ah, my PA usb adapter is sticking out under the front of my gas tank and I have a gps mounted up front. love it :)
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