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Bikes, Hints'n'Tips => FZS600 Fazer => Topic started by: dilboy on 28 May 2015, 02:07:53 pm

Title: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 28 May 2015, 02:07:53 pm
I would just like to say ,I've installed a car charger/usb port under the seat and it works fine, plus I've not broken or set the bike on fire in the process, hurrah for me  :D
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 28 May 2015, 04:18:25 pm
any pics....would like to see the wiring if i can - nice - i might have a bash!

 :lol
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: HarryHornby on 28 May 2015, 04:48:58 pm
 :agree
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 28 May 2015, 05:43:40 pm
any pics....would like to see the wiring if i can - nice - i might have a bash!

 :lol

its really easy, just positive and negative straight from the battery, I put a fuse in, but didn't need it so took it out, bought it from evil bay  ;)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: Ebme Geek on 28 May 2015, 08:11:11 pm
Fuses are always good, as close to the battery as posible, if they are correctly rated they protect the wires after them
 
An abraded or crushed wire under the seat can become a fire starter  :'(   ;)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 28 May 2015, 09:00:31 pm

I put a 15a fuse in and there was no power so that's why I discarded it, but the words fire and bike bother me  :eek
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 28 May 2015, 09:39:47 pm
OK so you have attached the new circuit to the +/- of the battery directly....???

So you now have an un-fused circuit which is never a good idea, the fuse's job is to make sure IT melts before the wires carry current at such a level they can heat up and cause issues i.e. fire and other lovely things....

I would not run it unless it was fused - you need to know what the wires are rated to carry, doubt it is much being a USB charger, they most likely will not be very large gauge...

do you have a link to the device you installed????

Regardless don't connect it all up until you know why the 15A fuse did not work, USB devices usally charge at 5V and normally we are talking Milliamps to 1/1.5A i.e. 1000-1500mA current draw

A 15A fuse for this application may well be incorrect, the wires, depending on their gauge will have a specific amperage they can carry and a specific fuse will be needed to protect them from over current situations...

Regardless be careful as i am no electrician but this stuff is important :)

Anyone around here offer any advice?






Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 28 May 2015, 09:58:01 pm
Depending on the device it MIGHT already have its own fuse built in? SEE FURTHER POSTS FOR IMPORTANT POINT ON FUSING AT THE SOURCE AS WELL

Not that i would do this dismantel and hack - but some chargers will contain internal fuses......but that does not protect the wiring leading to it, hence the above comment

http://geekgreek.com/2010/03/add-a-usb-port-to-your-motorcycle/ (http://geekgreek.com/2010/03/add-a-usb-port-to-your-motorcycle/)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 28 May 2015, 10:12:18 pm
If you have somethnig like this it might be ready to connect up i.e. has the inline fuse holder etc...and lugs etc

http://www.windingroads.co.uk/shop/product.php/984/motorcycle-usb-12v-charger/365496122dc8f833d60d82681302a201 (http://www.windingroads.co.uk/shop/product.php/984/motorcycle-usb-12v-charger/365496122dc8f833d60d82681302a201)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 28 May 2015, 10:14:32 pm
also may be obvious but be careful you do not drain the battery too low if you leave something plugged in and the engine not on - if the voltage on a battery gets too low they can be history

i left my parking lights on once by accident - day after i got the bike, i never managed to get the battery above 3.5V ever again so my oxford charger would not do a thing - got a new battery in the end..

Some USB charging systems can shut off when the battery supply voltgage it low
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: slappy on 28 May 2015, 10:30:07 pm
261662925268, ebay link if it works!

Just put one of these on, thats what I did,  I just took a feed from a relay I had already fitted that is only live when ignition is on.
I got the wiring diagram from this site so if you do a search you should find it, but to tell you the truth it was very straight forward and I honestly have no idea about electrics.
No problems so far but I avoid riding in rain as much as possible, I have had my phone and an old tomtom satnav running off it .
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: Ebme Geek on 28 May 2015, 10:31:03 pm
"A 15A fuse for this application may well be incorrect,"  - Absolutely !! - VERY likely incorrect & probably dangerous !!!

 "the wires, depending on their gauge will have a specific amperage they can carry and a specific fuse will be needed to protect them from over current situations..."  -  >>>  ;)  Spot on  :D

"Depending on the device it MIGHT already have its own fuse built in?"  -  but that won't protect the wires between it and the battery !!!

The fuse will only protect what is after it, hence why it should be kept as close as possible to the battery.  :book
 
The example anutz gives you can just about see a fuse holder behind the main box with a red wire either side of it, about 5" from the ring terminal for the battery.
 
Rating wise I would only expect a 1amp or at the most 2amp fuse, but it depends on the device, how many outputs, etc
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 28 May 2015, 10:33:43 pm
good points ebme geek  :b

So after research Ebme Geek you seem spot on...fuse as close to the source, else you do have areas for potential shorts and unprotected wire.....

"It is important to note that the section of cable coming from the battery +ve terminal (http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/battery-terminal-clamps.html) to the first fuse (or battery distribution box (http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/battery-distribution-fuse-box.html)) is effectively an unprotected part of the circuit. If there is a short anywhere along this length then it is very likely to catch fire as the first fuse will not experience the excess current. For this reason the length of cable from the battery +ve to the first fuse should be as short as possible so that damage is minimised in the event of an electrical fire.."

 
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 28 May 2015, 11:06:47 pm
interesting link on fusing...

http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/fuses-guide-uses.html (http://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/fuses-guide-uses.html)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: Ebme Geek on 28 May 2015, 11:32:10 pm
why RED?

 :o  I was only trying to emphasise your coment as correct, I have modified my post, hope it now reads as I meant it  :)
 
Oh - and yes, the link slappy put up has an in line fuse in the 5th picture as well, looks like a connector but it's actually open and you can see a glass fuse sticking out of one half of it.
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: fazersharp on 28 May 2015, 11:33:27 pm








Regardless be careful as i am no electrician but this stuff is important :)



So you say --- but I know who to ask if I have an electrical problem on my bike now !
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 29 May 2015, 10:59:24 am
this is the item I bought

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141404165733?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT (http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/141404165733?_trksid=p2060353.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT)

Black 12V Universal Cigarette Lighter
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 29 May 2015, 11:41:11 am
First of all thanks for all the advice and fear of fire  :eek

I have now refitted the fuse nearer the battery and fuck a duck it works fine  :D

Now will it DE charge my battery if its stood for a while, should I attach some kind of on/off switch ?

cheers

Novice Dilboy  :evil
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 29 May 2015, 11:53:03 am
lol  - scared ths sh*t outta me - hence the "Fire!!!" Thread...

http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,17125.0.html (http://foc-u.co.uk/index.php/topic,17125.0.html)

But these are good things to have threads on m8 - we all learn - Ebme Geek corrected me on a point as well so its beneficial!



Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 29 May 2015, 12:16:43 pm
OK so what rating fuse did you use - the 15A one - need to check what those wires are rated for to be sure its the correct fuse.......do they have a stamp on the side that lists there AWG/Rating?



Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: sinto on 29 May 2015, 09:05:21 pm
First of all thanks for all the advice and fear of fire  :eek



If you've done it right, there won't be any fire


I have now refitted the fuse nearer the battery and fuck a duck it works fine  :D

Mmmm, I don't think just distance is the reason it's working.



Now will it DE charge my battery if its stood for a while, should I attach some kind of on/off switch ?

Why an on/off switch? You'll forget to switch it 'off' at some point :(
Why didn't you wire the positive feed you put to the battery into an ignition live? That way when you turn off the ignition, the charging port turns off too, far simpler and far safer to do, (probably why you said about fire earlier)


Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 29 May 2015, 09:14:28 pm
First of all thanks for all the advice and fear of fire  :eek



If you've done it right, there won't be any fire


I have now refitted the fuse nearer the battery and fuck a duck it works fine  :D

Mmmm, I don't think just distance is the reason it's working.



Now will it DE charge my battery if its stood for a while, should I attach some kind of on/off switch ?

Why an on/off switch? You'll forget to switch it 'off' at some point :(
Why didn't you wire the positive feed you put to the battery into an ignition live? That way when you turn off the ignition, the charging port turns off too, far simpler and far safer to do, (probably why you said about fire earlier)


I like the sound of it being wired to the ignition, how would a novice like myself go about doing it ? :)

Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: sinto on 29 May 2015, 09:30:49 pm


I like the sound of it being wired to the ignition, how would a novice like myself go about doing it ? :)

Firstly, we've got to unwire you from the moon :lol

But seriously,
You'll need to find thefuse box near battery,
Have a circuit tester (or 2 bits of wire with 12v bulb)
Connect one end to NEGATIVE on battery
Switch on ignition
Touch terminals (one at a time) with other wire or terminal of circuit tester
You will see light come on or movement on circuit tester
Switch off ignition
If light goes out, that's where you want to connect your POSITIVE wire from.your USB charger and leave the NEGATIVE on the battery or find an earth nearby.
If you don't get a light coming on or movement on the tester, repeat the above steps till you do
Simples, job done :)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: sinto on 29 May 2015, 09:52:39 pm


I like the sound of it being wired to the ignition, how would a novice like myself go about doing it ? :)

Firstly, we've got to unwire you from the moon :lol

But seriously,
You'll need to find thefuse box near battery,
Have a circuit tester (or 2 bits of wire with 12v bulb)
Connect one end to NEGATIVE on battery
Switch on ignition
Touch terminals (one at a time) with other wire or terminal of circuit tester
You will see light come on or movement on circuit tester
Switch off ignition
If light goes out, that's where you want to connect your POSITIVE wire from your USB charger and leave the NEGATIVE on the battery or find an earth nearby.
If you don't get a light coming on or movement on the tester, repeat the above steps till you do
Simples, job done :)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: anutz on 29 May 2015, 09:55:04 pm
still curious as to what fuse you used?  :)

and how you know what the wires are rated to carry?  :)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 30 May 2015, 12:20:12 pm
 I bought the fuse and connectors at Maplins,explained the situation and he suggested the 15a fuse.
Regarding the wire not sure there  :)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: sinto on 30 May 2015, 01:27:11 pm
I bought the fuse and connectors at Maplins,explained the situation and he suggested the 15a fuse.
Regarding the wire not sure there  :)
There's your problem,  Maplin's have no clue about bike electrics :groan
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 30 May 2015, 01:54:42 pm

And neither do I  :wall
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: dilboy on 30 May 2015, 02:40:46 pm

Plus I've just fond the earth wire has a break inside it so, got to replace it :'(

I've had a look at the ignition idea, looked in the fuse box, but it scared me so I ran off, could it be explained again in really easy steps.

Dilboy, the not so good electrician  :evil
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: sinto on 30 May 2015, 03:47:26 pm

could it be explained again in really easy steps.


Here it is in really easy steps for you
You'll need to find thefuse box near battery,
Have a circuit tester (or 2 bits of wire with 12v bulb)
Connect one end to NEGATIVE on battery
Switch on ignition
Touch terminals (one at a time) with other wire or terminal of circuit tester
You will see light come on or movement on circuit tester
Switch off ignition
If light goes out, that's where you want to connect your POSITIVE wire from.your USB charger and leave the NEGATIVE on the battery or find an earth nearby.
If you don't get a light coming on or movement on the tester, repeat the above steps till you do.
Simples, job done
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: unfazed on 30 May 2015, 10:19:10 pm
Show the foccer a picture :lol :lol

A picture tells a thousands words :rollin :rollin :rollin

One thing "a 15amp fuse" What the Foc are they charging, the battery in the truck John McGuinness uses for going to races? :lol :lol
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: sinto on 30 May 2015, 10:32:58 pm
Show the foccer a picture :lol :lol

A picture tells a thousands words :rollin :rollin :rollin

One thing "a 15amp fuse" What the Foc are they charging, the battery in the truck John McGuinness uses for going to races? :lol :lol
Who's to show who a picture? And of what exactly?
(this thread could go in a totally different direction now) ;)
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: unfazed on 30 May 2015, 10:42:09 pm
Show the foccer a picture :lol :lol

A picture tells a thousands words :rollin :rollin :rollin

One thing "a 15amp fuse" What the Foc are they charging, the battery in the truck John McGuinness uses for going to races? :lol :lol
Who's to show who a picture? And of what exactly?
(this thread could go in a totally different direction now) ;)

Here's hoping it does :lol
Title: Re: USB/Charger Port
Post by: sinto on 30 May 2015, 10:45:37 pm
:agree
:useless