2018+ Softail Models Breakout

USB-C Conversion

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Old Apr 2, 2024 | 03:29 PM
  #21  
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USB standards are published publicly, you can look 'em up if it interests you. USB-A (as I call them) is the name of the port on the bike, as opposed to USB-B, USB-Mini, USB-Micro, and USB-C. And a USB-A port, if it is complying with the USB standards, puts out a whole lot less power than a USB-C is capable of.

If your phone is not capable of quick-charging faster than the Harley port is capable of providing, that doesn't mean that other people's phones don't. After all, that's the whole reason the OP started this thread.
 
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Old Apr 2, 2024 | 07:25 PM
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USB-PD specifications are constantly changing ...so make sure that 1/ the new 12v to USB C converter and 2/ the USB C cable you buy are spec'd for the required quick charge power delivery you are aiming at. This is not a simple question.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USB_ha...Power_Delivery
 
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Old Apr 2, 2024 | 07:37 PM
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I'm going after market, I see no sense in messing w/the existing port & wiring
 
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Old Apr 2, 2024 | 07:51 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveyFB
I'm going after market, I see no sense in messing w/the existing port & wiring
Agreed.

Strip it out and replace with new adapter, and rewire just in case. The existing box is probably big enough to mount a new adapter if you just want to stick with the original location, and some come with a little face plate

Oh, and be very careful with some of those converters you see on Amazon. Some don't follow the standards, and some advertise 30W or less as Fast charging, lol. Best you are looking for is probably around the 60 watt mark (i.e. 12v at 5A) ...which will be shared by however many ports you get/need.

Good luck
 

Last edited by Gordon61; Apr 2, 2024 at 07:57 PM.
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Old Apr 2, 2024 | 08:32 PM
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Originally Posted by DaveyFB
I'm going after market, I see no sense in messing w/the existing port & wiring
I'll go aftermarket, because I've no choice in the pursuit of more power.
And probably handlebar mounted, just for convenience.

But, I rather like the notion of plugging into the accessory power circuit there in the USB box or module or whatever they call it.

I haven't opened it up, but it certainly seems quite possible to make a multi-tap plug in for the junction that's in there. Just need to buy the right male and female connectors and make one up. I may already have part of it since I've got the wiring harness segment in there when I had them put on the heated grips.
 
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Old Apr 3, 2024 | 10:44 AM
  #26  
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Originally Posted by foxtrapper
. I may already have part of it since I've got the wiring harness segment in there when I had them put on the heated grips.
Another option for you if you already have the 69201750 cable, is to put a splitter on it. Harley makes a splitter for that connector so if you were going for a bar-mounted USB-C anyway, that might be a more convenient way to go.

I believe this is the splitter:
https://www.harley-davidson.com/us/e...ess/p/69200921
 
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Old Apr 3, 2024 | 08:18 PM
  #27  
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I think I found a dual USB-C port for a motorcycle last nite
Long cable w/fuse to go to battery, then same disconnect as the battery Tender
Now I cant find it, maybe I was dreaming
They all seem to have 1 USB-C & On USB 3

The Basics of USB-C and USB Power Delivery - ASME
USB-C PD up to 100w

Like this but both USB-C


 

Last edited by DaveyFB; Apr 3, 2024 at 08:31 PM.
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Old Apr 4, 2024 | 12:40 AM
  #28  
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o well ill just watch your avatar for a while.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2024 | 07:02 AM
  #29  
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I rather like the notion of plugging into the accessory power circuit there in the USB box or module or whatever they call it.
For caution's sake, please check how that is fused. Maybe you will need to swap a larger fuse, if the circuitry will support it, or maybe running a higher-than-designed draw through there will pop one of the bikes few OEM fuses which could disable multiple circuits. Sorry, I don't remember it at that detail level.
 
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Old Apr 4, 2024 | 09:02 AM
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Originally Posted by FatBob2018
Regarding the conversion: it looks like it'd be pretty simple. You just need a port and a place to mount it. Revelator Alf shows how to install the 69201750 cable which provides an open 12V connection in this video:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SkcOSFl_kck

That's the cable I installed to power my heated grips; it was really simple to do. You would probably be able to get the full 36 watts of a normal USB-C on a 12V supply. You could mount a USB-C port on the handlebars or wherever else you want.

Alternatively, if you want to stay self-contained within the box under the tank, this is a shot of what it looks like, taken from the above video:




Now, it's rather spacious in there as-is. But if you install the electrical cable, it takes up a lot of that space. So I'm thinking if you wanted to replace the existing USB-A with a USB-C, you could just unplug the existing one and then either snip off the connector end and use those bare wires to wire in a new USB-C port, or (perhaps better yet) get the right connector and make your own. Reason I say that is Harley charges $85 for that USB-A assembly! Might be able to ebay that for $30 or so and cover your costs that way. Then get a dash-mounted USB-C and wire it to that new connector, plug it in, and then you have to cut a hole in the box to mount the new USB-C, or maybe try to fit it through the same hole as the USB-A port was in. Might require using a 3D Printer to print up an adapter plate so it fits snugly and waterproof.
Unless I missed something... thought the goal was to deliver more power via USB-C. Do those existing wires have the capacity for the increased load? Then there's the fuses...
 
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