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I'm getting ready to drive down Hwy 101 from Washington to Northern Cali so yesterday I bought an USB port to charge my phone along the way. I typically don't like adding those things to my bike so does any one have ideas on where I can tuck this thing away and still access it? It's not a handlebar mount. I ride a Night Train.
Rather difficult to understand what exactly you have purchased by description.
All we know is that you bought a USB port that is described as a "thing" and not handlebar mount.
Do not really understand if it is a cigarette lighter plug with a USB conversion like you might plug into a car.
Like this: http://www.batterytender.com/Accesso...B-CHARGER.html
or maybe one of those units that is basically a positive and negative cable that attaches to battery on one end and then the other end has a standard female USB.
The most simple installation might be a battery tender pigtail (wire harness) at edge of seat.
Something like this: http://www.batterytender.com/Accesso...l-Harness.html
Then a USB charger plugged into the pigtail ONLY when you will use it since it does cause a draw.
If your bike already has the harness under the seat edge then you are half done.
Then something like this: http://www.batterytender.com/Accesso...arger-QDC.html
You would need to test it with your phone because some phones are rather picky about USB charging and most new phones demand 2 amps.
Also note that many USB adapter units convert the battery voltage at all times while attached so they will create a battery drain when parked if not switched off or disconnected..
Sorry, I guess I could have been a bit more descriptive. It's made by Bike Master. It's about two inches long and an inch wide; however, there are half inch long screw tabs on each side of the short side making its footprint 2"x2" and 1" tall. It has a battery tender plug on it.
Depends how involved you want to get. Quick and dirty ways: paint a pipe clamp black and stick it on the frame away from the engine; short term: get a double-sided sticky pad and stick it on the back side of the frame, or tie wrap it. Velcro also works.
Sorry, I guess I could have been a bit more descriptive. It's made by Bike Master. It's about two inches long and an inch wide; however, there are half inch long screw tabs on each side of the short side making its footprint 2"x2" and 1" tall. It has a battery tender plug on it.
Lest see if the product might be something like this link since we do not have a part number: http://www.motorcycle-superstore.com...sb-charger-kit
If it is that linked product above then you would have noticed it was very similar to the detailed links i provided before.
To be clearer..It would be very similar to the Deltran product linked before.
It would only require the battery wire harness to remain attached to battery or someplace on bike as explained before.
Leaving battery SAE connector (battery harness wire) at the side seat edge would be almost invisible and also allow for a battery tender maintenance trickle charger connection when not riding.
Again, check your bike because it might already have such a SAE connector harness.
The USB portion should NOT remain attached to bike as it will constantly cause a drain if connected to battery as explained before.
To be clearer: A drain could kill the battery if you do not ride for a few weeks or if the battery becomes marginal since it will draw power even when not riding.
Seems rather simple.
If you want a permanent installation of the USB then it will require power from something that is ON only when bike is running...like the headlight...then use Scotch brand outdoor mounting tape for the USB.
Safer to just use the little USB as needed.
Maybe store the USB loose,stuffed in the front lip of seat, between seat and tank.
I used to keep mine under the seat and run the line under the center console so it comes out the top of the tank and up to the bars. You don't need a 16ft line(as suggested). typical 4ft line should be fine for this. I stopped this because every time the line went bad, I had to take apart that console to fish a new one through.
If you want it to be more quick on or quick off, HD has one that does the same thing that is basically a female USB tip. This one I just keep the tip sticking out of my seat front so I can plug it in or unplug it as needed and don't bother running under the console. Lots of options depending on whether you want that cable hidden or not.
This is the one I have. It's made to plug into the diagnostic port on your bike. The Baggers 12v power is on a different pin than the softail though, so I had to pull the connector apart and swap wires. I have it zip tied to the frame rail between my seat and the oil bag.
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Need to hide a USB port
