Anyone ever mount a USB port on their FJ? I did. Got tired of having a dead battery when I use the TomTom GPS on my Iphone. Also is nice for charging if listening to music, using the telephone, or just simply having an emergency charger.
Basically I just took apart a cigarette lighter USB adapter. Then I soldered wires directly, shrink tubed and waterproofed it as best as possible and then mounted it. I ended up locating it in the cubby on the left side of the bike. Just drilled a hole with a large bit and then did the exact fit with a air dremel tool. Final mounting was done with a little bit of hot glue-gun work. Spliced it into the Horn circuit, since the wiring was right there. Ended up with what I think is a pretty good upgrade. Even has a cool green light at night. Just wad up the cable and stash it in the cubby when not in use.
Opinions? Bash away......... (popcorn)
(http://fjowners.com/gallery/1/661_22_01_11_12_13_44.jpeg)
looks like a good job :good2:
Quote from: Mark Olson on January 22, 2011, 01:15:18 PM
looks like a good job :good2:
Thanks. Pretty straight-forward job.
Cool. This is a good idea. Might have to steal that one....
Dan
Took a whole 30 or 40 minutes to do. Well worth it (to me).
LOL we are never going to bash a functional and well executed modification!
since most everything i use has a 12 volt power plug i just electrified my tankbag and use a 12 volt/115 volt inverter that also features a USB output. (cause there is always something that uses USB to charge)
i wish my 86 had that nice stash cubby.
KOokaloo!
That looks like the perfect place to put it, very cool idea :good:
Quote from: racerman_27410 on January 22, 2011, 03:22:15 PM
since most everything i use has a 12 volt power plug i just electrified my tankbag and use a 12 volt/115 volt inverter that also features a USB output. (cause there is always something that uses USB to charge)
Doesn't your tank bag get kinda hot like that? Those inverters put out a decent amount of heat, don't they?
Quote from: Travis398 on January 22, 2011, 04:00:47 PM
That looks like the perfect place to put it, very cool idea :good:
Couldn't think of a better place that would stay halfway dry and also stash the cable at the same time. Only thing I want to figure out now is when I put the cable through the door, it doesn't close securely. I may just notch the edge of it, enough to let the cable pass through, but still let the door close firmly.
Quote from: racerman_27410 on January 22, 2011, 03:22:15 PM
LOL we are never going to bash a functional and well executed modification!
since most everything i use has a 12 volt power plug i just electrified my tankbag and use a 12 volt/115 volt inverter that also features a USB output. (cause there is always something that uses USB to charge)
KOokaloo!
That's what I did... added the Powerlet port the the side of my tankbag. Their interchangeable pigtails are pretty cool.
I have the Marsee bag with the clear hard plastic lid, so it was convenient to put my music player, phone, 2 way radio, etc in the top tray.
Unfortunately, not all devices can stand the heat that builds up in that cooker.
Randy T
Indy
Quote from: rktmanfj on January 22, 2011, 04:47:43 PM
...
That's what I did... added the Powerlet port the the side of my tankbag. Their interchangeable pigtails are pretty cool.
...
I put a Powerlet outlet in the lower left side. Works great for my heated vest.
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3sfF7BqkkfA/TTtsJ4dEgCI/AAAAAAAABDc/mH_fX4fsyKE/s144/DSCN0041.jpg)
Quote from: Scooterbob on January 22, 2011, 04:15:19 PM
Doesn't your tank bag get kinda hot like that? Those inverters put out a decent amount of heat, don't they?
i only use the inverter for USB charging and since that is not much load there isnt a lot of heat produced.
i have the same marsee tank bag except i painted the clear lid black on the underside to keep prying eyes from seeing all the electronics in there.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/ECFR%202010%20Birthday%20ride/ECFR2010040.jpg)
KOokaloo!
Quote
i only use the inverter for USB charging and since that is not much load there isnt a lot of heat produced.
I guess it's only overkill until you need to power something else. Never know when you'll need it. :good:
the real reason for the inverter is the fact my chatterbox XBi2 headset only comes with a wall wart charger ... which i think is kind of stupid for a comm device designed for motorcyclists but i digress....
the inverter is only used during lunch stops to keep the headset topped up..... it saves a lot of charging time in the evening when the bike isnt running.
i got a super small cobra inverter .... its an ultra compact inverter w/USB
http://www.invertersrus.com/cobracpi150.html (http://www.invertersrus.com/cobracpi150.html)
Kookaloo!
Quote from: Scooterbob on January 22, 2011, 07:17:37 PM
Quote
i only use the inverter for USB charging and since that is not much load there isnt a lot of heat produced.
I guess it's only overkill until you need to power something else. Never know when you'll need it. :good:
Quote from: Bob on January 22, 2011, 05:53:49 PM
Quote from: rktmanfj on January 22, 2011, 04:47:43 PM
...
That's what I did... added the Powerlet port the the side of my tankbag. Their interchangeable pigtails are pretty cool.
...
I put a Powerlet outlet in the lower left side. Works great for my heated vest.
(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_3sfF7BqkkfA/TTtsJ4dEgCI/AAAAAAAABDc/mH_fX4fsyKE/s144/DSCN0041.jpg)
I have the same Powerlet plug in the same location on the right side.
Powerlet made me up a right angle plug cord for my GPS that I plug there.
I keep the heat-troller in the top tray of the tankbag.
Randy T
Indy
You guys do nice wiring. Looks real clean in there.
CraigO
90FJ1200
Quote from: racerman_27410 on January 22, 2011, 06:40:48 PM
Quote from: Scooterbob on January 22, 2011, 04:15:19 PM
Doesn't your tank bag get kinda hot like that? Those inverters put out a decent amount of heat, don't they?
i only use the inverter for USB charging and since that is not much load there isnt a lot of heat produced.
i have the same marsee tank bag except i painted the clear lid black on the underside to keep prying eyes from seeing all the electronics in there.
(http://i47.photobucket.com/albums/f198/Racerman27410/ECFR%202010%20Birthday%20ride/ECFR2010040.jpg)
KOokaloo!
Similar Marsee tankbag, Frank... mine doesn't have the side pockets, but I wish it did.
But New Enough had the one I got for +/- $50.
I may follow your lead and paint at least part of the lid, but I like being able to see the display on the mp3 player/phone.
Randy T
Indy
Randy,
my bag is the same as yours.... i stripped the side pockets off of an old tankbag and mounted them up .
I had gotten used to having outside access to certain items and well..... i just cant leave anything un modified :good2:
KOokaloo!