USB Port

[Scooterbob]

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.........

[Mark Olson]

looks like a good job

[Scooterbob]

looks like a good job

Thanks. Pretty straight-forward job.

[Dan Filetti]

Cool.  This is a good idea.  Might have to steal that one....

Dan

[Scooterbob]

Took a whole 30 or 40 minutes to do. Well worth it (to me).

[racerman_27410]

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!

[Travis398]

That looks like the perfect place to put it, very cool idea 

[Scooterbob]

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?

That looks like the perfect place to put it, very cool idea 

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.

[rktmanfj]

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

[Bob]

...
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.

[racerman_27410]

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.




KOokaloo!

[Scooterbob]

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.   

[racerman_27410]

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


Kookaloo!

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.   

[rktmanfj]

...
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.

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

[craigo]

You guys do nice wiring.  Looks real clean in there.

CraigO
90FJ1200