Adding USB Power to a 2005 GS500F

[Guest]

I'm looking to add a couple USB ports on my bars for powering a phone/GoPro/etc. Anyone set this up before? Looking for something reliable, clean, that won't mangle the stock wiring or cause any burnouts, and not afraid of a little soldering and whatnot. Also thinking about a few extra 12V switched lines in case I want to add something down the road, like lights/accessories that I don't always need running.. Open to kits or DIY, just trying to get some direction right now... any pointers would be most appreciated.

[nejeff]

I did this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/231084877746...746%26_rdc%3D1

Cheap, easy two wire direct to battery

[OldVet66]

Check out the Battery Tender Accessories, some interesting choices and a place to plug in the Battery Tender ( I have my eye on the extension, five way adapter, LCD voltage display and a couple of their USB chargers). : http://www.amazon.com/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=battery+tender+accessories&tag=g ooghydr-20&index=aps&hvadid=31434509445&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=& hvnetw=g&hvrand=4285498097134638924&hvpone=13.40&h vptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=c&ref=pd_sl_xa9alads7_e

[ShadowFocus603]

I did this. http://www.ebay.com/itm/231084877746...746%26_rdc%3D1

Cheap, easy two wire direct to battery

I did this exact same setup as well. Twice. Love them.

[Allie]

I just put this on over the weekend: http://www.amazon.com/BikeMaster-Vol.../dp/B0068FYMVO I considered the one linked above, but was a little concerned about the available real estate on my bars so just went with a single socket. I just stick a dual USB adapter in it and can now power my GPS and charge my phone. I already had a fused lead on the battery for a smart charger and it just plugs into that. Easy Peasy!

[Tekime]

Excellent, thanks for the ideas. Ideally here's what I'd like to have:

• 2 USB plugs + cigarette adapter on front bars
• 2 USB plugs hidden in rear fender/under seat for charging devices in my pack
• A fused, switched 12V lead for running to addt'l adapters or splicing which can be turned off via switch on front bars

I might keep it simple for now, but assuming I did all of the above is there a good battery swap to handle some extra load?

Note: I'll also be doing heated grips & possibly heated seat if I can find enough juice.

Any other thoughts welcome

[Allie]

Excellent, thanks for the ideas. Ideally here's what I'd like to have:

• 2 USB plugs + cigarette adapter on front bars
• 2 USB plugs hidden in rear fender/under seat for charging devices in my pack
• A fused, switched 12V lead for running to addt'l adapters or splicing which can be turned off via switch on front bars

I might keep it simple for now, but assuming I did all of the above is there a good battery swap to handle some extra load?

Note: I'll also be doing heated grips & possibly heated seat if I can find enough juice.

Any other thoughts welcome

I'm not sure but I'm guessing AGMs might offer increased capacity withing existing space constraints. The bigger issue is how many watts your charging system produces to power all this electrical fun you have planned.

[Tekime]

I'm not sure but I'm guessing AGMs might offer increased capacity withing existing space constraints. The bigger issue is how many watts your charging system produces to power all this electrical fun you have planned.

Right. I'll have to start crunching some numbers.. though I doubt I'll be using all these at once I hope the USB isn't too demanding but the heated elements might be a lot of strain. Anything to squeeze a few more weeks out of the season though, and I'll be using this for midrange work trips with 3 phones, laptop, iPad & GoPro in tow so it'd be nice to have the options.

Looking at settling for a battery tender hookup and just fabbing a small "dash" unit for now, maybe just get a separate charger pack for the peripherals and stick it in my bag.

[OldVet66]

Get the extension and multiple tap up front and you have tons of options including hooking up the Battery Tender. I regularly use heated glove liners in the winter. With the rest of my gear I'm good to go for about four hours unless it is below 20 degrees as long as my hands are warm, then about two hours before warming up. I Converted an old Gateway NetBook to Lumbuntu, 2Gigs of ram and an extended life battery for bike trips. Gives me about ten hours between charges and is low power consumption. Lumbuntu makes it a useful full function laptop with Libre Office, just a wee bit smaller than my laptops, but easy to cary and no real loss if it goes missing or gets destroyed. The battery was $35.00 every thing else is free or I already had it. I have had real good luck with my Motobatt AGM.