Anyone running something like this on their bike? With the new iPhone firmware coming out that has the GPS functionality, I was thinking of making a mount for my phone on the handlebars, but need to invert the power to keep it charged....any ideas?

I was thinking of using something like this with some slight modification...only really need the USB charging ability.

Ebay power inverter...

* Last updated by: MOPAULY on 5/25/2009 @ 7:03 AM *

Why not just use a car adapter . Its pretty easy to connect a small plug then have it connect to the car adapter . Do not cut the car adapter as it reduces the voltage and you need all of it . Sorry someone bought the car adapter on the ST fourmss and then cut off the part that sticks in the cig lighter outlet. That part has a reducer in it so that the voltage is correct. maybe something like this and wire a outlet for it .

http://cgi.ebay.com/Car-Power-Charger-Adapter-Adaptor-for-IPHONE-3G-BLACK_W0QQitemZ140322453905QQihZ004QQcategoryZ48680QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

that is a very good idea...no other need for power other then charging the phone at the moment.

OK, I'm just gonna come out and say it. Why do you need your phone on the handlebars and why do you need a charger? How short is the battery life of the phone?

I used to do a lot of group rides here in Northern California and it seems that the "problem" riders on the trip were the ones with the gadgets. I've watched several riders simpley ride off the road while engrossed in a phone conversation or messing with their I-Pod or changing routes on the GPS. It was getting to the point where we asked people what gizzmos they got and then ask them to put them in the tank bag or somewhere that they can't be distracted.

What ever happened to "just" riding the bike for the sheer fun of riding. All these toys just seem to complicate it for a lot of people.

Not picking on you, your thread just brought it to mind and I thought I'd throw it out there for comment.

I just wired in a car charger for mine. I purchased a BMW style power plug and socket and mounted it in the inner fairing cover. Works great.

-Matt

Matt, how did you wire you outlet? I just purchased 1 and I'm trying to figure out whether to wire directly to battery or splice it into something? Also how should I ground?

Thanks all info is appreciated!!!

* Last updated by: mre14 on 7/14/2009 @ 8:11 PM *

MRE,

I got the heaviest gauge inline fuse holder I could find at AutoZone, I think it was 12 gauge. I got one that used the same sized fused as the bike so I won't have to carry two different types of fuses in my tool kit. I installed a ring terminal on it and stacked it below the bike's positive battery lead. I left enough extree to be able to pull the pig tail out from the battery compartment should the fuse need to be replaced--no need to pull the battery that way.

From there, I extended the fueholder's pig tail with some 12 gauge hookup wire. (I soldered the connection and used a piece of heat shrink with the glue gunk inside.) I routed it out the front of the battery box cover and immediately across the bike in the area of the fuel rail. Once across the bike, I ran it along the frame brace that runs from under the left grille cover to the left engine mount, and on up to the inner fairing cover. Once routed, I installed split loom, and then wrapped with loom wrap. I zip tied it in strategic locations on the left side of the bike. Be sure to include a couple of extree inches of wire so the inner fairing can be pulled out and disconnected, when servicing the bike.

As far as the socket goes, I used one of the upper right dimples on the vertical surface of the left inner fairing as a guide for drilling a hole for the socket. If you install it on the right hand side, I guess you wouldn't need to cross the wire across the motor--might be a bit simpler. When you install the socket, it's hard to get enough torque on the nut to keep it from moving around. I got it as tight as I could and then applied some plastic epoxy all around the nut on the back side of the inner fairing.

For the ground, I soldered a 12 gauge wire to one edge of the nut that secures the socket. I cut the wire so it was a few inches long and put a spade connector on it, again, so I can completely remove the inner fairing when I need to work on the bike. Use a mating connector and make another line that goes to the closest ground connection you can find. Make sure to gender the positive and negative wire's spade connectors so that you can't hook it up backwards.
If you do it right, the leads will different enough in length that you can't hook it up backwards if you wanted to.

If you need some explanatory pictures, I may have some I can scrounge up.

-Matt

Just thought I'd clarify. For running a small power inverter, you sure don't need a 12 gauge wire. Something much smaller will work fine. I used 12 gauge (or maybe it was 10) so I could power a louder horn, too.

-Matt

Matt thanx alot right on timewell actually ahead of time with your answer.....I will probably be pulling her apart Saturday to hook this up and the triple tone air horns!!!

Where you going to mount the horns?

If I had it to do over again, I think I would put the power outlet on the right inner fairing. The positive wire you run could be considerably shorter that way, and routing would be easier.

If you plan to use that wire to also power your horns, you want to be sure to use a 10 gauge wire. The horns probably pull close to 20 amps. That's what I did and it works fine. For this reason, I used a 30 amp fuse in the fuse holder I installed.

Also...

Once you have the power adapter, you might want to get a couple of extra plugs. I converted my little Slime compressor so that I could run it off the power connection too. I also purchased a coiled 6 foot auto cigarette lighter extension cord (male plug on one end and a molded socket on the other), lopped off the cigarette lighter plug and installed one of the BMW power plugs. I carry this in my saddle bag on long trips if I'm going to be with other riders who may need to charge their cell phone or whatever, as they often have a car charger they can bring along. When I do that I stuff everything into my tank bag to keep it out of the way.

On the horns, you'll need a relay, which they probably come with. If you need help figuring out how to hook it up, let me know. You've probably got that covered. On mine, I drilled out the mounting hole on the relay and mounted it off one of the bolts that secures the far end of the speedo pod to the area of the steering stem. If you do that, make sure you orient it in such a way that the forks don't hit the relay at full lock. Next time I have to tear her down, I'm going to move the relay up under the speedo pod somewhere.

-Matt

What ever happened to "just" riding the bike for the sheer fun of riding.

It's still there for me, but I like having my iPhone right there on the handle bars. Battery life is okay, but if you are using the map to navigate, you want to keep the display turned on, and that will run the battery down fairly quickly, especially if you've already ridden for several hours on that charge.

The Maps app on the iPhone works incredibly well when you get lost. Just ask for direction from "Current location" to the address or area where you want to end up. It then offers turn by turn directions and the map scale adjust accordingly as you go through the steps.

I also carry it because it has a digital camera. It also has the iPod built-in. I use a stereo Bluetooth headset to listen to music for an hour or two per day on a long ride. The BT transmitter also runs the battery down quicker.

Oh, and it's nice to be able to log onto Expedia and book a room when you figure out your ass is too tired to keep going.

For short trips I don't bother with the adapter, but on a long trip, it's the first thing I make sure is plugged in and working!

-Matt

Matt, I have to agree with you 100%. I use my iPhone ALL the time at work and all points between there and home.
Contrary to some beliefs, "set it and forget it" works when listening to music and actually enhances the riding experience. I installed a marine grade ac adapter with a dust cap. It locks so my double USB plug will not vibrate out.
Used in conjunction with my modified OtterBox/Ram mount it works perfect! I've posted a couple pics below.
I direct wired it to the Ign fuse using an add-a-line 10amp fuse kit. Soldered all connections and grounded to the frame.

* Last updated by: Lavon on 8/16/2009 @ 12:04 PM *

Taken with my wife's phone...

Great to be back Rook! I resized my pics so I could add some more.

* Last updated by: Lavon on 8/16/2009 @ 11:56 AM *

Hi, Lavon. Good to hear from you. Welcome back, I'm sur you have noticed there are quite a few of the members from zx14ninja.com around here. I happened across that sight a couple days ago and it's still sittin' on godaddy! I had to laugh.

Just thought I'd say hi since your PMs aren't enabled.

Rook

i dunno bout all this electronic stuff i go riding to get away from the world for awhile. as far as gps i go riding to get lost you cant find the lil cool backroads by following a gps, and cant enjoy the ride if your constantly looking at a gps screen instead of looking out for the idiots driving cars...lol if its just cause you dont wanna miss a call they have this new technology called bluetooth keep the phone in your pocket youll be a lot safer with the crazys on the road

* Last updated by: scottjkyl on 8/17/2009 @ 7:12 AM *

You might want to try these.

http://www.powerletproducts.com/

I have a ram mount and like to charge things also as needed . My Iphone will use the battery up on a all day run . ( some of us go further than a hour away from home ) so I also use a tomtom one XL as its a basic GPS and in town I can hear the directions if headed someplace. As far as the ones wit hthe gadgets causing more issues they are also the first ones asked where the closest gas is or hotel, food ect.
I have a bluetooth headset that I listen to when just slabbing it somewhere and that will drain any battery over a couple of hours . my Iphone will last all day but what if Im going on a weekend trip as I dont always stay at a motel or hotel as I love to camp.