USB charging outlet - Anyone know of anything available

[David Morrow]

I'd like to mount a dedicated USB charging outlet on my bike for gadget charging. I have seen USB adapters that plug into a cigarette lighter but I'd like to skip the cigarette lighter part. As a second choice, maybe something that would plug into a Powerlet outlet so that I could charge during lunch stops.

Anyone seen anything like this around ?

Here is one that plugs into a cigarette lighter.
http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2012/01/highway-pro-turns-cigarette-lighter-into-usb-charger/



Or a single outlet, low profile model.
http://www.thinkgeek.com/product/e24a/

[highside]

Tagged: thats a really good idea and I want to see what is out there. Just about everything charges through a USB so this seems like an obvious feature.

The only drawback is that a USB port probably doesn't put out enough to actually run a GPS or heated gear, but for charging items on the road it would be awesome. i could see integrating a USB charging port into the interior of hard luggage so you can charge your stuff while traveling. With the short battery life of modern smart phones this could be a great deal.

[sfalexi]

http://www.cyclenutz.com/All-Weather-USB-Hardwire-Kit_p_475.html

[David Morrow]

http://www.cyclenutz.com/All-Weather-USB-Hardwire-Kit_p_475.html

Close, but I'd like one that is a built in, flush mount. Sorry to be so picky.

[malbojah]

I think skipping the whole cigarette socket will make this harder. I have a mount from Twisted Throttle that goes on my handle bar clamp, holds the socket, and I have a Griffin 2 USB adapter sitting in it (flush mounts to the top of the socket). I can charge my phone and helmet Bluetooth at the same time.

If I ever get a new GPS, I can plug the traffic receiver into the socket as well

[JReazor]

Close, but I'd like one that is a built in, flush mount. Sorry to be so picky.

From the same site...

http://www.cyclenutz.com/All-Weather-USB-Panel-Mount-Kit_p_636.html

[David Morrow]

From the same site...

http://www.cyclenutz.com/All-Weather-USB-Panel-Mount-Kit_p_636.html

THAT'S IT !

Thanks.

[Wockman]

Here is a similar one, that might work.

http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-CCAUSB-Extension-Cable-Integrated/dp/B001GXQMXE/ref=pd_cp_pc_0

[JReazor]

Here is a similar one, that might work.

http://www.amazon.com/Clarion-CCAUSB-Extension-Cable-Integrated/dp/B001GXQMXE/ref=pd_cp_pc_0

I could be wrong but it looks like that's intended to relocate the USB port from another device. The other end is probably a standard, male USB connector rather than bare power wires and it probably won't step down from 12v.

[David Morrow]

I could be wrong but it looks like that's intended to relocate the USB port from another device. The other end is probably a standard, male USB connector rather than bare power wires and it probably won't step down from 12v.

I think you're right.

And it has no weather protection.

[Wockman]

Right, you'd still need an 12v adaptor under the seat or somewhere.  Here is another that is "waterproof".

http://www.amazon.com/L-com-Series-Waterproof-Extension-Assembly/dp/B004EF0R3W/ref=sr_1_sc_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1346255041&sr=1-1-spell&keywords=usb+panel+mount+%2B+water+resistane

[Zixxerpilot]

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B003TVDVO4/ref=redir_mdp_mobile?qid=1335890042&ref_=sr_1_2&sr=8-2

We did a group buy on my website for these.  They work great!

Sent from my SAMSUNG-SGH-I777 using Tapatalk 2

[lonekazoo]

You do have a little more flexibility when using a cig. lighter socket versus a dedicated USB socket.  In addition to inserting a USB adapter, you can use splitters, etc.  I often use the cig. socket I installed on my bike for my XM radio, ham gear, and a laptop charger.  With USB, you're stuck at 5V.
 
Also, if you need to charge an ipad or other higher-current device, you may want a 2.1 amp USB adapter.  Some devices won't charge at all at a lower amperage--some will charge, but at a much slower rate.

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

Powerlet makes USB cords that plug into their sockets (if you already have a Powerlet outlet or two).  I have a Powerlet micro USB cord that works well, but the downside to it is that portion of the cord that steps down the voltage is 1"X0.5"X0.5" or so and is three inches or so from the end of the cord that plugs into my phone, which kind of limits where I put my phone when I need to charge it.

[David Morrow]

Powerlet makes USB cords that plug into their sockets (if you already have a Powerlet outlet or two).  I have a Powerlet micro USB cord that works well, but the downside to it is that portion of the cord that steps down the voltage is 1"X0.5"X0.5" or so and is three inches or so from the end of the cord that plugs into my phone, which kind of limits where I put my phone when I need to charge it.

The problem is that they only make USB mini and micro cables - no good old basic, generic USB A plugs. When so many gadgets have proprietary USB plugs ( like Scala Riders ), you need the Type A connector. The only Type A that I could find on the Powerlet site fits a cigarette lighter socket.

[Croak]

The problem is that they only make USB mini and micro cables - no good old basic, generic USB A plugs. When so many gadgets have proprietary USB plugs ( like Scala Riders ), you need the Type A connector. The only Type A that I could find on the Powerlet site fits a cigarette lighter socket.

I use a generic 2A dual USB car charger, plugged into this Powerlet-to-Lighter cable:
http://www.powerlet.com/product/24-powerlet-to-cigarette-socket-cable/35

It's really not that bulky, so it's always in my tank bag, along with the necessary USB cables.  It charges my phone and tablet at the same time, or my occasionally used Bluetooth receiver.  

[David Morrow]

I use a generic 2A dual USB car charger, plugged into this Powerlet-to-Lighter cable:
http://www.powerlet.com/product/24-powerlet-to-cigarette-socket-cable/35

It's really not that bulky, so it's always in my tank bag, along with the necessary USB cables.  It charges my phone and tablet at the same time, or my occasionally used Bluetooth receiver.  

I'm beginning to think that is the right way to go. Maybe shorten the cable to a few inches, but otherwise, it would work fine.

[coho]

Cheap, off the shelf car USB thingy (Griffin brand) with the lip Dremeled off so it fits in the hole + 6" Powerlet brand lighter-to-Powerlet adapter.


Works a treat, just long enough to go from dash socket on the RT to the tankbag.

[number9]

I just made this same decision. I decided to go with the Powerlet Luggage Electrx kit PTB-008 (I think) but called and substituted the PAC-035 (SAE plug to Y with cig & coax plugs) in place of the PAC-027 (SAE plug to Y with dual cig plugs).

I'll use a USB cig lighter adapter to charge my phone safely in the tankbag and the coax for heat troller with the controller clipped to the side of the tankbag in easy reach.

...

[Cablebandit]

The Powerlet USB plug has been "in the works" for over a year at this point.

Just Google USB Panel mount and you have plenty of choices.

[IDisposable]

I bought this one and installed on my R1200RT (on the right-side trim) http://j.mp/WeatherproofUSB  Perfect.

[miles]

I bought this one and installed on my R1200RT (on the right-side trim) http://j.mp/WeatherproofUSB  Perfect.

That's what I have on the left side of my S1000RR.  It works great.

[TheRedOnesAreFaster]

I bought this one and installed on my R1200RT (on the right-side trim) http://j.mp/WeatherproofUSB  Perfect.

That looks exactly like the one on the Cyclenutz site, except WITH the monting clip included.....but the package price is $28.00 cheaper at your link.

[Rincewind]

I wish Powerlet would make an better Powerlet converter for USB or just a basic iPhone 5 cord.  I have an adapter cord for Powerlet --> cigarette lighter, but using that adapter cord (which is semi-long) in addition to a USB cigarette adapter plus phone cord is just too much of a mess for the handlebar area by the outlet.  They have a great iPhone 4/iPod cord but they don't have a iPhone 5 cord yet.  I don't really want to add a panel-mount USB when I already have a perfectly good Powerlet outlet exactly where I need it.

[veefer800canuck]

I ran a cord from my battery, fused of course, up between the seat and tank, into my tank bag with a cigarette plug. From that, I can power pretty much anything either USB with an adaptor, or cig plug for my gps.

[Dan K]

great links.  I've always used a powerlet to cig adapter and plugged various connectors to that. Used the cig to USB plug for my GPS on a rental harley, and powerlet-cig-usb to power my iPhone on the bike. I like that weatherproof USB outlet - rated at 12v too.

- Dan

[FJRider]

This is what I use.

http://www.webbikeworld.com/r4/waterproof-motorcycle-usb-port/

It's not panel mount but you can mount it just about anywhere. It has a built-in fuse and resistors to convert 12vdc into USB voltages with surge protection.