Where do I connect my phone charger

Lnkshr76 · Post by **Lnkshr76** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 1:01 am

Hi being new to bikes with an engine and I like going our further than to the shops I purchased a 12v usb charger and wired it up to the battery and went on my merry way when I got to my destination I forgot to unplug the phone it wasn't doing anything like sat nav just in standby but after five mins I went to start the bike and it errm wouldn't start I did usuall checks as being new I had previously tried to start when bike was in gear and put in gear whilst stand down which in turn shut it off these were all fine so looked further and I decided to disconnect the charger from the battery I left for a few mins and it started like there was no problem so I think that whilst sitting the phone may of drained battery enough to make it low now I know phones don't take that much power but since removing it I've never had any issues starting the bike even on freezing mornings so ... Where is best place to connect this charger to I was thinking the headlight but didn't want phone to ring and lights dim ect any help would be great thank you

Africa John · Post by **Africa John** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 4:42 am

You need a switched feed - either a connection with its own switch (e.g. on the handlebar) or where the live feed is taken from a wire that only becomes live when the ignition is switched on (rear light is a common fave). You can connect to a live feed using a posi tap connector (search ebay)

Big Red · Post by **Big Red** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 5:47 am

I always take a switched feed from the horn wire. Its easily accessible and is always wired through the ignition. Dont forget to fit a fuse

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:06 am

Charging a phone ?

I would sooner have a fully charged bike battery than worrying about my phone battery

My iPhone lasts all day here or abroad without charging

If I'm away I just charge in my hotel room every night

ollydog · Post by **ollydog** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:28 am

dont need to charge mine, i use the off button, when iam on my jolleys the world can go to hell

steve

AndyB · Post by **AndyB** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:35 am

One of these will do for a weekend

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/maplin-10000m ... bank-n95lh

Or if you're away more than a weekend then these do the job. Just put it in a clear waterproof bag and either leave it on your bike seat or by your tent door.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/solarpod-budd ... lack-n54dt

I used to plug my phone into the bike then leave the phone in the map pocket of my tank bag but the heat does phones no good at all whereas solar powered power banks love it (thumbs)

92kk k100lt 193214 · Post by **92kk k100lt 193214** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:37 am

Africa John wrote:
johnnyboxer wrote:Charging a phone ?

If I'm away I just charge in my hotel room every night
Not an option if you're a camping fan

A decent powerbank. Got a 50,000mA one from Amazon for under £20 and it lasts me 2 weeks camping no bother. I don't even bring a charger now. Takes about 30 hours or so to charge from flat but its brilliant. Has 2 USB outlets so I have an ET type of LED light that plugs into one of them, bought in IKEA for €1.

I did buy a USB socket etc for the bike but just never bothered putting it on it.

johnnyboxer · Post by **johnnyboxer** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:37 am

Africa John wrote:
johnnyboxer wrote:Charging a phone ?

If I'm away I just charge in my hotel room every night
Not an option if you're a camping fan

Another good reason to stay in air conditioned luxury of a decent hotel room then :whistle:

Plus none of that crawling around on your knees nonsense either

SteveR · Post by **SteveR** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:50 am

Something not right for a phone to drain a bike battery in 5, or even 50mins to my way of thinking.... USB chargers have a max pulling of 2amps, some less.

A switched feed is the ideal I agree

Africa John · Post by **Africa John** » Tue Jul 12, 2016 7:51 am

johnnyboxer wrote:Charging a phone ?

If I'm away I just charge in my hotel room every night

Not an option if you're a camping fan