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Powerlet wiring

4.7K views 23 replies 10 participants last post by  runnerhiker  
#1 ·
Guys,

I am adding a low current 12v to USB device to power my cell phone. I understand why I cannot just tap into any CANbus circuit. My question is since I don't use the powerlet outlets anyway, cant I just tap into that 12V leg for my adapter? If so where is the best place to access it?

Craig
 
#2 ·
Why don’t you just buy a powerlet USB adapter to plug your charge cord into? Numerous options exist; and no wiring involved at all.
 
#7 · (Edited)
Not knowing what year your bike is I'm not sure if it has a powerlet outlet like the 2011-2016 bikes have but they have one under the seat near the battery on the right side. You have to dig around a bit to find it. The adapter listed below could be plugged into it and then the usb cord could be run under the tank panels and up the back side of your handlebars. Or you could tap into the wires of that powerlet outlet and do the same thing.

Amazon.com: Powerlet (PAC-072-06) Powerlet Straight Plug to SAE 6" Battery Charging Cable : Automotive




I have a similar set up although I get my power through a Fuzeblocks power distribution panel.
Image
 
#8 · (Edited)
Just use one of these and control it from the powerlet hot wire. It's cheap and you'll have no worries about the circuit staying on and draining your battery. There's no need to buy expensive CANBUS stuff for this type of simple install.

It's good for 25 amps and is what I use for my accessories including supplying power to my heated gear.
 
#13 ·
So I found the rear under-seat Powerlet. I unplugged it from the back of the connector and temporarily pushed in my 12V to usb adapter and it charged the phone great. Bad news as mentioned, it keeps the voltage on (with bike shut off) since the CANbus see's a load so this wont work for me.

What about the 12Vdc in the barrel connector going to the tourpac? Will that work the same as the powerlet or will it shut off even with a load? Tail light?

Craig
 
#15 · (Edited)
Use these items and wire straight to your battery. It won't be switched power but so what. The LED isn't enough to worry about plus I have my bike plugged into a battery tender while parked at home. If that is a concern you can get those USB ports with no LED in them.



 
#22 ·
I believe this is accurate but am open to correction...my powerlet stays "hot" after shutdown, but not indefinitely; it times out. I want to say at about a minute (unless there is a load as discussed). I didn't know if you were testing power there within that time period, seeing power, but not testing after the time has expired, and assumed the power was on indefinitely. Just a suggestion.
 
#23 ·
I have this Wunderlich connector on my GT, powering a GPS. It works as described, the power stays on for about a minute then shuts down. It works. If the GPS battery is 100% loaded, there is no load on the circuit at shut down and the canbus shuts it down immediately. If the GPS battery is 99% charged and still needs a little bit, the canbus sees the load and will leave it on for about a minute.

For all intent and purposes, it works like old style switched circuit, it shuts off when the bike shuts off. It’s just a little confusing that it doesn’t happen immediately. Maybe that’s the Germans playing with us🙂