What should I do?

xtremehawk · 08-19-2003, 12:10 PM

Hi, guys:
I just got a radar detector as a gift from my wife. Now I got a problem. I don't know where to get 12V socket for my bike. I know if you connect it wrong, it will eat out battery juice very quick and end up damage power system. Does anyone has 12V socket installed on their blades here? If does, where can I buy that (w/ decent price) and how difficult to hook it up (if I have manual, that should do it) w/o damage bike's power supply system. It's good to receive a nice gift but it's a pain in the ass to make it work on bike. I know you guys are all very experienced so please give me some info or advises. Thank you very much.

gautamde · 08-19-2003, 5:05 PM

You will get exactly what u r looking for at Radio Shack. Buy a lighter socket with open ended wires and fuse. Cost $5.00. Takes 5 minutes to install. Its install very discreetly under the seat and between the frame and has a cap. I use it for my GPS all the time. Will most pics soon.

Lighter Adapter with fuse

2OHOH2 · 08-19-2003, 5:07 PM

http://www.fireblades.org/cgi-bin....5;hl=v1

xtremehawk · 08-19-2003, 6:34 PM

Quote:

gautamde : You will get exactly what u r looking for at Radio Shack. Buy a lighter socket with open ended wires and fuse. Cost $5.00. Takes 5 minutes to install. Its install very discreetly under the seat and between the frame and has a cap. I use it for my GPS all the time. Will most pics soon.

Lighter Adapter with fuse

Hi, gautamde:
Thank you very much for your info. I think I will check out Radio Shack for this. If possible, ,may I ask you sent me some pix of setup. I am quite sure if I uderstand what u mention about the installation. Sorry. And, does this setup cut off the power supply when you turn off the engine or no. My buddy told me you got to be very careful about power supply. Make sure u turn off the GPS or RD, otherwise the battery will be dead very soon. Again, thx for the input.

gautamde · 08-19-2003, 8:41 PM

I do deserve a thanks given I had to take off the seats for the pics . You can see the 2 pics at the following link:

Radio Shack power socket

The power stays on even without the ignition. I once left the GPS on for around 4 hrs. The battery was just fine. You will need to slice and dice near the battery to use the iginition kill for the power which is beyond me. Hope this helps to get you started. Also, most radar detectors have auto-off after a certain time of inactivity.

G-Force Junkie · 08-19-2003, 10:19 PM

Normal 12 v accesory sockets, 'cigarett lighter sockets' are big and fugly, BMW makes some super nice small accesory sockets that have a spring loaded cover. *See your local BMW dealer and order some. *

Mike

Edit: BMW motorcycle dealer that is.

HondaGal · 08-20-2003, 11:47 AM

Take a look here: Powerlet Products. They have some interesting set-ups.

I just got, from Radio Shack, a 3 unit outlet. It's sealed and I'm going to keep in under my rear seat. If I'm using 2 units at the same time, GPS & satellite radio, I need 2 power supplies. So, rather than mounting the single plug that has the exposed connector plugs in the back, I decided on this unit. And, it will disconnect from the power plug. So, when I'm not using it, it's easily removed. And, you can also put it in your tankbag and have your wires running into the tankbag to keep things tidy.

Here's a pic of what I have. For $15, I figured it's worth a try. I could always use it in my car if I don't like it on the bike.12v 3 outlet car power adaptor

I don't have pics of my install because it still work in process, but I'm hooking it to a switched power source line. I haven't tried it out yet, but am planning on finishing it this weekend.

Let us know how you make out.

2OHOH2 · 08-20-2003, 2:30 PM

Quote:

HondaGal : Take a look here: *Powerlet Products. *They have some interesting set-ups. *

I just got, from Radio Shack, a 3 unit outlet. *It's sealed and I'm going to keep in under my rear seat. If I'm using 2 units at the same time, GPS & satellite radio, I need 2 power supplies. *So, rather than mounting the single plug that has the exposed connector plugs in the back, I decided on this unit. *And, it will disconnect from the power plug. *So, when I'm not using it, it's easily removed. *And, you can also put it in your tankbag and have your wires running into the tankbag to keep things tidy. *

Here's a pic of what I have. For $15, I figured it's worth a try. I could always use it in my car if I don't like it on the bike.12v 3 outlet car power adaptor

I don't have pics of my install because it still work in process, but I'm hooking it to a switched power source line. *I haven't tried it out yet, but am planning on finishing it this weekend.

Let us know how you make out. *

...about switched power. Don't forget that it's easy to add a relay inline with a thicker, independent wire coming directly from the battery. This way, you won't have to worry about taxing the stock wiring, or blowing the stock fuses.

ConqSoft · 08-20-2003, 2:32 PM

The Powerlet stuff (linked above) is really nice.

Kookie · 08-20-2003, 2:45 PM

Gaut - How do you ride with that big contraption proding you in the calf? I would be afraid of knocking it loose with my foot and it entering the chain and... MY GPS!!!!

What do you do with all of the power cord you have strung out on the ground?

BillAce · 08-20-2003, 3:18 PM

I would add a SPST Relay to your outlet. On most Honda products, Car & Bike, the true ignition lead is Black/White. You would tap into that wire and connect it to terminal 86 of the Relay. Connect Battery Ground to Terminal 85, Battery posetive, (Properly fused) to Terminal 87 and your accessory socket to Terminal 30. I'll try to verify the ignition color on my bike later today, but it has to be under the seat near the fuse box since the circuit is fused there.

Bill

gautamde · 08-20-2003, 11:01 PM

Quote:

googolplexu : Gaut - How do you ride with that big contraption proding you in the calf? *I would be afraid of knocking it loose with my foot and it entering the chain and... MY GPS!!!! *

What do you do with all of the power cord you have strung out on the ground?

The power plug that shows in the pic is actually the speaker which turns around the power plug on a hinge. I kept it protruding for the pic. It actually folds and gets totally out of the way. As for the wire, I generally tie it with a wire-tie to give it enough slack to move the handle from end to end. The wire and the adapter never comes in the way.

HondaGal · 08-20-2003, 11:05 PM

Thanks for the details Bill! I haven't worked with relays before so it'll be a new adventure and it doesn't seem all that difficult especially with your excellent instructions.

Now all I need is the correct relay and I'll be all set. Thanks again!

G-Force Junkie · 08-21-2003, 2:28 AM

Heres the ones I was thinking of:
http://www.malcolmsmith.com/dlrinde....KIT.htm
http://www.southeastsales.com/dlrinde....ITS.htm
http://www.touratech.de/shop_uk/en-us/dept_10.html

HondaGal · 08-25-2003, 12:44 PM

Well, I finished installing the power plug this weekend. I ended up just installing one accessory plug instead of the 3 outlet unit I had intended. I just don't have enough room for it. So, instead, I got the accessory plug from Radio Shack (like Gautam has) and installed it into the rear seat cowl. Now, when I open the cowl, the plug is in the lid. I removed the 2 protruding service manual holders and just had to enlarge one of the rectangular openings so it would accommodate the plug. It fit nice and neat and it's unnoticeable.

It fit nicely and there was room to run the wires without them being noticeable And, now the plug is better sealed from the elements since the cylinder is bare metal. I'm very happy with how it works and looks. I'll post a pic if anyone is interested.

xtremehawk · 08-25-2003, 2:03 PM

Quote:

HondaGal : Well, I finished installing the power plug this weekend. *I ended up just installing one accessory plug instead of the 3 outlet unit I had intended. *I just don't have enough room for it. So, instead, I got the accessory plug from Radio Shack (like Gautam has) and installed it into the rear seat cowl. *Now, when I open the cowl, the plug is in the lid. *I removed the 2 protruding service manual holders and just had to enlarge one of the rectangular openings so it would accommodate the plug. *It fit nice and neat and it's unnoticeable.

It fit nicely and there was room to run the wires without them being noticeable *And, now the plug is better sealed from the elements since the cylinder is bare metal. *I'm very happy with how it works and looks. I'll post a pic if anyone is interested.

Hi, HondaGal:
I would like to take a look. I stoped by Radio Shack last weekend and couldn't decided which one I sould buy. I am also very interested in Powerlet products. They do have 12V power socket accessory design for VFR and is compatible with 954. The only thing is they cost more (aroudn $50). The good thing is that they do have extra relay to turn off the power supply when you turn off the engine. Anyways, I am appreciate you guys' precious input. It helps me a lot. If possible, I would like to take a look how u do it. Thax.

HondaGal · 08-25-2003, 9:56 PM

Here's a pic of the final assembly. I didn't take pics from start to finish buy this should give you an idea of what I did.

2OHOH2 · 08-25-2003, 10:26 PM

Quote:

HondaGal : Here's a pic of the final assembly. *I didn't take pics from start to finish buy this should give you an idea of what I did.

I like it. Clean