switched or unswitched usb charger?

Moriarty862 · 11-11-2016, 10:45 PM

i am putting a usb charging port in the left pocket, should I put a relay and make it switched on only when ignition on or just run it strait to power, putting a Bluetooth receiver in there to feed phone into the sound system. also want to be able to put phone in at times to charge it.
does the usb charging port drain power when not in use.?

TX1700 · 11-11-2016, 11:53 PM

A USB port will not drain your power as long as nothing is connected to it! I would still put it on switched power just because I would forget something was being charged and end up with a dead battery.

Demolition Man · 11-12-2016, 03:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TX1700

A USB port will not drain your power as long as nothing is connected to it! I would still put it on switched power just because I would forget something was being charged and end up with a dead battery.

Sorry, but you are wrong ! It will drain the battery, even if nothing is connected to. It will constantly put the 12V down to the 5V USB and that will drain the batt.

Either only hot with ignition OR with a separate switch. I would prefer the ignition, cauz you cant forget to switch the USB off.

Cu,
Sven

Peg · 11-12-2016, 03:37 PM

+1 Sven... It's a transformer. I wired one straight to my battery on my Nomad, and while it worked ok for a time - I very soon noticed it was draining the battery unless I kept it hooked up to a tender.

I changed the wiring so it was through the ignition, and had no more problem.

**plumber63** · 11-12-2016, 04:48 PM

My son put one direct wired to his bike and it drained his battery also. he took it off before talking to me as I would have switched it to run through the ignition.

Moriarty862 · 11-13-2016, 12:45 AM

thank you for the replies, sounds like the safest way to go is to make it on only with the ignition.

**Jared** · 11-13-2016, 12:47 PM

I personally like to run all my accessories, plugs, etc to a single, switched fuse block. Makes it easy to find fuses, instead of chasing inline, and you don't have to worry about draining the battery.

H8BUGZ · 11-16-2016, 09:18 AM

I tried to use a 3BR Powersports - Tapp light USB, on my previous automotive type GPS. It totally killed my FM reception. My fix was a $600 Garmin Zumo. I have a 12 volt socket in the top box for charging.

Moriarty862 · 11-24-2016, 12:55 AM

on my 2016 Voyager the accessory power connection by the headlight is switched, no power when ignition off only when acc and on so I used that to connect my phone mount usb and the usb that I installed in the left pocket. it runs off the 20A accessory fuse which also powers my running lights. so no need for a relay. also installed a 3.5mm jack and I plug in a Bluetooth receiver that allows me to feed my phone into the sound system.

tonik · 11-24-2016, 10:09 AM

As mentioned above, all the Voyagers have two switched power outlets, by the headlight, along with two grounds. Pull the headlight and looking in from the front they will be top right, there is also a bunch of connectors there for the stereo. So as you look in they are top right....left side of the bike as you sit on it, right by the left glove box you say you are going to use.

So plugging into those then running it to the left glove box will be a quick simple job. No relays and ready to go.

Moriarty862 · 11-24-2016, 12:15 PM

I only found one power outlet and the wires are too short to put any other end on them

mike07nad · 11-26-2016, 06:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Moriarty862

I only found one power outlet and the wires are too short to put any other end on them

The (Too Short) wires you found are so you can put a regular Bullet connector on your power cord and plug (2) into the connector on the bike.

If whatever you are plugging in is too short - use an extension wire.

Moriarty862 · 11-27-2016, 12:24 AM

yeah no need to cut them, I just plugged in to them and ran wire over by the left glove box and split off to my 2 usb chargers, easy.

11-11-2016, 10:45 PM	#1
Moriarty862 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 36	switched or unswitched usb charger? i am putting a usb charging port in the left pocket, should I put a relay and make it switched on only when ignition on or just run it strait to power, putting a Bluetooth receiver in there to feed phone into the sound system. also want to be able to put phone in at times to charge it. does the usb charging port drain power when not in use.? Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-11-2016, 11:53 PM	#2
TX1700 Member Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Round Rock, TX Posts: 128	A USB port will not drain your power as long as nothing is connected to it! I would still put it on switched power just because I would forget something was being charged and end up with a dead battery. __________________ TX1700 on VBA plunge on Texas VROC VROC #36447 VBA #02703 Ivan's reflash 2013 Vulcan Voyager ABS 2002 Road Star (sold)
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11-12-2016, 03:37 PM	#4
Peg Sr. Member Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: West Coast, North Island, New Zealand Posts: 1,375	+1 Sven... It's a transformer. I wired one straight to my battery on my Nomad, and while it worked ok for a time - I very soon noticed it was draining the battery unless I kept it hooked up to a tender. I changed the wiring so it was through the ignition, and had no more problem. __________________ Nothing screams poor workmanship like wrinkles in the duct tape '02 1500 blonde Nomad (Sold) '97 800 burgundy Classic (Sold)
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11-12-2016, 04:48 PM	#5
plumber63 Join Date: Apr 2012 Location: NE Indiana Posts: 989	My son put one direct wired to his bike and it drained his battery also. he took it off before talking to me as I would have switched it to run through the ignition. __________________ Troy Donat VBA #02401 2015 Voyager 2006 1600 Nomad black(sold) 2016 Salem, Antlers, 2017 Eureka Springs, Lake George, Antlers 2018 Custer NR, Antlers Login or Register to Remove Ads
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11-13-2016, 12:45 AM	#6
Moriarty862 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 36	thanks thank you for the replies, sounds like the safest way to go is to make it on only with the ignition.
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11-13-2016, 12:47 PM	#7
Jared Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Greeley, Colorado Posts: 6,772	I personally like to run all my accessories, plugs, etc to a single, switched fuse block. Makes it easy to find fuses, instead of chasing inline, and you don't have to worry about draining the battery. __________________ Jared VBA #1051 (Former President)
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11-16-2016, 09:18 AM	#8
H8BUGZ Member Join Date: Mar 2014 Location: Midwest Posts: 273	May cause radio interference I tried to use a 3BR Powersports - Tapp light USB, on my previous automotive type GPS. It totally killed my FM reception. My fix was a $600 Garmin Zumo. I have a 12 volt socket in the top box for charging.
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11-24-2016, 12:55 AM	#9
Moriarty862 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 36	update on my 2016 Voyager the accessory power connection by the headlight is switched, no power when ignition off only when acc and on so I used that to connect my phone mount usb and the usb that I installed in the left pocket. it runs off the 20A accessory fuse which also powers my running lights. so no need for a relay. also installed a 3.5mm jack and I plug in a Bluetooth receiver that allows me to feed my phone into the sound system.
	0

11-24-2016, 10:09 AM	#10
tonik Advanced Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Cleveland Ohio Posts: 714	As mentioned above, all the Voyagers have two switched power outlets, by the headlight, along with two grounds. Pull the headlight and looking in from the front they will be top right, there is also a bunch of connectors there for the stereo. So as you look in they are top right....left side of the bike as you sit on it, right by the left glove box you say you are going to use. So plugging into those then running it to the left glove box will be a quick simple job. No relays and ready to go.
	0

11-24-2016, 12:15 PM	#11
Moriarty862 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 36	I only found one power outlet and the wires are too short to put any other end on them
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11-27-2016, 12:24 AM	#13
Moriarty862 Jr. Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Posts: 36	yeah no need to cut them, I just plugged in to them and ran wire over by the left glove box and split off to my 2 usb chargers, easy.
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