Powerlet in Givi Case

[karlj000]

Hi everybody.

I want to be able to charge my cell phone (and other gadgets) in my top case. I have a Givi V46: TwistedThrottle.com : Givi V46 Monokey Topcase (ea) - 46 liters/case - Givi V46

I'm thinking about buying a Powerlet "Basic Luggage Electrix Kit", shown here: Basic Luggage Electrix Tankbag & Saddlebag Power Kit - Powerlet Products. I would probably leave the power cable under the seat most of the time. When I want to charge something, I can run the cable up from under the rear seat to the connector that I will install in the bottom of the Givi case. (I think it will have to be installed in the bottom of the case, since that's really the only flat part on it!)

Having said all of that... My questions are:

1. Does anyone have experience with the Powerlet connectors in Givi cases? Are they ACTUALLY waterproof? The bottom of the case does tend to get water thrown up there... Is that a bad idea?

2. Since the connector will be mounted upside down, do they get "loose" over time? Will I eventually have to worry about the power cord falling out?

3. Anything else that I haven't thought of here?

Thanks a lot!

 

[goker]

I don't have Powerlet setup so I don’t now how good their waterproofing is, nor their quality of disconnect/reconnect plugs. However, if you are really concerned with that, you can upgrade your V46 with backlight system and use the power from there. If you are just charging cell phone, you will not be drawing all that much power anyhow. Little more expensive alternative, but, will give you a piece of mind about the waterproof and hand-free connect/disconnect. Case is already setup to add that without giving up bottom of the case where you will have cables hanging out and tangling around.

Just a thought....

 

[Jim Karam]

I've used that same Powerlet pass-thru connector in a tankbag for years. It's quite waterproof. I doubt it would vibrate out at all since it's a rubber-to-rubber tight friction fit.

 

[karlj000]

Thanks for the responses.

I already have the backlights for my case. They work great. I had considered splicing onto those wires, but then my phone would only charge when my brakes are on. Not quite what I'm looking for. I suppose I could change the way they're wired to be "always on" instead, but I don't really want that.

As for the Powerlet connector... I see a lot of examples of people installing them in tank bags, but I can't find anyone having installed them in hard cases. I can't be the only person in the world to have ever had this crazy idea. I was hoping someone would have tried this already and could say "works good" or "sucks, don't do it."

Maybe I'll just try it anyway... It would be a shame to wreck an expensive top case though...

 

[(none)]

That will work. Are you planning on just running the SAE cable out then putting the through adapter in the box? If you put it towards the front or underneath the box (and just attach it before latching the box down), seal it up with some silicone, you will be fine when it comes to waterproofing. Don't worry about the plug loosening up, the connection is pretty tight.

How good are you with basic electrical and some mechanical work? If you are ok with it, you can piece a kit together that will work just fine for you for 1/2 price of so of the powerlet kit.

The SAE cables and the "RV connector" can be found here:
73 Adapters, Plugs, Sockets, Cords, SAE connectors & Extensions

The washer that holds the back of the plug (if you are mounting to a hard case, you should be able to get away with just small washers on each bolt) and the nuts and bolts can be found at about any hardware store.

Fuse holder can be found at a local auto parts store.

 

[karlj000]

Yeah, the SAE adapter will go in the bottom of the case. A lot of water tends to get thrown up there from the rear wheel (I assume), so that's why I'm concerned about the waterproofing. I was planning to seal it up with silicone as well.

I'm fine with electrical and mechanical work, but I'd rather just buy the kit. That way, when something goes wrong, I have someone's name to curse other than my own.

 

[goker]

........
I already have the backlights for my case. They work great. I had considered splicing onto those wires, but then my phone would only charge when my brakes are on. Not quite what I'm looking for. I suppose I could change the way they're wired to be "always on" instead, but I don't really want that.
........

I was actually thinking about running light/stop light combo AddMoreLighting sells that can be added on to existing "just brake light".

You would need to do some creating wiring inside for either option, but it will take care outside wiring issues.