USB outlet 12v

[Circuitrider]

I have a weatherproof usb outlet that I need to figure out how to get it installed.

It will be for cell phone or GPS. What is the easiest way to get this thing hooked up? I was using a battery tender setup but there is just so much wire going on.

So point me in the right direction on how to get this hooked up, one red and one black wire. Is it as easy as red and black battery or is that a bad idea?

 

[Ohendo]

I have the same thing, but going directly to the battery you really should include a fuse. You don't want a problem with your outlet or accessory affecting your battery in a negative way.

Something like this:

http://amzn.com/B0002KR88A

So you'll go black directly to ground or negative terminal of the battery, and red to this fuse holder wire, other end of fuse holder wire to the positive terminal of the battery. Simple as that.

 

[Motogiro]

Since it's a low current device you could run it off the (red with white tracer) wire attached to the starter relay on the top of the battery. Lift the tank and you will see this relay. This wire will be live when the key is turned on and off when the key is off so you won't have to worry about any parasitic current draw. Also fuse your USB....

 

[DeepBlueRider]

I personally like to provide power to any accessories (heated gear, USB outlet etc) through relay controlled by ignition. This prevents me from draining the battery if I would left something on.

I've put mine after Boneman's write up about relays. http://www.600riders.com/forum/fz6-mods/14992-understanding-relays.html

To control relay I've used white/red wire from starter relay above the battery.
As a ground I've used one of the bolts under the seat.

But this is probably not easiest thing to do, unfortunately

 

[Circuitrider]

What is the easiest procedure to tap into the tracer wire? I don't want to mess up anything.

If I do use tracer for power, do I ground on the frame or battery?

 

[PFD023]

What is the easiest procedure to tap into the tracer wire? I don't want to mess up anything.

If I do use tracer for power, do I ground on the frame or battery?

The above diiagram shows to the battery. To tap into the tracer I just shaved the outer covering very carefully....soldered my wire from the relay and then used electrical tape to cover it....then tie wrapped the wires parallel to each other (together) about a half inch from the solder point.
There are some pretty bright folks on here regarding relays and such.....they made it pretty easy for even a guy like me.....and my bike hasn't caught fire or shorted out yet.....so I guess I did it right.

 

[Circuitrider]

The only thing I'm not getting here is the ground wire going to battery and something else. so I need to bridge a ground from a bolt on the frame to the negative on the battery? (referring to the diagram linked above)

I have a sweet setup ready to go but I want to make sure I have the ground figured out. The relay will arrive via USPS around 2pm so I'm trying to have everything prewired before then.

 

[Ohendo]

Personally I think you're making it too complicated, but since you've already ordered the relay, have at it.

You don't need to run a line from the negative battery terminal to chassis ground; it's already done for you.

I wired my 12V outlet directly to the battery (in line fuse of course) so that I would have power when the bike was OFF. Having a switched outlet is great, but to me incovenient. Can't count how many times I've charged my phone or whatever while the bike was parked at a campsite,etc. Uses very little power, no real drain on the battery. Having to turn the key switch to 'on' would cause unnessary drain IMO.

Good luck with the install.

 

[Circuitrider]

It's all good. The only hiccup is that the guy at the auto parts store told me to jump two of the points together on the switch. Which, of course, made the whole thing stay on. Once I figured this out, it was all pretty smooth.

My GPS fires up just fine. I'll also be able to use my phone or my battery pack I have for my phone (Which charges it about 5 times).

Anyway, thanks for the help! Eventually I'll do a quick disconnect but I'm done for today.