I don't care for the look of more things hanging on my bars. I am thinking of putting a surface mounted USB on one of the sides of my gauge housing. If someone else has done it then I'd rather not re-invent the wheel, as long as the previous installer was satisfied with the results.
My initial thought was to use something weatherproof that was made for a boat but those are not motorcycle-friendly in appearance. If the mechanics of the port were all internal and only a USB-sized slot were cut in the housing then only a rubber plug or the cable would be visible. I don't purposefully ride in the rain but getting caught is bound to happen at some point.
So, who has done it? How'd it go? Or, will I be the pioneer?
What are you going to plug into it?
Cell phone which will be handlebar mounted and/or GoPro which could be anywhere.
If both devices use a micro usb, you may want to consider a more weather proof option like an inline USB cord. They connect directly to 12 volts and have the regulator built inline and water proof.
The phone is micro but the camera is, the new, USB-c.
I suppose a double USB outlet cable hanging from the area where the tank and frame meet would be invisible enough and keep me from having to cut into anything.
They make an adapter too that goes from micro usb to the new one. I use it on my bikes since I already have the other wired in from my previous phone.
Here is a pic of the inline cable and adapter I use when doing installs.
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Quote from: NCHeritage07 on November 28, 2018, 08:02:28 AM
I don't care for the look of more things hanging on my bars. I am thinking of putting a surface mounted USB on one of the sides of my gauge housing. If someone else has done it then I'd rather not re-invent the wheel, as long as the previous installer was satisfied with the results.
You mean like this?... $10 from Walmart online "3.1A Dual USB Port Charger Socket Outlet Waterproof 12V LED"
Quote from: FurryOne on November 28, 2018, 01:34:13 PM
Quote from: NCHeritage07 on November 28, 2018, 08:02:28 AM
I don't care for the look of more things hanging on my bars. I am thinking of putting a surface mounted USB on one of the sides of my gauge housing. If someone else has done it then I'd rather not re-invent the wheel, as long as the previous installer was satisfied with the results.
You mean like this?... $10 from Walmart online "3.1A Dual USB Port Charger Socket Outlet Waterproof 12V LED"
OOPS! Forgot - that's only a "charger", not a USB connection - Sorry.
Quote from: NCHeritage07 on November 28, 2018, 08:02:28 AM
I don't care for the look of more things hanging on my bars. I am thinking of putting a surface mounted USB on one of the sides of my gauge housing.
After doing some research, if you want the standard 4-pin type "A" USB connector, this might fit the bill. It's waterproof and is USB-A on both sides.
Digi-Key #626-1355-ND $13.16 ea.
That black one looks perfectly acceptable on the black background of the big console but I think it would be much less acceptable on the chrome, tank mounted speedo housing of my heritage. Also, I'd have to check the available space to see if it will fit internally.
After spending some more time looking into this, I think one or two female USB hanging in front of the tank may be the better answer.
But this is not likely to be needed until spring. Any rides I take during the winter will be short.
I took the cheap and easy route. I had a car charger with a half broken cable. I broke the plastic off and connected the limited circuitry direct to my battery. The runs along the frame and up through the triple-clamp.
Once finished, it became clear that I was over-thinking the whole idea.
My cable is coiled and pretty short but will still reach most any place that I may put the camera.
Thanks for the replies though. They did help lead me to my simple solution.
This vendor at Bikeweek had some interesting options that might be worth a look.