| Author | Message | ||
     Desert_bird |
So, this summer I'll be on the road for a while on an'08 Uly, like i'll be living on the bike for months. I'll need to tap one of the bike's sockets to keep my cell and/or laptop charged. (My phone doubles as music source.) I'd like to be able to do that while I ride. Anyone have experience using the 12V socket under the seat to do this while riding? My laptop charger is a 80 watt unit. Cell phone, well nothing notable. How would one go from the cigarette lighter socket to a normal plug? I've seen 80 to 120 watt cigarette light/plug converters (12v to 110v) in auto part stores, but they're large for under the seat. Is there a more elegant and efficient solution? Thanks in advance for your suggestions and experience! (Message edited by desert_bird on August 03, 2008) | ||
| Slowride |
Desert_bird, Not sure about the charger options, but I can tell you something to look out for. I did one 500mile ride with my new GPS mounted up on a ram mount on the left side of the bike. I used the cig adapter on the left side of the dash to power the GPS. On the way home after about 300 miles I started seeing the GPS cycle on and off battery power. I noted two things.... 1st- The power cord going into the cig adapter will shake itself out if you don't check it ever so offten. 2nd- The cord going into the cradle for the GPS had shook and broke the solder joint. I had to remove it and plug it directly into the GPS unit. The cradle I use for my GPS is a Traffic and Weather duo and thus is around $100. I tore it open and found out about the solder break. The uly will present challenges to electronics mounted on the bars as long as the motor is running. Just my 2cents. | ||
| Dick_stilton |
Last week I made a 700k tour with my Cell/Gps in a Ram Mount plugged into the Dash power socket without issue. | ||
| Joe_solo |
My Garmin GPS 176C has "shake" related failures as well. The accessory plug works it way loose - often. The fuse in the power cord unscrews itself inside the accessory outlet, just try to find the spring and fuse after it flies out into the gravel parking lot! Plugged things into a multi socket in the tank bag, things shorted out caused a meltdown of all things plastic. The unit has given faulty reading on speed and elevation on numerous occasions - could be because it's old - or it could be something inside that has become stressed. | ||
| Desert_bird |
Thanks Slowride. I have my GPS, running lights and Autocom already hardwired into an auxiliary fusebox. What I'm looking for is an elegant way to go from the Uly's cigarette lighter socket/s to a normal two-prong appliance (whatever it be: cellphone/computer charger, rice cooker . . . .) I could try and fashion something with my rudimentary electrical knowledge, but I'm sure there are solutions out which are better than the king size converters for autos. Cheers | ||
| Reepicheep |
Laptop is the biggest, and thats only about 7 amps. That is consuming most of the margin of your charging system, so just don't charge it when the bike is also running heated grips or spending a lot of time at lower RPMS, and try not to discharge the laptop completely if not necessary. Otherwise, it will probably be fine. Those car 12V inverters work well, just make sure you get one big enough (watts). Undersized ones will eventually blow up, or will periodically shut down. Pretty easy to sneak a plug in at lunch, etc, and top off. Also, don't run the laptop and charge it while hooked to the bike. Charge it on the bike, then run it off of batteries. | ||
| Desert_bird |
Great Reepicheep. Thanks for that info. Seems that the auto 12v inverter is the most sensible solution here. Let's see what I can find to fit in that little space under the seat, then power away! Don't laugh when you see the guy with the Uly revving up on a stand while camping in front of a 50" HDTV and running his popcorn maker.  (Message edited by desert_bird on August 03, 2008) | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
You need to remember that the laptop charger is meant to run and charge the laptop. I am gonna beat you probably could get away with a something in the 250 watt range to just charge it. 7 amps to run and charge it simultaneously means you need to buy one that is at least 900 watts, seems a bit excessive. Another thing to consider is heat. Where are you going to park an inverter, it needs lots of cool air. under the seat is not an option way too hot. (Message edited by lost_in_ohio on August 03, 2008) | ||
| Desert_bird |
Hi "Lost . . ." Did you say that you bet I'll need an inverter in the 250 watt range? The charger for my computer is just 85 watts (input 1.5 amps, output 3.6) I was thinking of one of these: http://www.keenzo.com/showproduct.asp?ID=873108 and putting it in the area under my Uly seat. If gets too hot, then move it up to the dash port. Think that'll be a issue with heat? I'm surprised others haven't had to charge up a laptop with the aux. Uly charger. What good is are 2 10 amp outlets on a tourer if one can't charge a little laptop? | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Up above there someone was saying 7 amps. 120 volts X 7 amps is 840va which roughly is the same number in watts. A 250 would do what you want to do with ease. That would give you plenty of head room. Most cell phones have fairly compact 12v car chargers available from the OEM. That would probably be the best solution for your phone/music source. Other than remote camping I am not sure why you would want to charge your laptop on your bike, I would never carry a laptop in the bags because of vibration. If I need to carry it, it is in a messenger bag over my shoulder. At least I would insulate it from vibration. Just my 2 cents. | ||
| Reepicheep |
Watts are watts, more amps at less volts, or more volts at less amps. A power supply rated at 80 watts will be drawing 80 watts. So if it is pulling from a 12 volt system, it is pulling about 7 amps. If it is pulling from a 120 volt system, it will be pulling about .6 amps. The adapter is designed to charge and run the laptop at the same time, but the power rating on the adapter is the max power it will draw. So 80 watts is probably your worst possible case. | ||
| Desert_bird |
Hey "Lost. . . " Good question about why I would want to charge laptop on my bike. I will be camping most of the time, some in the SW, then NW, then in Baja, Mexico and on south towards Brazil . . . So one DVD movie and some writing/film processing in the evening will drain a battery quickly. Wake up next day and I will want to bring the unit back up to charge. Only source will be the bike. I would like to run a smaller inverter just to charge the laptop during the morning. As for storage for of computer, I'll be on the bike all day for several months. I'd prefer not to have a computer hanging off my back the entire time. Nice to be able to stand and stretch freely, if you know what I mean. A sore ass is one thing, but try to keep the shoulders free  I'm finding some nice hard box solutions from Pelican: Very thin, solid and waterproof. Macbooks save all data the HD on sleep and then they disengage. Their HD's are pretty burly as well and the whole unit is OK for everything but the most violent shock/vibration, as long as I don't bend their aluminum cases too much. I think that in the Pelican then and wrapped in some soft stuff in the Uly's side cases should be OK. What do yu'all think? | ||
| Dynasport |
I wouldn't expose any laptop I've ever owned to the constant vibration you'll get on the Uly for an extended period of time. But that is just me. Maybe you can do it with no problems at all. But there are alot of fairly delicate connections and parts in most laptops. I know some laptops are made to be more sturdy. Best of luck to you. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
Like dyna said. I would find something to insulate the laptop from the vibration it will destroy it. In reading your description I kinda figured that was probably what was happening. reep....your correct I have had way too much cold medicine today, summer colds suck. You have a DC amperage and an AC amperage and they are different. the inverter is rated in watts. P = E x I. so an 80 watt inverter would supply .67 amps at 120 volts and require 6.67 amps at 12 volt dc to product is assuming no loss in the inverter. http://www.provantage.com/belkin-f5c400-300w~7BELD 004.htm Wow 30 bucks for a 300 watt unit. they have really come down in price. | ||
| Bking |
I did 1,500 miles last sumer on a trip through the Tetons and Yellowstone, with my MacBook packed in a padded sleeve in my Buell Triple Tail Backpack along with my clothes. Attached to Triple Tail and seat. 95% pavement. No adverse effects. ---Bob | ||
| Bigdaddy |
I'd take a serious look at a Toughbook for the schedule you're proposing. I've been dragging my current one around behind me for 3 years. It replaced an early version of the Toughbook that's still seeing daily duty and it's over 5 years old now. | ||
| Svh |
You may also want to look into a 12v charger for your laptop. I used to have one for my last laptop and it worked well. Actually charged the battery faster than my 110v charger. Good luck on your trip. Or you could get this: http://store.apple.com/us/product/TH995LL/A?fnode= home/shop_mac/mac_accessories/power&mco=MTA4MTc3 | ||
| Froggy |
You can get that same one elsewhere for under $50, and not be a smug Apple customer. Radioshack (Ripoffshack) has it for $49.99. I got a cheaper 100W model at Wallyworld for $20. | ||
| Cruisin |
Yeah, depending on the brand laptop, a 12v charger would be better. I have a Dell and the power adapter i have has two options. I can plug into AC if I have an outlet, or I can plug in a DC connection. Either way works, which is nice because I have either option with only an extra cord to carry. Some of the places you stop may have AC power. It's a 65W adapter, input is either 120 at max 2.5A, or 11-16VDC at 8A MAX. That way all I need is the brick and that would fit easily. No inverter needed. | ||
| Reepicheep |
FWIW, space concerns aside, both the inverter and the laptop adapter are switching regulators, so they are fairly efficient. Going straight to a switcher that will take DC from the bike and feed the laptop will take less space, but neither approach will waste too much power. All the parts may need a little air or some other heat sink, or they might overheat. Something to keep in mind when you locate them. I've never ripped apart a laptop adapter, but it might be possible to tweak and old AC one to be a 12V adapter. Most current ones happily let you plug into either 120V AC or 210V AC, with just about any normal frequency, and will work fine (again, because they are a switching supply). Video editing is your biggest threat to success. Thats going to eat power like nobodies business, and require a fairly powerful machine (which implies more $$ and more weight). Otherwise, a big PDA of some sort might offer more durability, less weight, and lower cost. You won't be editing video on one though... | ||
| Desert_bird |
Thanks guys for all your input. Then the question is how to power the 12v charger. The Apple charger is cool. Seems like a great unit for my application (a 15" macbook pro). There are others for cheaper as well. Guess the issue is something that I don't fully understand mentioned by "Lost in ohio": You have a DC amperage and an AC amperage and they are different. the inverter is rated in watts. P = E x I. so an 80 watt inverter would supply .67 amps at 120 volts and require 6.67 amps at 12 volt dc to product is assuming no loss in the inverter." Based on this "Lost . . . " suggests that I get a 250-300 watt unit!! Can that be? As Reepicheep points out, I only need 85 watts for the computer and that's to charge the battery and and use it (which I'll rarely do when I'm driving the bike!!). Can any one help me get my non-electricians head around this? Most small inverters (75-150 watts) draw just over 10 amps from the socket and the Uly puts out 12. Is there something that I'm not seeing here?  Thanks again. | ||
| Lost_in_ohio |
If you buy an inverter rated exactly at what you need. It will be running at 100% capacity and you will kill it, more than likely at a bad time. It is a good idea to size ups's and inverters to twice the size of your anticipated load. so 170 watts in your case would be good. | ||
| Desert_bird |
Gotcha. Point made. Thanks. | ||
| Adamd |
I did a 4000 mile trip with a Garmin/Ram mounted with plug no issues. |
