I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
<http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>

Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the fact
that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.

So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
<http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
&form=KEYWORD>

12v in will be fused.


Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?


Would you wire this up to permanant power or use a relay?

Will this setup drain the battery even if nothing is plugged in to the USB
if on permanant power? Does the regulator drain power?

How long would it take 5v 1 amp to drain a motorcycle battery if the bike
is not running?


--

:-P

On 2011-12-06, Peter (aka Bruce)
was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
> I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
> <http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>
>
> Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the fact
> that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.
>
> So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
> <http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
> &form=KEYWORD>

You didn't read the first sentence?

"Direct connect to 12 VDC system (Input voltage is DC 12V +/-4)"

It's got a builtin regulator.

> 12v in will be fused.
>
>
> Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?

Nope. It can't supply more than what the input would supply, which
would blow before anything catches fire. Can't say how well
engineered the stepdown regulator is though. I had one supplied with
my GPS, and I was using my GPS normally, and the bike was running
normally, and then spontaneously the regulator went "*pop*". The
chinese capacitor disease is spreading to transistors now too.

Actually, did you read any of it?

"Contains a built in automatic fuse that resets itself."

> Would you wire this up to permanant power or use a relay?

Depends. Do you want to be able to run and charge stuff while you're
sitting having a coffee? Will you unplug things when you leave your
bike locked up for days at a time?

I had all of my accessories wired up through a relay, until I realised
that I wanted to be able to use every single one of them with the bike
powered off, and they all take bugger all electricity, and I tend to
unplug them and take them inside when I get home.

> Will this setup drain the battery even if nothing is plugged in to the USB
> if on permanant power? Does the regulator drain power?

Not measurably, unless its real crap.

> How long would it take 5v 1 amp to drain a motorcycle battery if the bike
> is not running?

Depends on how good it is (shunt regulator vs switchmode). Say you
have a 20Ah battery, then it will either last 20 hours at 1amp output
(minus the fact that you want to be able to have enough left to start
the bike, so don't drain it past 5 or 10 Ah. Or if it's a switchmode
regulator, you might get up to 12/5*20=48 hours (or 12 to 24 hours if
you want to be able to actually use the bike again).


Now be warned - I spent 5 days or so in English and Scottish weather
with my USB socket to the side of the bike mostly out of the weather,
with the socket populated the whole time. It still corroded and broke
within 5 days. It may be weatherproof when not being used, but isn't
the point of one of these to use it?

--
TimC
>You seem to be implying here that one gets rich after gaining a PhD?
Of course one does. The other 99 out of a hundred get bitter.
-- Paula responding to TimC on ARK

On 06 Dec 2011 19:37:56 GMT, Peter <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
><http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>
>
>Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the fact
>that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.
>
>So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
><http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
>&form=KEYWORD>
>
>12v in will be fused.
>
>
>Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?

No. Your device probably uses a Zener diode.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode


=================

Onya bike

Gerry

TimC <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:13232041824810-(E-Mail Removed):

> On 2011-12-06, Peter (aka Bruce)
> was almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea:
>> I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
>> <http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>
>>
>> Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the
>> fact that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.
>>
>> So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
>> <http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
>> &form=KEYWORD>
>
> You didn't read the first sentence?
>
> "Direct connect to 12 VDC system (Input voltage is DC 12V +/-4)"
>
> It's got a builtin regulator.
>


I have been a little distracted lately. :-)




>> 12v in will be fused.
>>
>>
>> Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?
>
> Nope. It can't supply more than what the input would supply, which
> would blow before anything catches fire. Can't say how well
> engineered the stepdown regulator is though. I had one supplied with
> my GPS, and I was using my GPS normally, and the bike was running
> normally, and then spontaneously the regulator went "*pop*". The
> chinese capacitor disease is spreading to transistors now too.
>
> Actually, did you read any of it?
>
> "Contains a built in automatic fuse that resets itself."


Okay. Point taken. :-)



>
>> Would you wire this up to permanant power or use a relay?
>
> Depends. Do you want to be able to run and charge stuff while you're
> sitting having a coffee? Will you unplug things when you leave your
> bike locked up for days at a time?



Yes, and not have lights on at the time.


>
> I had all of my accessories wired up through a relay, until I realised
> that I wanted to be able to use every single one of them with the bike
> powered off, and they all take bugger all electricity, and I tend to
> unplug them and take them inside when I get home.
>
>> Will this setup drain the battery even if nothing is plugged in to
>> the USB if on permanant power? Does the regulator drain power?
>
> Not measurably, unless its real crap.


No. Emergency charger for phone.


>
>> How long would it take 5v 1 amp to drain a motorcycle battery if the
>> bike is not running?
>
> Depends on how good it is (shunt regulator vs switchmode). Say you
> have a 20Ah battery, then it will either last 20 hours at 1amp output
> (minus the fact that you want to be able to have enough left to start
> the bike, so don't drain it past 5 or 10 Ah. Or if it's a switchmode
> regulator, you might get up to 12/5*20=48 hours (or 12 to 24 hours if
> you want to be able to actually use the bike again).
>
>
> Now be warned - I spent 5 days or so in English and Scottish weather
> with my USB socket to the side of the bike mostly out of the weather,
> with the socket populated the whole time. It still corroded and broke
> within 5 days. It may be weatherproof when not being used, but isn't
> the point of one of these to use it?
>


You might want one of these.

<http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof-rubber-seal.php>

I got one with my socket, you are welcome to it if you are going to use
it (and I can find it).



--

:-P

Moike <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in news:(E-Mail Removed):

> Peter wrote:
>> I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
>> <http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>
>>
>> Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the
>> fact that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.
>>
>> So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
>> <http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
>> &form=KEYWORD>
>>
>> 12v in will be fused.
>>
>>
>> Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?
>>
>>
>> Would you wire this up to permanant power or use a relay?
>>
>> Will this setup drain the battery even if nothing is plugged in to
>> the USB if on permanant power? Does the regulator drain power?
>>
>> How long would it take 5v 1 amp to drain a motorcycle battery if the
>> bike is not running?
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> :-P
> The power socket is designed to connect to 12V. It has its own
> voltage conversion device. If you connect it to 5V it probably won't
> work. See if you can get your money back at jaycar.



As Tim pointed out, I should have read the website!


>
> I'd connect it to a switched 12v supply, just to be sure. I assume
> that with no load the USB socket would draw a miniscule current. It
> should take weeks or months to flatten the battery.
>
> The device appears to contain a circuit breaker, so no fuse is
> required.
>
> 1 amp @ 5v would take a bit over 40 hrs to drain the battery on my
> bike.
>
> For what it's worth, I paid $7 at a "$2" shop for a triple cigarette
> lighter extension with USB socket and cable tied it up under the
> fairing. Works a treat, and will charge my GPS and phone at the same
> time. (What a pity the GPS mount that prompted me to try this won't
> fit anywhere on my 'bars....)
>
> Moike
>


Thanks.
Have a look at <http://www.ram-
mount.com/Products/MotorcycleMounts/tabid/128/Default.aspx#/wizard> to
see if there is something that works.
I got one when my aldi gps mount failed.
The Aldi GPS is trashed but I still have the mount somewhere.
Let me know if you would like me to dig it up.

--

:-P

Diogenes <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> On 06 Dec 2011 19:37:56 GMT, Peter <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
>><http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>
>>
>>Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the
>>fact that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.
>>
>>So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
>><http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
>>&form=KEYWORD>
>>
>>12v in will be fused.
>>
>>
>>Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?
>
> No. Your device probably uses a Zener diode.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode
>
>
> =================
>
> Onya bike
>
> Gerry



I was hoping I could protect the device, not hope the device protects me.

--

:-P

Subject: Re: Electrickery - USB
Newsgroups: Peter:aus.motorcycles
To: Moike <(E-Mail Removed)>

Moike <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in news:(E-Mail Removed):

> Peter wrote:
>> I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
>> <http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>
>>
>> Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the
>> fact that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.
>>
>> So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
>> <http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
>> &form=KEYWORD>
>>
>> 12v in will be fused.
>>
>>
>> Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?
>>
>>
>> Would you wire this up to permanant power or use a relay?
>>
>> Will this setup drain the battery even if nothing is plugged in to
>> the USB if on permanant power? Does the regulator drain power?
>>
>> How long would it take 5v 1 amp to drain a motorcycle battery if the
>> bike is not running?
>>
>>
>> --
>>
>> :-P
> The power socket is designed to connect to 12V. It has its own
> voltage conversion device. If you connect it to 5V it probably won't
> work. See if you can get your money back at jaycar.



As Tim pointed out, I should have read the website!


>
> I'd connect it to a switched 12v supply, just to be sure. I assume
> that with no load the USB socket would draw a miniscule current. It
> should take weeks or months to flatten the battery.
>
> The device appears to contain a circuit breaker, so no fuse is
> required.
>
> 1 amp @ 5v would take a bit over 40 hrs to drain the battery on my
> bike.
>
> For what it's worth, I paid $7 at a "$2" shop for a triple cigarette
> lighter extension with USB socket and cable tied it up under the
> fairing. Works a treat, and will charge my GPS and phone at the same
> time. (What a pity the GPS mount that prompted me to try this won't
> fit anywhere on my 'bars....)
>
> Moike
>


Thanks.
Have a look at <http://www.ram-
mount.com/Products/MotorcycleMounts/tabid/128/Default.aspx#/wizard> to
see if there is something that works.
I got one when my aldi gps mount failed.
The Aldi GPS is trashed but I still have the mount somewhere.
Let me know if you would like me to dig it up.

--

:-P

Subject: Re: Electrickery - USB
Newsgroups: Peter:aus.motorcycles
To: Diogenes <(E-Mail Removed)>

Diogenes <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
news:(E-Mail Removed):

> On 06 Dec 2011 19:37:56 GMT, Peter <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>
>>I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
>><http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>
>>
>>Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the
>>fact that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.
>>
>>So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
>><http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
>>&form=KEYWORD>
>>
>>12v in will be fused.
>>
>>
>>Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?
>
> No. Your device probably uses a Zener diode.
>
> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode
>
>
> =================
>
> Onya bike
>
> Gerry



I was hoping I could protect the device, not hope the device protects me.

--

:-P

> So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
> <http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
> &form=KEYWORD>

Do Want.

My only concern would be what kind of voltage regulation is inside-- a
LM7805-style regulator (as 90% of cheap devices like this are) wastes
the 7 volts it drops as heat, so if you were doing 5V at its maximum
1amp/5watt, it would really be sucking 12 watts from the battery-- so
that's 40% efficient at best. So it's not something you would want to
leave connected overnight.

On the other hand, a quality mobile phone recharger uses switcher-style
regulators that have efficiencies of ~90%

Have you got an ammeter?

--
Chris

On 07 Dec 2011 03:20:08 GMT, Peter <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:

>Subject: Re: Electrickery - USB
>Newsgroups: Peter:aus.motorcycles
>To: Diogenes <(E-Mail Removed)>
>
>Diogenes <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote in
>news:(E-Mail Removed) :
>
>> On 06 Dec 2011 19:37:56 GMT, Peter <(E-Mail Removed)> wrote:
>>
>>>I got myself a weatherproof USB lead from
>>><http://www.burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php>
>>>
>>>Before I installed this I thought about it and got worried about the
>>>fact that USB is 5V and my motorcycle is 12V.
>>>
>>>So I got myself a voltage regulator like this
>>><http://www.jaycar.com.au/productView...&keywords=7805
>>>&form=KEYWORD>
>>>
>>>12v in will be fused.
>>>
>>>
>>>Do I need a fuse on the 5v out?
>>
>> No. Your device probably uses a Zener diode.
>>
>> http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zener_diode
>>
>>
>> =================
>>
>> Onya bike
>>
>> Gerry
>
>
>
>I was hoping I could protect the device, not hope the device protects me.

And no-one has pointed out that the voltage has nothing to do with the
drain. It's volts X amps that will kill ya. The thing could ask for
20,000V but if it only uses .00001 Amps then it would be fine for
days. V times A equals power. There are losses in the system, yes, but
do you think the Yanks are running on half power with their 110V
system?

--
Kev