Auxillary USB Power Plug install for IPhone

[Frulk_imp]

When on longer trips out of the local area I use my iPhone6 for the Google Maps/route App with a power pack. Power pack sits in storage box under seat and routes to handle bars via iPhone cord. Power Pack can recharge iPhone from dead to 100% 6 times. Has worked well for me to date.

This is what that set up looked like when in use:



Last year I replaced the battery and at the same time installed a trickle charger lead to it. I had the lead on the right triangle down bar for easy access:



Well, today I was at Cycle Gear and saw this little gizmo. Plugs right into the trickle charger lead:



Came home and after looking at my options decided to route the trickle charger lead from its current location into the storage box under the seat. I rationalized that while giving up the easy access it would look cleaner and since I only use the trickle charger for winter it wouldn't be an issue to remove seat once to plug it in and leave it that way for an extended time.

First thing was to pull the storage box and widen the little open area to the left of the pic with a round file. That would allow the trickle charge lead to pass through it:



What it looks like with the storage box out. The battery sits nice and low down in between the frame:



Routing the lead through the bottom of the box:



The powered lead from the battery. The USB port ready to plug in when I need it and the Apple cord that runs to the front of the bike:



Putting everything back. Tubeless tire plug kit fits nicely in there:



Followed by a small crescent wrench and a buff. Power cord held in between:



RAM mount up front with Apple Power cord:



Nice thing about that USB option is now if I wanted I could run a heated vest/jacket (were I to purchase them).

[Cormanus]

Nice write up, Frulk. Thanks. Useful gizmo.

How do you waterproof the phone?

[Frulk_imp]

Water proof case. But that's really not an issue here in Utah. I have a waterproof case for the phone but only use it when boating or kayaking. The one I have is kind of bulky so I currently have a slim line Otter box with an applied screen protector for protection from scratches and drops. That allows it to go into jacket and back pockets pretty easily .

[the Ferret]

Nice job Frulk, will probably come in real handy.

[GoldOxide_imp]

No emergency Twinkie stored with that buff and wrench?

[QimmiQ_imp]

Where do you run the USB cable between the storage box and the handlebars? Is it possible to tuck it up under the tank on the frame somewhere without pulling the tank? I worry about engine heat.

There is another thread on here about guys that have connected to the headlight auxiliary plug but that requires new connectors. It does have the advantage of being switched though.

How confident are you in the RAM mount? I have a big phone and rough roads in places. Makes me nervous. Is the tether hard to get on and off?

[Lord Popgun]

Quimmi, I would not run heated gear off either accessory connector. Use a battery connector for that.

I have Ram mounts on both of my bikes. On the ST I have had absolutely no problems with it holding a Garmin GPS. Never used it on my CB, but the mount is ready!

[Frulk_imp]

I loosened up the plastic tab that holds the tank at the back end, lifted it a little and pulled it through under the tank as close to the tank as I could. Not hard to do. I chose an original Apple cord for that because of the quality. I didn't want to do this every 3-4 months. I've had aftermarket cords in the cars and they have problems after a while at the phone plug end (wear out/connection is spotty etc.) Apple cords are pretty robust and I'm not concerned about the heat aspect because I have it about as far away from the motor as you can get it short of duct taping it across the top of the tank.

Where the cord comes out at the front of the tank:



RAM mounts come in a whole host of configurations and options. You can buy kits or you can piece your set-up together with whatever your needs are. I have absolute faith that the phone won’t be going anywhere while it’s tethered into the mount.

I use the C clamped ball mount on 2 of my bikes and just move different length arms and the one RAM X Mount between them. That gives me some options if I'm running a tank bag:



Next I use an X Mount with whatever length arm I need. Note that when a phone is not n use the rubber tether just hangs there. You purchase the X mount in a specific size related to your phone:



Phone in mount without rubber tether stretched over corners:



With tether on phone:



Nice thing about these X mounts is that you can easily place the phone in infinite positions. Everything is adjustable:



RAM X Grip mount from the back with the rubber tether stretched across each corner to secure phone:



One of the arms that mounts into the Ball on the handle bar and then into the ball on back of phone. Everything is exceedingly well made. Nothing flimsy:



This picture of Irish Road Racing has absolutely nothing to do with the topic. I just like it:

[Lord Popgun]

Q, there is a plastic heat shield under the tank. You can run the wire on top of that and it will not be on the engine.

I’m glad I’m not number 20 above or I’d be keeping PB company in the Hospital...

[GoldOxide_imp]

Frulk: You'd make a good sales representative for RAM.