12V DC automotive cigar Socket for motorcycle

[purplecatty]

Hey Guys!!

If your Cell phone or laptop battery runs down or needing a temporary power source from battery while you are on motorcycle out somewhere... Here's the idea!

I want to remind you that don't get involve "mud slinging" over 12v motorcycle battery's amperage limit. Remember, battery WILL be recharged while riding. I know what I'm doing.. I'm a guy with LOTS of common sense.

Also I built a charging terminal that I made 12v cigar jack useful after been cut off. I will show you pix that gives you idea and it's easier than removing seat and hook up with clamps.

I had an issue with my EVO battery running low when I was at location using GPS and texting/Emailing to friends while I pulled over on shoulder or on parking lot (My EVO was fully charged and 12 hours later, it was 1/2 juice left at that time I was off work and headed home or over friends home). I was wishing I had something to plug in but don't have it on my motorcycle. This came up my idea. (I'm sure someone else or some Touring Motorcycle already have it)

I got fed up and decide to go to Radio Shack and bought 12v Accessory Extension cord (Jack on one end, Cigar Plug on other end) and it was 6 ft long. It cost me $10. Also bought ATM type fuse holder with 10 amp fuse from Auto part.

After I got home, I removed motorcycle seat to access 12v battery. I "measure" the Accessory Extension cord from Saddle bag to Battery, I left enough slack that I can move 12v socket 2 ft out of saddle bag. Then cut the other end (jack end) where wire can be hooked up to battery. I trim fuse holder wire so it can fit snugly from (+) side battery and (+) side wire. After crimping the joint and terminal connector. I put terminal ends according to polarity. After that I put seat back on and Vola!! I now have 12v Cigar socket for my cellphone charger or accessories.

Then I use jack end that had 3 ft wire (left over from extension cord). I decide to build a charging terminal. Two 2 1/2 in. bolts and 6 thin nuts, terminal crimps, and 1/4 in x 3 in wooden block. I drilled holes on both ends of wood block (hole must be 1/2 inch away from ends.) Then strip both wire and crimp the terminal and put two nuts and screw until 1 in away from head of bolts but leave 1/2 in on thread end for 3rd bolt to secure it under wood block. Then put one terminal between nuts and tighten it. Do other likewise. Then put both Terminals into hole and screw in 3rd bolt underneath wood to secure it. ON Wood, BE SURE to MARK (+) and (-) on each Terminals so you will know which one!!!

I am able to use Float Charger and hook it up to Terminals according to Polarity and plug jack in 12V cigar socket without removing seat!! Made life so much easier in BOTH ways!! The float charger is only 500ma but you can use regular charger UP TO 10 AMP, or else you'll blow the fuse under the seat


FYI, The cord rigged under seat and into the saddle bag are concealed. You won't know until you open Left Saddlebag and look inside.

Here's pix

Charging Terminals

Catty

 

[Glenn]

Most laptops should have surge protection, which is built into their 120v AC power cords.

There are special 12v DC to 120v AC adapters for laptops too, which provide cleaner power sources for laptops are other delicate electronics.

Surge protection isn't as critical for cell phone battery chargers, so I think you are OK for that.

 

[purplecatty]

Most laptops should have surge protection, which is built into their 120v AC power cords.

There are special 12v DC to 120v AC adapters for laptops too, which provide cleaner power sources for laptops are other delicate electronics.

Surge protection isn't as critical for cell phone battery chargers, so I think you are OK for that.

Use 12vdc to 120vAC Inverter to charge Laptop. I have pair of Inverters, 350 Watts and 750 Watts. The first one have 12v cig plug and only can power up to 150 watt maximum but if you use clamp, it'll go up to 350 watt. It have amperage auto-sensing. Laptop power transformer don't use much wattage anyway. BOTH Inverter have 10.5 volt cutoff if battery goes down and leave enough juice for starter to start engine.

Most laptops voltage range from 12v up to 19.5 v so Inverter is required to provide enough power...

I agree with you that cellphone don't need surge protection. Like Automotive, motorcycle's alternator works the same way, No issue there.


Catty

 

[Jiro]

lol at clamp on ground. hope there won't be any spill

 

[purplecatty]

lol at clamp on ground. hope there won't be any spill

zzzzZZZZZZTTTT

As long as you don't put it on top of bare tools or metal filings!!! (hey!! chance are 1 out of 1 million tho!!!) Spills or puddle of water won't kill anyway, it would probably develop corrosion on bolts underneath.

 

[The Highlander]

I don't understand. Why not direct from the power source to jack without the terminals?

 

[The Highlander]

zzzzZZZZZZTTTT

As long as you don't put it on top of bare tools or metal filings!!! (hey!! chance are 1 out of 1 million tho!!!) Spills or puddle of water won't kill anyway, it would probably develop corrosion on bolts underneath.

The amp is too low to get shock. Just TINY spark from any metal and water won't do anything. you will be fine.

 

[Jiro]

I don't understand. Why not direct from the power source to jack without the terminals?

not good idea.

 

[purplecatty]

I don't understand. Why not direct from the power source to jack without the terminals?

Its too much hassle to cut clamps off. Since float charger will be used to charge other 12v bbattery, I may plan loan it to friends. I have another charger which is very old but working. Got it from Western Auto. The clamps were broken off after many uses. Also I could use Terminals to hook up Inverter or test other 12v devices. Save my time.

Catty

 

[The Highlander]

Its too much hassle to cut clamps off. Since float charger will be used to charge other 12v bbattery, I may plan loan it to friends. I have another charger which is very old but working. Got it from Western Auto. The clamps were broken off after many uses. Also I could use Terminals to hook up Inverter or test other 12v devices. Save my time.

Catty

Cool. I am not big fan of clamps and sometime they got bad connection or high resistance even tight on the terminals without know. I suggest you to add the LED on the terminals from a motorcycle only way to tell if it got good or bad connection or high resistance. So you can read LED as bright or dim or no light.

5mm Green LED - RadioShack.com

 

[purplecatty]

Cool. I am not big fan of clamps and sometime they got bad connection or high resistance even tight on the terminals without know. I suggest you to add the LED on the terminals from a motorcycle only way to tell if it got good or bad connection or high resistance. So you can read LED as bright or dim or no light.

5mm Green LED - RadioShack.com

LED status light already built-in the jack (it's inside of switch on top of Jack). Green light shining bright. You should "barely see it on pix with jack and socket sitting on top of Saddlebag.

I never had problem with clamps. I always first clamp it then wiggle it to "scrach" the surface of terminal then leave it. It always get good connections.


Catty

 

[The Highlander]

LED status light already built-in the jack (it's inside of switch on top of Jack). Green light shining bright. You should "barely see it on pix with jack and socket sitting on top of Saddlebag.

I never had problem with clamps. I always first clamp it then wiggle it to "scrach" the surface of terminal then leave it. It always get good connections.


Catty

You are good then.

 

[TinCanSailor]

I am trying to understand your setup but I am lost on "inverter" or "charging block" hook up.

This is what I have:

1st pic: Wall trickle charger to my connection on the bike under the seat edge.
2nd pic: Battery clamps where a portable jump can be attached without seat removal.
3rd pic: Socket for plugging in Garmin, laptop, etc.

Are you saying you have a way to charge the battery while using a laptop socket? Electronics are not one of my strong points.

 

[purplecatty]

I am trying to understand your setup but I am lost on "inverter" or "charging block" hook up.

This is what I have:

1st pic: Wall trickle charger to my connection on the bike under the seat edge.
2nd pic: Battery clamps where a portable jump can be attached without seat removal.
3rd pic: Socket for plugging in Garmin, laptop, etc.

Are you saying you have a way to charge the battery while using a laptop socket? Electronics are not one of my strong points.

Looks good what I saw in pix

Inverter is a square wave AC contrast to household outlet that provide Sine wave AC. Here's the link to what Inverters look like. (I copied link from Harbor Freight Tools )

400 watt inverter, good for charging laptop battery, power 60 watt bulb. Anything up to 400 watts.
400 Watt Continuous/800 Watt Peak Power Inverter

80 watt inverter, good for powering small appliance less than 80 watts
80 Watt Continuous/200 Watt Peak Slim Power Inverter


Here's the other Inverter that can power nearly half of the household. NOT for Motorcycle (It'll murder its battery ). It's good for camp, RV or backup power system for home. It requires Deep Cycle (marine) batteries to run. This Inverter is huge!!

5,000 watt inverter
5000 Watt Power Inverter

You can buy Inverters from Walmart, Target, AutoPart store, Sporting Goods (camping section) or Radio Shack locally. If you want the one that charge Laptop battery, get the one with 300 watts or 400 watts with cigar jack... That would give enough startup power for Inverter. Laptop power adapter usually between 80 watts to 150 watts.

My 750 watts inverter can power 500 watt Halogen shop light with no issue. I clamp Inverter cable to Dodge Durango battery and plugged the shop light to Inverter's 120v outlet. If I do same thing using my motorcycle battery, it'll drain battery quickly Because battery size and amperage DOES matter. Bigger 12v battery can handle bigger electricial loads than smaller 12v battery .

Got it?


Catty

 

[TinCanSailor]

Looks good what I saw in pix

Inverter is a square wave AC contrast to household outlet that provide Sine wave AC. Here's the link to what Inverters look like. (I copied link from Harbor Freight Tools )

400 watt inverter, good for charging laptop battery, power 60 watt bulb. Anything up to 400 watts.
400 Watt Continuous/800 Watt Peak Power Inverter

80 watt inverter, good for powering small appliance less than 80 watts
80 Watt Continuous/200 Watt Peak Slim Power Inverter


Here's the other Inverter that can power nearly half of the household. NOT for Motorcycle (It'll murder its battery ). It's good for camp, RV or backup power system for home. It requires Deep Cycle (marine) batteries to run. This Inverter is huge!!

5,000 watt inverter
5000 Watt Power Inverter

You can buy Inverters from Walmart, Target, AutoPart store, Sporting Goods (camping section) or Radio Shack locally. If you want the one that charge Laptop battery, get the one with 300 watts or 400 watts with cigar jack... That would give enough startup power for Inverter. Laptop power adapter usually between 80 watts to 150 watts.

My 750 watts inverter can power 500 watt Halogen shop light with no issue. I clamp Inverter cable to Dodge Durango battery and plugged the shop light to Inverter's 120v outlet. If I do same thing using my motorcycle battery, it'll drain battery quickly Because battery size and amperage DOES matter. Bigger 12v battery can handle bigger electricial loads than smaller 12v battery .

Got it?


Catty

Ok. I do know what an inverter is. I have a large one for my camping needs. Runs off the Jeep outlet. I did not understand what the terminal block was for.

So, I can use 80 watt one off the bike as long as it is not for a long time. Maybe with engine running. Right?

 

[radioman]

Ok. I do know what an inverter is. I have a large one for my camping needs. Runs off the Jeep outlet. I did not understand what the terminal block was for.

So, I can use 80 watt one off the bike as long as it is not for a long time. Maybe with engine running. Right?

did you see the pics of the battery tereminals? purplecatty merely created a better way to connect the clamps.

I wouldnt have used the clamps method. I would've used the flat 4 prong trailer connector. nothing to touch and short out. nice and neat. I undeerstand catty wants to be able to use his setup anywhere, but chances are few years later he might've used it once or twice somewhere else. But then I am not catty .

now lets calculate the amps useage from inverter on motorcycle battery. 12v and 80 watts inverter comes out to ~7 amps. now Since the motorcycle battery does NOT have thick charging plates (ie deep cycle battery) and you dont want to drain battery less then 85 percent of power wont last long. IF you do drain battery less then 70%, and manage to charge battery every time- it will have a VERY short life as the plates in battery will warp and short out and it will no longer put out the amps needed to crank engine. can you spell new battery? SO anytime you use the inverter- always have engine running to be on safe side to use power from charging circuit.

 

[TinCanSailor]

did you see the pics of the battery tereminals? purplecatty merely created a better way to connect the clamps.

I wouldnt have used the clamps method. I would've used the flat 4 prong trailer connector. nothing to touch and short out. nice and neat. I undeerstand catty wants to be able to use his setup anywhere, but chances are few years later he might've used it once or twice somewhere else. But then I am not catty .

now lets calculate the amps useage from inverter on motorcycle battery. 12v and 80 watts inverter comes out to ~7 amps. now Since the motorcycle battery does NOT have thick charging plates (ie deep cycle battery) and you dont want to drain battery less then 85 percent of power wont last long. IF you do drain battery less then 70%, and manage to charge battery every time- it will have a VERY short life as the plates in battery will warp and short out and it will no longer put out the amps needed to crank engine. can you spell new battery? SO anytime you use the inverter- always have engine running to be on safe side to use power from charging circuit.

Thank you. I understand now.

 

[purplecatty]

Ok. I do know what an inverter is. I have a large one for my camping needs. Runs off the Jeep outlet. I did not understand what the terminal block was for.

So, I can use 80 watt one off the bike as long as it is not for a long time. Maybe with engine running. Right?

Right... Best with engine running. Like what Radioman said about battery. I agree with him that plates of battery are thin. Running engine keep battery charge and run inverter won't be a problem as long as you just use it for charging laptop battery or running appliance for short time.

As for Radioman's method using trailer plug, I never thought of it!! It's good idea!!! I could modify 12v Cig Jack with Trailer plug for charging purpose so I won't short it.

The cig socket is permanent part of my motorcycle now. I went to Honda Motorcycle dealership to just look around for fun of it. I checked out Kawasaki Venture, 1,800cc motorcycle, NiCe big bike! and it already have Cig socket rigged on top side of tank with clip.

CAtty