Power and electronic devices

 

The need for power

Power to run equipment and charge electronic devices is something one needs to plan ahead when doing a long trip. My list of electronic devices to stay in contact with loved ones, connect through social media and capture photos and video keeps growing. Having power outlets and being able to charge multiple devices at the same time is very important if not critical. I will be camping whenever possible but even when staying in a hotel or hostel, the availability of a power outlet could be a problem according to the various accounts I have read from other bloggers.

Yamaha put a single 12V waterproof cigarette lighter power plug on the dash of the Super Tenere but to facilitate charging all of my devices and run heated equipment I have done a few modifications.

To run a heated vest or jacket I installed two standard female Hella (DIN) Powerlet sockets with on/off switches. Each socket runs through a switch, the two black switches with corresponding green LED above to indicate power, and then through a fuse. One socket is ignition switched while the other has power at all times. Both sockets can be switched off with the black switches. The two red switches with red LEDs are connected the same way, one switched with ignition where it usually powers a radar detector and the other powered at all times to run a GPS unit. Both red switches allow me to turn the power off to the devices if neccessary. The two powerlets sockets can also be used to charge devices with the appropriate plug adapters. All of these switches and sockets are mounted on a Highway Dirt Bikes modular top clamp.

On the right side just above the rear brake pedal I installed a Hopkins 2-Pole flat connector with a large fuse so I can run my Slime air compressor. The same plug will be used to run power with an extension to the top pannier. On the side of the pannier I installed a 2-Pole flat waterproof pass through connector that transfers power to the inside of the pannier.  Using a plug on the side will allow me to disconnect and remove the pannier when needed.  Inside the pannier I can charge anything as along as I have the correct 12V adapter connected to a 2-Pole flat connector.

The last modification was to add a dash panel to hold a DC voltmeter and a waterproof dual USB outlet with 1A & 2.1A port chargers. The voltmeter will allow me to monitor the motorcycle charging system and condition of the battery. The USB outlets will allow me to run short cables into my tank bag to charge the phone or GoPro.

After a quick sketch, I designed my own panel using various materials until I got the right fit. It took a few trials to make sure all the cables were able to rotate without touching the panel. If the cables were to touch while riding eventually it would harm the cables and that’s never a good ending. The final panel was made out of a very strong plastic.

I drilled four holes and mounted the panel with stainless steel button-head cap screws and four nylon lock nuts.  I’m really happy with how it came out, the blue light voltmeter is perfectly lit during the day and at night the light is far down and does not affect night vision.

Using a ultra compact DC power inverter I can charge batteries or my small 13.3″ laptop inside the top pannier if necessary.  All the new connections are running through individual fuses and they were all wired by me.  It’s always nice to know the system well and I feel confident if any problems develop later I will be able to troubleshoot.