I recently attached a USB device to my handlebars so I can plug in a GPS or cell phone etc. to keep it powered up when riding. I connected the device directly to the battery. The device has no on/off switch nor any kind of light at all. My question is, when the bike is off and nothing is plugged into the USB outlet will it drain power from the battery regardless.
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USB Handlebar Device
- Thread starter MHY
- Start date
I believe it is possible to test a USB port for voltage with a multi-meter. My best guess is that if there is nothing plugged into the USB its not really going to be a parasitic draw. I think it would be basically the same thing as having a quick-connect cable for a battery tender hooked up.
Right answer.
If you are riding your bike regularly, it probably isn't an issue, but if you park for a week or more I wouldn't be surprised if it caused problems. Why wire it direct to the battery? For a low draw device like that, I normally steal power from a switched circuit (often the tail light as it is on whenever the bike is running but you can choose what works best for you). If I am farkling up a bike, biting the bullet and installing a power distribution block that allows you to have switched and unswitched circuits quickly becomes worth it, but if the only thing you are adding is a USB plug it isn't worth the time or expense.
Yes it will. A USB socket provides 5Vdc to your device. That socket is as mentioned a converter, taking your bike's 12Vdc and converting it down to the 5Vdc. That takes some circuitry and requires some current, albeit a miniscule amount to power the circuit.
Whether that small amount of current would drain your battery enough to cause you problems is doubtful over a short time-frame. Most USB sockets should be connected to some switched and fused circuit. Where the power is off when the ignition is off of the bike is not running.
Whether that small amount of current would drain your battery enough to cause you problems is doubtful over a short time-frame. Most USB sockets should be connected to some switched and fused circuit. Where the power is off when the ignition is off of the bike is not running.
Not quite. Crankcall has it right. It is an active 12V to 5V converter in there. It's not just a plain wire like a battery tender cable. Now depending on how good they were with the circuit design, the draw could be tiny (or it could be quite large if they really suck/didn't care).
HarleyHare
Well-known member
I installed such a device and went through 3 batteries before I realized that by not having an on/off switch means that there is a slight parasitic draw. My next project is doing just that; installing an on/off switch. Note that the draw on the battery is so small, daily riding will keep the battery topped up enough to start the bike. But if not riding for say two weeks, the battery likely won't turn over the engine.
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J_F
Guest
best way to install some of these things is through a relay
use a 12V switched wire from a tail light or other circuit
draws mili-amps to turn the relay on
and like GG says, you can power up an aux distribution block from the relay
main power to the relay or distribution block to run the auxiliary devices is direct from battery
this way everything is off while the key is out
and you don't have to worry about overloading an OEM circuit running after-market stuff
use a 12V switched wire from a tail light or other circuit
draws mili-amps to turn the relay on
and like GG says, you can power up an aux distribution block from the relay
main power to the relay or distribution block to run the auxiliary devices is direct from battery
this way everything is off while the key is out
and you don't have to worry about overloading an OEM circuit running after-market stuff
It depends on the type of switch. If it's a physical switch that breaks a circuit you should be fine. If it's a logic switch that turns the converter off, it will use less power than leaving it powered up but will likely still have some draw as it has to pay attention to catch the button press to turn it back on.
J_F
Guest
I put one of these on my FJ09...was happy with it
https://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B075D7SQ1F/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00__o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
wolfpack27616
Well-known member
I've been scouring youtube to find a how to video. I am a noob when it comes to diy and would love to learn how to do what you had mentioned in a previous post.
best way to install some of these things is through a relay
use a 12V switched wire from a tail light or other circuit
draws mili-amps to turn the relay on
This knowledge would come in handy- since my next motorcycle would need the following to be installed 1. USB Charger 2. Battery tender and 3. Heated Grips.
I know the battery tender is straight forward- but I would definitely want to install the USB charger and Heated grips via relay to make sure it wouldn't drain the battery.
J_F
Guest
the installation is bike specific
if you're serious about this
shoot me a PM with the details and I'll help you out
with what you need to buy and how to install and wire it up
Riceburner
Well-known member
My heated grips are wired from the front signals. They only get power when the bike is turned on.
You mean they only work when you turn the indicators on?
[turning left now]: HOT-cool-HOT-cool-HOT-cool-HOT-cool
[going straight]: Awww.... cold!
Riceburner
Well-known member
lol That would be one way to keep the heated grips half hot. Naw, it's wired to the running light line. Front signals come on with the bike, so that line is always powered when bike is on.
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