Top Box Power

[sttourer]

I'd been looking for a good setup to get power into my top box for accessory charging. When travelling, I like to keep my camcorder, cell phone and digital camera charged up. Powerlet had the perfect setup. About half way down the web page it shows the setup for the ST1300. It is on order and should be a quick install.

http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/ptb.php#

I'll follow up once it's installed.

Pat

[basco]

I have done it for my tank bag but not for a top box. Good luck and let us know, I might do the same.

[Mellow]

I'm planning on doing it as well.

http://www.powerletproducts.com/products/imgs/ptb_example2.jpg

I'd like to charge my cell phone in the trunk while riding and my mp3 player while stopped. It looks like a nice neat install from looking at the website.

[crazykz]

Hey I've been wondering about that. Please take some pics for us when you install it if you can.

Thanks,
Curt

[Mellow]

It looks pretty easy. The placement, shown in the pic, shouldn't interfere with a passenger or anything you've got tied down. My mp3 player charges slow and it would be nice to leave it in the trunk while eating lunch or camping and let it charge up.

I just ordered the items and will post some pics once I'm done with the install.

[CruisingDog]

Please read my "Battery Drain" comment. I'd advise you be carefull about the load you put on the battery when not running the engine. 1Amp load for charging all these accessories will discharge your battery in 11 hours (from my understanding- I'm hoping I'm wrong!!)!

[jpatrick22]

Dog,

Thanks for the tip. Mine will be connected to a switched power block. So the power drain should not be an issue.

Pat

[CruisingDog]

Pat,

So I had an email discussion with Powerlet adapters today letting them know about the power drain issue and that they should make sure their customers are aware.

Anyway, being an Electronic Engineer I offered to design them a circuit which will cut the power to an adapter when the bike is not running [high current rating also!].

I got a response back that they would not put a circuit in there due to some liability or what-not. Seems stupid to me since I just gave them an idea to make their product more marketable. One powerlet is hot always, the other is hot whilst running. Seems a good idea to me anyway.

[sttourer]

CRZNDOG,

Whatever floats their boat I guess. It doesn't make much sense to me either.

On a brighter note, my connectors arrived today and I just finished the install.

Photo01

Placed masking tape over the outside and used the backing plate as a template.

Photo02

Using a Dremel, I routed out the connector hole.

Photo03

Test fit. I continued routing until the connector fit flush against the top box.

Photo04

Drilled screw holes. I put the screw holes at 12, 3, 6 and 9 to avoid recessed area inside box.

Photo05

Using a cutting wheel, I notched the backing plate to fit flush against the inside. I also had to remove the tab to allow for a flush fit.

Photo06

Shows mount from inside. I added some black silicone sealant around connector to prevent any water leakage.

Photo07

Shows finished inside connection.

Photo08

Shows finished outside connection.

Overall, I'm pretty pleased with the installation.

[sttourer]

Rest of the photos:

[crazykz]

Hey thanks for the write up. Very nice. You know it may seem simple but it's just easier sometimes to see an example to make sure you're not missing anything. I might do this to the Givi to keep my laptop charged while I'm moving so I can leave it in standby while I'm riding then when I stop it will be in standby off it's own battery.

Thanks,
Curt

[Mellow]

I just installed mine yesterday evening. Very easy as long as you are comfortable drilling on your top box... LOL.. It's gonna be nice to charge the cell phone or mp3 player during a lunch stop, overnight or while riding while they are in the top box...

I opted for the 38" long HD battery lead as I wasn't sure the 21" lead that comes in the 'kit' would be long enough. I also don't have a fuse box or anything under the pass seat like lots of guys here so I just connected it straight to the battery.

I'll post pics if anyone wants them but it basically looks just like sttourer's install except mine is on the right side of the bike.