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Mellow
05-03-2009, 01:22 PM
I wanted to have the option of riding with or without my top box
and I have a powerlet bulkhead kit already hooked up to it so I wanted to take advantage of that.

Here's the bulkhead kit - connected directly to the battery w/fuse and
connectors to make them easy to connect/disconnect - click the
picture to go to the powerlet site.

http://www.powerletproducts.com/product/basic-luggage-electrix-tankbag-saddlebag-power-kit/288
http://www.powerletproducts.com/img/productImages/primary/PTB-004_p_168_webl.jpg
I looked all over the saddlebag and found one spot that appeared like it would work.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75869&d=1241376387
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75870&d=1241376387

I used the retaining ring that came with the kit as a template for
cutting the plastic.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75868&d=1241376365
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75867&d=1241376365

I took a deep breath and plugged in the dremel too.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75866&d=1241376365

The bulkhead part of the kit.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75865&d=1241376365
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75864&d=1241376365

I don't feel it's really needed but I did add some RTV sealant
just to ensure no leaks.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75863&d=1241376323

Put the screws in.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75862&d=1241376323
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75861&d=1241376323

Install retainer ring and locknuts and tighten.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75860&d=1241376323
http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75859&d=1241376323

Now you can hook up whatever powerlet adapters you have, the kit
comes with an SAE and standard cig lighter connector.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75858&d=1241376283

View from outside.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75857&d=1241376283

I routed the battery connection over from the battery to the left
side of the bike.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75856&d=1241376283

I routed the wire down the frame and also made sure to leave some slack.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75855&d=1241376283

You can now look up power to the saddlebag using a secure and watertight connection.

http://www.st-owners.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=75854&d=1241376283
UNTMatt
05-03-2009, 02:12 PM
That looks really, really tight.
Mellow
05-03-2009, 02:34 PM
That looks really, really tight.

It's a pretty good fit. It's not touching and the connector is very snug so I don't see it coming loose.
UNTMatt
05-03-2009, 02:44 PM
It's a pretty good fit. It's not touching and the connector is very snug so I don't see it coming loose.

I actually meant it looked good. :o:
Mellow
05-03-2009, 02:45 PM
I actually meant it looked good. :o:

LOL.. sorry man, I'm not up on all the new hip talk.
PopJack
05-03-2009, 02:48 PM
Only 45 and you're already loosing touch with modern lingo!

(Veeeeery nice installation. I'm trying to figure out if I have enough courage to make that hole!)
Mellow
05-03-2009, 02:50 PM
Only 45 and you're already loosing touch with modern lingo!

(Veeeeery nice installation. I'm trying to figure out if I have enough courage to make that hole!)

It's not too bad... After drilling into painted goldwing parts this is simple.
Capt_Gruuvy
05-03-2009, 05:28 PM
Nice. I need that.
shantyman
05-03-2009, 07:08 PM
nice looking job.

Any particular reason you picked the left instead of the right?
Is the bag still detachable? I often take mine off when I'm cleaning the bike which may mean another connection?
Mellow
05-03-2009, 07:10 PM
nice looking job.

Any particular reason you picked the left instead of the right?
Is the bag still detachable? I often take mine off when I'm cleaning the bike which may mean another connection?

I usually have my clothes in the right bag and misc stuff in the left.. but it shouldn't matter.

The bags are still detachable.. you give some slack so the wire curves as you put the bag on.. and that gives you some slack to pull the bag out and then reach down and unplug the connector.
mpgar
05-03-2009, 07:26 PM
Nice job. Where did you get the kit?
Mike
Mellow
05-03-2009, 07:33 PM
Nice job. Where did you get the kit?
Mike

If you click the 1st pic of the powerlet kit you'll go to the powerlet site.
mpgar
05-03-2009, 09:25 PM
Cool Joe. I'll put this on my list.
mike
Blue STreak
05-04-2009, 06:31 AM
Very nice. I've considered adding power to my bags for running lights, and this would give me even more flexibility. A place to charge my phone, for example.
Mellow
05-04-2009, 06:33 AM
Very nice. I've considered adding power to my bags for running lights, and this would give me even more flexibility. A place to charge my phone, for example.

Additionally, you could even add interior saddlebag lights w/on-off switch or mercury switch... I'm not crazy about merc switches in saddlebags due to how many times they'd go on/off in the twisties so you'd want an on/off override switch and if you're gonna do that anyway, why mess with a merc switch. The top box is a little different.
Bug Dr.
05-04-2009, 09:11 AM
Joe,
Did the wire that connects under the seat that was routed down the frame to the saddlebag come with the kit? The picture looks like that particular wire is very short. Do you need an additional wire?
Mike
Mellow
05-04-2009, 09:23 AM
Joe,
Did the wire that connects under the seat that was routed down the frame to the saddlebag come with the kit? The picture looks like that particular wire is very short. Do you need an additional wire?
Mike

It's a 48" cord. I'm not sure how long the one I have is... but mine had two sections - if you look at the seat pic you'll see where there's another section hooked up. If you take some string that's 48" long you could mess with that to see if you have room for where you want to run it but that should be sufficient for this.
Mellow
05-04-2009, 09:26 AM
Here's another kit that looks more like the one I was shipped minus the very bottom 90 degree adapter cord... my battery cord is in two sections but still it ends up being 48".

http://www.powerletproducts.com/product/universal-luggage-electrix-tankbag-saddlebag-power-kit/408
Bug Dr.
05-04-2009, 07:10 PM
Thanks Joe. I would be hooking mine into a Centech directly under the seat so it might not have to be as long. It looked like the picture was missing a wire or something and I couldn't figure the connection under your seat.
Mike
Mellow
05-04-2009, 07:12 PM
Thanks Joe. I would be hooking mine into a Centech directly under the seat so it might not have to be as long. It looked like the picture was missing a wire or something and I couldn't figure the connection under your seat.
Mike

Let me know if you need another pic... Mine just goes straight to the battery.
PopJack
05-27-2009, 07:44 PM
I am about to take the plunge and copy this excellent idea. I keep wondering if I need to switch the power. Is it possible that a cell phone could kill the bike's battery?
Mellow
05-27-2009, 07:50 PM
I am about to take the plunge and copy this excellent idea. I keep wondering if I need to switch the power. Is it possible that a cell phone could kill the bike's battery?

I don't leave a cell phone charging overnight.. never have.. 90% of the time it's connected while the bike is moving but I have left it charging while stopping to eat or setting up camp or a couple hrs just to top off the charge.

That being said, I really doubt a cell charging would kill your battery, it would have to be a pretty weak battery already for that to push it over the edge.
billxp
06-16-2009, 01:07 PM
Just did mine.

I went a slightly different route because I wanted two cigarette light adapters.

I used the PKT-001-48 (http://www.powerletproducts.com/product/heavy-duty-sae-battery-lead-48/108) and PTB-007 (http://www.powerletproducts.com/product/luggage-electrix-connector-dual-cigarette-sockets/291) other than that install was the same.

Thanks for the write up Joe.
Mellow
06-16-2009, 01:51 PM
Glad it worked out for you, I with I would have done this a long time ago.
PopJack
06-23-2009, 07:51 PM
For those of you who may have woodworking tools: I copied Joe's excellent installation and found that a 13/16 forstner bit drilled the main hole perfectly. Since these bits are intended to be used in a drill press, I put the retaining washer with the four small bolts and used it to hold the forstner steady.

Addition: I was over at Saint K's* tonight and was showing off the installation. I had not hooked up the power end yet- just done the bag part. He pulls a cord out of drawer that hooks from the plug on the bag into the tail I use for the Battery minder (which I seldom use). Worked great! One less wire on the bike and because of the location I don't have to worry about excess slack.

(*patron saint of healthy water)
hytecredneck
01-31-2010, 01:35 PM
thanks for this! that is just what i was wanting to do but wasn't shure on where and how! thanks;)
stridernj
10-02-2012, 05:30 AM
[QUOTE=Mellow;712922][CENTER]
I took a deep breath and plugged in the dremel too.

Great job with awesome details, thanks for all the extra effort documenting. I was right there with the breath holding.