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[JaimeC]

Yesterday was "Forget About Work, Let's Ride Day" (at least according to Facebook).  Since I haven't had any kind of vacation this year, I took the day off.  One of the members of my club put together an "Explore Long Island Passport Tour" (think of it as a photographic scavenger hunt... find certain landmarks and photograph your bike with it).  I'm the only member of the club with an electric bike, so I decided to give myself the added challenge of only visiting these sites on my Zero.  I didn't do it all in one day; I hit the closer sites first and figured I'd work my way up to the more distant sites.

Over the weekend I did 156 miles with two charging stops.  The second stop was more to reduce "range anxiety" as I could've made it home on what I had at the time.  Using Google Navigator with the "Avoid Highways" option checked made all the difference.  Where I live most people will take the highways even if they're not the shortest route.  I found the reduced speeds were almost completely compensated by the shorter distances (and the roads were far more interesting too).

Yesterday I did have one scary moment though.  Plugshare showed me a charging station on my route home at the Suffolk County Community College in Riverhead, however when I arrived the entrance gate was locked shut.  I had less than 10% charge and there weren't any other charging stations in range.  As I started to ride away to consider my options I discovered the Exit gate was open so I rode in (the wrong way), rode through a loosely-spaced barrier of cones and pulled up to the Chargepoint Station.  I PRAYED that they hadn't been powered off, and they weren't so I plugged in.

As I sat back to read my Kindle book, campus security drove up to me to tell me I shouldn't be there, the campus was closed.  I explained my situation and thankfully the guard was sympathetic.  I told him I'd only be an hour.  He said he'd come back to check (but he never did... I was actually there for an hour and fifteen minutes).  I made sure to update Plugshare to indicate the campus was closed so no one else gets faked out like I did.  They might not've gotten as lucky as I did.

Anyway, I finally got a chance to sit on the bike long enough to realize just how uncomfortable the stock seat can be and I just ordered a Corbin (when did they get that friggin' expen$ive??).  I hope everyone (aware of the day) took advantage wherever they were to "forget work and go riding" yesterday.

[Crissa]

Looks fun!

Such is the problem with placing charging points in non-public areas.  It's such a pain.  Out here in California, the ones up at the State Parks are behind gates.  At least the Park Rangers don't mind giving access, but it's something that is frustrating!

-Crissa

[Zelidar]

Using Google Navigator with the "Avoid Highways" option checked made all the difference.  Where I live most people will take the highways even if they're not the shortest route.  I found the reduced speeds were almost completely compensated by the shorter distances (and the roads were far more interesting too).

For any significant rides I am now also using Google Maps (Navigator) and, just like you, avoiding highways. This has already brought me to surprising and mostly nice places, and using little roads where my range indicator sometimes exceeds 300 km. Too bad the USB port is slightly underpowered, it can almost keep my phone charged but cannot recharge it while navigating.

Nice summary, thank you for writing it.

[JaimeC]

For any significant rides I am now also using Google Maps (Navigator) and, just like you, avoiding highways. This has already brought me to surprising and mostly nice places, and using little roads where my range indicator sometimes exceeds 300 km. Too bad the USB port is slightly underpowered, it can almost keep my phone charged but cannot recharge it while navigating.

Nice summary, thank you for writing it.

You're welcome.  I'm surprised the built-in USB port on the SR/F doesn't provide enough power to keep your phone charged while navigating.  My "primitive" S model doesn't have a built-in USB port but I did have the 12v accessory socket installed and I bought one of those cheap USB adapters at the local convenience store (7-11).  It works just fine keeping my phone (Samsung Galaxy S10) fully charged while in use.

[Zelidar]

I'm surprised the built-in USB port on the SR/F doesn't provide enough power to keep your phone charged while navigating.  My "primitive" S model doesn't have a built-in USB port but I did have the 12v accessory socket installed and I bought one of those cheap USB adapters at the local convenience store (7-11).  It works just fine keeping my phone (Samsung Galaxy S10) fully charged while in use.

A Samsung Note 9 over here. It is kept charged, barely, but only if not too much is going on in the background. I usually close every other apps before riding. There is a second USB port so I might wanna try using both in parallel. I can't think of any other usage for these USB connectors anyhow.

[didierm]

This might provide a solution to you phone recharging problem :
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/32809477039.html

I installed one of these on my previous DSR, but never used it, so cannot testify whether it actually delivers 3A.

[Zelidar]

I installed one of these on my previous DSR, but never used it, so cannot testify whether it actually delivers 3A.

Yes indeed, thank you. With your hint I searched and found threads dealing with SAE to USB adapter for the SR/F. This model already features two USB ports in the first place and now I wonder what Zero had in mind with those when they can't be used to power up main stream Android phones. I guess they only tested iPhones.

[Crissa]

Android phones are all over the map with how much power they require to do the same things.  There's just so many standards.

But an iPhone will still have trouble if you only give it an amp and then ask it to do everything.

-Crissa

I ordered this for my Android phone that requires QC, it works in testing, but I haven't figured out where to fit it on the handlebars because of my windscreen:  https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B07MR7SDDG/

[JaimeC]

I use the X-bracket from RAM Mounts, similar to what's in the Zero catalog but without the Zero logo (so it cost less).  With the USB adapter plugged into the 12v accessory socket I have a short cable to connect the phone when I need to.  The Galaxy S10 is incredibly stingy using electricity.  This trip was really the only time I needed to recharge it enroute and that's because I was reading my Kindle book at the two recharge stops I made.  I also listen to music when I get bored.

[MVetter]

I use the X-bracket from RAM Mounts, similar to what's in the Zero catalog but without the Zero logo (so it cost less).  With the USB adapter plugged into the 12v accessory socket I have a short cable to connect the phone when I need to.  The Galaxy S10 is incredibly stingy using electricity.  This trip was really the only time I needed to recharge it enroute and that's because I was reading my Kindle book at the two recharge stops I made.  I also listen to music when I get bored.

I've seen the RAM mounts fail and phones go flying, but that's mostly due to users forgoing the rubber strappy thing that accompanies it. Funnily enough, I was recommended a Techmount by Zero engineers when I was asking them about what phone mount I should consider. I've owned several and been very happy with them. Solid connection. Simple.

[JaimeC]

Count me as one of those who forgot to use the rubber strappy thingy once.  JUST once.  I don't forget anymore!

[staples]

I've been using RAM mounts for years without the rubber strap and have never had a problem. My bike and thus phone gets jostled around quite a bit riding on the potholed streets in Chicago, and I've never seen any indication of failure. Granted I've had "smaller" and potentially lighter phones (Google Nexus 5, Pixel 2, etc), or maybe I'm just lucky.

[JaimeC]

I've been using RAM mounts for years without the rubber strap and have never had a problem. My bike and thus phone gets jostled around quite a bit riding on the potholed streets in Chicago, and I've never seen any indication of failure. Granted I've had "smaller" and potentially lighter phones (Google Nexus 5, Pixel 2, etc), or maybe I'm just lucky.

I never did either.  Then one time I apparently didn't "seat" the phone correctly in the mount and one good pothole on the infamous Long Island Expressway was enough to send it flying.  When the rubber strap is in place, it pulls it into the proper position and holds it there.  I have a Galaxy S10 in an Otterbox Defender case.  It's large enough that the mount holds it pretty damned tightly to begin with... but if it isn't seated right, all bets are off...

[Zelidar]

... now I wonder what Zero had in mind with those when they can't be used to power up main stream Android phones. I guess they only tested iPhones.

I have not been fair to Zero. I am now using a cable with a 90 degree USB-C connector, versus before, one with a straight USB-C connector and a 90 degree adapter. The combination cable + adapter was my problem, too much energy lost. With the 90 degree type C cable, I can even charge my phone while navigating.

[JaimeC]

Yesterday I did a 250 mile "Around Long Island" ride.  Both my phone battery and my bluetooth headset battery started throwing "low battery" warnings.  Not surprising when I'm listening to music and using the phone's GPS for hours on end.

Fortunately I have the optional power socket installed on the handlebar, and I have one of those dual-USB cigarette lighter chargers.  I plugged that in, then plugged in the cables for my bluetooth AND my phone and was able to charge them both while still getting map guidance and music.  Life is good.