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[NoiseBoy]

Could you not have got a panel mount IEC socket?  It would have looked much better, don't know how much space there is under the plastic though.

[nogasman]

Yes, certainly could have been cleaner with an IEC socket. My goal was not taking anything apart on the bike.

[NoiseBoy]

So you decided to go at it with a jigsaw blade instead of taking out a few allen screws?  I don't get it.

[nigezero]

Guys, I'm approaching the from a different angle. I salvaged a retractable 4m power cable from a vaccum cleaner and am in the process of making it fit. Ill wire it to the charger outlet socket and tape that connection together, although did consider hardwiring into the charger. Decided against that in case I want to revert to std. My aim is to fit a normal fuel tank cap on the side panel, which will flip open and I can simply reel out as much cable as I need and plug directly in to a power point.

[BSDThw]

I salvaged a retractable 4m power cable from a vacuum cleaner ...

It's a cool idea, hope there is enough space.

Please send photos, if it works.

[trikester]

Hey that gives me an idea. When I convert my gas powered trike to Zero electric drive (see thread under 2013 forum) I could modify the former gas tank to hold the charging cord. I'll definitely consider that option. Thanks!

Trikester

[kbfcanada]

Is there a big problem with leaving it uncovered? Obviously if one is riding in serious mud it might be hard to clean after, but have there been any issues with water getting in? I just leave it, rain or shine, and have blown dust out of it a couple of times (and I drive a lot of gravel roads and occasionally in the rain). But I don't want to mess up my bike!

[protomech]

I've had no problems with an uncovered charger inlet after 7000 miles and almost a year of street riding.

I've started using a plug to cover the inlet to make charging after wet riding a little easier. I used to just let the bike drip dry then plug in, but an inlet plug works much better.

[amahoser]

The '13s have a rubber cover. Maybe you could order the rubber cover from zero and use it on your bikes.

[NoiseBoy]

I actually find it tricky to get the plug in now due to the build up of crud in the socket and cant seem to get it clean. The plug is probably full of dirt too. Would recommend using the cut off plug thing unless you only ride on sunny summer days in California like the designers obviously did!

[WindRider]

Thanks for posting that pic amahoser.   I will have to see if the local dealer can get those for a reasonable price but I am going to relocate the port from the bottom of the bike here when I have a chance to dig into that.   I just ride through too much mud in the Spring months and it is inconvenient to always climb under the bike to plug it in.

[s44captain]

I use a 2' cord that converts to a standard plug so I can use any extension cord.  I leave the 2' adaptor plugged in and have the female end wire tied to the left frame tube behind the fake radiator shrouds.  I got the part off ebay for less than 10 bucks here: http://www.ebay.com/itm/310248616955?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

[CliC]

I use one of those adapters too at home, because the cord that comes with the bike isn't long enough to reach my preferred outlet. Plus I don't have to take the factory cord out of the frame cylinder all the time

And I'll report that my cut-off computer plug hack that I use to seal the charge port worked like a charm the other day when I went trail riding. The whole lower front of the bike behind the front wheel was covered with mud/clay, but I pulled that plug out when I got home and the port was clean. Not as cool as moving the charge port somewhere more sane, but cheap and it worked.

[mehve]

I'll have to get either the official plug or Harlan's kit soon. Though the cut-off power cord seems to work fine. the hubby added a silicone grip made out of Sugru (pic attached)

[CliC]

Hmm...that Sugru looks rather useful