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[benswing]

Has anyone installed USB port(s) on their Zero?  I was thinking of getting something like this and installing it. 



Easy?  Hard?  What would I need to do? 
Cheers! 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/like/191561279876?lpid=82&chn=ps&ul_noapp=true

[mrwilsn]

Easy. Just buy an SAE pigtail connector and connect to positive and negative leads on the USB plug.  Then just plug into the SAE accessory plug under the tank plastic.

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

[Doug S]

I thought it was more flexible to get the standard Zero power port (we used to call them "cigarette lighters" before people stopped smoking), and this:

http://www.amazon.com/iXCC-Charger-ChargeWise-Technology-Smartphones/dp/B00S739AC6?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o02_s00

It's been working well for me for quite some time now, and I've got room to expand if I find a back-up camera that works well.

[mrwilsn]

Buy one of these and just cut off the ring connectors. Just make sure you get positive and negative right (check the bike with a meter to make sure you got it right before plugging into the USB).

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B000NCOKZQ/ref=mp_s_a_1_2?qid=1464290229&sr=8-2&pi=SX200_QL40&keywords=sae+pigtail&dpPl=1&dpID=41yzSPdqqqL&ref=plSrch

Sent from my XT1060 using Tapatalk

[BrianTRice@gmail.com]

I did; mine came with the SAE connector so I ran the cable from there and then mounted it (a little embarrassingly) around the stalk of my right turn signal.

The version I have has a rubber boot that is very difficult to peel off, so I'm hoping that grants it extra waterproofing, although behind my windscreen that should not be an issue.

[pacificcricket]

I've ordered that exact adapter as pictured. Haven't had time to install it yet - my SAE connector is utilized for an airhorne, was planning to use that other automotive connector. In any case, this cig lighter adapter is a bit too large for the hole on my Zero DS, will need to ream it a bit. Other than that is should be pretty straightforward.

[Kocho]

Something like this is my next project. I d like to have a cigarette lighter socket though, because some of my existing electronics uses that type of socket. So maybe something like this:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Motorcycle-Waterproof-12V-2-1A-Cigarette-Lighter-USB-Port-Cell-Phone-Charger-New/111669668493?_trksid=p2141725.c100338.m3726&_trkparms=aid%3D222007%26algo%3DSIC.MBE%26ao%3D1%26asc%3D20150313114020%26meid%3D397ea51408614386acf5ad9581fede78%26pid%3D100338%26rk%3D1%26rkt%3D23%26mehot%3Dpp%26sd%3D191561279876

Best of both worlds - if you need the cigarette port, remove the USB adaptor. I got a similar mini USB adaptor for a cigarette lighter and it works great. Don't know how it sells $3.54 for the socket and adaptor...

Now that I look at it, the adapter in the picture above in the original post may actually have a removable dual port ISB adapter. What looks like the same version is available on Amazon and has a better photo showing the various parts: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00ZGDYG7Y?psc=1

[evdjerome]

You might try the two devices below:

http://www.amazon.com/Schumacher-WM-12-Connector-Battery-Maintainer/dp/B003WDDLTO?ie=UTF8&psc=1&redirect=true&ref_=oh_aui_detailpage_o01_s00

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B003L643KS/ref=wl_it_dp_o_pd_nS_ttl?_encoding=UTF8&colid=1HGX6D4H26FOQ&coliid=IGKWPK66F52MB

I used the first one for connecting my Denali lights to the bike's SAE port. If I ever want to install additional SAE devices I'll purchase the 5-way connector.

--Jerome

[Patrick Truchon]

I installed the exact same port as on the picture as well (see details here).  It turns out it's actually a regular 12V "cigarette lighter" port with a regular 12V -> 5V USB adapter.  Since then, the USB adapter piece died, but I just bought a new adapter at the hardware store.  I haven't had any trouble with the 12V port itself. 

[Kocho]

Thanks! Very helpful posts on the blog!

Just to be clear - is there already a 12V female connector under the tank where you can simply plug the grey male connector? Is that still the case on the '15 models?

I installed the exact same port as on the picture as well (see details here).  It turns out it's actually a regular 12V "cigarette lighter" port with a regular 12V -> 5V USB adapter.  Since then, the USB adapter piece died, but I just bought a new adapter at the hardware store.  I haven't had any trouble with the 12V port itself.

[Electric Terry]

Don't make this any harder than it needs to be , it only takes 10 seconds is just pop out a single USB cigarette lighter adapter and install a double.  Been charging 2 devices at the same time like my phone and GoPro on my Zero for 4 years now this way.  Simple and easy.

http://wirelesscellstore.com/griffin-dual-usb-car-charger-car-charge-ipad2-iphone-4s-3gs-griffin-20131213183548

[grmarks]

Just to be clear - is there already a 12V female connector under the tank where you can simply plug the grey male connector? Is that still the case on the '15 models?

Yes there is. I bought the zero "cigaret lighter" adapter, it fits strait in with a plastic "nut" that does up from underneath.  The cable plugs into a plug under the "tank" close to the front of the frame behind the headstock. I took pics of the install, just haven't got around to posting them yet.

[Kocho]

Did you have to remove the tank to reach that plug? Not that it's that hard to remove the tank, but if there is a way without taking it off, it would make the install in the factory hole really easy...

[Patrick Truchon]

Just to clarify:  Yes, the female gray connector is there (at least for 2013 models).  Now that I know where that connector is, I can (barely) access it without removing the tank, but the first time around, it might be difficult to find without removing the tank.  And like Terry said, there's nothing special about the double vs single adapter.  The install is all about the cigarette port itself.  It could have been simpler if I had bought it from Zero (since the cabling is probably already done), but I didn't want to spend that much money so I had to build the cable myself.  I also wanted it to be covered by the tank (which I'll have to rethink once I get my super charger).

Hope this helps.

[Kocho]

Thanks, yes helps! I like the idea of having the ports inside the tank. I will probably go with a Y-adapter too, and have one inside the tank and one near the handlebars. Yup, $50 for the Zero version is a bit steep for what it is...