ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2013+ => Topic started by: Tony on June 14, 2025, 06:45:01 AM
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So, I use my mounted smartphone for navigation, and currently I simply pull an USB A to C from one of the tanks two USB A ports through the lid and connect it to the mounted phone while driving. Problem is, the charging helps the phone to maintain charge a bit longer, but its still dropping, since the built in USB ports simply doesnt deliver many watts (ChatGPT suggested its 5W, not sure if thats correct).
From what I understand I will need to make a new high power USB fom the bikes SAE connector to be able to ac tually charge the phone? I found some info here:
https://www.electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=10071.0
Did anyone try this? Any tips?
I got the 2020 Premium model.
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So, I use my mounted smartphone for navigation, and currently I simply pull an USB A to C from one of the tanks two USB A ports through the lid and connect it to the mounted phone while driving. Problem is, the charging helps the phone to maintain charge a bit longer, but its still dropping, since the built in USB ports simply doesnt deliver many watts (ChatGPT suggested its 5W, not sure if thats correct).
From what I understand I will need to make a new high power USB fom the bikes SAE connector to be able to ac tually charge the phone? I found some info here:
https://www.electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=10071.0 (https://www.electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=10071.0)
Did anyone try this? Any tips?
I got the 2020 Premium model.
Having built in USB ports in a vehicle for charging is ridiculously stupid, IMAO. My $165,000.00 Class A motorhome had a dozen of them. They are now all in trash dump somewhere.
But here is the good news. Every charging USB I have ever seen in ANY vehicle was fed with 12 volts and had wiring for reasonable higher current. In all I have seen, a 12-volt socket (https://www.amazon.com/Cigarette-Motorcycle-Receptacle-Waterproof-ZHSMS/dp/B07BQ1JYTX/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=3QMQ7U17XLKBO&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.cr3q1Edg0I0gbKfJA5rnjSgdAzrmIIY53vMi_H-O6rTNrA_LzUnW4QeUgWdv3Bfp-N2x6GFMj9lDIkArNudslxV0bT4VUURKPGljO322GHCSXQ6RyyO5nnk44esLFjzcxY7QlVeK2faFJVcTr2K_fDVTwQK4rxWfRz4SmonIc-J9aryc4V5bnRtLJgpMEA4P0kVLXO7IC8rdHg71SzqAkFTtFTdBuozjHrVQFfpgXK4.6z-y78RTvQ8sPxoecOFJJTWrft-UXhJ8ZmNsUOl09M0&dib_tag=se&keywords=motorcycle%2B12-volt%2Bsocket&qid=1749865589&sprefix=motorcycle%2B12-volt%2Bsocket%2Caps%2C253&sr=8-1-spons&sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9hdGY&th=1) will fit. Then plug in any USB adapter (https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Charging-Cigarette-Lighter-Adapter/dp/B08DTZJTVM/ref=sr_1_3?crid=1ZHO5UTK1NTXJ&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.kmj5KOvZnyL1GcjFhS7tAAptwXEGqXFnoPwie5PAQffxIRqqhHTZky7PnOVXV_N9wD3sDMWIuwIv9GEfrjhcUXuS0dd7UGA9KNIeGqsBlxasqvmvarVJyJl9vRnCrgU4wRUnXEaG1jsFy__-igES9qdCGpcMWmNWJTQdJJnaVFCBMfPT7SLqyv8qWNQEVeQavl2onzNjYmpmqrbs8SSJEyaA09a8x9ZtVzF0jPnTA18.EVN1K9qdF5ZXeI8bh1K_pK2d3m-xKtvHOotn6vo1W1I&dib_tag=se&keywords=12-volt+Usb+plugin+charge+adapter&qid=1749866029&sprefix=12-volt+usb+plugin+charge+adapter%2Caps%2C183&sr=8-3)for whatever current you need, such as 3 amps and then have 15 watts at 5 volts. And now you have a choice of either 12 volts (as are many GPS units) or 5 VDC USB for any USB device.
Or better yet, leave it stock and mount one of these thingies (https://www.amazon.com/BlueFire-Waterproof-Motorcycle-Handlebar-Cigarette/dp/B0DMW7LM1T/ref=sr_1_18?crid=1D7XUYO18CP3A&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.6AqnC-dkfS1dcZ0-8nEt_HghItH64TxonepY1XpPpQ_bbwkMXkOwRUYLmqtBwJODrvDwnvlcmNi3QtjZxKjJX9uYuuxhj5RUfQzJ0lzE_QAtYE-kWGu6GVHLgxv1boN-S_cLdpsVa5VZ7w-fqB_gt-_H0J0XXqcaWkVzBI7jLOm7cggf24-SZ5gHMedZKLsGsBNbmkGuLlYopFGFy4fHnJMo7bSD1lFgkH10qgbIH0HG2wmVjXS8PbPrrCcc61O2JoOg6uGpVOM8qDIBqshMKUTOlovT3JKbQRucjLzJSDE.3_LM_cgAzg1gZjyOkUCrlk2LvnyRD8arwy9W3PjieJY&dib_tag=se&keywords=motorcycle+usb+mount&qid=1749865431&sprefix=motorcycle+usb+mount%2Caps%2C239&sr=8-18).
-Don- Reno, NV
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Thanks, in the end I simply got this powerbank though:
https://www.xtorm.eu/products/power-bank-67w-45-000-mah-fuel-series-5-midnight-black
A bit more flexible as it can be used for other things than charging while driving. Plenty of room for it in the storage compartment, and I can just pull an USB wire through the lid rim as before, as there is a decent gap there. Should be able to trickle charge from the built in USB as well, although probably not really useful as it would take forever to charge it fully. But, might help it stretch longer.
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Thanks, in the end I simply got this powerbank though:
https://www.xtorm.eu/products/power-bank-67w-45-000-mah-fuel-series-5-midnight-black (https://www.xtorm.eu/products/power-bank-67w-45-000-mah-fuel-series-5-midnight-black)
A bit more flexible as it can be used for other things than charging while driving. Plenty of room for it in the storage compartment, and I can just pull an USB wire through the lid rim as before, as there is a decent gap there. Should be able to trickle charge from the built in USB as well, although probably not really useful as it would take forever to charge it fully. But, might help it stretch longer.
I would be surprised if you could charge it at all from a five-volt USB supply. What is the output of your charge adapter? I have a similar one that requires a 15-volt adapter to charge with.
FWIW, for longer rides, I sometimes carry one of those computer type backpack (https://www.amazon.com/dp/B007R6JPC4/ref=sspa_dk_hqp_detail_aax_0?sp_csd=d2lkZ2V0TmFtZT1zcF9ocXBfc2hhcmVk&th=1)s that have all types of such electrical goodies in it, so I can recharge my smartphone, smartwatch, extra heated glove batteries as I am using others, fingerprint locks and other such things as I am riding. It too has a couple of those power packs, and it has a USB output to charge things outside the pack from a battery inside the pack.
-Don- Reno, NV
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I imagine it'll charge fine of 5 watts, it'll just take a really long time (like 45 hours for a full charge). But if you keep it always plugged into the bike (except when you need it away from the bike) and you're not constantly charging your phone then it should stay topped up.
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I imagine it'll charge fine of 5 watts, it'll just take a really long time (like 45 hours for a full charge). But if you keep it always plugged into the bike (except when you need it away from the bike) and you're not constantly charging your phone then it should stay topped up.
Yes, should be a tiny trickle charge. I was driving for one hour with the powerbank connected, and it didnt even charge 1%, lol. But that's OK, this powerbank has fast charging (0-100% in about 3 hours), so should be quite fast to top up when near an outlet, then you got days or maybe weeks of charging.
The USBs in the tank ony charge when the MC is turned on unfortunately, beaing able to trickle charge while it is parked overnight would be the ultimate option.