Power in top case.

[billybovine]

Just traded in my ST Limited for a 2018 F3 Limited. Working through the differences and setting up to my preferences. To my dismay the usb power plugs in the top case are switched and only on with the engine running. What the hell use is that. Anyone already gone through making that plug always on? Can it be done without running a wire to battery?

Thanks

[Chupaca]

Nice new ryde... congrats on the switch...bummer about the issue with the power supply but if anyone can figure it out it would be you..Hopefully someone has figured it out and it is as easy as the old fuse 6-7 on the old spyders acc outlet...

[ottawa-rider]

I know switching the fuse from slot 6 to slot 7 on the 2018 RT still works.

I do not know if the F3 ever had that feature and if it is still available on the 2018.

[billybovine]

F3s don't have the fuse switch option by the look of it. I think I have a plan. I took my custom made trailer harness out of my ST before trading it off. At first look it should plug right into the F3. Going to to double check first. There is a power wire there that powers the isolator module. 10 amp always on circuit. I can tap into that circuit on my custom harness without modifying the factory wiring.

All other ideas welcome.

[billybovine]

So my idea of using the trailer feed to power the top case plug is going to take longer to do. So for 2018, on both the F3 and RT. The main tail connector plug has changed to a 16 pin from a 10 pin. That is the connector that is split to install the plug and play trailer harness. So anyone who wishes to take off their hitch from a trade in and move it to there new 2018. The wiring harness won't fit. But I see BRP sells the new Y harness as a separate item. So for the BRP hitch you would just need to buy the new section of harness.

[Culpjp]

Can you Trace the wire for the USB plug? You might be able to find a spot in a different place to tie it into a 12v source that is always hot.

[SpyderAnn01]

I’ve been looking for a solution as well. When we spend long days on the road we need to charge our SENAs while we stop to eat. No options for that on the F3 but you can charge them while they are in use, so Joe found a USB adapter for an SAE plug and I can run the cord down my jacket and plug in where my heated gear hooks up. I figure if it is cold enough for heated gear we won’t be riding long enough to need to recharge the SENA.

I love that blue!

[billybovine]

I’ve been looking for a solution as well. When we spend long days on the road we need to charge our SENAs while we stop to eat. No options for that on the F3 but you can charge them while they are in use, so Joe found a USB adapter for an SAE plug and I can run the cord down my jacket and plug in where my heated gear hooks up. I figure if it is cold enough for heated gear we won’t be riding long enough to need to recharge the SENA.

I love that blue!

I don't have heated gear, so that will not work for me. The simplest solution I have come up with so far is to get a usb rechargeable power bank. Charge it while driving and use it to charge the Sena when stopped. Also could use the booster pack instead. Mine will charge usb devices, but will not charge on usb. Would need to install a 12V socket.

[oldguyinTX]

Just like BRP to get rid of something so useful. And why change trailer pin connections every couple of years? Makes no sense to me.

[AY4B]

I would instead run a regular cigarette lighter plug to the location of your choice. My F3L does not have one. They are all USB ports and if you have an accessory like Lamonsters Air pac, There is no where to plug it in.

[AY4B]

You could take the EZ route and get an battery tender accessory like this one http://products.batterytender.com/Ac...e-Adaptor.html

[nhoj]

..To my dismay the usb power plugs in the top case are switched and only on with the engine running. What the hell use is that.

Any USB power device is going to draw some current as they will require some cicuitry to convert 12V to 5V. A very tiny amount of current admittedly but I suspect that is the logic behind switched only USB power.

Your idea of using a battery pack for charging is perhaps the best solution. Then the battery pack could be topped up if required while the Spyder is running.

Nice looking Spyder.

[billybovine]

So I ordered a power bank from Amazon. I picked a high quality one, with high capacity, that had Qualcomm QC 3 charging capability. Not needed for the sena but will charge my phone at full speed if needed. Velcroed it to the inside of my top case. Plugged in the cable and it worked. When the engine was running the power bank charged. When the Sena was plugged in, it charged. So perfect, problem solved.

IMG_20180517_1335066.jpg

Then I noticed that the Sena did not fully charge. WTH. So I watched it. After plugging the Sena into the power bank and pressing the start button. In about 5 minutes the power bank would shut itself off and stop charging the Sena. It appears the power bank I got has an auto shut-off feature. It will turn off when the device it is charging appears fully charged. For some reason that feature kicks in when connected to the Sena even though it is not fully charged. I happened to be talking to my neighbor and mentioned this. He suggested trying a power bank that he had. He got it free out of a case of beer. So what heck I did. It works perfect and will charge the Sena until the blue light comes on. Showing that it is fully charged. What I don't know is if this power bank has enough capacity to fully charged the Sena from dead. We will see I guess.

IMG_20180517_1340466.jpg

[stmike 1800]

Just like BRP to get rid of something so useful. And why change trailer pin connections every couple of years? Makes no sense to me.

Makes perfect sense ,they can hog more money .

[nhoj]

After plugging the Sena into the power bank and pressing the start button. In about 5 minutes the power bank would shut itself off and stop charging the Sena.

I have exactly the same power bank (the amazon one not the beer one). I experience the same characteristics. You can keep the power bank on by plugging in another device to the 2nd port. As long as the other device draws >50ma current the bank will stay on. A tablet or a phone work well. Not really practical in your application.

The SENAs require very little current as they approach full charge. Less than 25ma and the power bank shuts down below 50ma.

If its any consolation the power bank will bring the SENA to about 75% charge.

[billybovine]

I have exactly the same power bank (the amazon one not the beer one). I experience the same characteristics. You can keep the power bank on by plugging in another device to the 2nd port. As long as the other device draws >50ma current the bank will stay on. A tablet or a phone work well. Not really practical in your application.

The SENAs require very little current as they approach full charge. Less than 25ma and the power bank shuts down below 50ma.

If its any consolation the power bank will bring the SENA to about 75% charge.

Good to know, thanks. I was guessing something like that was happening.

[billybovine]

So the power bank from a case of beer actually works very well. It only has a capacity of 2,000 milliamp/hrs. Seems to be enough for my Sena SMH10. But I still wanted to get the bigger power bank working. It's 20,000 milliamp/hrs. So I bought a 1.2 watt, usb plug in led to add some draw. Package of 5 for $4.63 CAD from Amazon. That works with the added benefit of a light for the top case at night. The light on the powerbank itself works ok as a flashlight but not practical to light the top case. The top case has a light in it. But it only works when the key is on.

This is my setup.

power bank.jpg

[SpyderAnn01]

Glad to hear you got it figured out. So what kind of beer did you have to buy?

[billybovine]

Coors light. A friend says he has a couple Budwieser ones if I want more.

[rays hell]

I replaced the USB outlet in the top case with a standard cigarette lighter style outlet then plug in a USB adapter.

[Jefftripp1100]

Maybe you guys can help with a question I have. I just bought a '17 f3 Ltd. I noticed the power point in the rear trunk was not working. When I installed the top case/seat extender, i realized there was no power running to the power point! My question is, there are three accessory power points on my f3. Is the rear accessory plug to be used to power the trunk power point? I saw no other wiring that might plug into the power point. Hope that question was clear. Thanks for the help.

[pauly1]

Maybe you guys can help with a question I have. I just bought a '17 f3 Ltd. I noticed the power point in the rear trunk was not working. When I installed the top case/seat extender, i realized there was no power running to the power point! My question is, there are three accessory power points on my f3. Is the rear accessory plug to be used to power the trunk power point? I saw no other wiring that might plug into the power point. Hope that question was clear. Thanks for the help.

Yes, the rear Customer Circuit wire is hooked up to the trunk power port, which on our '18 F3 Ltd, is a dual USB type. I think I'll change the port to a standard cigarette lighter type for more options: lighter plug, USB adapter, etc.

Wayne

[Jefftripp1100]

Thanks for the help. That explains it!