Front storage USB port not charging quickly enough - any ideas?

[MCarvalho]

Hello Everyone,

I own a 22 Spyder RT Limited and usually use the navigation on my mobile that I charge on the USB port on the front storage above the steering. However, the phone loses energy faster than the USB can recharge it!

Sometimes, on long journeys I keep a powerbank in the front storage and connect the phone there. Like this, it charges the phone.

Do any of you have the same experience with the provided USB port? Is there any way to increase the power on that USB port?

Thank you.

 

[Bartender]

I have had the same experience. My phone is an I11. It helped some to get a usb connector that did not transmit data also but still need to be sure that I have a full charge on phone at beginning of day. The output on the connector on the bike must be limited. I checked with the dealership to see if that could be changed and they indicated that it could not.

 

[blacklightning]

I just finished a week long trip in the VA, West Va, NC, Kentucky, Tenn, and NC mountains. I found that if you have any apps open, the usb charge can barely keep up with the usage. But if you turn everything off, it will get a charge, but slowly.

 

[K80Shooter]

That port was mainly there for data transfer purposes.

I installed a dedicated usb port with 12 gauge wire feed to the battery and relay powered by the gps wire for the trigger.
Not another charging problem since.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JYDVK4T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

 

[MCarvalho]

That port was mainly there for data transfer purposes.

I installed a dedicated usb port with 12 gauge wire feed to the battery and relay powered by the gps wire for the trigger.
Not another charging problem since.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07JYDVK4T/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used to have a 2011 RT and did exactly the same thing.

But now we are supposed to use BRP Connect and like that we are not supposed to need another power source.

It is strange how a vehicle that is on a higher price level and it is so little refined on some minor things.

 

[Flamewinger]

I use it and have found the USB charges just fine (is your phone good?). Shut it off once in a while to refresh it. I’ve gone on a ride with about 20% battery and after an hour I have almost 60% and I’m using the music and GPS apps.

It could be the power part of the USB isn’t connected. When you plug it in do you see the charge symbol? Is the battery so far down it it won’t take a charge AND work normally? Is the phone up to date with the latest OS?

These are images of a USB meter showing voltage and amps with the engine off.

 

[Jesster72]

Good comments from Flamewinger, try those suggestions, but - also, here is what I have tried with success in the past - I use my iPhone for directions and music, so it is always using battery. (I have it plugged into the glove box USB with a data blocker in-line), if I am at a place in my ride that I don't need to see the map - for example long interstate runs, I put the phone to sleep, and wake it up when I am nearing the next set of directions I need. The phone charges quicker with the display off.

 

[Bfromla]

Also helpful if turn WiFi off not just disconnect. Adjusting settings to not search automatically.:thumbup: Otherwise it searches jase a softer as does for cell towers. Few other batter saving options available. nojoke Storm cut through this morning & no power here at the moment :sour:

 

[al0vely]

I added the dual USB charging port like in post #4 … it charges fast and works great for me. I do not use any BRP apps and use my phone for navigation and music when riding.

 

[IdahoMtnSpyder]

The specifications for USB limit the output of ports to 1.2 amps and 2.4 amps. I'm guessing the BRP port is a 1.2 A port which is not enough to keep some devices charged while running apps, or your phone is a heavy power user. I have that issue with the Samsung tablet I use for navigation. I don't remember if the after market USB charger I installed is a 1.2 or 2.4. As has been suggested turn off every app you don't use while riding. If the Spyder USB port is 2.4 A and you're losing charge while riding, and you have everything you don't need turned off, then basically you are SOL since you won't readily find a higher power USB port.

 

[MCarvalho]

Hi Everyone,

Did a small test and here are the findings.

First, shutdown and restart of smartphone (android). No apps running except for app Ampere that shows the information below. The same USB cable was used on the all tests.

The 3 highest readings are done on a wall socket (1600 mA), on the powerbank (1790 mA) I use and on the USB on the rear trunk of the spyder (1650 mA).

The lowest reading was done on the spyder, connected to the front USB socket with the engine running (80 mA).

There has to be some issue there.

Tried to reach BRP Customer Service questioning what is the normal value to have but their reply is to reach a dealer (good luck with that!)

Any idea of what might be wrong?

 

[Flamewinger]

I’ve been using my phone with the dash since I got the 2018. Never had a problem with a draining or dead battery. I don’t close all the apps, I don’t shut the browser down, I just get my music playing, plug it in and use either GPS app along with Rever for tracking and my phone doesn’t go dead. I also make sure my phone and apps are up to date and I refresh it by turning it off once or twice a month. The USB charges just fine.

 

[MCarvalho]

I’ve been using my phone with the dash since I got the 2018. Never had a problem with a draining or dead battery. I don’t close all the apps, I don’t shut the browser down, I just get my
Music playing, plug it in and use either GPS app along with Rever for tracking and my phone doesn’t go dead. I also make sure my phone and apps are up to date and I refresh it by turning it off once or twice a month. The USB charges just fine.

Thank you for your feedback.

Would it be possible for you to check what is the charging power on your USB port?

That would be much helpfull.

Thank you

 

[chipveres]

Some random thoughts: Thanks for telling me about the Ampere app, I love electronics experiments. I *think* your cellphone is drawing too much current. As long as the ignition is on either USB outlet on my Spyder will maintain a positive rate of charge on my cellphone. I concur with Bfromla about turning off any radio channels you do not need eg. Bluetooth or WiFi. These are indeed radio transmitters (small) and eat current. Can you borrow someone else's cellphone and repeat the experiment? That would tell us for sure if the problem is with the Spyder or with the phone.

 

[MCarvalho]

Some random thoughts: Thanks for telling me about the Ampere app, I love electronics experiments. I *think* your cellphone is drawing too much current. As long as the ignition is on either USB outlet on my Spyder will maintain a positive rate of charge on my cellphone. I concur with Bfromla about turning off any radio channels you do not need eg. Bluetooth or WiFi. These are indeed radio transmitters (small) and eat current. Can you borrow someone else's cellphone and repeat the experiment? That would tell us for sure if the problem is with the Spyder or with the phone.

Hello, today I bought a USB tester.
Will test it later on and post the results ASAP.

But would be very interesting to compare it to the results on other Spyders. So, if anyone can share theirs it would be great!

The problem is not my phone. It charges well in the car, at home, on the rear USB of the Spyder. I don't have any issue with it at any other place.

 

[Flamewinger]

Thank you for your feedback.

Would it be possible for you to check what is the charging power on your USB port?

That would be much helpfull.

Thank you

Look to earlier posts in the topic. I show two images of the power output.

 

[Flamewinger]

Hello, today I bought a USB tester.
Will test it later on and post the results ASAP.

But would be very interesting to compare it to the results on other Spyders. So, if anyone can share theirs it would be great!

The problem is not my phone. It charges well in the car, at home, on the rear USB of the Spyder. I don't have any issue with it at any other place.

I’m guessing you've tried different cables? Cleaned the charging/data port on the phone?

 

[KAMJAM]

I wanted a way to charge our comms and the phone at the same time, even when the RT's were not running and I did not want the USB ports to be exposed to the elements. I found a dual USB charger adapter with switch and voltmeter on amazon, link below. I drilled a hole at the back of the storage box, punched a hole in a hole plug just large enough for wires to pass the wires through and connected it to a fuse block (show chrome) that all the accessories are connected to.

We keep a short cord for our iphone, usb-micro for the Cardo, and a usb-c just in case we come a across an android user in need of a charge.

https://www.amazon.com/Vemote-Motor...YJT1P8/ref=psdc_8323713011_t1_B0B1QLTWJY?th=1

 

[Flamewinger]

Here's an Article on Device Charging Voltage you should read!

https://www.lockncharge.com/blog/in...mobile devices, the,be applied to the product.

 

[SpyderGoal]

USB Charging in the glove box

I have a 2023 RT Sea to Sky and found that the glove box port doesn’t charge enough to keep my iPhone charged on a day long trip so I went out and purchased a dual port usb charging port that is supposed to fit in the spot where there is a switch blank in the console. I just tried to install it and found on my RT the switch location came from the factory cut out to a rectangle for a switch which is larger than the usb port. Has anyone here found a port that fits the opening?
I could cut out the blank that is snapped into the opening but it’s going to be a real pain to cut and it just seems like there should be something out there that fits…