Improved 12V in Cockpit

[wd5gnr]

When I first got the bike (2013) I bought an extra speaker grille from Cheap parts -- it was just a few bucks. Then I took the original out and drilled it for a 12 socket. I wasn't sure where to pick up switched or where the fuse box was, so I used an inline fuse and dropped it to the "jumper terminals" in the frunk. I know now that the battery is just below that and you can easily access it through the frunk (this is a 2013, remember) so if I had to do it again, I'd go right to the battery.

This does two things. It makes a nice place ot put a charger or a Bluetooth transmitter. I also have my battery tender set up with a cigarette lighter plug so you just plug it in there. So far, nothing exciting.

However, if I don't want to charge the bike, I feel bad leaving the Bluetooth dongle in. I have one now that comes out easily, but the one I had previous was a tight fit. And sometimes you just want to walk away from the bike for awhile while parked and not have anything drawing power.

So... off came the panel again.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B071H9KXKQ -- I got red because the bike is read but they have other colors.

Drilled a hole in the panel using a pilot hole and then a step bit. I cut the quick connects off the 12V socket and wired the switch in the middle with wire nuts. The printout they send you is black and white, so you want to go look at the color wiring diagram on the web because the black text vanishes in the printout.

And there you are:


Power off

Power on (LED washed out in picture)

All set to ride.

10 minutes and 10 dollars.

 

[ofdave]

nice job
maybe all those guys with winter to deal with will take this on as a project (at least there'd be a reason to sit on the Spyder)

 

[UtahPete]

What is that device you have plugged into the cigarette lighter socket?

 

[wd5gnr]

It is from Fry's -- I forget the maker. It is a Bluetooth to FM transmitter and dual USB charger. About $20. I had a different one (posted on it) that looked nicer, but it didn't play well with my new phone and it was a tight tight fit in the 12V socket.

Ah, here you go: https://www.frys.com/product/9534472

Not bad although not as "sexy" as the last one I had. This one: https://www.amazon.com/Nulaxy-Wireless-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Smartphones/dp/B018E0I01I

 

[UtahPete]

It is from Fry's -- I forget the maker. It is a Bluetooth to FM transmitter and dual USB charger. About $20. I had a different one (posted on it) that looked nicer, but it didn't play well with my new phone and it was a tight tight fit in the 12V socket.

Ah, here you go: https://www.frys.com/product/9534472

Not bad although not as "sexy" as the last one I had. This one: https://www.amazon.com/Nulaxy-Wireless-Bluetooth-Transmitter-Smartphones/dp/B018E0I01I

Interesting. Thanks.

 

[wd5gnr]

Rode a good bit today. One thing I noticed I would do different (and easy to fix). The switch is lined up so the logo is parallel to the edge of the grille. But the grille is slanted. So that makes the button at an angle to the center line of the bike. Eventually I will get enough OCD to pull it up, loosen it, and adjust it. But it really doesn't make much difference. But if you were doing this for the first time, I'd say line it up with the bike's CL.