USB charging sockets?
 

I was thinking about adding a USB socket to the bike. Most of the stuff I see available doesn't look particularly well thought out - cheap looking sockets that you clamp to the bars.

Maybe that's all that is really needed though and they don't look as bad once they're on?

I see they're often marked as 'waterproof' - but that seems to be only when a cap is screwed down when not in use - what about using them in the rain?

I'd be very interested to hear others experience of using these devices and see what solutions people have come up with in regard to fitting/placement and so on.

Re: USB charging sockets
 

I've hidden mine behind the screen fairing. It is the best you can do.
Like you say open the cap it looses it's waterproof sealing.

Re: USB charging sockets?
 

Although obviously not an SV, both the usb and the 12v socket work perfectly well when on the move even in heavy rain, the only time it's a problem is when the bike is stationary in the rain and you have them open.

https://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.n...8d86f93df0a4a5

https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/...59&oe=54878403

Re: USB charging sockets?
 

I got this one... Link

It was £20, comes with inline fuse and a little box with an on/off switch and LED. I put it on the battery, put the switch in the pillion seat (Cable tied to the helmet hook) and ran the wire down under main seat, under tank and it comes out and rests on the left frame (just under tank) using velcro and a black cable tie.

It has a cover to stop rain getting at it when not in use, but also comes with a rubber sleeve for your usb cable so once its connected it creates a waterproof seal, to what extent I dont know, but iv used it several times in the rain and had no issues.

Re: USB charging sockets?
 

I've just put a blob of Silicon grease on mine.
In hope it's helping.
The rubber sleeve sounds like a good plan though. Wounder if you could get them separately

Re: USB charging sockets?
 

Difficult to make it waterproof, but mine was under the seat, using the Optimate 12v socket adaptor & a dual USB plug thingy in the 12v socket and connected to my device using a long male - female USB cable.

Where the male cable plugged into the long USB female end, I cut a section of bicycle inner tube to cover the join.

This was tucked behind my fairing, so even harder or any rain to get into it.

Re: USB charging sockets?
 

i have recently done just this. i bought a USB charging socket and 12v ACC socket. the USB lasted all of not even a day so i took it off and fitted the 12v ACC socket and now use a USB plug in charging socket. this now gives me best of both worlds. i also have the 12v ACC socket connected to one of my Gizmos so turns on/off with the bike ignition.

i think i posted the fitting in the 'what have you done today' thread.

Re: USB charging sockets?
 

I used to have a cigi lighter that I fitted a standard connector to, which plugged in under the tank. I only used it for my satnav (which wasn't very often). I would run the wire in to my tank bag and plug the sat nav in there.

Completely waterproof and easy to get rid of when you don't need it

Re: USB charging sockets?
 

I used to have a cigi socket in bottom of my SV fairing. Worked well enough. These days I use one of those battery packs that you can buy to extend or recharge phone etc. Cost £15 and has two USB sockets. Lives in the tank bag when powering my TomTom

My lash up

http://img.tapatalk.com/d/14/09/09/bu4u6uba.jpg

sent via Pony Express

Re: USB charging sockets?
 

I have one of these with a 12v down to 5v adaptor, the cap keeps the socket dry and I've used it in torrential rain with the adaptor in and it worked fine. The adaptor does sometimes wriggle loose so it's held down with a loose cable tie which goes tight when it tries to wriggle its way out. Mies attached to the frame facing up right in front of the pointy SV clocks.