 |

8 Jun 2013
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 15
|
|
Electrical Equipment?
Hi all
Not sure if this is the correct place to post, but what do people take with them on the road in terms of being able to charge laptops etc? I have searched the posts for a good answer this questions but cannot find. I am literally just taking a small digital camera and an Ultrabook with good battery life and maybe a battery charger for AAA batteries for torches etc. But i cannot work out if i can just buy a small inverter and charge things from the 12V socket on the bike? I have seen thos Sherpa powerpacks with solar panels but they cost a fortune, i thought this is ideal as i could charge it off the 12v socket from the bike and then use it to give more power without risking the bike battery. Just really confused as i am a numpty when it comes to electrical systems. And i couldn't bump start my Africa Twin on tarmac never mind the terrain where i am heading.
Thanks in advance!
Adam
Thanks in advance
|

8 Jun 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2012
Location: Australia
Posts: 1,131
|
|
Ideally you want a 12v charger that charges the other battery directly.
If you have a 12v inverter to 120/240v then a battery charger from 120/240v to the other battery then you have increased the losses by at least double. And the weight will also go up, as will the pack volume. But it is easier to go with the inverter.
|

9 Jun 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 1,028
|
|
Some DC chargers aren't as reliable and I prefer to be able to charge in a hotel as well with the AC charger. So rather than bringing both AC and DC charger I prefer to take a small interver.
Brunton do a really small one. US socket though, but I always carry an international adapter anyway.
|

9 Jun 2013
|
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
|
|
Join Date: Nov 2012
Posts: 15
|
|
Thanks for the links
What i don't understand is the benefit / disadvantage of a DC power supply to using an inverter? I understand it to be using an inverter will charge better but drain my battery quicker?
I am thinking the best thing to do is get a 300w inverter- they are only cheap at £30, but i need to understand how to interpret the voltmeter reading. If it drops below 12v how long can i leave it like that? My laptop is only 65w so would in reality i be very safe to charge this off the motorcycle as long as the engine is running?
Many Thanks
|

10 Jun 2013
|
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Aug 2005
Location: Calgary AB
Posts: 1,028
|
|
Quote:
Originally Posted by adam402
What i don't understand is the benefit / disadvantage of a DC power supply to using an inverter?
|
Benefit of inverter: "Some DC chargers aren't as reliable and I prefer to be able to charge in a hotel as well with the AC charger. So rather than bringing both AC and DC charger I prefer to take a small interver."
Disadvantage of DC supply: Can only be use with DC source, ie engine electrical systems.
Why a 300W one? Even Duracell do a small one sufficient for a laptop.
Keep the voltmeter above 13.4v at all time. Some BMW's (F800) a bit higher I think. Below this you will draw power from the battery = not good.
Some/ lots of big bikes produce 400W of power at mid range rev typically. Less revs = less power. Don't charge it idling for long periods. You'll notice the voltage drop below 13.4v when you use too much power. You can experiment with this. I learned that my bike couldn't handle my spotties. My wife's identical bike could.
|

10 Jun 2013
|
 |
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
|
|
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Tasmania
Posts: 120
|
|
tmorren wrote:
Quote:
Benefit of inverter: "Some DC chargers aren't as reliable and I prefer to be able to charge in a hotel as well with the AC charger
|
I agree that some may be less reliable if you choose to purchase poorly designed and cheap products, though it is largely untrue that DC supplies are less reliable than their AC counterparts, they use the very same type of components, just a slightly different circuit. You can buy very reliable power supplies of either sort. As you say, it is just your preference to use an AC adaptor, that is all.
The next section I am making the assumption you are using your equipment while off the bike with the motor off.
Quote:
Why a 300W one? Even Duracell do a small one sufficient for a laptop.
|
Using an AC to DC inverter that is in excess of the power needed is highly inefficient. For example, most laptop power supplies are typically rated for between 50 to 100 Watts of power. Using your 300 Watt inverter to operate your laptop while camped is not making the best use of your motorbike battery capacity as the inverter will have very poor efficiency while only loaded at 20% to 50%, with typical inverter efficiencies of around 50% to 70% at this load. 300W capacity loaded with 50 to 100 Watt laptop equates to around this loss from the inverter alone. With the losses again in your laptop power supply, you loose even more. Hence you are not effectively using the available energy in your bike battery.
My suggestion, if you want an inverter, get one that matches very closely to the maximum power draw of your equipment, that way you will maximize the efficiency. An inverter that is loaded near to its capacity will give you the best conversion efficiency, typically in the order of 85% to 95%. I live on solar and micro hydro and battery system with an inverter system. You can find it via my link at the bottom if you're at all interested. I have designed all hardware and software with it still a work in progress.
Depending on your equipment, I would suggest looking into a dual power supply. I have a DELL laptop I take with me on travels and DELL make a nice compact power supply that can connect to both AC or DC input supplies. You can plug into the AC outlet or connect to the 12 volt DC of your bike or car battery or also into the power outlet of modern aircraft power distribution systems.
tmotten wrote:
Quote:
Keep the voltmeter above 13.4v at all time. Some BMW's (F800) a bit higher I think. Below this you will draw power from the battery = not good.
|
Again, terminology needs to be correct here. You can not keep your voltmeter above 13.4 volts, it is a meter and will display what it measures. I guess you mean to say, try to keep your battery above 13.4 volts. Firstly, this next to impossible as fully charged 12 volt battery will display 12.6 volts when fully charged and rested and disconnected from the charge system for a period of time.
When your motorbike is running, then the alternator via the regulator will keep your battery charged, and it does this by having a higher voltage, typically around the 13.6 to 14.6 volts depending on and regulator system. It will not be possible to keep your battery above 12.8 volts, let alone 13.4 volts while the the engine and charging system is stationary.
If you intend to have your equipment plugged in to charge while riding your bike, then what tmotten says is largely correct in terms of watching the voltage of your battery. What is important is that the bike alternator needs to charge the battery and supply power to all other bike electrical systems. A large power consumer is also the main front headlight, at around 50 to 100 Watts. You need to make sure your bike alternator has enough capacity to deliver all bike needs as well as any charging options and then some. Don't push your alternator to its limits and run the risk of overloading and burning it out.
The second part where you say you will draw power from the battery equates to not good, needs clarification. When ever you are powering anything from a battery, you are drawing power from that battery, this is the purpose of the battery as it is an energy store. What needs to be watched, is how much energy is energy is used from the available battery capacity, which will be the depth of discharge, which is normally express as a percentage of 100% full charge. Generally you can use a voltage reading of the battery as a guide to know this.
What a lot of folks fail to understand is that for a 12 volt battery, the battery is will have very little capacity remaining when the voltage falls to just below 12 volts and this situation should be avoided. Many people think such a battery will be flat when the voltage is zero which is a fallacy, it will be flat at around 11.2 volts and at this voltage you are damaging the battery permanently.
Remember that with later model BMW's they will use CAN bus as the on bike network control system, so be careful how you connect in to the power supply of such a bike. CAN bus is a data communication network.
This whole section on having power for accessories is complex and is different from bike to bike and for how different people intend to use any additional electrical equipment.
_____
Paul
__________________
I have learned that I don't suffer from insanity, I enjoy it.
Last edited by rockwallaby; 10 Jun 2013 at 12:09.
|
Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...
2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.
"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.
Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes.
(ONLY US RESIDENTS and currently has a limit of 60 days.)
Ripcord Evacuation Insurance is available for ALL nationalities.
What others say about HU...
"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia
"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK
"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia
"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA
"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada
"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa
"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia
"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany
Lots more comments here!

Every book a diary
Every chapter a day
Every day a journey
Refreshingly honest and compelling tales: the hights and lows of a life on the road. Solo, unsupported, budget journeys of discovery.
Authentic, engaging and evocative travel memoirs, overland, around the world and through life.
All 8 books available from the author or as eBooks and audio books
Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!
New to Horizons Unlimited?
New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!
Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.
Read more about Grant & Susan's story
Membership - help keep us going!
Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.
You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.
|
|
|