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How to charge a laptop/camera from the bike? How to charge a laptop/camera from the bike?
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Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? Anything to do with the bikes equipment, saddlebags, etc. Questions on repairs and maintenance of the bike itself belong in the Brand Specific Tech Forums.
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland



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  #1  
Old 5 Nov 2008
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How to charge a laptop/camera from the bike?
Hello ladies and gents,

I'm planning a RTW trip in 2010 on a wee or a V Strom. Obviously I'm planning to take a laptop with me as well as SLR Camera and a Camcorder. The problem is how do I charge it's battery in the more remote areas of the world? Is there any way of getting it charged from the bike?I could plug it in during the day when I'm riding, get it charged. Is there anything outthere?

All comments will be appreciated.
Andy.
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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[QUOTE=AndyWx;213906]Obviously I'm planning to take a laptop with me /QUOTE]
Not that obvious, i didn't feel I needed one on my last trip, too heavy and just another thing to worry about. Plenty of internet cafes about (unless you're in North America that is...)

I just attached a 12v waterproof cigarette socket to the bikes battery. While riding, I just plugged in my mp3 player, camera battery charger etc.

Sure you wouldn't rather do it on a DR650?? I know of one in Edinburgh for sale...
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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I've purchased a female plug with leads and clips for $6 and a 3 way 12v cigarette splitter with 1 usb port to charge my eeepc, phone, camera and ipod using car chargers. It will require a 5amp fuse which I'll buy on the weekend.

This is the splitter:
DealExtreme: $6.80 1-to-3 Triple-Socket Cigarette Power Splitter with 5V 500mA USB Power Port

I'm just gona wrap it in plastic and store it in my saddlebags.
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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Originally Posted by AndyWx View Post
Is there any way of getting it charged from the bike?I could plug it in during the day when I'm riding, get it charged. Is there anything outthere?
Fit a power socket if the bike does not come with one. Wire it with a fuse through either an ignition controlled circuit or a permanantly live circuit (this allows for charging, inspection light, etc when the bike is not being ridden).
There are two types - the normal car 'cigarette lighter' type of socket and the smaller "Hella" type used by BMW and Triumph and also widely used by truckkers.

Car charger leads/adapters are available for iPods, phones and most cameras. Presumably LapTops do as well.

I have a splitter lead and extentions of varying lengths so I can get power to a tank bag, my pocket, panniers, top box and heated vest. (Not all at once!!)
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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[quote=MikeS;213915]
Quote:
Originally Posted by AndyWx View Post
Obviously I'm planning to take a laptop with me /QUOTE]

Sure you wouldn't rather do it on a DR650?? I know of one in Edinburgh for sale...
Hi Mike!

I was thinking about a DR650 too but because we're going two up with my wife and we're not going to do a huge amount of offroading I think we'll go for a wee or a V Strom.

Thanks for the info though.

About the laptop I think that we'll need it for downloading some of the picture and film material onto it. Also I think I'm gonna get a 1TB external HD and loads of cards for the camera. I think I'll get cigarette socket fitted maybe with a USB Port as well.

Thanks again!
Andy
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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Originally Posted by Tony P View Post
Fit a power socket if the bike does not come with one. Wire it with a fuse through either an ignition controlled circuit or a permanantly live circuit (this allows for charging, inspection light, etc when the bike is not being ridden).
There are two types - the normal car 'cigarette lighter' type of socket and the smaller "Hella" type used by BMW and Triumph and also widely used by truckkers.

Car charger leads/adapters are available for iPods, phones and most cameras. Presumably LapTops do as well.

I have a splitter lead and extentions of varying lengths so I can get power to a tank bag, my pocket, panniers, top box and heated vest. (Not all at once!!)
Good stuff Tony. I thought that there had to be something out there! I think that I'll go with something ignition related so that it's not live when the bike is not running. I'll deffinitely check out all the sockets and adapters needed for cameras and laptops.

Thank again!
Andy.
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PocketHead View Post
I've purchased a female plug with leads and clips for $6 and a 3 way 12v cigarette splitter with 1 usb port to charge my eeepc, phone, camera and ipod using car chargers. It will require a 5amp fuse which I'll buy on the weekend.

This is the splitter:
DealExtreme: $6.80 1-to-3 Triple-Socket Cigarette Power Splitter with 5V 500mA USB Power Port

I'm just gona wrap it in plastic and store it in my saddlebags.
Thanks PocketHead! This thing is great! I think I'll get it. Good stuff.

What about it's reliability in wet conditions or off road?

Cheers,
Andy
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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Hi again!

For all interested I found a mounting guide for the cigarette socket. Seems quite easy.

Installing a Cigarette Lighter Accessory Outlet on a Motorcycle | WhyBike? Motorcycle Blog

All the best and see you all outthere!

Andy!
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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Quote:
Originally Posted by PocketHead View Post
I've purchased a female plug with leads and clips for $6 and a 3 way 12v cigarette splitter with 1 usb port to charge my eeepc, phone, camera and ipod using car chargers. It will require a 5amp fuse which I'll buy on the weekend.

This is the splitter:
DealExtreme: $6.80 1-to-3 Triple-Socket Cigarette Power Splitter with 5V 500mA USB Power Port

I'm just gona wrap it in plastic and store it in my saddlebags.
Looks great, I've not seeno ne with a USB port and it seems more and more things will charge off one. In fact I could do with several USB ports and just the one cig lighter really.

How's the adaptor thing constructed, I've got a three way (no USB) one which was screwed together, so I took it apart to get to the wiring, cut the "plug" bit off and ran a wire in through a grommet it'd fitted in the hole, I've got that hard-wired with fuse into my ignition circuit, so I've always got a bunch of sockets ready, and don't have that old "double adaptor look going on.

For the upcoming trip though I've decided to opt for something different, my EEEPC's USB ports. My camera and cellphone both charge off USB, so I'm planning on using the EEPC's car charger to charger it up and then charge the other two off the USB ports. That way I don't have to worry about hundreds of bulky cigarette lighter charging leads, just a couple of USB leads will do.

I wonder if anyone makes a step down from 12V DC on a vehicle to 5V USB direct?
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Old 5 Nov 2008
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Originally Posted by Alexlebrit View Post
.............I wonder if anyone makes a step down from 12V DC on a vehicle to 5V USB direct?
take your pick

12v usb adaptor - Google-søgning
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Old 6 Nov 2008
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Oh yes, Google, always a good idea before asking a dumb question, thanks for that. I've just found a USB powered AA-cell charger too, so I think I'll get one of these adaptors, and see if I can make up a little hardwired USB-loom for my bike. the ideal would be a couple of ports to the inside of the top case for charging batteries and my bluetooth headset and one on the bars for the phone.

Now just have to find a waterproof casing/mount for it.
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Old 1 Dec 2008
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Hope you don't mind me jumping in here with my own (related) query?!

I'm a complete numpty when it comes to electrickery so this may be a really stupid question ....... but .....
My DSLR has a bespoke battery, not AA etc, and a charging unit/adaptor that I plug into the mains. Assuming I can find an appropriate lead to plug into the chargng unit with a cigarette lighter type plug on the other end will it charge the battery OK? Worse, could I damage the charging unit or bike?

My bike is already fitted with the small cigarette socket so at least there's no risk in me having to fit one!
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Old 1 Dec 2008
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Try Hahnel battery chargers they do a universal one that covers most DSLR batts. Here's a few to be going on with...

Amazon.co.uk: hahnel battery charger - Electronics & Photo: Electronics & Photo
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Old 2 Dec 2008
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That's fantastic - thanks very much!
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Old 16 Feb 2009
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12 laptop charger
I remember seeing a 12v charger for a laptop as well. Does anyone know where I can find one, or what make it was?

Thanks
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