Contact Overland Solutions for all your custom modifications and setup for overland travel.               Discover the extraordinary with Compass Expeditions.

Go Back   The HUBB > Technical, Bike forums > Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear?
How to charge a laptop/camera from the bike? How to charge a laptop/camera from the bike?
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

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.
With more than 58 destinations worldwide, Edelweiss Bike Travel is Number 1 in guided motorcycle tours!
1 Off Motorsports - Improve your riding experience with our parts and accessories!

Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 5 Nov 2008
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
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.
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 5 Nov 2008
MikeS's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Back in Auld Reekie
Posts: 1,111
[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...
__________________
Mike


www.singapore-scotland.blogspot.com
www.argentina-alaska.blogspot.com
My little Vid: India/Pakistan

BMW R1150GS
Suzuki DR650 SE: Ride it like ya stole it. Oh, somebody just did...
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 5 Nov 2008
PocketHead's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: Sucre, Bolivia
Posts: 556
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.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 5 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Moscow
Posts: 1,019
Quote:
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!!)
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 5 Nov 2008
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
[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
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 5 Nov 2008
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
Quote:
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.
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 5 Nov 2008
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
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
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Last edited by AndyWx; 5 Nov 2008 at 15:31.
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 5 Nov 2008
AndyWx's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Edinburgh
Posts: 148
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!
__________________
"...and in the end the journey is the destination..."
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 5 Nov 2008
Alexlebrit's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 761
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?
__________________
Happiness is a 125
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 5 Nov 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Danmark
Posts: 272
Quote:
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
__________________
Poul
May you enjoy peace and good health !
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 6 Nov 2008
Alexlebrit's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Mar 2006
Location: West London
Posts: 761
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.
__________________
Happiness is a 125
Reply With Quote
  #12  
Old 1 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 101
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!
Reply With Quote
  #13  
Old 1 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Staffordshire. uk
Posts: 762
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
Reply With Quote
  #14  
Old 2 Dec 2008
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Salisbury, UK
Posts: 101
That's fantastic - thanks very much!
Reply With Quote
  #15  
Old 16 Feb 2009
Pumbaa's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Back in the UK
Posts: 354
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
__________________
Jacques & Mandy with Pumbaa II
www.seeyouwhenwegetthere.com
Reply With Quote
Reply
Page 1 of 2 1 2

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 
Thread Tools
Display Modes
Linear Mode Linear Mode

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

Similar Threads
Thread Thread Starter Forum Replies Last Post
charging camera batteries with bike Todd & Christina Equipping the Bike - what's the best gear? 12 6 Aug 2009 21:36
Camera gear in backpack or on bike Frodo Photo Forum 10 25 Aug 2008 15:10
Bike Mount for Std Digital Camera iand Photo Forum 5 21 Jul 2008 23:30
Archos and On-Bike camera? craig76 Photo Forum 11 2 Feb 2008 01:23
Mobile Phone, Laptop and Digital Camera Lisa Photo Forum 0 20 Aug 2001 20:02


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 00:18.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top