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 > Tech
Any problems charging Electrical equipment from the bike Any problems charging Electrical equipment from the bike
Register FAQ Calendar Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read

Tech ALL bikes: "Generic" tech questions and answers. Maintenance, general discussions etc.
With more than 58 destinations worldwide, Edelweiss Bike Travel is Number 1 in guided motorcycle tours!
Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 31 May 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 14
Any problems charging Electrical equipment from the bike
Has anyone noticed any issues with long term use of the bikes battery to charge electricial stuff such as mobile-phones or MP3 players.

I only ask because I notice when I charge my mobile-phone from the bike, the charge bars seem to move much faster than they do when I charge from the mains. I thought this might cause some long term damage to the battery if used consistantly.

Anyone noticed that a device that should have lastet longer has died because of charging from the bike?

Cheers
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 31 May 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Merseyside, England.
Posts: 3,414
I assume you're using the 12v intended for the device through a socket ?? They will have their own inbuilt regulation in the cable or in the device itself.

I've never heard of anyone frying anything while using the proper gear and not bodged up systems.
__________________
www.touringted.com
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 1 Jun 2010
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Ireland
Posts: 14
Thanks for the reply Touring Ted.

Yeah, it is a standard charger and appears to have some regulator.
I am not worried anout it frying the phone, more worried about doing long term damage to the phone or its battery.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 1 Jun 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Merseyside, England.
Posts: 3,414
Quote:
Originally Posted by Orujo View Post
Thanks for the reply Touring Ted.

Yeah, it is a standard charger and appears to have some regulator.
I am not worried anout it frying the phone, more worried about doing long term damage to the phone or its battery.
It will be fine !!
__________________
www.touringted.com
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 11 Jul 2010
stephen.stallebrass's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Peterborough
Posts: 154
Charging stuff off the bike battery overnight?
I've heard that you can charge some stuff off the bike battery overnight? Would this not drain the battery? Is there a rule of thumb in doing this? I've heard of charging stuff whilst on the go but not while the engine is off...
__________________
2008 Yellow BMW F800 GS aka 'Hitch'
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 12 Jul 2010
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2007
Location: Rockhampton, Australia
Posts: 569
Quote:
Originally Posted by stephen.stallebrass View Post
I've heard that you can charge some stuff off the bike battery overnight? Would this not drain the battery? Is there a rule of thumb in doing this? I've heard of charging stuff whilst on the go but not while the engine is off...
I personally would not let things charge overnight. But I would certainly charge things while the engine is turned off, as long as I had one of these handy little gadgets inline with my charge socket. This will discharge but keep enough juice in the battery for a few normal starts the next time. Note, I do not have one of these as yet, but intend to buy one and do some testing now that I am stationary and do not mind flattening the battery









Cheers
TravellingStrom
__________________
www.travellingstrom.com
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 12 Jul 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Merseyside, England.
Posts: 3,414
What do you intend on charging anyway ???

A mobile phone coudln't drain a healthy battery if it tried. Even left overnight. They draw miliamps and usually have overcharge cut off features to prevent battery damage.

If you knew the amount of amp draw your starter motor used and comapred to next to a mobile phone/ipod. You wouldnt worry.

I've overnight charged mobile phones/ipods/battery charger before and have never had a problem.

I wouldnt use an inverter overnight for any 12v supplies as they do suck a lot of power.

It goes a long way having a GOOD quality, new battery and healthy charging system. Check it before you leave home.
__________________
www.touringted.com
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 12 Jul 2010
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: Oxford UK
Posts: 683
Quote:
Originally Posted by *Touring Ted* View Post
What do you intend on charging anyway ???

A mobile phone coudln't drain a healthy battery if it tried. Even left overnight. They draw miliamps and usually have overcharge cut off features to prevent battery damage.

Not quite true Ted. I flattened the battery on my CCM when I left my overlanding PAYG phone connected up to to the 12v charger I built into the bike. (charges the phone, runs the sat nav and a couple of other things).

It took about two to three months though - I forgot about it when I parked the bike up over the winter. The phone charged up and didn't take any more power but the charging circuit kept idling and eventually did for the battery.

Overnight wouldn't be a problem though!
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 12 Jul 2010
ta-rider's Avatar
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: Germany
Posts: 399
Hi,

I used to charge my camera and my phone on the bike over night while traveling with no problem. Onely if i charge my netbook it will flaten the battery so i have to push start. Flaten the batery too often is not a good thing but not updating your webpage is not good for your friends who want to read your travelreport as well

LG, Tobi
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 12 Jul 2010
*Touring Ted*'s Avatar
Contributing Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Jul 2005
Location: Merseyside, England.
Posts: 3,414
Quote:
Originally Posted by backofbeyond View Post
Not quite true Ted. I flattened the battery on my CCM when I left my overlanding PAYG phone connected up to to the 12v charger I built into the bike. (charges the phone, runs the sat nav and a couple of other things).

It took about two to three months though - I forgot about it when I parked the bike up over the winter. The phone charged up and didn't take any more power but the charging circuit kept idling and eventually did for the battery.

Overnight wouldn't be a problem though!
Im pretty sure a CCM battery would go flat in 3 months anyway
__________________
www.touringted.com
Reply With Quote
Reply

« 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
3aj charging problems big t Yamaha Tech 9 13 Nov 2008 16:32
How best to install electrical equipment? nmanno BMW Tech 4 15 Feb 2008 17:05
Does charging up electrical equipment drain bike's battery? Del Boy Travellers' questions that don't fit anywhere else 4 28 Oct 2006 13:39
Electrical Problems- not charging battery...Lc4 Galloping Gazza KTM Tech 2 7 Dec 2003 20:07
93 XT charging problems IanW Yamaha Tech 1 10 Mar 2002 19:19


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 08:48.

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