Added charger

[echinus1988]

I have the 2006 GL1800 which did not come with a phone charger so I added the one in the front left pocket that plugs straight into the wiring.

I have attached a photo of the charger (Yes, I know it's upside down but didn't catch that until I had reinstalled the pocket) and the paperwork said to change the fuse from 5A to 10A. I can go through and figure out which one is the correct one but I am always nervous about changing fuse sizes.

Has anyone else put this accessory in and did you change your fuse? I am thinking it's ok or they wouldn't have suggested changing it. Just looking for someone who has already done it. I do plan on using it to charge my phone, IPad, intercom, etc...

I am adding an additional charger and was thinking of putting it into the side pocket next to the passenger but now I am wondering if I should place that in the trunk. That one will always be on and mainly used to charge my phone or intercom when I am stopped and the other one turns off. The trunk would be better protected both from theft and weather.

Thank you.

[echinus1988]

Oh, I'll be changing my avatar as soon as I get the hitch put on the 2006. Just have to get my lazy butt out there and do it.

Added this post to get started in the monthly contest.

[jinx]

I added a regulated 5VDC 10AMP supply to the bikes battery with an inline 10amp fuse and 18guage wire. Bought some of the cheap dual 5v usb adapters, gutted them and used just the case and jacks. Installed one in the left pocket and two in the cubby on my 2017.The 5vdc supply is divided in to two outputs , one switched and one un switched. I the run the GND,5v switched and 5 un switched to each dual jack
location.Depending on whether I want the dual jack to be switched or un switch determines how I wire it.
One of the reasons I don't use the 5v usb adapters is I found them to be very un reliable.
Having an un switched supply is nice if you are on long trips. I can connect my phone and Bluetooth headset to the un switched supply
if I need to and let them charge over night.
My install looks very similar to yours except my jacks are permanent and flush with the pocket.
Had a similar setup on my 06 and never had a problem with the battery.

[WingAdmin]

I added a regulated 5VDC 10AMP supply to the bikes battery with an inline 10amp fuse and 18guage wire. Bought some of the cheap dual 5v usb adapters, gutted them and used just the case and jacks. Installed one in the left pocket and two in the cubby on my 2017.The 5vdc supply is divided in to two outputs , one switched and one un switched. I the run the GND,5v switched and 5 un switched to each dual jack
location.Depending on whether I want the dual jack to be switched or un switch determines how I wire it.
One of the reasons I don't use the 5v usb adapters is I found them to be very un reliable.
Having an un switched supply is nice if you are on long trips. I can connect my phone and Bluetooth headset to the un switched supply
if I need to and let them charge over night.
My install looks very similar to yours except my jacks are permanent and flush with the pocket.
Had a similar setup on my 06 and never had a problem with the battery.

First off: 18 gauge wire will never carry 10 amps, it will melt before the fuse does. If you are truly carrying 10 amps, then that wire should be 12 gauge or better.

We need to do some math:

You have a power supply that provides 5VDC at 10 A. That's 50 watts of power (5V x 10A). At 13.8 VDC, 50 watts works out to 3.6 amps being drawn. So double that, and you could safely use a 7.5 amp fuse to protect that circuit. For that amount of current, you should be using 16 gauge wire.

[jinx]

I'm done . I call BS. The ckt in question has worked fine for over 7 years. I don't know why I waste my time on this site.

Fill free to delete this post.

[WingAdmin]

I'm done . I call ****. The ckt in question has worked fine for over 7 years. I don't know why I waste my time on this site.

Fill free to delete this post.

I'm not saying it won't work, clearly it does. I'm saying the fuse is larger than it needs to be, and the wire should be larger as well. That said, the numbers and sizing that I gave are for the worst-case scenario (which is generally how I design my electrical circuitry) - that being every single of your 6 USB sockets populated and drawing a full 2 amps at the same time. Most cell phones draw between 1A and 1.5A, and you likely aren't going to have six things plugged in at once, so you likely are never going to see that.

The reason I put that information out there is for people who DO come to threads like this in the future, looking to do something similar. It was not a personal attack or affront against your design.

[echinus1988]

So I still would like your opinion Wingadmin,

I put in the power, plug and play into existing wiring and it was recommended to increase to a 10 amp fuse. I understand basics of electricity but only the basics. I don't believe I have a wiring diagram to see the gauge of wire for this circuit but it was recommended to increase it.

Your opinion would be appreciated and I'll make the decision after that.

Thanks.

[echinus1988]

Jinx,

I know what you're saying. I added a cheap (Hong Kong) adapter and the cigarette lighter socket kept working but I lost both my USB ports. Solution, I plugged a two USB port adapter into the socket and used that.

I have a second one that I will put in as unswitched so I use it like you do, overnight. Still deciding where to put it, trunk or side pocket. Side pockets are of course not weather proof so I'll have to think on that for a bit. Also I'll look to see where it can enter both compartments before I decide.

Not as concerned about unswitched because it will mainly be used when I stop for lunch or something like that. I will be hooking up a battery, isolator in my trailer and I already have 120V line into it from the previous owner. That will be my main charging station for camping. Still trying to figure that all out including if I can add a 120V charger for the few nights I camp with electricity. That might be overkill because I usually avoid spots like that and go for more secluded, no frills type sites.

Thanks.