Charging iPhone

[SamD]

This might be/is probably a silly question, but if I was to lop the plug off of an iPhone car charger and put a DIN plug on the end, would it charge OK from the socket on my bike? I have read all sorts about the limitations of the DIN socket and Canbus etc, but I am not clear whether this will work or not. Longer term I plan to fit a fuse panel and do it properly, but I was wondering if this would work as a temporary solution

 

[Thunder]

This might be/is probably a silly question, but if I was to lop the plug off of an iPhone car charger and put a DIN plug on the end, would it charge OK from the socket on my bike? I have read all sorts about the limitations of the DIN socket and Canbus etc, but I am not clear whether this will work or not. Longer term I plan to fit a fuse panel and do it properly, but I was wondering if this would work as a temporary solution

Chances are there will be protection built into the Iphone charger to handle voltage fluctuations which you would lose by fitting a din plug. Why not just get a converter and use that?

 

[John Armstrong]

And lopping of the plug might remove the voltage converter bit that I guess will take it from 12v to 5v. Others have had this sort of problem on TomToms IIRC. I've used a lead from a fuse panel / accessory socket into the tank bag for charging on the go. Works well, just need to make sure it doesn't get too wet.

 

[SamD]

Chances are there will be protection built into the Iphone charger to handle voltage fluctuations which you would lose by fitting a din plug. Why not just get a converter and use that?

Good point

I don't have time before I leave to get the convertor and for it to arrive

Oh well, looks like I'll have to make do with 1 charge for the weekend

 

[John Armstrong]

Why not get a cigarette lighter extension lead from your nearest car accessory place, eg:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/free_uk_del...056/Cigarette_Lighter_Extension_Lead_1056.htm

chop the plug off and replace with the DIN plug?

 

[SamD]

Why not get a cigarette lighter extension lead from your nearest car accessory place, eg:

http://www.maplin.co.uk/free_uk_del...056/Cigarette_Lighter_Extension_Lead_1056.htm

chop the plug off and replace with the DIN plug?

Now that is a good suggestion! Thanks John

 

[John Armstrong]

Now that is a good suggestion! Thanks John

Done the same before. Just need to remember that there's a current limiter on the socket, but charging a phone shouldn't overwhelm it.

 

[SamD]

Done the same before. Just need to remember that there's a current limiter on the socket, but charging a phone shouldn't overwhelm it.

Amazingly, Maplin stock an adapter that does the job - http://www.maplin.co.uk/Module.aspx?ModuleNo=99510

I now have one in my possession

 

[smaytum]

I toured Morocco for a month with my iPhone. I bought:
- an iphone handle bar mount off ebay (just for Nav emergencies)
- MotionX App for my iPhone. Supports offline maps and topo maps
- Powerlet to cigarette adapter for charging

The canbus system on the F800GS was OK, but would only stay live for 5 mins (ish) after ignition off. Sometimes i wanted to charge at a camp site so fitted an extra power socket when i returned (because ignition on = light on).

Also, I managed to pick up a puncture and the canbus would not drive the compressor that i had been carrying everywhere

Definitely fit a power socket directly from the battery.

See the extra power socket in the pic below.


Some useful links:
http://www.powerletproducts.com
http://gps.motionx.com/overview/2/

 

[WoodWorks]

I toured Morocco for a month with my iPhone.

If I were you, I would definitely think long and hard about mounting an iPhone on my handlebars like that, smaytum. The iPhone has some VERY sensitive moisture sensors in its orifices. A single drop of road spray from crossing a puddle, or the odd trace of mist from the windshield sprayers of the car in front of you could make them indicate exposure to moisture. Hell, I've read of people carrying their iPhones in the humidity of Singapore setting off the sensors. And once they've been activated, Apple will reject any warranty claims.

They call them "immersion sensors," but my iPhone never got near any rain or other source of moisture, and it certainly had never been immersed in any liquid, and yet when I sent it in for repair for a strange glitch (my headphone jack stopped working), they told me that a moisture sensor had been activated, and that they weren't going to fix it. I had to wrestle my way through several layers of "customer support" before they finally relented and replaced it with a refurbished iPhone. A word to the wise...

David

 

[smaytum]

I dropped my iphone into a pot of boiling cheese sauce once. It completely submerged (i was on a call when i dropped it) Fished it out with a fork and quickly washed it under the tap. The sauce was so hot the the screen protector that i had bought peeled and twisted. And... the phone still worked and the guy i was speaking to was still holding on

Just check the moisture indicators and that are both clear. Bizzare.

BUT... i hear what you are saying Generally i'm carefull and only use it in emergencies. The sun in Morocco is also a concern. It was 38 degrees in the desert and the phone got really hot to touch.

Let hope apple don't develop cheese sauce indicators

 

[nharrisn]

Powerlet make a one piece iPhone charger and cable that plugs directly to the BMW socket, scroll down this web page http://www.pashnit.com/product/powerlet/powerlet_connectors.html to see them, sportouring.com are the uk distributor and should be able to get from them.

 

[oblertone]

Just don't ...

... upgrade the OS to 3.01 until they've sorted it out, feckin' expensive paperweight

 

[WoodWorks]

FWIW, I'm on OS 3.01. Nary a glitch for me.

David

 

[ren]

Locatis

You can contact these guys. For sure they have a solution

http://www.locatis.eu