Electrical power

[dbambi]

Planning a continental trip in September and want to take along a number of electronic gadgets such as phone, laptop, scala rider etc. Obviously, they will need to be recharged and options are either to have a dedicated car/motorcycle 12V charger for each of them, or to buy a single 12V power inverter and then use their normal mains chargers. Needles to say, the latter option is both cheaper and more compact, but not sure if it's safe to have a power inverter on a motorbike?


Also, the maximum power required will be just under 90W (laptop charger). Can a 1200GS battery provide that much? Google tells me that the Adventurer alternator generates 720W. Is the standard 1200GS alternator the same?



Tnx..

 

[Wapping]

For the phone / scala rider, ipod, many cameras etc use a 'one size fits all' charger, for instance a Motormonkey or a Powermonkey.

To charge your phone, Scalarider and large laptop and just about anything else electrical on your travels, look at getting a Powergorilla.

To charge something less than a full blown laptop (for instance a note book) get a Minigorilla and charge you ipod, camera, phone, scala rider etc. as well.

Find them all here: https://powertraveller.com/

If you want to take a bloody big power inverter and then all the separate transformers for each item etc. be my guest. You can power it off a 1200 no problem.

You can even get a solar cell add-on from the PowerMonkey people, if you can't find a wall socket.

Most pubs, cafes, restaurants, many super markets and many shops will let you borrow some electricity whilst you scoff / browse if you run short.

Don't forget that the Canbus on a 1200 willpowerdown when the ignition is off. If you want permanent power, run a dedicated fused line (7.5 amps will be plenty, 10 if you want to run much heated clothing) from the battery. But don't forget that you may flatten the battery if you leave the peripherals charging for days on end whilst the bike is sat still.

 

[GSmonkey]

Having an inverter sounds a bit OTT. If you decide to go that route, you'll have to wire another feed as the standard sockets are only good for 60W. You'd also want to keep it dry, for obvious reasons.

Personally I charge a PowerMonkey on the run, then use that to charge other things, but that wouldn't do a laptop.

 

[MattW]

Another vote for powermonkeys and their bigger brothers. I've got a power monkey which is great for phones, ipods and other small devices and I've just ordered a motormonkey for extra flexibility. I am seriously considering a mini-gorilla for larger devices (especially if I can find an adapter which will charge my slr battery). Saves carrying around a ton of bulky chargers - just change the 'tips' to charge all the smaller devices.

As Wapping says, it's only a larger laptop that you'll need either a dedicated charger or one of the larger gorrilla chargers from powermonkey.

I wouldn't bother with any of the solar powered options - they have very slow charge rates and you've got abundant 12v (or mains) power available.

Small hijack - anyone know if a motormonkey will charge a powermonkey?

 

[tonkatoy]

I have a 12v separately fused feed from the battery to a Hella socket in the side of the beak. Then a plug in lead into my tank bag with 2 conventional cig lighter sockets inside to plug in whatever you like. Most of mine are USB now so I have a 12V dual USB plug in and that does the job for smartphone, MP3 etc.

 

[Wapping]

Small hijack - anyone know if a motormonkey will charge a powermonkey?

Motormonkey:

Output: 5.5V 700mA

Powermonkey:

Input Voltage: 5v 500mAh

So I can't see whey not. The tiny bit of difference between the two sets of numbers will not, I promise you, kill either device.

===

Found the full answer on the manufacturer's website FAQ

Q: Will my motormonkey recharge my powermonkey?

A: Yes, please connect the retractable USB cable to your Motormonkey and insert the other end directly into the charge socket of your Powermonkey

 

[cookie]

i have a powermonkey andd a motormonkey and would recommend both.

you won't need the powermonkey as you have power on the bike and it's just a chargeable battery really.


ps. MattW's right about slow charge rates of the solar cell, but it worked a treat at glasto this year. in a "normal" year, a water wheel would have been better

 

[MattW]

Motormonkey:

Output: 5.5V 700mA

Powermonkey:

Input Voltage: 5v 500mAh

So I can't see whey not. The tiny bit of difference between the two sets of numbers will not, I promise you, kill either device.

===

Found the full answer on the manufacturer's website FAQ

Q: Will my motormonkey recharge my powermonkey?

A: Yes, please connect the retractable USB cable to your Motormonkey and insert the other end directly into the charge socket of your Powermonkey

Oops - should have thought of the FAQ's

Thanks Wapping

 

[dbambi]

For the phone / scala rider, ipod, many cameras etc use a 'one size fits all' charger, for instance a Motormonkey or a Powermonkey.

Checked them both and to me they seem a bit pricey..

If you want to take a bloody big power inverter and then all the separate transformers for each item etc. be my guest. You can power it off a 1200 no problem.

I'll be taking standard/mains chargers with me anyway as the plan is to stay in few places for a couple of days at a time. My main concern was that drawing 100W or more directly from the battery for hours would flatten it regardless of the simultaneous charging by the alternator. Other than that, inverter size is no worry for me. Besides, inverters need not be that bulky, check this link for example..


http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/100W-POWER-IN...tem&pt=LH_DefaultDomain_2&hash=item563dc19bf8


Ok, quality and reliability may be an issue here, but the size is not.



Regards…

 

[AberdeenAngus]

Only think you can't charge straight from the bike is the laptop.
Instead of an invertor, take your standard charger, get yourself a spare battery, and charge both off the mains when you can.

Invertors pull a huge dc load. E.g. 100w at 240v is 0.4 amps.
100w at 12v is 8+ Amps

Possible while underway - try it stopped and your battery will be too flat to start the bike within an hour.

Whatever you do, make sure your charging circuit are off a supply that is only on when the ignition is on.
If it's straight off the battery you WILL forget eventually.
Ever tried bump starting a GS ?

Also watch out for cheapo invertors. Some laptops do not like them. If you are going to get one, look for one that is true sine wave.

 

[GSmonkey]

If you wire to the battery you could take 100W. As above only do it when under way. To make certain, you could do the frig to turn off your front light - that's 55W straight off.