Q~Power A modular gadget charger for bikes

[RAM-man]

Some weeks ago, I outlined an idea of a Gizmo power device. The concept has been developed and I am appreciative of comments and feedback made at that time which allows me to reveal Q~Power.

Q~Power is a ‘new’ modular charging device designed to meet the challenging and environmental conditions of motorcycling where it requires different gadgets to be powered, whilst on the move.

Five amongst you have been chosen to product test (ok, play) with Q~Power ahead of its release and this should happen within a few weeks.

Q~Power shall be available in different packages containing the basic system components as well as with an assortment of adaptors/tips to fit most popular mobile phone brands, PDA’s, iPods and MP3 players. I expect this list shall grow as ever more gadgets come onto the market.

For motorcycle power connection, there’s several options available, these vary from fused bare wire end, to specific cable lengths with BMW plug and a version for the Honda GL1800 Goldwing.

Due to its modular and versatile concept, Q~POWER can be used standalone or be integrated with the RAM mounting system, where the power box is ‘sandwiched’ between the RAM diamond base and cradle, to form part of the mount itself and to power a device attached in the cradle or; as a power point to a remote device located elsewhere, such as.. inside the rider’s tank bag.

By using a RAM triple base adaptor plate (RAP-333) plus an associated Q~Power input splitter cable, several gadgets can be powered using different power boxes from a common bike power input connection cable. The power box shall be available without adaptors or power transfer cable, assuming these additional bits are not needed.

Q~Power is for bikers, as there’s nothing that I have found suitable. It’s a tidy and compact solution and I am ignoring any ‘consumer grade’ power devices that some may choose to use (and rely upon) for environments that it was never intended. Q~Power has ‘evolved’ from the QPAC power unit and there’s enough of them in use.

Q~Power shall be packaged in several ways so it shall be affordable, even for the ardent price sensitive pocket, which means it shall be sold via one source in the UK, as yet to be confirmed.

 

[John Armstrong]

Will you be able to have mutiple outlets at different voltages. For example, I'm looking to charge my camcorder 8v, power the bullet cam 12v, and charge the MP3 player 5v

Is the unit waterproof / water resistant, ie can be used in a tank bag that's not waterproof?

TVMIA

 

[snoopy]

I modified a QPAC to work with my Sony Ericcson phone. The key issue to overcome is your connectors only supply power, whereas I use my phone for music and handsfree. I had to build a connector myself.

Selling items through one source (GPS Warehouse, go on name it!) does not ensure low prices as it stifffles competition between resellers. IMHO not good.

I think it's a good idea but I still think somebody needs to make a basic mixer system for:

> phone (and mp3)
> gps
> one other device, e.g. bike to bike radio.

It would be great to have this integrated inside the QPAC housing.

 

[Coolcarbon]

Looks like a great idea....

 

[Daithi]

I'll be having one of these, looking forward to getting more info on outputs/device types that will work with it.

Scala Rider charger ?

 

[RAM-man]

list so far........

GZM-APH-NOK01 Mobile phone adapter to Nokia 2mm phones
GZM-APH-MOTV66 Mobile phone adapter to Motorola V66 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-MOT998 Mobile phone adapter to Motorola 998 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-SAGC3B Mobile phone adapter to Sagem C3B type mobile phones
GZM-APH-ERIT28 Mobile phone adapter to Ericsson T28 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-ERIK750 Mobile phone adapter to Sony Ericsson K750 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-LG3000 Mobile phone adapter to LG 3000 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-LG510 Mobile phone adapter to LG 510 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-LGKG800 Mobile phone adapter to LG KG800 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-SHGX30 Mobile phone adapter to Sharp GX30 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-SIEC25 Mobile phone adapter to Siemens C25 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-SIEC55 Mobile phone adapter to Siemens C55 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-SAM288 Mobile phone adapter to Samsung A288 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-SAMD808 Mobile phone adapter to Samsung D808 type mobile phones
GZM-APH-MINIUSB Adapter from 3.5 male to miniUSB /Motorola V3
GZM-APH-MOTV3i Adapter from 3.5 male to Motorola V3i
GZM-AUB-USBAF Adapter from 3.5 male to USB A female
GZM-A5V-IPOD Adapter from 3.5 male to Ipod
GZM-A5V-DC23 Adapter from 3.5 male to DC plug D2,3x0,7
GZM-A5V-DC25 Adapter from 3.5 male to DC plug D2,5
GZM-A5V-DC30 Adapter from 3.5 male to DC plug D3,0
GZM-A5V-DC35 Adapter from 3.5 male to DC plug D3,5x1,3
GZM-A5V-DC41 Adapter from 3.5 male to DC plug D4,1x1,7
GZM-A5V-IPAQ Adapter from 3.5 male to Ipaq PDA
GZM-A5V-QTEK Adapter from 3.5 male to Qtek/O2 XDA
GZM-A5V-PALMIII Adapter from 3.5 male to Palm III PDA
GZM-A5V-PALMV Adapter from 3.5 male to Palm V PDA
GZM-A5V-PALM505 Adapter from 3.5 male to Palm M505 type PDA
GZM-A5V-PALMT5 Adapter from 3.5 male to Palm Tungsten T5 type PDA
GZM-A5V-SONY300 Adapter from 3.5 male to Sony PEG-S300 PDA
GZM-A5V-SONYT45 Adapter from 3.5 male to Sony T45 PDA
GZM-A5V-CASIOE125 Adapter from 3.5 male to Casio E125 PDA
GZM-A5V-LOOX Adapter from 3.5 male to Fujitsu-Siemens Loox PDA
GZM-A5V-ASUS Adapter from 3.5 male to Asus MyPal A620 type PDA
GZM-A5V-ACERN30 Adapter from 3.5 male to Acer N30 type PDA
GZM-A5V-TOSH310 Adapter from 3.5 male to Toshiba E300 type PDA
GZM-A5V-MIO Adapter from 3.5 male to Mitac MIO

 

[RAM-man]

Finally got there .....

Having stayed quiet on this subject while we entered the final stages, its finally there and the first Q~Power kits have been sent to those who the product testers.

Since embarking on this and as a device, there are clear signs that this can be used in other power sport areas including boats as well as cars.

There will be 7 power input cable options, including a version for boats and also one for the Goldwing GL1800. The power input cable can be split into a 2 or 3 way expansion and this also allows for a 12 volt supply for a direct device output source. There will also be a Garmin GPS 4pin connector for these units such as the earlier SPIII (not 26xx), 60 series, MAP176/296.

Q~Power (one for each device) is environmentally protected and features a waterproof connector for the input cable and output connector with a weather cap cover for when the unit is not in use. On this point, its not a QPAC.

In each kit there are two power output cables, one for 5volt devices whilst the second has a Nokia type 3.5mm male connector as well as the electronics to control the charge of many popular mobile phones.

As an option, there is an extension cable for when some of you like to keep the device snug in the tank bag.

To compliment all this .. there is a range of adaptors and tips to cover a plethora of devices. In the standard kit there will be a pack of 10 adaptors but others will be available as an option for use on a wide range of devices. Recent tests have included Archos and PSP. The tip and adaptor range shall continue to evolve as new devices come to market.

One adaptor that’s been designed is right angled for use on several gps units with the power to the device being via USB. Examples are TomTom ONE, Zumo, StreetPilot i-series, C-series and Nuvi 300/600 series. Interesting ?

As to prices, a Q~Power Motorcycle standard (bare wire ended) pack with GZM-PWIN-001 power input cable, GZM-PSU-BOX, GZM-PWUT-5V and GZM-PWUT-PTB output cables plus a pack of 10 adapters will be £39.95 inc VAT .

 

[Steve]

Looking really good.

What would be useful is a long extension, say 5 metres, which will allow you to charge your phone and/or PDA in your tent overnight.

 

[LiquidLAN]

This afternoon, I have mostly...

been fitting an Aqua Box 2 with Q~Power to run my iPod 60gb Video thingy

peice of cake... it has required a small modification in order to fit everything inside the AQ2, so no-one tell Steve or I'll be in trouble as I'm sure the manual said dont do it

I havent taken any pics of my amazingf wiring job, but I cant do if anyone is that interested, but bere are some shots of the AQ2 and the Q~Power

Nice one Steve, really neat solution!

 

[LiquidLAN]

Bugger!

Who'd have thought that the manual might have said "don't fiddle with it" for a reason

I've not had it 5 minutes and I've broken it

Ok, for first lesson... READ THE F*** MANUAL and DO WHAT IT SAYS!

 

[Major Gadget]

Pwer Units

Having stayed quiet on this subject while we entered the final stages, its finally there and the first Q~Power kits have been sent to those who the product testers.

Since embarking on this and as a device, there are clear signs that this can be used in other power sport areas including boats as well as cars.

There will be 7 power input cable options, including a version for boats and also one for the Goldwing GL1800. The power input cable can be split into a 2 or 3 way expansion and this also allows for a 12 volt supply for a direct device output source. There will also be a Garmin GPS 4pin connector for these units such as the earlier SPIII (not 26xx), 60 series, MAP176/296.

Q~Power (one for each device) is environmentally protected and features a waterproof connector for the input cable and output connector with a weather cap cover for when the unit is not in use. On this point, its not a QPAC.

In each kit there are two power output cables, one for 5volt devices whilst the second has a Nokia type 3.5mm male connector as well as the electronics to control the charge of many popular mobile phones.




As an option, there is an extension cable for when some of you like to keep the device snug in the tank bag.

To compliment all this .. there is a range of adaptors and tips to cover a plethora of devices. In the standard kit there will be a pack of 10 adaptors but others will be available as an option for use on a wide range of devices. Recent tests have included Archos and PSP. The tip and adaptor range shall continue to evolve as new devices come to market.

One adaptor that’s been designed is right angled for use on several gps units with the power to the device being via USB. Examples are TomTom ONE, Zumo, StreetPilot i-series, C-series and Nuvi 300/600 series. Interesting ?

As to prices, a Q~Power Motorcycle standard (bare wire ended) pack with GZM-PWIN-001 power input cable, GZM-PSU-BOX, GZM-PWUT-5V and GZM-PWUT-PTB output cables plus a pack of 10 adapters will be £39.95 inc VAT .

Hi Steve, Are these still for sale.
Cheers Ken.

 

[RAM-man]

Q~Power does exist and amongst you are a few 'product testers' who so far have not reported failures, so I must assume, that the concept and idea was sound and suitable for the adventure user.

Since working on this, some are aware that the relationship with the manufacturer soured and now calims title for idea, concept and build, so I am no longer involved with any part of it. I learnt a salutory lesson in many ways. Most of the parts I had, have been squandered but I do get asked about it, so here's a link to the 'gentleman' who sells it http://www.locatis.eu/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=22&Itemid=27

 

[snoopy]

Well in that case let me introduce the 6 quid (delivered) alternative.

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI....m=350045004286&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=022

Uses your original USB leads. If you've a USB splitter it can power 4 devices at once and uses the same 2A switching circuitry as QPower.

 

[Steptoe]

Q~Power does exist and amongst you are a few 'product testers' who so far have not reported failures, ]

Mine is still working.