Smartphone charge in top case

[jeancap_31]

Hello,
There is electricity coming into RT1250 (2020) top case to power the lamp.
Is it possible to install a plug and use it to charge a phone ?
I know the system already exists in K1600
Thanks

[David.]

Don't know but if it is not possible to use the existing power supply to the top case, this guy installed an additional wire.

[David.]

This thread from the K1600 Forum would also seem to suggest that a separate wire might be the way to go.

Unless, there is an unused wire for the heated back pad.

https://www.k1600forum.com/threads/addi ... sb.167714/

[slparry]

I just find it easier to have a power bank in the top case in a padded bag and place phone and powerbank in there for charging, I have another power bank in my tank bag that charges while riding and I use that for topping up the helmet comms while having lunch etc.

Saves all the dismantling the overly complex top case.

[Strat Tuner]

I've done this on two Yamaha FJRs, and I'm about to do it for my r1200.

If there is power to the case, then you're just about home free. That line will be 12 volt even if it's only powering an LED light! (Highly likely!)

The advantage to using that wire is that it goes OFF when the key goes off.

Connecting the "power port" cars use is easy. It's just red/black or hot/ground wire spliced on to the existing wire. Now you can plug in that adapter that turns car power port into USB female. That unit also steps the power down from 12 volt to whatever USB needs. Convenient.

I've also used the under the seat approach. You find a hot/ground wire to tap into and put the car power port connector (with the USB adapter) down there. Best to use something that goes off when the key is off OR you'll have to use a relay box that shuts off the circuit when the power is off. They are marvelous devices!)

Now you can trail two long USB cables up into the top box. (Most power-port to USB adapters have at least two USB ports.) At worst, you'll have to drill a hole in the underside of the top box for cable passage.

I have two cables working: one USB-C and one USB extension cable. That gives me another USB (female) connection inside the top box where I could power anything USB. I use mine to charge my travel computer and camping lights.

71vc8GjzGvL._AC_SX679_PIbundle-2,TopRight,0,0_SH20_.jpg (64.2 KiB) Viewed 985 times

These two cost $9 on Amazon, and it's even fused for safety.

Final thoughts:
You don't need a special BMW/Yamaha kit to do this.

[Strat Tuner]

On my R1200rt (2008) there is a power port just behind the rear brake light on the LEFT side.
It's a "Hella" DIN connector. (never heard of that until I got a BMW)

You could use that! It's powerful enough, close enough, and it goes off when the key turns off.
(Well ... sort of...it stays ON for a out a minute AFTER you turn the key OFF for unknown reasons.)

If I were doing it, and I AM, I'd try to find a cable with male Hella DIN to go into the port and a 12V car "power port" (female) on the other. I could run that into the top box from the Hella port and put a USB adapter plug into the car power port end inside the top box.

You'd still have to drill a hold into the top box, but it would be a very clean way to do this!

hella.jpg (47.48 KiB) Viewed 966 times

[Strat Tuner]

Kind of like This one (see below) that amazon has for $9. Looks to short, but it could be lengthened without too much effort.

hella2.jpg (99.8 KiB) Viewed 965 times