a stupid question I know....

[skylineonfire]

so I know little to nothing about electronics let's get that out the way first. I'm currently in Annecy 3 days into my latest month long trip and its on a new bike and I'm unsure what I can get away with etc.

I have my gps running off the ignition 99 percent of the time when I'm riding, and I have a 12V cigarette lighter in the frunk, the honda OEM one installed by honda at purchase of bike. the bike is a NC750x 2017.

I'm extremely paranoid about blowing a fuse or something so can you guys reassure me that this is all good?

the 12v cigarette lighter mounted in the frunk has a sticker next to it that says 12v 1A.

I've brought a cigarette lighter to usb adapter that states on it... input DC12v/24v output DC5v/2.4A

I want to charge my phone occasionally with it but mostly my power banks that I use in my tent. these are anker 21000mah units. that say on them.... input 5v/2a normal output 5v1a.

am I ok charging these things on the bike. leaving it in when I'm riding and it'll be charging whenever the ignition is on, keeping them topped up?

sorry for the ignorance

[Andi_Archer]

So the 12 volts 1 amp outlet would give you around 12 watts [ Volts x Amps]
If you install a DC to DC converter it will have some loses from the way it converts so lets say an 80%ish output or 10 watts
Which at 5 v would give you a maximum output of [watts/volts = amps] 10/5 = 2 amps at 5 volts

[skylineonfire]

which is exactly what the powerbank requires.

thank you for the breakdown that's much appreciated

[micksea]

no such thing as a stupid question.how are you enjoying the NC?

[steve the grease]

Just an observation but 12v 1A is an incredibly small power for a fag lighter socket. 10 amps is more like a usual output for one , most unusual. Have you actually checked the fuse feeding it?

[Nick_2112]

The fuse in my cig lighter socket was 5A but it blows when a compressor is used to do the tyres. Can't be sure without checking but I changed it to 10 or maybe 15A fuse. Now the compressor works fine every time.

[micksea]

the Honda socket is definetly rated at 1A,could try a bigger fuse in it but on a new bike it could raise warrantey issues

[skylineonfire]

Micksea. love it so far. I traded in my 11000 mile crf1000L AT for it. wanted something more road based and getting a 250L to comvert into something a bit long distance adventure-esque. I've done 2.5k on the NC so far, 1300 of those in the past few days on my month long trip in europe. its carrying me, my panniers, camping gear etc around brilliantly. don't miss the power at all it's so smooth and fun.



steve-havent checked the fuse that's just the sticker they put next to the outlet. will check the actual spec of the unit itself now if I can find it on honda parts list

[Oop North John]

The fuse in my cig lighter socket was 5A but it blows when a compressor is used to do the tyres. Can't be sure without checking but I changed it to 10 or maybe 15A fuse. Now the compressor works fine every time.

Except now the cable to / from the socket might be the fuse, and if you overload it then it's going to get interesting! If the compressor only pulls 6 amps then life will be happy, because it works and the overload on the cable isn't that great.

In my younger days whilst helping someone do some electric welding, the buildings fuse kept tripping, so we added more and more strands of locking wire till it didn't burn up and disappear. Thankfully we go away with it, hopefully you will as well.

[Andi_Archer]

which is exactly what the powerbank requires.

thank you for the breakdown that's much appreciated

The Powerbank will charge at a lower amperage if thats all ther is it will just take longer and unlike a motor which may blow a fuse, the Powerbank and Mobile Phone will only use the current provided by the circuit.Just remember the outlet will probably turn off if the bikes not running so that anything plugged in doesnt flatten the battery.