Author Topic: USB power ports?  (Read 20158 times)

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Jack Leis

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Reply #15 on: February 23, 2013, 12:57:41 am
Rich, there is absolutely no way you can be electricuted. Your only dealing with 12 volt DC. Trust me.
I would much rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow    Jack


Arizoni

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Reply #16 on: February 23, 2013, 01:07:51 am
The  12 or 13 volt power is too low to break thru the resistance of your dry skin so there shouldn't be a problem even if you touch both terminals at the same time.

The red lead goes to the positive (+) terminal.  The black lead goes to the minus (-) terminal.

Connect the red + wire first.
This doesn't have anything to do with the direction the electricity travels.
It has to do with preventing a short circuit.

The entire frame and engine of the motorcycle is connected to the black (-) negative wire.
If it is connected to the battery first, almost every exposed metal part will be connected to the battery.
If you then attach the red positive (+) wire you will see no reaction.
If you then try to tighten the positive wire and your wrench or screw driver happens to touch any other metal part of the bike it will instantly cause a short along with sparks, loud popping and you filling your pants.

I know of a guy who attached the negative ground wire first and then started to attach the positive wire using a wrench.  He was wearing a ring on the hand that held the wrench.
As the wrench turned, his ring contacted a metal part of the frame.  The power went from the battery thru the wrench, thru the ring and into the car frame.
The ring almost melted. :(

Anyway, always attach the red (+) wire first.  Then when you are attaching the black (-) wire, even if your wrench touches the frame or engine there will be no possibility of causing a short.  After all, the black wire is already making contact with the frame and engine.
Jim
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1999 Miata 10th Anniversary


Gypsyjon

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Reply #17 on: February 23, 2013, 02:34:03 am


FiRE Comms

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Reply #18 on: February 23, 2013, 04:27:01 am
I grounded out an old escort way back when and had to replace ALL of the fusible links...  talk about a pain...

+ mind still blown +

and can't stop laughing
Chris


Jack Leis

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Reply #19 on: February 23, 2013, 05:17:02 am
Nice write up Jim, I admire your patience.   + -
I would much rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow    Jack


High On Octane

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Reply #20 on: February 23, 2013, 05:00:47 pm
Typically, any time you're working on an automotive battery with a NEGATIVE ground, you always want to disconnect the - black cable first, and then the + red cable.  To reconnect, install + red cable first and then the - black cable last.

BUT!  AND THIS IS IMPORTANT!
If you have a POSITIVE GROUND system, you MUST disconnect + red cable FIRST and then disconnect the - black cable.  Then to reconnect, - black cable first and then install the + red cable last.

Bottom Line -  ALWAYS DISCONNECT THE GROUND FIRST AND INSTALL LAST!

The reason for doing this is so you don't ground out your tools from the battery to the chassis.  If you disconnect the ground first, whether + or -, and you hit your tool on the chassis, you  WILL NOT arc the electrical system.  If you disconnect your power lead first and you ground out your tool, you will blow fuses and damage electronic components such as ignitions, sensors, and the ECU.   Scottie

2001 Harley Davidson Road King


72westie

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Reply #21 on: February 23, 2013, 06:33:28 pm
Bikemaster makes some nice power port set-ups. I am currently using 2 of them on different vehicles. I has a 2 cig lighter and 1 usb set up in the glove box of my Jetta so I can charge my I-phone. I use a Yuasa battery tender type lead because it is fused.

I have another one in my old Single Cab truck, it has 2 usb's and 2 cig outputs. The only thing I don't like about that one is that is has a couple of LED's that light it up showing it has power. Its kind of like a kaleidoscope.
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gremlin

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Reply #22 on: February 24, 2013, 04:53:46 am
....................If you then try to tighten the positive wire and your wrench or screw driver happens to touch any other metal part of the bike it will instantly cause a short along with sparks, loud popping and you filling your pants........

That my friends is known as a "word-picture".

Most excellent answer AZ.

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2011 RE B5


Jack Leis

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Reply #23 on: February 25, 2013, 05:24:21 pm
3  days later, im still shocked.
I would much rather ride a slow bike fast than a fast bike slow    Jack


no bs

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Reply #24 on: February 27, 2013, 08:07:14 pm
electricity(dc) flows from positive to negative.
killing bugs since 1972 2011 g5 deluxe frankenbullet


gremlin

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Reply #25 on: February 27, 2013, 11:22:13 pm
electricity(dc) flows from positive to negative.

Maybe ...  but, electrons flow from - to +
1996 Trophy 1200
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Arizoni

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Reply #26 on: February 28, 2013, 05:33:14 am
Yah but everybody knows them electrons have a negative attitude.  ;D
Jim
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1999 Miata 10th Anniversary


Desi Bike

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Reply #27 on: February 28, 2013, 12:16:43 pm
Are you positive about that Arizoni?
میں نہیں چاہتا کہ ایک اچار
میں صرف اپنی موٹر سائیکل پر سوار کرنا چاہتے ہیں


AgentX

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Reply #28 on: February 28, 2013, 02:13:04 pm
I had not anticipated the discussion becoming so highly charged.


Desi Bike

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Reply #29 on: February 28, 2013, 05:29:51 pm
Are you a copper?
میں نہیں چاہتا کہ ایک اچار
میں صرف اپنی موٹر سائیکل پر سوار کرنا چاہتے ہیں