View Full Version : USB install on 300?


Hero Danny
October 24th, 2014, 02:46 PM
Hey everyone!

I want to install a GPS on my ninja 300 so I could go have fun far from home without getting too lost. I was wondering if there was an easy plug and play option to install a USB so I could charge my GPS with it?


Any information would be appreciated

Disclaimer: I did search and didn't find much on the topic. I admit i'm not the best at searching though :P

NevadaWolf
October 24th, 2014, 03:01 PM
I haven't seen a simple plug and play means, but have installed a few on my bike by wiring to a fuse block to control when it is powered.

There's a couple ways I know you can do it..

If you want the USB socket hot all the time (regardless if the bike is on or not) you can:

Connect the wires directly to the battery using a ring connector.
Connect a SAE/12v (Cigarette lighter style)/Powerlet type connector to the battery and then plug your USB port into that (bonus, the SAE can also be used for a battery tender)

If you want the USB to only be hot when you turn the key:

You can either splice the positive to a swtiched hot wire (tail light, license plate light, etc) and ground the negative.
Install a fuse box (like FuzeBlock) that has a relay hooked to the switched wire to connect the USB to.
All the above connectors can work this way too, just going to a switched wire vs the battery.

I got some rugged weather resistant USB plugs here: http://burnsmoto.com/usb-power-socket-weatherproof.php

Hero Danny
October 24th, 2014, 04:53 PM
Thanks Teri,

Yeah, once i hear "splice" I instantly get turned off lmao. I think i'll just hold off on it then :)

NevadaWolf
October 24th, 2014, 05:01 PM
There's enough little connector thingys to make splicing fairly easy and painless.

Another option, depending on how far out you want to go, is buy one of the little portable power packs for phones and such and run your GPS off that thing. Toss it in the tank bag and mount your GPS within cable reach.

Mine is huge, but can power a gizmo for 15 hours.

Something like this:

http://lifehacker.com/five-best-external-battery-packs-509802431

Ghostt
October 24th, 2014, 05:17 PM
Ok this is an easy fix, but first do you have a battery tender? If so buy this

Battery Tender 081-0158 Black Quick Disconnect Plug with USB Charger by Battery Tender http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00DJ5KEF4/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_9RUsub00RJXAG

If you don't have a battery tender, get one, or at the very least pick up the adapter.

Battery Tender 081-0069-6 Ring Terminal Harness with Black Fused 2-Pin Quick Disconnect Plug by Battery Tender http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000NCOKZQ/ref=cm_sw_r_udp_awd_NUUsub1BHTEFB

I use this set up with no issues, if you have a tank bag it makes it easier as well .

MrAtom
October 24th, 2014, 05:32 PM
Thanks Teri,

Yeah, once i hear "splice" I instantly get turned off lmao. I think i'll just hold off on it then :)

Splicing cables is super easy. When I was 13ish, I used to get an RCA connector and a 3.5mm jack and make a cable that could play music from my modded DS on TV speakers so me and my friends could play Gamecube while listening to music. :cool:

Unless you were talking about not wanting to snip up the wires on your bike, which is understandable I guess.

Somchai
October 24th, 2014, 05:38 PM
Thanks Teri,

Yeah, once i hear "splice" I instantly get turned off lmao. I think i'll just hold off on it then :)

Quick and easy...

https://www.ninjette.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=33068&stc=1&d=1414197463

Ghostt
October 24th, 2014, 05:40 PM
Another option:

Motorcycle Waterproof USB Power Port Socket Charger for Iphone\Ipad\GPS Perfect
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331347118207&alt=web

Hero Danny
October 24th, 2014, 07:13 PM
Splicing cables is super easy. When I was 13ish, I used to get an RCA connector and a 3.5mm jack and make a cable that could play music from my modded DS on TV speakers so me and my friends could play Gamecube while listening to music. :cool:

Unless you were talking about not wanting to snip up the wires on your bike, which is understandable I guess.

Yeah, splicing is very easy I've done it before on my old pregen but like you said, I don't want to be splicing wires on my 300.

Hero Danny
October 24th, 2014, 07:14 PM
Another option:

Motorcycle Waterproof USB Power Port Socket Charger for Iphone\Ipad\GPS Perfect
http://pages.ebay.com/link/?nav=item.view&id=331347118207&alt=web

But then won't it be always on?

Ghostt
October 24th, 2014, 07:23 PM
But then won't it be always on?

Yes, and no, it would be on, but the amount of wattage drawn is minimal. I'm pretty sure it uses a resistor style to step down the voltage, and not a transformer style.

MrAtom
October 24th, 2014, 08:36 PM
Yeah, splicing is very easy I've done it before on my old pregen but like you said, I don't want to be splicing wires on my 300.

Personally, if I don't intend to sell something in the foreseeable future, I don't really feel like it's mine unless I've done my fair share of jury-rigging on it :P

InvisiBill
October 27th, 2014, 10:53 AM
I have the Burns Moto style one on the EX500, currently wired up to an always-on fuse (I'll be swapping some wiring around in the future to make that fuse switched). It's been a bit since I've ridden due to poor weather, but I haven't had any issues with battery drain yet.

Ideally, it wouldn't draw any power if there wasn't a device plugged into it, but the circuitry inside may draw a tiny amount even without a device hooked up. If you're storing it for a long time, it's probably best to unhook it, but as long as you're riding semi-regularly, it shouldn't be an issue.

EsrTek
October 27th, 2014, 11:59 AM
I just installed a cig lighter adapter and then plug in my dual USB into the charger.
http://www.branders.com/product-images/detail/14-0000-3493_lg_316ca.jpg

LittleRedNinjette
October 27th, 2014, 12:06 PM
I just ordered a waterproof USB port to put on this winter. For now i'm doing the battery tender cable thingy. :lol: