09BlueRebel

I sometimes would like to be able to charge my phone while riding or even have access to a cigarette lighter for the occasional smoke break! I know some bikes comes with lighters or have optional DC power outlets.

I was thinking the the battery cover of my 09 Rebel has plenty of room underneath to mount a power receptacle right to the battery with an in-line fuse and keep it all hidden from view. Just wanted to see if anyone had one and what they used. There are several add-on lighters available and I just want to get one that will actually work properly and is constructed with quality.

Also, I wanted to get opinions on how to safely drill a hole into the plastic cover without cracking it!!!!

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Guba

I have one. I mounted a Radio Shack outlet to my toolbox access. The only thing I keep in there is a rag. The inline fuse is stuffed in there too. I drilled a hole through the bottom to run the wires. I wired mine into a relay that kicks on when the key is turned.

Attached Images

P1000322.JPG (162.5 KB, 7 views)

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Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles

flitecontrol

Don't have one on the Rebel, but have all the stuff to do it. To drill the side cover, get a spade bit (for cutting wood) the same size as the outlet and drill from the back side with the outside laying against something that will support it and not scratch it. Would be good to have an assistant hold it so it doesn't turn while you are drilling. Using a variable speed drill, and with little pressure, SLOWLY drill into the cover until you are about 1/3 of the way through. Then flip the cover over and slowly complete drilling from that side using the existing pilot hole. Drilling it this way avoids damaging the edges of the hole.

P.S. Having seen how Guba mounted his, I would suggest this over drilling the side cover. If you get a black outlet with cover, as he did, it blends right in.

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I'm keepin' all the left over parts. I'm gonna use 'em to build another bike!

2001 Rebel 250, 1989 Vulcan 750
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maxweljames

Nice install Guba. Can you provide more details(and/or pictures) of the wiring and relay install?

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Maxwel James
2003 Honda Rebel

shadetree

That's a good spot for it! especially if you only have to pull the plug out of the sadle bag to use it and keep ridin' .

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09BlueRebel

the tool box looks like a good place!

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kjohnson

Guba, that looks great! I had no intention of doing this mod, just curious, but now I kinda want to. It would be great to be able to charge my phone for some reason. Or to just show it off. haha
And more description/pictures would be great

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Kyle Johnson
"So, I'm new at this. Feel free to correct me. "
In my Garage (er... Parking Spot):
1986 Honda Rebel CMX250 *SOLD*
2004 Honda Shadow VLX 600

Buickguy

I used a bicycle turn signal clamp to hold an under-dash power outlet type bracket to my handlebar. I placed it just inside the the risers and added the cigatette lighter from an '81 Ford Escort that I had laying around. It has served me well for over twenty years.

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1987 CMX250C Rebel

2002 FSC600 SilverWing

1983 Yamaha Midnight Virago XV920MK

Put your bike's year and size in your signature.
It helps others help you.

fastpakr

Do you have a battery tender? If so, you can spend about $20 and get an adapter cable that converts the SAE connector to a cigarette lighter. I just keep it in the tank bag for whenever it's useful. That saved me from doing any permanent wiring or modifying to the bike, and it's very easy to move it to another ride when the time comes. Powerlet is your source for the cable.

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'99 Vulcan 500 - current DD, 27k miles and counting
'83 Honda Silverwing GL650i - future DD, still in pieces

Guba

Really not too much to see. In the first picture you can see that I bent the tabs to the side just to save a little space. The second picture shows where I put the relay. It has an auto type fuse taped to it. And yes, everything is taped! If it's not taped it's zip tied. One thing you have to keep in mind, don't let the wires just sit there without being attached somewhere. If they move around from vibration they may eventually wear through the insulation.

Since I wired it to a relay it won't come on until the key is turned. So if my GPS is plugged in, it turns on just like in my truck. The relay is simple to wire in. On the '96 and up models, one end of the coil terminal goes to the (-) terminal on the battery. The (+) end of the coil terminal gets routed up to the junction box behind the headlight. In the junction box is a wire that has a red tube around it. Cut that wire and splice in with a solder joint. One of the contact terminals is wired to the (+) of the battery. The other contact terminal goes to the outlet. The real reason for the relay on my bike is for heated hand grips. But I figured that as long as I have it I'd use it for the outlet too. I suppose it's not necessary though. If your going through a relay, the fuse should be between the (+) battery terminal and the contact (+) terminal. If not using a relay, it should be between the (+) battery terminal and the center terminal on the plug.

My 12v plugs wiring just comes out the bottom (I drilled a hole) of the tool stash and routes up to the relay. The wires are color coded, red, black. The black wire goes to the (-) terminal on the battery. The red wire attaches to one of the relay contact terminals. With the key off, it would be the terminal that has no voltage.

Attached Images

	P1000323.JPG (160.4 KB, 2 views)
	P1000325.JPG (164.4 KB, 2 views)

__________________
Some days beer tastes good...other days beer tastes better!

'07 Rebel 250 26,000 miles