Author Topic: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.  (Read 4521 times)

Offline Tele130

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Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« on: February 07, 2013, 03:51:11 PM »
I would like to start using two GPS units when I go out on trips.  My Garmin GPSMAP 60CSX gives me direction, ride time, speed (both curent and avg),....etc and then My iPhone runs my actual GPS (Map) program. 

I want to connect the power cable for my iPhone directly to the switchable power sorce on the secondary fuse bus (from Eastern Beaver).  The Garmin is plugged into the powerlet socket on the dash.

Any ideas?
Does this mean we get a "Re-Do" on life too?

Doug Colton
2006 Concours............nice ride!!!!!

Offline tonedeaf

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #1 on: February 07, 2013, 08:55:36 PM »
If you even slightly modify one of Apple's goofy proprietary cables your phone will immediately self-destruct and you will the put on Apple's "Do Not Sell To" list for eternity. Please sir, step back from the cable and no one gets hurt!!!  :grouphug:

Offline stevewfl

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #2 on: February 07, 2013, 09:07:16 PM »
Several options.  Wire in a 12v inverter, or simply do like i did for my 'droid on a hardwire solution.

First I wired in a FUZEBLOCK for all my accessories.


here's how I dun it

use a piece of junk aluminum make a base





mount it up front and lose no room in the rear of the bike, and 5 minutes total to access






“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline Tele130

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2013, 09:07:42 PM »
If you even slightly modify one of Apple's goofy proprietary cables your phone will immediately self-destruct and you will the put on Apple's "Do Not Sell To" list for eternity. Please sir, step back from the cable and no one gets hurt!!!  :grouphug:

 :rotflmao:

I have no plans on modifying an existing Apple product.  It looks like Powerlet is coming out with one http://www.powerlet.com/shop-by-appliance/477 but no info yet.  Was wondering if anyone knew of another source.
Does this mean we get a "Re-Do" on life too?

Doug Colton
2006 Concours............nice ride!!!!!

Offline stevewfl

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2013, 09:08:59 PM »
Then I dealt with the proprietary "5V" droid issue by hacking a cigarette lighter adapter made for that usb

Ok, we've all seen people take expensive cigarette lighter cords for phones and then buy a 12V outlet on top of it, then mate it and hardwire to bike.  Then one ends up with a "twisty" cord for onboard power.

Gibberish.  9 minutes and a couple of dollars.

$2 plus 6 dollars shipping an Amazon and you're done.  Matter of fact, I bought a few because shipping was the same.

Order this little part from Amazon, its a 12v cigarette receptacle to usb adapter. Soldier 2 wires to it.  Insure you use a hot gun and tin metal first.  Then tin the ends of the wires for the other end as they will hardwire into bike:


Use two tie straps and without stressing the wires, secure them to the base of the adapter:


Find an extra USB to phone cable laying around to plug in:


Secure and weatherproof with sealant and tape:


Don't settle for the wires NOT going opposit directions:


You're done!


Disclaimer:  you want to be fused.  Persoanlly I installed the FUZEBLOCK product, it allows switched or unswitched power on each outlet, depending on which slot you place the fuse.  My phone is going "unswitched" so it will continue on bike pow-ah even with ignition off.


Of course an inline tiny 5-7.5 amp fuse will more than suffice



Have fun watching MotoGP racing on the bike (with it parked), or google maps or anything.  GPS was up on this pic and the flash blew it out.  I didn't feel like getting the tripod set up in the garage for a balanced exposure -)
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline stevewfl

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2013, 09:10:52 PM »
Exactly as simple for an iPhone
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline stevewfl

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2013, 09:21:20 PM »
If you're rolling through Tampa, FL anytime soon I'll gladly give you a hand with yours if you like.
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline Tele130

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #7 on: February 08, 2013, 07:14:44 AM »
Now that's thinking "Outside The Box"!!!!! :thumbs:  Where there's a will, there's a way  :rotflmao:  Thanks guys.   :chugbeer:

Is that an INVITE to come to Florida?  During our cold, snowy, crappy time of year?  Careful, you just might have someone knocking on your door :rotflmao: :thumbs:
Does this mean we get a "Re-Do" on life too?

Doug Colton
2006 Concours............nice ride!!!!!

Offline stevewfl

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #8 on: February 24, 2013, 06:57:47 PM »
Now that's thinking "Outside The Box"!!!!! :thumbs:  Where there's a will, there's a way  :rotflmao:  Thanks guys.   :chugbeer:

Is that an INVITE to come to Florida?  During our cold, snowy, crappy time of year?  Careful, you just might have someone knocking on your door :rotflmao: :thumbs:

You should be riding down here with us anyway
“The World is a book, and those who do not travel read only a page.” St. Augustine

Offline Tele130

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Re: Hardwire a Power cord for an iPhone 4.
« Reply #9 on: February 24, 2013, 09:43:33 PM »
You should be riding down here with us anyway

Yes I should.  My Dad has a condo in Dunedin (Mediterranean Manor).  He's a "Snow Bird" from Ohio  ;D

Looks like this riding season will take me to K.C., Boulder CO., and some place in Idaho.  Loop back to Wisconsin across the Continental Divide in Montana with a swing through the Bad Lands of the Dakotas.  Doesn't look like I'll be heading South  :(.............so far. ;D
Does this mean we get a "Re-Do" on life too?

Doug Colton
2006 Concours............nice ride!!!!!