PX Electrics

[satchmo]

Hi Guys & Gals,

I was wondering if anyone has any experience powering electrical devices using their Vespa. In the coming weeks I am planning on taking some long trips and a 'cigarette lighter socket' would be very useful in powering my Phone/GPS and possibly also charging my laptop.

I have noticed there are some plugs hanging down in the butty box - What voltage/ampage do these provide? (for a 2007/08 PX125)

Thanks in advance.

[Ironduke]

An interesting question satchmo. The plugs in the butty box are for a device to give you an audible warning that you have the indicators on, however I can't find a diagram with it on. The easy way to see what voltage you have there would be to put a meter on it. As this is part of the indicator circuit though you would only have power on when you have the indicator on. I presume these wires are fed from the indicator relay because most audible warnings beep in time to the indicator, and that the relay has a green wire which is a permanent 12 V AC (going by the circiut diagram on the Allstyles website) so theoretically you should be able to yap off this supply using the butty box wires. First of all I'd establish what kind of voltage is on the toolbox wires, then I'd find where they terminate, then find some permanent supply therabouts (engine running of course) then its experimentation time!

Cheers

[satchmo]

Thanks for the reply ironduke, I'll have to get a meter and see

[satchmo]

Guys, I'm revisiting this. Think of it as a kind of on-going project. :-)

What I think im going to do is fit a 'Powerlet' socket somewhere around the glovebox area. This is a little plug that you can use to power a wide range of devices and is quickly becoming the standard for many tourer bikes. It's also nicknamed the 'BMW' plug. www.powerletproducts.com/products.php?mid=1

A lot of people on www.modernvespa.com are doing similar things: www.modernvespa.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=7058&highlight=outlet

Many of them go over the top though:


It can be used for all sorts of things, powering a GPS, cigarette lighter, heated gloves/jacket etc etc.

This also gives a convenient way to charge up the battery if it ever go's flat without the need to remove the rear side cowling or the battery itself.

My plan is to tap 12 volts off at the headset and run to an internal powerlet socket inside the glovebox and also mount an outlet on the top, just below the ignition. The better option would be to connect this extra wiring directly to the battery, but the route from battery to legshield is hidden and im not sure about how easy it would be to try and run it. Im probably going to fit a lower fuse than 10A, probably a 2/4 A, just to make sure that I dont run the battery down too quick if I decide to connect my laptop or something daft to it!

This should enable me to power my phone/gps while riding which is really useful as the GPS in the Nokia N95 runs out of juice after about 40 miles.

I'll keep you updated as I go!

Has anybody looked at their connection block recently?!?

Scary stuff:

[Devo McDuff]

Fascinating stuff. Good luck fella.

[Ironduke]

Hiya satchmo - I was wondering how you were geting on! I've tried googling a Disc wiring diagram but no luck. If it was me I'd tap off the horn circuit and attach one of these: www.cybermarket.co.uk/ishop/923/shopscr2251.html all for 85p! Of course the horn circuit would have to be DC and from what information I could glean that would be protected by a 7.5A fuse already installed. I wouldn't be pretty but it is inside your butty box. I'm sure it would be easy enough to route an external lead from the GPS into the Toolbox by loosening off the box, push the wire through the side (the top would leave you vulnerable to leaks) the re-tighten.

All the best

[satchmo]

Well I've spent the afternoon getting cramp on the patio with my new best friend - Mr. Multimeter! As far as I can see the only place to tap off 12V (apart from the battery directly) is at the top of the connector block under the headset where you can see the ignition switch connects:



I guess the good thing about using this is that it is only live when the ignition is on - so no danger of running down the battery overnight

Incidently, the red wire hanging down in the glove box seems to carry about 4v so this could be an option too.