Inverter ?

[EricV]

So not to get too far off-topic here, but what is the stock power outlet on the Tenere good for? Running a GPS unit? Charging an iPod or phone?

And is the plug a cigarette style or powerlet style? Never seen a powerlet in person to know the difference I guess.

Please excuse my ignorance, but I've never had a power outlet on a bike before (coming off sport bikes) and haven't started any electrical farkling yet...

I believe the intent of the stock power outlet is indeed for powering GPS units and/or minor power needs like you mentioned. IIRC, it's only a 5 amp fuse and the wiring is not very robust. It's a cigarette style port. Cig style plugs are longer with more slop. A powerlet plug is also known as a BMW style or John Deere style. (also now found on Ducati, KTM, Victory, Indian & Triumph now) It's designed strictly for 12v power connections, it shorter and fits tighter, being intended to be run on vehicles for extended time.

Go HERE to check out all the goodies you need to add power ports to your bike and find plugs to change other items like compressors or battery chargers over to a more robust powerlet style plug. They offer various kits, but sometimes it's cheaper to roll your own from the individual parts they sell. That allows you to have a custom fit for what ever your project is.

This is a cigarette style plug, note the longer contacts on the sides, only two, opposite each other, and a center tip. The side contacts stick out a lot to compensate for a loose fit and variety of receptacle variations. Also the small, spring loaded tip.

This is a Powerlet plug, (they offer several styles in this type, to suit different needs/applications. Note the shorter end, and how it has blades all around the circumference, but follows the same general principle as the cig style plug. Notice the much more robust, solid tip also.

Powerlet also offers a dual use plug, because sometimes you just need that flexibility. It comes with a plastic adapter to allow it to fit into the cig style port snugly, which is a bayonet type fit, and can be easily removed for use in a powerlet style port. Note that even though it's a cig style, this plug still has connections all around the circumference for the cig portion and only two for the powerlet portion. The tip on this is more robust than a cig style plug, but is still spring loaded to allow use in ports with various tolerances. It's longer and not as solid in a powerlet port, but a compromise when you need that solution.

One more comment, powerlet plugs actually snap in and are retained in the port. See the tip and how it has a groove. Cig style plugs simply slide in, but have no design feature for retention, just the spring loaded side blades, which is why they tend to vibrate loose.

 

[stevepsd]

The factory outlet is only on a 3 AMP circuit. You can't even run a plug in air compressor reliably on this. It is designed for GPS's, etc.

And EricV is spot-on, Powerlet is the way to go. I have 2 on the ST myself.

 

[Checkswrecks]

I would run 15 amp fuse if your wiring is large enough...say 12 gauge.

12 ga is about enough for almost anything on a bike! Unfortunately it will cost more, weigh more be stiffer so harder to work with, etc.

While you'd be fine with 18 for this, I keep a roll of 16 ga for such general purpose stuff.

 

[creggur]

I believe the intent of the stock power outlet is indeed for powering GPS units and/or minor power needs like you mentioned. IIRC, it's only a 5 amp fuse and the wiring is not very robust. It's a cigarette style port. Cig style plugs are longer with more slop. A powerlet plug is also known as a BMW style or John Deere style. (also now found on Ducati, KTM, Victory, Indian & Triumph now) It's designed strictly for 12v power connections, it shorter and fits tighter, being intended to be run on vehicles for extended time.

Go HERE to check out all the goodies you need to add power ports to your bike and find plugs to change other items like compressors or battery chargers over to a more robust powerlet style plug. They offer various kits, but sometimes it's cheaper to roll your own from the individual parts they sell. That allows you to have a custom fit for what ever your project is.

This is a cigarette style plug, note the longer contacts on the sides, only two, opposite each other, and a center tip. The side contacts stick out a lot to compensate for a loose fit and variety of receptacle variations. Also the small, spring loaded tip.

This is a Powerlet plug, (they offer several styles in this type, to suit different needs/applications. Note the shorter end, and how it has blades all around the circumference, but follows the same general principle as the cig style plug. Notice the much more robust, solid tip also.

Powerlet also offers a dual use plug, because sometimes you just need that flexibility. It comes with a plastic adapter to allow it to fit into the cig style port snugly, which is a bayonet type fit, and can be easily removed for use in a powerlet style port. Note that even though it's a cig style, this plug still has connections all around the circumference for the cig portion and only two for the powerlet portion. The tip on this is more robust than a cig style plug, but is still spring loaded to allow use in ports with various tolerances. It's longer and not as solid in a powerlet port, but a compromise when you need that solution.

One more comment, powerlet plugs actually snap in and are retained in the port. See the tip and how it has a groove. Cig style plugs simply slide in, but have no design feature for retention, just the spring loaded side blades, which is why they tend to vibrate loose.

Thanks much for taking the time to educate me and posting the link!

 

[EricV]

Thanks much for taking the time to educate me and posting the link!

No problem. A good question on the forum often means there are more people interested that can learn or gain from a good answer.