Waterproof USB port?

[imdying]

I know that many of you are geeks as well as bikers, so I'm hoping that somebody has experience (or even a suggestion) with a waterproof USB socket.

Have a PCIII under a tail, don't want to remove the tail to connect it to a laptop. Want to have a USB cable connected all the time, but want to protect that (presumably) live end from moisture (i.e. riding in the rain).

Anybody know of such a thing? Wiring and mounting doesn't scare me in the slightest :)


What I'm after is something like this:
http://www.indexmarine.co.uk/pages/wtrprfconns1.htm

Ideally would like a panel mount, but will go this way if required. A twin socket would be nice, I have two devices under the tail.

[CookMySock]

Just plug a cheapo $4 usb extension cable in, and leave the outward end in the weather.. It will last a fair while, and when it rots just chuck it out and buy a new one.

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Computers/Cables/USB/auction-151275661.htm?p=3

DB

[onearmedbandit]

I think he's more worried about shorting issues rather than weather damage.

[imdying]

Yeah, it's the shorting issues that worry me. Haven't actually tested the unit on the bike, might not even be live, but still... there's one other thing though (naturally)... two little caps, one with WBO and the other PCIII on them, would look kind neat on the bike too :) (yeah yeah, it's all about the bling :D). Besides, cheap connectors rust fairly easily when wet, so would rather they were kept from direct moisture as much as possible.

[onearmedbandit]

Anyway, when is the SVR ever going to see rain again? You taking the roof off your garage?

[imdying]

After some dissappointments with suppliers, we've moved into the GPR Thunderline triple age... I beg of you, just a bit more patience (although, having said that, I've just put the rego on hold for 3 months, will have to rape the poor RGV a little more :D).

[WRT]

Why not buy a marine connector with the appropriate number of pins (I think it's 4 plus ground), and just make up at converter cable to change it back to USB?

[imdying]

Good point, two reasons though:
- Twenty dollars says I'll leave that special cable at home when I go to the dyno man
- I know the connectors exist (see that page, and I've now found some at Jaycar), so might as well use them :)

[bugjuice]

how often are you changing your map?! once it's set, why do you need to change to another?
if it's for the track, then you'll be covered in the pits to take the seat off and do it there n then anyway

[imdying]

Changing the map isn't a problem, I can do that via the SD card slot in the touch screen. I may however want to alter settings for the hub or WBO, and/or download from the data logger. The easier something is, the more likely it is to happen :yes: Finally, the wiring (there's a heap of it) is a tight fit to the subframe, I don't want to keep rubbing the paintwork on the tailpiece over it if I can avoid it.

[jonbuoy]

Jaycar do them mate - about $30 for a plug and socket set.

[imdying]

Yep, I'll have to roll on down there :)

Trouble is, my dash is starting to look like the Starship Enterprise :rofl: Shame this stuff doesn't actually make it faster heheheh.

[Blossom]

Yep, I'll have to roll on down there :)

Trouble is, my dash is starting to look like the Starship Enterprise :rofl:

Again this thread is useless without pics... come on show ya bling! :lol:

[imdying]

Want some ideas for hotting up the Intruder? :D

[xwhatsit]

I'd just put in a switch to turn off the 5V +ve and -ve in the line. But those waterproof connections do look very nifty :)

[Disco Dan]

You could get some heatshrink material or rubber and create your own cap to cover the end of the plug.

Heat it up, mould it around the plug then cool off and it stays the same shape.

[imdying]

I'd just put in a switch to turn off the 5V +ve and -ve in the line. But those waterproof connections do look very nifty :)They sure do :) I did consider that also, although I do wonder if it's smart enough to do that by itself when no cable is connected. Conceivably. But I would have to check that with a multimeter.


You could get some heatshrink material or rubber and create your own cap to cover the end of the plug.

Heat it up, mould it around the plug then cool off and it stays the same shape.Yep, did that for the LCD screen cable :yes:

[SlashWylde]

RS (http://newzealand.rs-online.com/web/), Farnell (http://nz.farnell.com/jsp/home/homepage.jsp)or Jaycar (http://www.jaycar.co.nz/)would be the three places I would look at for these items.

Farnell has some of the same as the UK site you list, as well as sealing caps. For example, their part No. 996-7741 (http://nz.farnell.com/9667741/connectors/product.us0?sku=BULGIN-PX0842-A&_requestid=855200)

[imdying]

Chur chur :yes:

[xwhatsit]

Actually... would it even use the two power lines? Or would it just use the two data lines? Isn't the PCIII powered off the bike's battery? And obviously your laptop isn't going to want it.

Meh, wouldn't bother. Those fancy waterproof connectors have got a nice bezel for mounting anyway.

[avgas]

I used to do similar things and found that its not worth the IP65 hype. Just buy a $2 M-F USB A-A cable from the $2 shop. Cut the cable and dead terminate, then heat shrink and cable tie to the bike. Looks a 1E^6 better, its discrete and looks good.
It also means that you still have a standard USB connection. I can go to $2 shop this week and get you the cables if you like.

[imdying]

Very generous of you :) Not to worry though, I've never been shy of spending money on my bikes. $60 worth of waterproof connectors is pretty cheap bling :)

Now all I need is digital printer to print me on vinyl, a surround to go on the dash, with markings for which port is which :yes:

[imdying]

I must say, whilst I expected people on here to have an idea of where to buy these, the level of interest is higher than I thought! We all love bling, and so say all of us :yes:

[Disco Dan]

I must say, whilst I expected people on here to have an idea of where to buy these, the level of interest is higher than I thought! We all love bling, and so say all of us :yes:

I would be very interested to see a picture or two of your dash...

[avgas]

I must say, whilst I expected people on here to have an idea of where to buy these, the level of interest is higher than I thought! We all love bling, and so say all of us :yes:
My previous job was making stuff moron/bash proof. You would be surprise what people do with forklifts these days.
Its a good thing that half of South Auckland doesn't cook too - as imagine there would be alot of "Toaster-in-the-shower" deaths.

[imdying]

We should be so lucky...

[The Pastor]

Post up some pics. me i'd just tape over the end with electrial tape, but im cheap :)

[imdying]

I haven't got anything to post pics of, that's the problem. I'll go have a look at Jaycar now... depends on whether I can be bothered with traffic. Hungry, must be my dinner time.

[imdying]

Thanks for all the suggestions, my bike now has what surely must be the worlds most expensive USB ports. Got geek?

[craisin]

sounds like you need to make it not look to easy to disconnect and obsconed with:baby:

[imdying]

sounds like you need to make it not look to easy to disconnect and obsconed with:baby:

What do you mean buddy? Someone will steal a panel mount USB port? :confused:

[imdying]

Oh, and on this topic seeing as it was bumped... I've used the Jaycar supplied sockets with the pig ugly caps... but a friend has offered to CNC machine up some nice alloy caps to replace the plastic ones... a beer for him! :yes: