Electrical Stuff

[yellowtrail125]

Hello all! I have a few questions about wiring, overloading the electrical system, and recommendations (or where to buy). First things first, my goal is to get a battery tender, a GPS (looking at the Garmin Zuma xt2, but i'm open to recommendations), and I like the idea of a USB charging port. Here lies my questions: 1st, what is the electrical system able to take on? 2nd, is it safe for the bike's electrical system, GPS, USB port, etc to all be wired directly to the battery? More specifically, is it okay if multiple "ring terminals" are stacked on top of one another? My understanding is the ring terminal goes under the screw that screws the terminal into the battery. (I'm no electrician, so I don't see an issue, but I'd rather ask and suffer some grief then destroy my trail or other items). Any recommendations about wiring or wiring better? Lastly, I was reading a thread about the usb charging port, but I cannot find the exact brand everyone was talking about! Are there recommendations for good usb ports and where I can buy one?
Thank you in advance for your help!

 

[dmonkey]

It is safe for all of these items to be wired to the battery, and they're not going to cause an issue while the bike is running, but if you have them connected to the battery and in use while the bike is off and not recharging the battery it will drain the battery over time. If you go that route just remember to turn things off or disconnect them when you're parking for more than a quick stop.

This is a common plug-and-play USB port setup that is easy to install if you want to only have the USB power switched on with the ignition:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHGSVW1V
Discussion about it here: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...torcycle-type-c-pd-dual-usb-charger-kit.1549/
And here: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/2023-usb-outlet.1892/
There are certainly other options though, and you could wire one directly to the battery.

For the battery tender connection, you'll find some cable routing options in this thread:
https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...essory-plug-on-a-honda-ct125-by-migolito.530/
Most SAE power adapters you buy for that will have ring terminals that are not the appropriate size for the battery on the CT125, so you may want to crimp new smaller ring terminals on the cable ends or file down the large ones to fit.

I have both a Garmin Zumo XT and the Garmin Zumo XT2. I highly recommend either of them, but go for the XT2 if your budget allows. The Garmin is very easy to wire directly to the battery. I went with switched power instead and ran it off the diagnostic plug that sits on top of the battery. With the XT2 you can just run it off USB power though, so adding the USB ports can take care of that.

Some things to consider with stacking ring terminals on the battery is that the plastic battery cover (hidden under the body plastic panel) may require cutting (or just ditch it) for the cables to fit, and you may need to replace the terminal bolts with longer ones.

 

[yellowtrail125]

It is safe for all of these items to be wired to the battery, and they're not going to cause an issue while the bike is running, but if you have them connected to the battery and in use while the bike is off and not recharging the battery it will drain the battery over time. If you go that route just remember to turn things off or disconnect them when you're parking for more than a quick stop.

This is a common plug-and-play USB port setup that is easy to install if you want to only have the USB power switched on with the ignition:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHGSVW1V
Discussion about it here: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...torcycle-type-c-pd-dual-usb-charger-kit.1549/
And here: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/2023-usb-outlet.1892/
There are certainly other options though, and you could wire one directly to the battery.

For the battery tender connection, you'll find some cable routing options in this thread:
https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...essory-plug-on-a-honda-ct125-by-migolito.530/
Most SAE power adapters you buy for that will have ring terminals that are not the appropriate size for the battery on the CT125, so you may want to crimp new smaller ring terminals on the cable ends or file down the large ones to fit.

I have both a Garmin Zumo XT and the Garmin Zumo XT2. I highly recommend either of them, but go for the XT2 if your budget allows. The Garmin is very easy to wire directly to the battery. I went with switched power instead and ran it off the diagnostic plug that sits on top of the battery. With the XT2 you can just run it off USB power though, so adding the USB ports can take care of that.

Some things to consider with stacking ring terminals on the battery is that the plastic battery cover (hidden under the body plastic panel) may require cutting (or just ditch it) for the cables to fit, and you may need to replace the terminal bolts with longer ones.

I appreciate the reading material. I'll look for some M5 terminal rings and I'll get to work once things get shipped here. I'll post pics once stuff gets going! Thank you

 

[yellowtrail125]

It is safe for all of these items to be wired to the battery, and they're not going to cause an issue while the bike is running, but if you have them connected to the battery and in use while the bike is off and not recharging the battery it will drain the battery over time. If you go that route just remember to turn things off or disconnect them when you're parking for more than a quick stop.

This is a common plug-and-play USB port setup that is easy to install if you want to only have the USB power switched on with the ignition:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0BHGSVW1V
Discussion about it here: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...torcycle-type-c-pd-dual-usb-charger-kit.1549/
And here: https://hondatrail125.com/index.php?threads/2023-usb-outlet.1892/
There are certainly other options though, and you could wire one directly to the battery.

For the battery tender connection, you'll find some cable routing options in this thread:
https://hondatrail125.com/index.php...essory-plug-on-a-honda-ct125-by-migolito.530/
Most SAE power adapters you buy for that will have ring terminals that are not the appropriate size for the battery on the CT125, so you may want to crimp new smaller ring terminals on the cable ends or file down the large ones to fit.

I have both a Garmin Zumo XT and the Garmin Zumo XT2. I highly recommend either of them, but go for the XT2 if your budget allows. The Garmin is very easy to wire directly to the battery. I went with switched power instead and ran it off the diagnostic plug that sits on top of the battery. With the XT2 you can just run it off USB power though, so adding the USB ports can take care of that.

Some things to consider with stacking ring terminals on the battery is that the plastic battery cover (hidden under the body plastic panel) may require cutting (or just ditch it) for the cables to fit, and you may need to replace the terminal bolts with longer ones.

I appreciate the reading material. I'll look for some M5 terminal rings and I'll get to work once things get here. I'll post pics once stuff gets going! Thank you

 

[AZ7000']

It’s not a new farkle but the phones are sweet gps’s with the right app!

 

[Mike Z]

It’s not a new farkle but the phones are sweet gps’s with the right app!

I agree, you can get a sub $200 Oukitel armored phone with a huge battery that will last on full bright display all day if you don't want to plug in and have all kinds of different nav and other apps available, rather than just one that Garmin made. If Garmin made a model with a touchscreen that worked in a pouring rain, I still wouldn't pay 3x the cost for 1/10th the capability.

 

[yellowtrail125]

What apps would you recommend? I've tried researching apps in the past for offroad use (suv offroading), I just don't know what apps would be good or not. I like the idea of using my phone (much cheaper), but I also like the idea of having a GOS that works even if there is no cell service. I have done riding on a dirt bike in the sticks, and I chickened out exploring because there was no cell reception. Pros and cons on both, but I'm always open to suggestions (I am not a vain person who "knows everything". Knowledge is power and there a lot of folks who have more knowledge then I!)

 

[Mike Z]

What apps would you recommend? I've tried researching apps in the past for offroad use (suv offroading), I just don't know what apps would be good or not. I like the idea of using my phone (much cheaper), but I also like the idea of having a GOS that works even if there is no cell service. I have done riding on a dirt bike in the sticks, and I chickened out exploring because there was no cell reception. Pros and cons on both, but I'm always open to suggestions (I am not a vain person who "knows everything". Knowledge is power and there a lot of folks who have more knowledge then I!)

I don't put a sim card in my nav phone, I download offline maps for google maps and Locus Map. I tether my nav phone to my good phone in case I do need something online. I use Kurviger or MapMyRide on PC to generate GPX files, then follow them using the Locus Map app. I use google maps to find gas or get someplace like to a hotel. Using Mapmyride on a PC I can use satellite view to find dirt roads and interesting routes. Locus Map has the same maps you can download for an overpriced dedicated GPS, hiking, streets, etc. There's no reason to need connectivity. Keep in mind I have been a computer geek since 1981 so there's that.

Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app

Multi-functional mobile outdoor navigation app for hiking, cycling, geocaching, sailing, flying and other sports activities and traveling

www.locusmap.app

 

[yellowtrail125]

I don't put a sim card in my nav phone, I download offline maps for google maps and Locus Map. I tether my nav phone to my good phone in case I do need something online. I use Kurviger or MapMyRide on PC to generate GPX files, then follow them using the Locus Map app. I use google maps to find gas or get someplace like to a hotel. Using Mapmyride on a PC I can use satellite view to find dirt roads and interesting routes. Locus Map has the same maps you can download for an overpriced dedicated GPS, hiking, streets, etc. There's no reason to need connectivity. Keep in mind I have been a computer geek since 1981 so there's that.

Locus Map - mobile outdoor navigation app

Multi-functional mobile outdoor navigation app for hiking, cycling, geocaching, sailing, flying and other sports activities and traveling

www.locusmap.app

I'll take a look at this! See if it will work for me! I'm semi tech savvy (enough to get me in trouble! Lol) and I'll explore this. I imagine this is a similar concept I have seen overlanders use in their rigs. I see them with a iPad or android tablet and they navigate not too bad. Thanks for the input!

 

[Kev250R]

What apps would you recommend? I've tried researching apps in the past for offroad use (suv offroading), I just don't know what apps would be good or not. I like the idea of using my phone (much cheaper), but I also like the idea of having a GOS that works even if there is no cell service. I have done riding on a dirt bike in the sticks, and I chickened out exploring because there was no cell reception. Pros and cons on both, but I'm always open to suggestions (I am not a vain person who "knows everything". Knowledge is power and there a lot of folks who have more knowledge then I!)

I've mentioned it recently in another thread but I use OnXMaps. It's a subscription service but has a ton of features. My favorites are the ability to download and access maps off-line (so it'll work in areas where you don't have service). Another is it's easy to see property boundaries so you'll know if a trail leaves public land and crosses private land (plus it shows the land owners info.) Lastly I like that other users of OnX can update trails with notes on current conditions. Knowing what sort of shape a trail I want to run was in last week as opposed to last year.

I run it mostly on a tablet which lays between the seats when I go four-wheeling but it also runs well on a phone.