NorCal Kayak Anglers

Kayak Zone => Gearing Up and Rigging Up => Topic started by: NowhereMan on January 19, 2018, 04:04:56 PM

Title: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on January 19, 2018, 04:04:56 PM
Anybody install a USB charger port on a kayak? The mounting pod (or whatever it's called) in this video looks like a good way to do it, since there's no need to drill a big hole (not that it really bothers me to drill holes in my kayak):

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v-d7zKDoaQ8

It looks like it would fit inside the side pocket on my Hobie, which is right about where I want it to be, but I don't know where to get something like that.

And as for USB ports, here's a waterproof one from West Marine, but it seems a bit pricey:

https://www.westmarine.com/buy/poly-planar--waterproof-dual-port-usb-charger--15094345?recordNum=2

Anyways, I'd like to hear about any experience or suggestions any of you might have. Thanks.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: Cowman on January 19, 2018, 04:08:20 PM
Curious as to why you need a USB port on your kayak? Phone Charging?
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: Azkikr on January 19, 2018, 04:42:38 PM
Most likely to charge phone or charge the battery it self
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: Tinker on January 19, 2018, 05:59:10 PM
Check out the USB ports in this battery box on NWKA.  I believe crash built a similar box from the plans attached to the post.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=16848.0
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: crash on January 19, 2018, 06:00:27 PM
Check out the USB ports in this battery box on NWKA.  I believe crash built a similar box from the plans attached to the post.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=16848.0


Yessir. Works like a champ.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on January 19, 2018, 07:32:04 PM
Curious as to why you need a USB port on your kayak? Phone Charging?

I’d like to plug in my iPhone.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on January 19, 2018, 07:40:20 PM
Check out the USB ports in this battery box on NWKA.  I believe crash built a similar box from the plans attached to the post.

http://www.northwestkayakanglers.com/index.php?topic=16848.0


Yessir. Works like a champ.

Very nice. In my setup, the battery box is in the rear hatch (inaccessible on the water) and I want the USB port right underneath where I mount my iPhone case. Should be a piece of cake—thanks for the info.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: krusty on January 19, 2018, 08:28:11 PM
The IP66 rating on those USB ports only applies when the cover is closed, not when the ports are in use. USB ports are NOT waterproof! Those ports are designed for use in boats, not in a kayak where your ass is only inches off the water, and any wave over the side will flood the ports. Much easier and safer to charge your phone at home or in your car on the way to the water.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: Cowman on January 19, 2018, 08:33:46 PM
The IP66 rating on those USB ports only applies when the cover is closed, not when the ports are in use. USB ports are NOT waterproof! Those ports are designed for use in boats, not in a kayak where your ass is only inches off the water, and any wave over the side will flood the ports. Much easier and safer to charge your phone at home or in your car on the way to the water.
or external battery in a dry bag/box in your hatch bucket


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Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: bmb on January 19, 2018, 09:02:33 PM
I've seen plenty of bass guys put those on their yaks without issue.  But they're not as susceptible to waves over their bows as someone who hits the ocean.  I would use a power brick in a dry bag.

At the very least, I would make sure the USB ports are vertical facing instead of horizontal so they should be a bit more water resistant.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on January 19, 2018, 10:21:03 PM
The IP66 rating on those USB ports only applies when the cover is closed, not when the ports are in use. USB ports are NOT waterproof! Those ports are designed for use in boats, not in a kayak where your ass is only inches off the water, and any wave over the side will flood the ports. Much easier and safer to charge your phone at home or in your car on the way to the water.

Good point about the waterproof issues... But I’m planning a long range multi-day trip so charging at home is not an option. And besides, even in one day the battery will die if I use the gps and other apps much (which I like to do).

So now I’m thinking to have the usb connection inside the battery box where it will be protected from moisture, and then waterproof the place where the lightning connector will pass thru my (waterproof) iPhone case. I think that should be doable.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: Sin Coast on January 19, 2018, 10:49:53 PM
I've been using my Wilderness Systems lithium battery to charge my phone while sitting on the couch at home. The multiple usb ports are pretty convenient. Just a thought...
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: krusty on January 19, 2018, 11:15:19 PM
I've been using my Wilderness Systems lithium battery to charge my phone while sitting on the couch at home. The multiple usb ports are pretty convenient. Just a thought...

So the wall charger charges the lithium battery which charges your phone? Very Rube Goldberg. :smt005
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: RacinRob on January 19, 2018, 11:34:28 PM
I charged my phone today at ISE off of my Wilderness Systems battery. Works great.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: Fishcomb on January 19, 2018, 11:42:22 PM
I've been using my Wilderness Systems lithium battery to charge my phone while sitting on the couch at home. The multiple usb ports are pretty convenient. Just a thought...

Yes!!  :smt044 :smt044
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: crash on January 20, 2018, 06:22:57 AM
I've been using my Wilderness Systems lithium battery to charge my phone while sitting on the couch at home. The multiple usb ports are pretty convenient. Just a thought...

So the wall charger charges the lithium battery which charges your phone? Very Rube Goldberg. :smt005


You could get a solar panel and charge the battery that way, then charge the phone with the battery.  NowhereMan does not appear to plan on bringing his couch or wall outlet with him on multiday trips so that might actually work for him.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: Sin Coast on January 20, 2018, 09:08:51 AM
I don't have a 10-foot cord for my phone charger...  :smt005
But I have a handful of those small portable power banks...and one day realized my WS battery is like a giant portable power bank haha. I may even add it to our earthquake emergency kit :-)
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on January 20, 2018, 10:05:29 AM
You could get a solar panel and charge the battery that way, then charge the phone with the battery.  NowhereMan does not appear to plan on bringing his couch or wall outlet with him on multiday trips so that might actually work for him.

I do have a 7W "PowerFilm" solar panel that I plan to use. So, my next question is, do I need 2 batteries, 1 to use and 1 to charge, or is there any easy and reliable way to manage the charging and usage (for FF and, hopefully, iPhone) with a single battery?
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: crash on January 20, 2018, 12:05:15 PM
You could get a solar panel and charge the battery that way, then charge the phone with the battery.  NowhereMan does not appear to plan on bringing his couch or wall outlet with him on multiday trips so that might actually work for him.

I do have a 7W "PowerFilm" solar panel that I plan to use. So, my next question is, do I need 2 batteries, 1 to use and 1 to charge, or is there any easy and reliable way to manage the charging and usage (for FF and, hopefully, iPhone) with a single battery?

I use two batteries. You could put the dry box with two cables running out in parallel, one for the FF and one for the panel and everything separately fused, I think that would work fine as long as your panel can handle salt water exposure, which I know nothing about either way. Never really occurred to me.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: Scurvy on January 20, 2018, 11:05:12 PM
Salt water is no tango for those USB connectors, just asking for trouble. 


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Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on January 21, 2018, 01:24:16 PM
This link looks to have a lot of good info on using solar on a kayak. Prolly going to do something pretty similar to this...

https://www.kayakfishingnz.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=14541
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on January 21, 2018, 02:29:58 PM
This guy put a solar panel inside his kayak (same brand and color as mine, coincidentally). Looks like it'll generate 12W inside, as opposed to 16W outside in direct sun.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DzyunpCADGg
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: CGN-38 on February 08, 2018, 03:06:29 AM
  I have these components already to add to a one of the wally- mart water proof orange dry boxes.  Haven't made decision as to where I plan to add install the little digital DVM/USB though, in the hull opposite my compass install or in the battery box itself.  I'm leaning to in the hull as it'll be visible and useable.  In the battery box, not so much.  I have a few RED LED strips I plan to install for either or both, deck and in hull for now and wire my compass backlight in the circuit as well.
  Don't have a switch for the compass yet.  The one I do have is RED and not sure if it'll be a Main power Enabling the battery box) or for the deck/ in hull LED (TBD) so I'll need to order another switch for the compass light and  maybe the deck lights?
 :smt075  Decisions....
  I do like the little DVM/ dual USB charger display, I may have to get one for my truck! (Green)
 (All available on Amazon)

Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on February 08, 2018, 12:39:48 PM
I've got the wires installed in my batter box and should have it all connected up for a test run fairly soon. The only thing I can't decide is where to put the solar panel---might have to experiment with a few different locations to see what'll actually work best. I'll post some picture eventually...
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: fishingduringclass on March 01, 2018, 04:29:28 PM
Just a heads up but the solar panels on power banks are pretty useless. I bought one with such an inefficient panel that it would have taken 40 hours to fully charge the battery.
Title: Re: USB charger on kayak
Post by: NowhereMan on March 01, 2018, 09:49:12 PM
Just a heads up but the solar panels on power banks are pretty useless. I bought one with such an inefficient panel that it would have taken 40 hours to fully charge the battery.

It seems that the claimed output from a lot of those small solar panels is grossly exaggerated. The “solarfilm” brand that I’ve got gets good reviews and many even state that it will exceed the wattage rating. Even so, the 7W that I’ve got is pretty minimal, but has been fun to experiment with. If it turns out to be helpful, I’ll probably upgrade to about 20W.