Bike Accessory Fuse Box Connectors

[nb1]

What connectors do people use for accessory fuse boxes, so they can connect things like heated gear, GPS etc?

I am looking for some connectors that are smaller than the usual cigarette sockets, easy to connect and disconnect, and waterproof, or maybe have rubber caps you can put over them when they are not in use to stop crap getting in them and the wiring box.

I was thinking of some 1/4” (6.35mm) Plugs, but I cant seem to find any suitable sockets, either waterproof or with rubber covers. Anyone know where I can get these, or have any better suggestions?

[Boris]

I would stay away from audio connectors. They are just not designed for power. I use Tamiya (or Kyosho) connectors. You can get them in Maplins and suchlike but they are much cheaper on ebay. Buy them in sets to save money. I don't have a optimate but I believe they are the same connectors that they use. They are certainly the same as the ones on Oxford heated grips.

[nb1]

Thanks for the input Boris, I'd looked at those, but moved onto the idea of 1/4" / 6.35mm sockets and plugs because they looked very much easier to mount in a panel, simply a matter of drilling a whole and screwing them up .

I'd have thought the 6.35mm sockets and plugs would have been able to cope with the current; ~5A @ ~12V, anyone know differently?

Anyone got any other thoughts?

[GSPD750]

What connectors do people use for accessory fuse boxes, so they can connect things like heated gear, GPS etc?

I am looking for some connectors that are smaller than the usual cigarette sockets, easy to connect and disconnect, and waterproof, or maybe have rubber caps you can put over them when they are not in use to stop crap getting in them and the wiring box.

I was thinking of some 1/4” (6.35mm) Plugs, but I cant seem to find any suitable sockets, either waterproof or with rubber covers. Anyone know where I can get these, or have any better suggestions?

Some googling I came up with.

Vehicle Wiring Products Ltd. Suppliers of auto electrical parts.

Motorcycle/Marine Waterproof 12 Volt Accessory socket on eBay (end time 25-Mar-10 23:41:52 GMT)

Motorcycle Electrical Mini - Connectors (2.8mm) - 2 way on eBay (end time 06-Mar-10 18:47:27 GMT)

12V Waterproof Motorcycle Accessory Socket on eBid.net United Kingdom

[nb1]

Thanks GSPD750 I was trying to get some flush mount fittings, while avoiding the big fat cigarette style fittings.

I have opted for Boris' suggestion of the Tamiya type connectors, less than ideal from the point of view of mounting, but lots of gear seems to use them.

[pyro]

nb1

any chance of letting me know if you source any ? I am after the same thing to plug my top box brake light into

thanks

[pyro]

Hold fire on that

Just found what I need on E bay

2 WAY 1.5mm SERIES AMP SUPERSEAL WATERPROOF CONNECTOR

[davsato]

nb1

any chance of letting me know if you source any ? I am after the same thing to plug my top box brake light into

thanks

same here

Hold fire on that

Just found what I need on E bay

2 WAY 1.5mm SERIES AMP SUPERSEAL WATERPROOF CONNECTOR

heres a link to it
2 WAY 1.5mm SERIES AMP SUPERSEAL WATERPROOF CONNECTOR on eBay (end time 09-Mar-10 20:56:15 GMT)

looks good but does it stay waterproof when disconnected, thats the problem, when the topbox isnt on?
with the topbox on it would be easy to use any connector, the box would sheild it from the weather and connected tamiya connectors are virtually watertight anyway.

[davsato]

heres a link to it
2 WAY 1.5mm SERIES AMP SUPERSEAL WATERPROOF CONNECTOR on eBay (end time 09-Mar-10 20:56:15 GMT)

looks good but does it stay waterproof when disconnected, thats the problem, when the topbox isnt on?
with the topbox on it would be easy to use any connector, the box would sheild it from the weather and connected tamiya connectors are virtually watertight anyway.

i emailed the bloke if the connector is waterproof disconnected and its not.

[Austin]

thread hijack.......

I am rubbish at electrics and always get it wrong about 3 times before it goes right and its usaully a horrible mess by then.

I have 3 different elecrical devices attached to my bike, each wired direct to the battery, each of which could really be switched to the ignition.

What do I need to do and buy to create a sort of junction box with a switched live that I can attached these items to?

What I thought was (and I have thought about this for ages):
cut into a live wire that is switched with the ignition, attached a 1 to 2 connector to it and send one wire to a relay, and the other to the original item.

The relay will pick up a live feed direct from the battery and be earthed (I think the relay needs to be earthed, doesn't it?).

The live switched feed from the relay will then go to some sort of junction box that can take say up to 4 devices by simply bolting on their pre-attached ring connectors as if they were being bolted to the battery.

The junction box will have a common earth for everything attached to it.

This will live under the seat/tail piece/side panel somewhere. ALthough it could also live in the fairing, but I would want quick and easy access

Does such a junction box exist? If not does one exist that can take those 2-way connectors like found on Optimate's and similar (what are those connectors called?). Is my wiring plan OK.

Like I said, I am rubish at this.

I had a look on the Vehicle Wiring Products website and didn't see anything like it, but they did have some junction boxes.