3BR TAPP USB -charger is a weatherproof power port for motorcycling. The USB -charger is very useful and a versatile power backup for cellphones, smartphones, tablets and MP3 players, but also for some of the HD action cameras and GPS -navigators. In my case I needed to back up the iPhone and the iPadMini. The rugged iPhone LifeProof FRE -case with bar mount allows to use smartphone as a GPS -navigator and the USB -power port completes the setup. The 3BR TAPP USB -charger has a well completed basic installation package with cable ties and instructions etc., but a lot of bikes need additionally a controller to switch the power also OFF. There are several automobile USB -cigaret lighter plug in chargers to choose from, but I prefer water- and dust-proof solutions even though there are only few alternatives. The 3BR PowerSports offers also USB -chargers to plug in the cigaret lighter socket, but since mine is below the seat, I rather route a fixed plug in the cockpit.
The 3BR TAPP USB -charger has a waterproof cap for the power port itself, but there is also a rubber CAP for the USB -plug keeping the dust, dirt and the rain water out of the socket. Especially allroad and adventure bikers know very well that dirt goes everywhere and such caps are necessary even if the socket is placed close to the instrumentation behind the windscreen as I did. Note that also the fork opening lifts with the air stream some of the finest dust around the front wheel in the cockpit. The 3BR TAPP USB -charger has a universal mount which can be attached to a variety of bars, frames and surfaces with an adhesive clamp. The delivery package has even a cleaning cloth to wipe out the impurities from the surface in question. The clamp itself is very simple and rotates 360 degrees allowing highly individual placement.
The 3BR TAPP USB -charger can be connected directly to the MC -battery, but then the port would be powered up all the time and it would drain the battery in a couple of days. Therefore it would be better to connect the power port with a controller switch, preferably with an off switching delay function, such as the universal CLS Connect. The controller switch is connected directly with the battery and monitors the consumption independently from the motorcycle electronics. The BMW R1200GS Adventure has a fuseless CANBus electrical system which allows to connect the power port directly with a 12V power outlet wiring harness and control the USB -charger without additional switch. I hope that the 3BR PowerSports would soon offer the power port with a ready made wiring harnesses for the BMW too, since only the BMW -plug to the CANBus -socket is missing.
The installation of the 3BR TAPP USB -charger is very simple and any handyman manages to route the cable behind the fairing, bind in place with cable ties and connect the two wires with the battery. The power port wiring harness itself has a fuse box to protect from a short circuit, but depending on the bike in question, remove additional fuse boxes leaving just one in charge. The BMW R1200GS Adventure CANBus takes care of this completely and needs non, but the CLS Connect or any similar switch should be protected with a fuse due to the direct connection with the battery. It may take some time to route the cable from the battery in the cockpit, but never the less the installation is very simple and straight forward one man job.
