Cigarette Lighter

[IndyGuy]

As a new rider of the Tri-Glide, I seem to have a lot of questions.

First off, I won't get into a discussion as to why there is a cigarette lighter on the bike - that's for someone else to worry about. What I don't understand is the following statement written in bold in the 2011 owners' manual:

"Do not use cigarette lighter socket to power electrical devices. Automotive electrical plugs can damage the socket, which can result in improper lighter operation and overheating that could cause equipment damage."

That being said, I have seen in other threads words that indicate that the lighter is indeed being used to power accessories. Can there be something different about the 2011? It would seem to be a good way to power a GPS monuted on the handlebars.

 

[1550vt]

I think it's just a Harley CYA warning. Most any device you would plug in there will draw nowhere near the current that it takes to light-up a resistance element in the lighter.

Go for it!

 

[JohnP]

I agree-use it! It saved me the trouble of wiring a lighter socket in like I had to do on my Road King. Mine powers my Garmin fine.

 

[Frang]

I've been plugging in my GPS into it with no problems

 

[IndyGuy]

Thanks for all of your responses. I guess if they let you think you could use that plug to power a GPS you wouldn't have to buy the adapter that would let you use the accessory connector under the seat.

 

[1550vt]

Just watch the weather. If you have an adapter of some length plugged in there and it rains.....could wick down inside the plug. I'd just make sure my device was fused properly, which most adapters are or have a changeable fuse.

Hey....you can get the Deutsch 4-pin connector from another source and use it to power things off the ACC switch from that female receptacle under the seat. It's not a Harley specific plug....it's a Deutsch and is commonly used in the auto industry. My reserve fuel tank runs off my dashboard flip-switch that powers that connector.

 

[Frang]

Just watch the weather. If you have an adapter of some length plugged in there and it rains.....could wick down inside the plug. I'd just make sure my device was fused properly, which most adapters are or have a changeable fuse.

Hey....you can get the Deutsch 4-pin connector from another source and use it to power things off the ACC switch from that female receptacle under the seat. It's not a Harley specific plug....it's a Deutsch and is commonly used in the auto industry. My reserve fuel tank runs off my dashboard flip-switch that powers that connector.

Ya just make sure you have enough power cord to form a drip loop before the plug.I learned that in electrician school.

 

[Bikerbozo]

Been running my Tri-glide with GPS plugged in for 1 year and 20,000 miles. Every once in a while I need to clean socket with sandpaper due to riding in all weather. Never popped a fuse. I also connected another power socket in trunk. Tapping into license plate light wires. Use that to keep my phone charged.

 

[427dave]

I have also been using lighter plug on my Ultra and now Triglide for GPS now, two years with no problems.

 

[WalterM817]

I just use mine to light up cigarettes but I have plugged cell phone chargers and the like in my truck lighter socket and messed up the socket. Shorted them out. Probably non fitting el cheapo chargers etc. don't play well with some sockets.

 

[Frang]

As a new rider of the Tri-Glide, I seem to have a lot of questions.

First off, I won't get into a discussion as to why there is a cigarette lighter on the bike - that's for someone else to worry about. What I don't understand is the following statement written in bold in the 2011 owners' manual:

"Do not use cigarette lighter socket to power electrical devices. Automotive electrical plugs can damage the socket, which can result in improper lighter operation and overheating that could cause equipment damage."

That being said, I have seen in other threads words that indicate that the lighter is indeed being used to power accessories. Can there be something different about the 2011? It would seem to be a good way to power a GPS monuted on the handlebars.

Did your trike come with the lighter or just the socket?

 

[IndyGuy]

It did come with the lighter.

 

[Frang]

Now 'm really p**ed.First i find out i was suppose to get a tool kit that wasn't with it.Now i find out a lighter was suppose to be there.Yup looks like me and the dealer are going to have a discussion on Monday.i wonder what else is missing from this trike.

 

[msocko3]

Now 'm really p**ed.First i find out i was suppose to get a tool kit that wasn't with it.Now i find out a lighter was suppose to be there.Yup looks like me and the dealer are going to have a discussion on Monday.i wonder what else is missing from this trike.

Your Triglide Ultra should have been delivered with a tool kit which is in a cloth roll. It should have come with 1 head set for installing into a helmet which plugs for using the CB and intercom, the 2nd head set has to be purchased. It should have also come with a large nylon bag for packing cloths and placing it in the tour-pak, and yes there should have been a lighter in that socket. Sounds like someone must have picked its bones while setting at the dealers.

 

[Frang]

Your Triglide Ultra should have been delivered with a tool kit which is in a cloth roll. It should have come with 1 head set for installing into a helmet which plugs for using the CB and intercom, the 2nd head set has to be purchased. It should have also come with a large nylon bag for packing cloths and placing it in the tour-pak, and yes there should have been a lighter in that socket. Sounds like someone must have picked its bones while setting at the dealers.

Thanks for the info. I did get the headset and bag.Guess two out of four ain't bad.Guess i'm lucky it came with an engine and seat.I talked to the salesperson who i delt with(a nice girl) and they are going to order the other two items for me.
:wtg:

 

[msocko3]

Thanks for the info. I did get the headset and bag.Guess two out of four ain't bad.Guess i'm lucky it came with an engine and seat.I talked to the salesperson who i delt with(a nice girl) and they are going to order the other two items for me.
:wtg:

I'll bet someone at that dealership knew there were gone, at least the tool roll. I've watched people go to salesman and tell them they didn't get something with their bike and the salesman walk over to another one and take what the person needed. Just a couple weeks ago I watched a guy tell a salesperson they didn't get a head set with their new Ultra. Both the guy and the salesperson started rummaging through the bikes on the floor until they found one and away the guy went with it.

 

[mark mccallum]

my cig plug lasted about 2 hours with a garmin before it stopped working.fuse was okay but plug hole no longer worked.replaced with hd power points and added one to the trunk.2009 tri glide with 22000 miles

 

[cewhit1]

As a new rider of the Tri-Glide, I seem to have a lot of questions.

First off, I won't get into a discussion as to why there is a cigarette lighter on the bike - that's for someone else to worry about. What I don't understand is the following statement written in bold in the 2011 owners' manual:

"Do not use cigarette lighter socket to power electrical devices. Automotive electrical plugs can damage the socket, which can result in improper lighter operation and overheating that could cause equipment damage."

That being said, I have seen in other threads words that indicate that the lighter is indeed being used to power accessories. Can there be something different about the 2011? It would seem to be a good way to power a GPS monuted on the handlebars.

I use mine for charging my cell phone, I have a 2009 Tri-Glide. Have never had a problem.

 

[427dave]

Just a note. My 2010 Ultra came with the tool bag rolled up in a cloth bag, the 2011 Triglide did NOT come with the cloth roll, it comes with a multi tool that folds up like a big Swiss army knife. I asked the dealer about this tool and he said that is what all the 2011 are now coming with they did away with the cloth roll. It is Black and Orange

 

[mark mccallum]

I blew out the socket at once with a garmin.I then repaced with HD power points .ONE new one in trunk.

 

[Casper]

The cigarette lighter can be used to power other things, course I smoke so I use it to light my smokes...

The best place I've found for powering up anything mounted on the handlebars or in my case, my fuel door mounted GPS is inside the fairing...it's a real simple job...3 windshield screws and four fairing screws the the outher fairing is off. Close to the socket for the headlight is two wires that don't hook to anything, one had a red cap and the other has a spade connector, ( I was told these are for european daytime running lights, can't confirm this) anyway..hook your hardwire power wires to these two wires, one is black (ground) and one is red ( hot)...easy. Now you'll have switched power to any GPS or ipod etc....works for me.
I ran the power wire through the holes in the fairing that other wires run through...clean and easy.