ElectricMotorcycleForum.com
Makes And Models => Zero Motorcycles Forum | 2012 and older => Topic started by: Larry295 on September 14, 2012, 12:07:52 AM
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Does anybody find the location of the plug to recharge the 2012 Zero S annoying?
Every time I get home and try to plug the bike in with one hand without looking, it won't go in. Every time I have to get on my knees, lean, look and then I can plug it in.
I just think it could have been placed higher and in more direct view...
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Does anybody find the location of the plug to recharge the 2012 Zero S annoying?
Every time I get home and try to plug the bike in with one hand without looking, it won't go in. Every time I have to get on my knees, lean, look and then I can plug it in.
I just think it could have been placed higher and in more direct view...
It's ridiculous. If Zero had a contest "Most inconvenient locations for the power chord socket" the only one that might win over the current location is under the bike so you have to lie on your back on the ground to locate it.
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I agree. It would be easy enough for them to run a cord from the charger up to the "tank" or some other higher and convenient location where the charger could be plugged in. Still, I have gotten used to the location and I can fit the female plug into the male connection pretty easily by feel, even in the dark. All it takes in lots of practice. ::)
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Hollywood Electrics I believe reroutes the charger plug-in point. I wonder if anyone here has a bike directly from them, where was the socket routed to?
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Yes, trikester has one of our plug relocation kits installed. We relocate the plug in the upper right front fairing. Much easier to plug in.
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Yes, I bought the kit from HE and installed it in a matter of minutes. However, I still found it difficult, even with the high position, to find the socket with the plug, in low light conditions (like my garage). Walla! A little coating of white paint around the edge of the socket and it shows up very well in almost darkness. I had been having to use a flashlight, but not anymore. :)
Trikester
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I have installed an IP 67 Plug at the space between the Tank and the seat.
It is not much space left therefore it is not much easier to connect. But I is water protected and I run my 230V connection of my two charger installed in the GIVI boxes to that plug too.
I think the location close to the ground is uncomfortable but a 230V/110V plug direct splashed with water is really strange. ???
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Harlan.. I just checked your website and didn't see the conversion kit listed. How much is the kit?
I too would like to put the charge port up high and out of the way of dirt & water thrown off the
front wheel.
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$29.95 for just the kit itself.
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Hi Harlan; I'd also like to get a conversion kit and also don't see it on your website. What is the process for ordering?
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ColoPaul, feel free to give us a call and we can process your order over the phone. We're open Tuesday through Saturday 11-7 and Sunday 12-5, closed Mondays.
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I ordered the kits from Harlan for myself and Colopaul. I have mine installed. Instead of mounting to the fuse plate,
I purchased a new longer M5 screw from ACE to replace the top/right screw on the battery box. Now the charge port
is very accessable. I don't even have to bend over or reach around anywhere.
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I am installing mine tonight. sgmdudley's picture says it all - MUCH nicer than having to get on your hands and knees to plug in. Plus it's out of the spray-stream of the front tire.
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Nice job!
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Oh! I like sgmdudley's approach. I'm going to change mine from the fuse block location to his mounting method. 8)
Trikester
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I ordered the kits from Harlan for myself and Colopaul. I have mine installed. Instead of mounting to the fuse plate,
I purchased a new longer M5 screw from ACE to replace the top/right screw on the battery box. Now the charge port
is very accessable. I don't even have to bend over or reach around anywhere.
Ok, I got around to changing to sgmdudley's approach yesterday. I like it! 8) This is actually easier to do than Harlan's suggested mounting to the fuse block. As sgmdudley says; you do need a longer 5mm bolt. I also put a toothed lock-washer between the clamp and the aluminum battery cover to insure that plugging and unplugging wouldn't eventually loosen the bolt and allow the socket to rotate out of position. Another split ring lock-washer under the head of the bolt for extra insurance against loosening.
Here's a photo of mine. The white paint around the socket rim also helps me find it in very low light.
Trikester
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Above the battery box is definitely a nice, convenient location. I considered many possible locations but I prefer the fuse block because it is easy to reach as well as discreet.
That is the nice thing about the kit. The three feet of power cord gives you the option to mount it nearly anywhere on the bike.
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Anyone know where Zero put the plug on the 2013 models?
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I believe this is it.
(http://media.zeromotorcycles.com/press-2013/small/s/studio-detail/2013_zero-s_detail_motor_1680x1200_press.jpg)
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I believe this is it.
Good eye. Can't imagine what else it might be. Convenient, logical location.
I get the impression that this is the bike Zero always wanted to make.
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I get that impression too, ZeroSinMA .. or at least it represents a very large step towards that goal.
2012 was a very good bike. IM biased O. EIG cells. Zero-customized Motenergy ME0913. Sevcon Gen 4 w/ Zero mods to firmware, albeit with a flawed initial release. Delta-Q w/ DC-DC converter, same lump they've been hauling around since 2008.
2013 makes some further changes. New battery cell .. possibly not pouches, back to cylindrical cells? Zero-developed motor. Sevcon Gen 4 again, but hopefully rock-solid out the door. New charger - maybe Zero design? S / DS have twice the onboard charging power as XU / FX / MX - could be twin onboard chargers or a double-size charger. Finally a product with smartphone integration they (and Brammo) have been talking up since 2008-2009. Further differentiating the S line and the X line.