Smartphone, GPS navigation, action cam and battery-powered light. More and more gadgets on the handlebars need power. So why shouldn't we simply tap into the large battery on the bike? Unfortunately, very few manufacturers have thought of equipping e-MTBs with a standard USB socket for this purpose. Therefore, the only option is usually to use the micro USB socket, which is actually intended for service purposes. Depending on the model, between 0.5 and 1 ampere can be drawn from the battery. Although this is not enough to charge modern smartphones when navigating with an active display, it does at least slow down the discharging process. The range of the e-bike does not suffer when charging the gadgets. Another tip for Garmin GPS devices: The outdoor devices Oregon, eTrex and GPSmap actually get their power from batteries in AA format. If you plug the Garmin into the bike's power supply via USB cable, the navigation system is supplied with power. And if you replace the AA batteries with suitable rechargeable batteries, these will also be charged. The GPS devices are even more frugal than smartphones and cope well even with 0.5 amps. Please note when charging while travelling: The small mini and micro USB plugs are not designed for continuous mechanical (vibration) stress. The situation is better for modern Android devices with USB-C connection and Apple's Lightning connector. They can withstand heavier loads. Nevertheless, it is better to unplug them on wild vibration trails.
NO POWER
Normally, the drive manufacturer decides on the charging option. If the bike manufacturer opts for an open motor system such as Brose, they can decide on a charging device for smartphones etc. themselves. While Specialized has decided against a charging socket with its Brose motor, BH bikes, also with a Brose motor, offer a charging socket. There is no power with:
- Shimano
- Bosch Purion
- Rocky Mountain
- Specialised
- Rose Bikes (Continental)
BOSCH: FOUR VARIANTS
Four displays, four charging options The service interfaces on the Intuvia and Nyon displays can be used to divert power for smartphones or GPS using a special cable. Unfortunately, Bosch supplies a maximum of 0.5 amps this way, which some iPhone models acknowledge by refusing to charge. For other smartphones, this is at least enough for a slow discharge. Bosch offers a charging adapter as an accessory. However, this is neither necessary nor recommended.
This is a normal USB OTG adapter, which can also be purchased at a lower price. The general disadvantage of this solution is the tangle of cables from the adapter and charging cable on the handlebars. It's better to get a short special cable (1) and keep your handlebars tidy. You can find tips on this in the picture gallery on the EMTB website. You can't get any power out of the compact Bosch Purion display. Instead, Bosch listened to the users when developing the new Kiox display. The power still comes from the service interface (2), but at least Bosch now supplies 1 ampere of charging current.
FLYER, YAMAHA, BROSE
- Flyer with Panasonic
The Swiss have solved the charging issue in an exemplary manner. A standard USB socket is integrated behind a protective rubber cover under the large Fit display (see image). The large e-bike battery supplies up to 1.1 amps to power a smartphone or GPS.
- Yamaha X-Display
The X-display, which can be found on Haibike for example, sits well protected next to the stem. The micro USB service socket is concealed behind a rubber cover on the lower edge. Yamaha supplies 1 ampere of charging current for the smartphone. As with Bosch, it is best to use a short special cable here.
- Brose with Marquardt
The large Marquardt display, as used by Rotwild or Bulls, has a standard USB socket behind a protective rubber cover. A short USB cable to the smartphone and a power supply of around one ampere is available.
EXTERNAL POWER
Battery packs / power banks offer the simplest and cheapest power supply for travelling when the drive or display are not supplying power. They are available in electronics stores for just a few euros. Capacities of around 6000 mAh allow the battery runtime to be tripled. However, inexpensive batteries are not protected against dust or splash water. We present a tried and tested combination of power bank, attachment and charging cable on the EMTB website.
Nostrøm is a battery specially designed for bicycles with a capacity of 10000 mAh and a charging current of 2.1 amps. Robust and waterproof, the aluminium tube is attached to the bottle cage screws on the frame. This also works together with the cup holder. The special screw cable connection with micro USB plug and a USB socket is protected against water and dust.
EMTB author Matthias Schwindt provides information in his blog gpsradler.de regularly about GPS and electronics topics relating to e-bikes.
