Garmin Montana mounted to battery or to sat nav power?

2Vulcans · 08-22-2012, 01:27 AM

Hello,
There might be a place somewhere where this is discussed but I can't find it.
I have a 1200GSA, when using the AMPS cradle mount is it better to power a Montana directly from a battery or to use the sat nav power outlet close to the oil cooler? If using the power outlet, do I need the adapter? Any instructions on wiring somewhere?

Thanks!

GH41 · 08-22-2012, 03:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Vulcans

Hello,
There might be a place somewhere where this is discussed but I can't find it.
I have a 1200GSA, when using the AMPS cradle mount is it better to power a Montana directly from a battery or to use the sat nav power outlet close to the oil cooler? If using the power outlet, do I need the adapter? Any instructions on wiring somewhere?

Thanks!

Do you mean rugged mount? You will get many opinions on how to power the mount. I prefer mine wired directly to the battery. I remove the GPS when I leave the bike. If I camped and left it installed overnight I would have wired it to a switched circuit to eliminate any chance of killing the bikes battery. GH

WoodButcher · 08-22-2012, 06:36 AM

I use the GPS connection near the oil cooler. it is switched and will power down about a minute after you turn off the bike.

I've had GPSs wire both to the battery and switched. With direct, you just need to know how your gps works with regards to the mount and being turned off. My zumo 550 won't draw power if the gps is off and in the motorcycle mount so it is safe to leave on the bike when direct to the battery. That isn't the case with all gps units. I don't know about the Montana. So with direct, you need to remove the gps when you are leaving the bike parked for a while (like overnight) or make sure it is off if it doesn't draw power when off.

So the switch is the safer option since it won't run your bike battery down. The downside is that for quick stops, like opening a gate or getting gas, it will try to shut off the gps. Most will tell you they lost power and give you a chance to tell them to run on internal battery, but if you miss that message then they shut down. They'll restart when you turn on the power again, but it will take a little time before they are running again.

So, pick which one sounds more convenient to you and try it out. You can always rewire and try the other way.

FatChance · 08-22-2012, 08:10 AM

As a third option, I power mine through a battery powered relay controlled by a handlebar mounted switch. That gives me the option to turn it on or off whether the ignition is on or off.

DRTBYK · 08-22-2012, 09:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 2Vulcans

Hello,
There might be a place somewhere where this is discussed but I can't find it.
I have a 1200GSA, when using the AMPS cradle mount is it better to power a Montana directly from a battery or to use the sat nav power outlet close to the oil cooler? If using the power outlet, do I need the adapter? Any instructions on wiring somewhere?

Thanks!

First, the Montana is always being charged when it is in the AMPS Rugged Mount if power is applied whether the Montana is on or off.

So, if you don't want the unit to potentially draw down your battery you will need to do one of three (3) things:

Use the BMW Accessory Plug you mentioned and you will need to get the appropriate harness plug from your BMW Dealer to wire to the Rugged Mount cable.
Wire the Rugged mount to another switched source from the battery (as mentioned by FatChance).
If your Rugged Mount is powered all of the time, don't leave your Montana in the mount when you turn off the bike for long periods (over night).

Cheers,

WoodButcher · 08-22-2012, 12:54 PM

Dan, thanks for that. I didn't know whether the Montana kept charging in the rugged mount or not.

GH41 · 08-23-2012, 03:25 AM

Dan, what about option #4? Wired directly to the battery with AAs (or no battery at all) in the unit. How can it use power if it isn't charging anything? GH

DRTBYK · 08-23-2012, 10:45 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by GH41

Dan, what about option #4? Wired directly to the battery with AAs (or no battery at all) in the unit. How can it use power if it isn't charging anything? GH

See, see how this works - I love you guys watchin' my back.

Yes, that would be option #4.

Cheers,

08-22-2012, 01:27 AM	#1
2Vulcans ^OP Let's go... Joined: Mar 2009 Location: Pretoria, South Africa Oddometer: 144	Garmin Montana mounted to battery or to sat nav power? Hello, There might be a place somewhere where this is discussed but I can't find it. I have a 1200GSA, when using the AMPS cradle mount is it better to power a Montana directly from a battery or to use the sat nav power outlet close to the oil cooler? If using the power outlet, do I need the adapter? Any instructions on wiring somewhere? Thanks!

08-22-2012, 06:36 AM	#3
WoodButcher Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, TX Oddometer: 1,646	I use the GPS connection near the oil cooler. it is switched and will power down about a minute after you turn off the bike. I've had GPSs wire both to the battery and switched. With direct, you just need to know how your gps works with regards to the mount and being turned off. My zumo 550 won't draw power if the gps is off and in the motorcycle mount so it is safe to leave on the bike when direct to the battery. That isn't the case with all gps units. I don't know about the Montana. So with direct, you need to remove the gps when you are leaving the bike parked for a while (like overnight) or make sure it is off if it doesn't draw power when off. So the switch is the safer option since it won't run your bike battery down. The downside is that for quick stops, like opening a gate or getting gas, it will try to shut off the gps. Most will tell you they lost power and give you a chance to tell them to run on internal battery, but if you miss that message then they shut down. They'll restart when you turn on the power again, but it will take a little time before they are running again. So, pick which one sounds more convenient to you and try it out. You can always rewire and try the other way. __________________ Rusty 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure 1999 DR650 2007 DR200

08-22-2012, 12:54 PM	#6
WoodButcher Beastly Adventurer Joined: Sep 2004 Location: Austin, TX Oddometer: 1,646	Dan, thanks for that. I didn't know whether the Montana kept charging in the rugged mount or not. __________________ Rusty 2009 BMW R1200GS Adventure 1999 DR650 2007 DR200

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08-22-2012, 08:10 AM	#4
FatChance Road Captain Joined: Jun 2003 Location: Durango, Colorado, USA Oddometer: 9,320	As a third option, I power mine through a battery powered relay controlled by a handlebar mounted switch. That gives me the option to turn it on or off whether the ignition is on or off. __________________ Pain in the Butte Ranch Durango, Colorado - Calculated risk or forbidden fruit?

08-23-2012, 03:25 AM	#7
GH41 Studly Adventurer Joined: Oct 2011 Oddometer: 626	Dan, what about option #4? Wired directly to the battery with AAs (or no battery at all) in the unit. How can it use power if it isn't charging anything? GH