Wiring in a GPS

[kjclark7]

being fairly new to the GS (only on week 2), i am wondering how i can hard wire in my gps (currently a garmin 276c). right now i am running off of the battery life, which by the way is 14+ hours, but i would like to be able to hard wire it direct to power. i am not very electrical savy and i don't really understand how the canbus works and how some of you guys hook up all your stuff.
while i was checking under the front beak, i found this...

behind the oil cooler. what is it exactly and can i buy a power cord to attach to it for the garmin 276c or any other gps? does that go to the canbus?

[kjclark7]

is this the canbus? if not what is it? i really need someone to go over the in's and out's of the bike with me.

[Countdown]

Just buy a hard wire kit form Cycoactive.com and wire it direct to the battery.

[Boon Booni]

Originally Posted by kjclark7

is this the canbus? if not what is it? i really need someone to go over the in's and out's of the bike with me.
Attachment 212438

You can't point to the canbus without just pointing to the bike. It's all canbus.

+1 on just wire it to your battery.

[John Joel Glanton]

I have a Garmin 2610 on my V-Strom and a Garmin 60CSX on my DRZ400S. For both units, I bought the unit-specific wiring kit and then connected the wire directly to the battery using terminals similar to these:



I soldered the connectors to the end of the wires and made them pretty with some heat-shrink tubing. Then, I ran the wire along the frame and underneath the tank, using zip ties every so often to keep the wire in place.

If you decide to do this, be sure to leave yourself enough slack at the end that will connect to the GPS unit. It's best to start the process by first plugging the wire into the unit which is already mounted and then run the other end of the wire back to the battery so you will know where to cut it. Before you go using too many zip ties, move the handlebars to their full travel in both directions and ensure that there is no tension or tugging on the wire at the unit.

While it's not likely that you would drain the battery, just be sure to turn the unit off or disconnect it completely once you stop riding. In my opinion, a properly soldered connection like the one pictured above and a direct connection to the battery is the simplest and most effective way to run a GPS on a bike.

[KRS]

Originally Posted by John Joel Glanton

While it's not likely that you would drain the battery, just be sure to turn the unit off or disconnect it completely once you stop riding. In my opinion, a properly soldered connection like the one pictured above and a direct connection to the battery is the simplest and most effective way to run a GPS on a bike.

I wired mine through a relay that is only powered when the bike is on (eastern beaver's rear tail light pigtail).

KRS

[Sevoman]

http://www.powerletproducts.com/prod...rlet-cable/249

You can buy the hardwire kit...or you can plug it into the bmw power plug.

Good luck.
and for mechanical "stuff" on the bike....Jim VonBaden's http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...light=vonbaden DVD is the BOMB!!
Sevoman

[kjclark7]

http://www.touratech-usa.com/shop/sh...CF42QHt1FEA9FB

will this work with the plug i found behind the oil cooler?

[Countdown]

Originally Posted by John Joel Glanton

I have a Garmin 2610 on my V-Strom and a Garmin 60CSX on my DRZ400S. For both units, I bought the unit-specific wiring kit and then connected the wire directly to the battery using terminals similar to these:

I soldered the connectors to the end of the wires and made them pretty with some heat-shrink tubing.

While it's not likely that you would drain the battery, just be sure to turn the unit off or disconnect it completely once you stop riding.

Crimp connectors should not be soldered. That causes a stress point at end of the solder wick. Good crimp connectors have a strain releif built in to eliminate this strain. Also try to run the wire under the battery hold down strap so the wire can not vibrate at the crimp.

A motorcycle battery would run the GPS for several weeks.

[PaulfromPA]

To piggyback on this thread... I just installed my Garmin 2820 onto my 03 SV650 using a garmin motorcycle power cord. I wired the DC to the + terminal of the battery and the other wire to the frame via a bolt at the rear brake res (the wire was labeled ground).



I too am a complete newb to electrical wiring, so does this sound/look ok?

Also to those that have the 2610/2720/2730/2820 streetpilots... I routed the wire along my frame and held it to the frame with modified paper clips. The clips are held on with ducttape.


As a result, the power cord can be easily pulled away from the bike and then I can use the length of the cord to use the unit inside a tent. This is the solution to the only gripe I have with the unit... the lack of internal battery.

[John Joel Glanton]

Originally Posted by Countdown

Crimp connectors should not be soldered. That causes a stress point at end of the solder wick. Good crimp connectors have a strain releif built in to eliminate this strain.

To be fair, I crimped them first and then applied the solder. I just didn't like the looks of the crimp connector and wanted to be sure that the wire would hold. Several years later, all is still well.

[SnowMule]

Worked with a guy years ago who used to install electronics in aircraft for NOAA. Veins in his forehead would pop out when someone would solder a crimp connector at work.

After years of experience though, a good crimp connection is more reliable than a good solder connection; and a soldered crimp connector might as well just be wire nutted on.

[Countdown]

Originally Posted by John Joel Glanton

To be fair, I crimped them first and then applied the solder. I just didn't like the looks of the crimp connector and wanted to be sure that the wire would hold. Several years later, all is still well.

Absolute violation of all NASA standards. Put it on a vibe table and it will break the wire right where the solder ends.

[Lead Wrist]

Originally Posted by kjclark7

being fairly new to the GS (only on week 2), i am wondering how i can hard wire in my gps (currently a garmin 276c). right now i am running off of the battery life, which by the way is 14+ hours, but i would like to be able to hard wire it direct to power. i am not very electrical savy and i don't really understand how the canbus works and how some of you guys hook up all your stuff.
while i was checking under the front beak, i found this...
Attachment 212437
behind the oil cooler. what is it exactly and can i buy a power cord to attach to it for the garmin 276c or any other gps? does that go to the canbus?

This thread (post #7) can help you with the info related to hardwiring your GPS to GPS factory wiring harness from your GS as you pictured it (the thread is about Zumo but same applies for other GPSs):
http://www.advrider.com/forums/showt...hlight=R1200GS

The OE plug is designed and controlled by CanBus and provides switched power, ie. it's "on" when the key is "on" in the ignition and it goes "off" 1-2 min after the key is out, to any GPS. My GPS is wired this way and never had any issues with it.

No need to be afraid of CanBus as long as you don't cut and splice into OE wiring harness, as that's !! One more reason as to why GPS plug is provided by the factory for people to use it !! More on the topic of pro/con of CanBus you can find over at GSpot forum, dedicated to GS bikes.

As for your second picture and wondering what that block is, even though the location of it has changed on your bike relative to my 07 Adv, that appears to be fuse block for your fog lights. If you open it, you should be able to find 2x 7.5A fuses in it...



Hope above helps and enjoy your wrenchin' !!

[Boon Booni]

Originally Posted by Countdown

Absolute violation of all NASA standards. Put it on a vibe table and it will break the wire right where the solder ends.

When's your bike scheduled for launch?