Autocom installation

[swebb]

Bluetooth

Further to the request regarding Bluetooth compatibility with Autocom, i can confirm i had the discussion with Autocom, and they do already support Bluetooth with an add-on they will supply, however they also confirmed that because of the size of the unit, it wasn't suitable for a GS12...

( i saw the unit, it's HUGE, somewhere near a 6" square box!!!)

Just in case anybody wanted to know....

 

[mad_windsurfer]

Accessory Socket

Well after much headscratching about how to provision a switched live, I found that after all that, my bike had an accessory socket on the LHS under the seat. According to the dealer, all the GS1200 have this as standard!! I only wish I was told about it on handover...would have save a lot of headscratching...

I see on the site that other people are doing weird and wonderful things, such as making a box to house a relay, powered from the battery and switched from a feed from the diagnostic socket, which is completely unnecessay... Besides, taking a feed from this could cause warranty issues as the diagnostic feed is certainly not meant for this purpose, regardless of how little current you are drawing to switch a relay.

Have bought the second accessory socket, and will be doing some more headscratching on fitting it soon, and at the same time installing my Garmin 2610 & Autocom. Now to try and fit it without the hassle of removing the tank!

Incidentally, Autocom mentioned that under no circumstances should their unit be wrapped in polythene / bubble wrap, as this will cause condensation to collect and could cause problems. I know at least one person on the forum who has done this...

 

[mad_windsurfer]

Fuel tank removal

Is this really as easy as it sounds? Does the tank have to be empty...I mean, if its got fuel in it, is it going to leak out all over the place when disconnected?

Ta
Mike.

 

[Fanum]

Mike.....the fuel lines have QD connectors (quick disconnect).

These are basically non-return valve jobbies, so when you take them apart, they seal and you shouldn't leak at all.

Just take care when you take the tank off that you've got them all (and sorry, I don't know how many there are on a 12gs)....I've had experience of breaking one (the crossover pipe one) and having a tank-full piss all over a hot engine....it made for a few scary moments



PS ride the tank as empty as you can, just to make it lighter to lift.......and make sure you laya bit of carpet on the floor BEFORE you take the tank off so that you have somewhere to place it once lifted off......they're bleedin' expensive and you don't want to scratch it.

HTH

 

[mad_windsurfer]

Many thanks for fuel tank tips Fanum. I guess trying to lift the tank full with 20 litres, so 20Kg, will be pretty awkward having not done it b4. Just hope I get the opportunity to ride the bike this week to empty the tank b4 the w/e.

Tried to ride it this morning, but ignition lock frozen! Probably a good "dont ride me 'cos its icy" omen....

 

[Vampire]

Re: Power for Autocom etc

I've been looking into how to get permanent and switched power for accessories. Mike

I have installed the Touratech TPS15 Power Module for running all accessories such as iPod, GPS, Autocom, UHF radio, and coffee maker (coming soon).
Have previously posted installation instructions so a search on TPS15 or my login should find them for you.
Am very happy with the installation, simple to do, no problems with the BMW circuits, seems ideal for me.

 

[Autocomtom]

Anyone using Autocom bike to bike on a 2005 GS

Anyone using Autocom bike to bike on a 2005 GS, I would like to hear from you about any issues and/or just how well it all works.

Many thanks

Autocom-UK-Tom

 

[Eddy802]

I have a Pro-7 on a 2005 12GS and am currently using Motorola Talkabout units and Autocom VOX.

I haven't been entirely happy with range or quality at speed, but in honesty haven't paid antenna positioning the attention it probably deserves.

I am in the midst of trialing the Intaride PMR offering - A80 and the Kenwood 3107 and can feed back on these next week.

The other half of our bike-to-bike setup is a F650GS with an Autocom Active7.

If there's any particular aspect that your interested in Tom please ask?

 

[Tobers]

Some further info on Autocom installation on the 1200.

If you've read above, you'll know that I have my Autocom installed on the "manual holder" behind the fuel tank.

I've been getting some strange feedback through my headphones which is as though someone has put a microphone where the Autocom unit is, and it picks up engine noise, gearchange noise etc.

After some initial confusion, I have worked out that this is due to the Autocom unit vibrating on the tank and the underside of the seat. Therefore I put some dense foam padding between the tank and the Autocom unit, and between the unit and the seat.

After a couple of weeks, the padding between the unit and the seat had worn through. The problem is that the plastic moulding under the seat is rubbing on the autocom. There are some "fins" which make up the plastic seat moulding which cut through the foam padding.

As a result, I've dremelled off a bit of each of the front two plastic fins in order to make space around the autocom. Which bits to remove is pretty obvious when you marry up the shape fo the autocom unit to the underside of the seat.

This seems to have cured the problem

Andy

 

[AndyW]

Thanks for all the great info here guys

Hope to have time this weekend to install my new Pro-7-sport with various accessories, extra leads etc after taking advantage of the deals available right now(retail price £350 of kit and extras........paid £196 )

Read the manual (!!) earlier........there's a warning about the use of mobile phones on motorbikes. Possibility of interference with bike electronics (ECU).......
Back to the 1200's complex electronics and considering I'm intending to have my phone sat in a tank bag (i.e. just above the ECU!!!!) I wondered if anyone has any experience or thoughts on this?
(Update: going to email Autocom and see if they'll give more info/advice - will post response idc)

Any more tips? - Baz (anyone else), how's the installation under the rear seat unit?

Thanks

 

[ianran]

I am confused.... I have Starcom and found it dead easy to connect to to the Battery wiv a fuse.

Why all this soldering to auxilllary ???????

 

[AndyW]

I am confused.... I have Starcom and found it dead easy to connect to to the Battery wiv a fuse.

Why all this soldering to auxilllary ???????

The way you've gone it has a permanent power supply rather than switched (live only when ignition switch on. Better that 'accessories' only have power when the bike is in use - you may get a battery drain problem

 

[Gonz]

My Autocom install

I made a plate using coreflute material. I stuck it down using velcroe. It covers the top of the shock so no crap flies up under the seat. I then stuck the Autocom down using velcroe.
To get a 12 volt supply, I picked up an ignition wire from the diagnostic plug. I then used this with a relay connected directly to the battery. I have used a fuse panel screwed to the manual holder. From the fuse holder I have powered the Autocom, I can also power another aux power socket on the beak.

Picture depicts positioning of relay under tool tray.

 

[AndyW]

What's the red box Gonz?

Here's what Autocom had to say in response to my email enquiry:

Hi Andy,

Position wise the main unit will need to be fitted into the plastic tray where the tool kit normally sits, anywhere else on the bike is not recommended.

We have fitted many 1200GS's and running a phone will not cause any problems with the bike electrics or ECU.

As for the power we only recommend the tail light for other models of bikes. BMW's tend to have the power taken from a lot of different areas on the bikes, we have never recommend the tail light for the 1200GS due the bikes wiring system. We are fully aware of the power source on the 1200GS due to us working very closely with BMW.

Regards
Richard Wallace
Autocom Products Ltd

Unit 4 Tachbrook Link
Tachbrook Park Drive
Warwick
CV34 6RH
Tel. +44 (0)1926 431249
Fax +44 (0)1926 431250
Email [email protected]

 

[Gonz]

AndyW,

the red box is part 58. It enables me to connect my bike powered Street pilot III audio and my phone audio to the autocom. The part really just gives some audio isolation between the autocom and the GPS/phone.

Gonz.

 

[CyclopsNL]

I am also considering the Autocom Active or Easi on the GS.
Main use is intercom and GPS, optional use whit PMR (bike to bike).
Will these work with a Cobra MT700 PMR? The Cobra uses the connector with the 2.5 mm mic. and 3.5 mm. speaker input.
Which is the best kit and what to order for my use?
The (Dutch) folder is not so bright so I can't find out which to order.

It also states that these units will all auto-power off when removing the driver headset, so why installing a relay?

Thanks in advance for your advice!

 

[ianran]

The way you've gone it has a permanent power supply rather than switched (live only when ignition switch on. Better that 'accessories' only have power when the bike is in use - you may get a battery drain problem

Sorry for delay but the Starcom only operates when a helmet is connected therefore there is no drain on the battery

 

[Yoda]

I made a plate using coreflute material. I stuck it down using velcroe. It covers the top of the shock so no crap flies up under the seat. I then stuck the Autocom down using velcroe.

Gonz - do I take it that you have the seat on the "high" position and that therefore gives sufficient height clearance for the gizmos to sit above the shock?

And what is Coreflute? Pray tell. Thanks.

 

[GSrich]

Has anyone connected up an Autocom rider to pillion system to a GS yet? I am particularly interested in any issues with connecting into the single wire system, probably at the tail light so that it is interrupted by the ignition switch in use.

The power will need to be taken from the back of the power plug under your riders seat via soldered joints. You will have a red and green wire which will be your live feed and a brown wire which is your earth.

Gonz the red and black box in the above picture is a Part 57 not a 58

 

[Gonz]

Gonz - do I take it that you have the seat on the "high" position and that therefore gives sufficient height clearance for the gizmos to sit above the shock?

And what is Coreflute? Pray tell. Thanks.

Hi Jedi-Knight,

Yes, I have the seat on the high position on the front. Mainly to accomodate the fuse box on the map holder (fortunately it suits my rider height anyway). I believe on the low setting there is enough room to asccomodate the autocom anyway. Coreflute it that plastic board (looks just like cardboard with the wiggly flutes inside) that they make signs out of. Here real estate agents use them alot. Its light, durable, easy to cut. You will be surprised the top of the shock is roughly the same level as the frame spars alongside it. With the coreflute it makes a nice platform.

Gonz.