How do I wire a Zumo 660 into a R1200GSA?

[M1Tanker]

I’m interested in how to properly wire a Zumo 660 to my 2008 R1200GSA. I have looked all over the internet and from what I can tell there are basically four possible techniques to wire a Zumo 660 for power.

1. Wire directly to the battery with the existing harness.
2. Wire into a fuze block such as a Centech which is wired to the battery.
3. Wire into the parking lights.
4. Wire into the plug reserved for the BMW Navigator IV using the P/N 611656 adapter from BMW.​

Comments and questions pertaining to each technique based on what I’ve read.

1. Wire directly to the battery with the existing harness.

a. Known disadvantage: Zumo 660 must be manually shut off. Turning off the bike does not turn off Zumo 660.
b. Advantage: Simple and doesn’t wire into CAN-bus.
c. Question: If Zumo 660 is removed from mount is the mount still drawing power?​

2. Wire into a fuse block such as a Centech which is wired to the battery.

a. Known disadvantage: Fuse block takes up space somewhere. Installation is a little more involved.
b. Advantage: Simple and doesn’t wire into CAN-bus.
c. Question: If Zumo 660 is removed from mount is the mount still drawing power?​

3. Wire into the parking lights.

a. This is a technique that Touratech Mitte would use if I had them install it. (NOTE: I’m stationed in Germany and Touratech Mitte is closest to me.)
b. Questions:

i. Has anyone done this?
ii. Does a fuse have to be wired in?
iii. Does this cause a problem with electrical draw on the CAN-bus?​

4. Wire into the connector reserved for the BMW Navigator IV using the P/N 611656 adapter from BMW.
a. Disadvantages

i. Internet postings: Must cut into Zumo 660 harness and when Zumo 660 is removed from mount power is still going to mount and drawing down the bike’s battery.
ii. Comment from personnel at local dealer. When Zumo 660 is removed from mount power is still going to mount and drawing down the bike’s battery. A “transistor” from Baehr, P/N BAR 0201, is required to prevent that from happening. (NOTE: Baehr is insolvent at the moment.) He pointed out that the BMW Navigator IV mount does not continue to draw power, but added that the Navigator IV mount cannot be used with the Touratech mount (P/N 065-0520).​

b. Advantages: Elegant? Shuts down when bike is turned off?
c. Questions:

1. If Zumo 660 is removed from mount is the mount still drawing power?
2. Has anyone ever used this BAR 0201 part and does it prevent power draw?​

General Questions:

1. Has anyone ever used the Touratech TPS 15 for BMW CAN-bus 15A relay switch (P/N 044-0450) and/or Touratech SSR-01 voltage control module (P/N 044-0690) when installing a Zumo 660? If so what were the benefits?
2. Does anyone have any experience wiring the Zumo into the parking lights? If so, how was it done and does it work properly?​

Any comments are appreciated.

Thanks.

 

[Bryn]

Just buy the canbus plug from BMW and plug it in to the other end under the lights

Mine's done like that and works fine... I understand the 660 will only draw power after the ignition is turned off if the battery is low, the bike will disconnect when the battery is fully charged.... I'd hazard a guess that the bike battery will not lose much charging the zumo battery

Alternatively any switched live will do the job.... but the canbus socket is designed for that purpose, so why not use it....

 

[brianmaslen]

As Bryn said or alternatively look at this link which explains how to make your own connector. http://www.motorcycleinfo.co.uk/index.cfm?fa=contentGeneric.nvxszdkebklxuaer&pageId=167512
I took this approach and like most people this seems to be the easiest.
regards Brian

 

[Dale]

1. Wire directly to the battery with the existing harness.

a. Known disadvantage: Zumo 660 must be manually shut off. Turning off the bike does not turn off Zumo 660.
b. Advantage: Simple and doesn’t wire into CAN-bus.
c. Question: If Zumo 660 is removed from mount is the mount still drawing power?.​

You're going to get 100 differnet opinions on this ....

Mine is setup like this. The mount does not draw any power with the GPS removed. It is simple, do it yourself - no messing around with canbus and special plugs or cutting into wiring. Just remember to put a fuse in the line to the battery.

I like the fact that it does not switch off. I used to have it wired into the canbus, but found it a nuisance that the unit switches off when you make a quick stop for a photo / switch off abs / chat to a fellow rider, etc. When you get going again, it is busy with a re-connect to bluetooth & you need to start the music again manually. On a days ride out I usually leave it powered on the whole day and switch off when I get home.

Regards,
Dale​

 

[M1Tanker]

Bryn and Brian,

Thanks for your comments.

I may be confused but it sounds like you both have used the CAN-bus adapter from BMW P/N 6111656 to connect to the CAN-bus accessory connector.

Neither of you are having issues with power draw when the bike's ignition is completely off and the Zumo 660 is removed from the cradle?

Thanks again.

 

[Beemerman59]

Just a bit more information designed to confuse. I originally connected my Zumo using the canbus lead that connected under the lights. This was generally OK however, I had problems when using the BMW alarm. If the Zumo was powered down, if I then set the alarm, the canbus powers up and switches on the Zumo. The Zumo however, never switched off and I kept coming back to the bike with the Zumo powered up (kinda points this out to thieves when its at night) or completely flat. Long term it would drain the bikes battery as well.

So, when I decided to upgrade my lights horns etc and add a few extras I opted to fit a seperate fusebox with 2 unswitched and 6 switched supplies (I bought this from Jim Davis at Eastern Beaver who does great kit). The fusebox is switched from the parklight as I want to be able to power things up without starting the engine. This works perfectly for me, its switched on and off to the ignition, no more canbus issues with the alarm and I can have the option to keep it running on batteries when I refuel etc.

Everyone has a different need and view on this but its what I have ended up with.

 

[andyshooter]

canbus socket

I have a 2010 1200 gs and used the canbus piece of cake no problems with BMW alarm or running down the battery.

 

[M1Tanker]

At the BMW Motorcycle Days in Garmisch-Partenkirchen this past weekend I spoke with a BMW electrical engineer and a Garmin Deutschland GmbH representative.

The BMW electrical engineer didn't recommend plugging in anything into the CANbus system because of potential issues such as electrical draw.

I found out later from the Garmin Deutschland GmbH representative that as of the beginning of this year the current Zumo 660 mounts in production behave exactly like the BMW Navigator IV mount. He stated that when the current production Zumo 660 mount is connected to the CANbus system, via the adapter under the oil cooler of a R1200GSA for example, and the bike is turned off, the mount does completely shut off and does not go into a sleep mode causing an electrical draw from the bike. He stated that the earlier Zumo 660 mounts did draw electricity but the current ones don’t just like the BMW Navigator IV mount. This information appears to confirm what I've read in various forums. The older postings seem to reflect more issues with current draw and the more recent postings appear to confirm the inline production change to the Zumo 660 mount where there seems to be no issues with current draw.

I think I'm going to pursue the Zumo 660 and power it through the CANbus with the adapter. I'll also probably pursue the Baehr Verso XL communications system.

M1Tanker

 

[(RIP) Miff]

Mine is connected to the canbus plug with no problems (2005 1200gs, and a Zumo660 bought in May 2010).

If when I stop and it powers down, it asks if I want to turn the Zumo off, or stay on (running off it's own batteries). This saves any delays on start up.

 

[Bryn]

Mine is connected to the canbus plug with no problems (2005 1200gs, and a Zumo660 bought in May 2010).

If when I stop and it powers down, it asks if I want to turn the Zumo off, or stay on (running off it's own batteries). This saves any delays on start up.

+1... no issues at all

 

[andyshooter]

another question on 660 loom

do you have to use the hole loom or can you cut out the bits you dont want to use? ie where it splits into four i only need the satnav to operate and not the rest of it as im going to use a scarla for my phone etc.(I am asking this on behalf of a freind he has only just got his 2010 anniversary GS)

 

[Stormtrooper]

I bought the BMW adaptor but when I came to install it, I changed my mind and decided to just connect it straight to the battery. With the exception of petrol stations, I always remove my Zumo 660 so I don't know whether the holder draws power.

I went on holiday for a week and when I used the bike when I came back it started no problem.

If anyone is interested in the BMW adaptor, send me a PM. I paid just over £13 for it. It is still in its original packaging. £10 posted.

 

[RSavage]

My Zumo 550 was initially connected to the CANBUS socket next to the oil cooler. However, because the 550 takes so long to restart I wait for the opportunity to select the 'stay on battery power' option. But I got fed up with the time it takes for the CANBUS to remove power to the socket. So, it is now wired direct to the battery.

HTH

Richard

 

[DrPete]

Mine's into the canbus with the BMW plug. Works fine and the mount doesn't appear to draw power. I never leave the Zumo on the bike unattended though.

 

[swissrob]

use the can bus socket thats what it is there for.

no issues with any power draw either.