Power plead plug.

[Joe Bar]

I know this has come up quite a few times, but I've had a search and read quite a number of threads about the ignition fed plug for powering GPS, etc, but haven't quite found the answer I'm after. My bike is a Megamoto and the plug is in the headlamp shell.

Rang my dealer and still waiting for him to call back

My questions are -

1. Is the plug already "switched on" or will it need to be activated by the dealer.

Almost all I've read regards powering GPS or similar. I want to fit an additional ignition fed socket in the headlamp shell (much more convenient than the one under the seat).

2. Is the plug on set to operate low draw items such as GPS or will it take heavier loads of up to 4 amps say?

Many thanks.

 

[Wapping]

You might do better in the HP2 section.

If (and oly if):

(a) The Megamoto runs the Canbus system as opposed to conventional fuses

(b) The plug of which you speak is the same as the 1200's.

Then it does not need turning on at a dealer's. It becomes live with the ignition and will stay live for some minutes after the ignition is tuned off. It will also 'die' very briefly when you crank the engine to start.

As to whether it will allow you to draw up to 4 (or more) amps I have no idea. I cannot recall anyone posting up that they have ever run anything more than a GPS. Why not try? You can't break it, the system will fail to safety, nothing more.

The main factory fit auxiliary sockets on the 1200 (under the seat and on the near side of the beak) are all rated up to 5 amp. Quite why BuMW would make the headstock plug more than five amps - if its apparent purpose is to power a GPS - is a mystery. Whether BuMW made it less than five amps is, similarly, a mystery.

 

[Joe Bar]

Thanks for that.

The MM runs canbus and the plug is the same as the 1200's and F800's, which is why I posted here, as thought the "knowledge pool" would be greater. Not that many HP2's compared to 1200's.

It's my intention to give it a go anyway, but was trying to avoid stripping it twice if someone had knowledge that it was a definite no-go-er.

 

[Wapping]

I see you answered your question (and maybe the question of others) as to how much amperage the blanked off GPS socket can take.

Your new heated grips http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?p=1575518#post1575518 draw three amps http://www.windingroads.co.uk/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=50&products_id=138

So, it seems the GPS socket is good for at least three amps....and maybe up to five, if it's the same as the other auxiliary sockets.

Tidy job by the way.

 

[Joe Bar]

So, it seems the GPS socket is good for at least three amps....and maybe up to five, if it's the same as the other auxiliary sockets.

Tidy job by the way.

Thanks. Never got a call back from the dealer, but spoke with a mate who is a technician on BMW cars which have had canbus for over 15 years now, and he couldn't see any reason why the circuit would be rated less than any other.

But, like you said, the only way to be sure was to suck it and see. Been out on the bike all day with the grips on and everything is hunky dory, and should now hopefully be able to plug the GPS into the accessory socket I installed on the rh side of the headlamp shell as well

 

[Wapping]

Thanks. Never got a call back from the dealer, but spoke with a mate who is a technician on BMW cars which have had canbus for over 15 years now, and he couldn't see any reason why the circuit would be rated less than any other.

But, like you said, the only way to be sure was to suck it and see. Been out on the bike all day with the grips on and everything is hunky dory, and should now hopefully be able to plug the GPS into the accessory socket I installed on the rh side of the headlamp shell as well

Top stuff.

What might be interesting to know (I confess I have never looked) is where BuMW take the power pick-up from to power their factory fitted heated grips.

It's not from the blanked off 'GPS' plug by the headstock (or light housing in your case). If you knew and could replicate it you would not have needed to use the GPS plug.

Anyone got any ideas? If nothing else it would, if heated grips were not fitted, be a possible spare power point.

 

[Joe Bar]

Top stuff.

What might be interesting to know (I confess I have never looked) is where BuMW take the power pick-up from to power their factory fitted heated grips.

It's not from the blanked off 'GPS' plug by the headstock (or light housing in your case). If you knew and could replicate it you would not have needed to use the GPS plug.

Anyone got any ideas? If nothing else it would, if heated grips were not fitted, be a possible spare power point.

The beauty of using the "GPS" plug is that it was already switched on, apparently when you retro fit the factory heated grips the circuit does need to be activated at the dealer.

Hence the reason for my original post asking whether the "GPS" plug was already switched on, being tight I was trying to avoid a trip to the dealer