Powering a Sat Nav unit

[Johnny Dangerously]

Hi all,

sorry if this is a really dumb question, but I've got a new GS, and I want to buy a Zumo 550 to get me and the wife around Europe in a couple of months. However, I'm completely clueless when it comes to anything technical, and I was just wondering how you power it if its mounted to the dash?

Does the bike mount get wired to the power somehow? Or do you have to get an external socket put in for it?

Any help greatly appreciated and apologies for my dumbness.

 

[Spikehammer]

The Zumo comes with a lead that is fused and can be run directly off the battery. The other alternatives are to use a Centech fuse panel and wire it to that (very, very easy to do) or the best way is to use an 'autoswitch' that will switch the powr off with the ignition so that you don't run the battery down. (not much chance really)

 

[Firebird]

Johnny,

If you are truly 'completely clueless' you might want to get it installed professionaly. You don't want to be halfway across Europe with a useless Sat Nav, the saddle off looking for the problem and the Mrs telling you what you should have done in the background!

I wired mine to an accessory socket by the headstock. However this is controlled via the Canbus system and at times the Zumo and Canbus seem to fall out resulting in the Zumo not charging and no music / announcements. I may well go back to wiring it straight to the battery.

 

[alimey4u2]

When attaching wires to the battery use quality crimped connectors, not soldered. Solder tends to wick up the multi strand wire, rendering it prone to eventual fracture due to vibration.....This is a good practice when wiring components subjected to a high vibration duty....

 

[araspitfire]

So... once you decide whether to have it done, or do it yourself.... that just leaves the decision as to wired hot all the time, or switched with the ignition...

I personally have mine wired direct... I find that I often want to play with it while parked and it's much easier if it's alway live. Down side is if you ever leave the GPS attached to the bike and running overnight... dead battery if it's a high power backlight unit (as the ZUMO and StreetPilot units are)

I'd avoid using the BMW supplied connector (which is switched) as too many people have reported problems with it cutting out...

Al...

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

Cheers guys,

I'll definately have it professionaly fitted. I'll take it to a BM dealer to fit I think. I'm not worried about it switching off with ignition as I won't leave it on there. Hopefully, it will all go smoothly!

Thanks again

 

[teejay]

Yet to pick up my GS (tomorrow) but will be wiring in the Sat Nav as I have previously done on the FJR, as have other friends off the Optimate lead.

Optimate lead from battery with water proof cover , purchase extension lead less than a fiver and snip of the end and attach to your hard wire kit for the unit- done and its fused on the lead.

Teejay

 

[bigbob1]

Thanks for the tip Alimey4u2 re solder I did not realise the bit about the Solder and have always used solder cause I thought it stronger and am just about to go out tomorrow to wire up GPS for forthcoming Irish trip

 

[mark71]

Hi there if you need it fitting properly and your not that far from me just give me a shout as it willtake about 30 min to do properly and will even if you speak nicely to the wife get a cup of coffee out of it.

All the best

Mark

 

[OBisss]

Hi JD, I was in the same position as yourself. Went to my dealer for some tips but they weren't very helpfull. They said they would charge £30 to wire it up. Got some great tips on this site though.
I bought the wiring for an extra accessory socket £13 and a male and female plug out of Maplins and wired the zumo via new accessory wire. Just been to Knockhill BSB in the pissing rain and no probs with my zumo.

 

[ozzy]

bmw lead for sat nav

your BMW dealer has a lead that will plug in to a Little purpose mad 12v outlet on the front of your bike made for the sat nav , it also has a power delay built into it so it stays on for two minutes , got one fro my gs works a treat there about £50

 

[andyclift]

You don't need to spend £50 on a lead.

Find the socket, you can feel it in the wiring harness on the left of the headstock. Pull out the socket and remove the plastic cover.

The socket contacts are two very small holes, if you get the satnav cable and lightly solder over about 5 mm of each wire end they make nice little plug pins you can slide into the socket holes. Now you can push the cover back on with the wires coming out of one edge and bind with insulating tape or even better self amalgamating tape.

You don't need to be `technical' to do it. I did mine like this in December 06 and it works a treat.

 

[Jon]

You don't need to spend £50 on a lead.

Find the socket, you can feel it in the wiring harness on the left of the headstock. Pull out the socket and remove the plastic cover.

The socket contacts are two very small holes, if you get the satnav cable and lightly solder over about 5 mm of each wire end they make nice little plug pins you can slide into the socket holes. Now you can push the cover back on with the wires coming out of one edge and bind with insulating tape or even better self amalgamating tape.

You don't need to be `technical' to do it. I did mine like this in December 06 and it works a treat.

Is this on 1150's or 1200's ?

 

[andyclift]

1200 but may be similar on 1150. The socket is for the BMW Navigator datnav. and that was around while the 1150 was current

 

[alimey4u2]

Thanks for the tip Alimey4u2 re solder I did not realise the bit about the Solder and have always used solder cause I thought it stronger and am just about to go out tomorrow to wire up GPS for forthcoming Irish trip

You're welcome, I used to make wiring looms for classic bikes & also offshore power boats. In the early daze I used solder, thinking it superior against corrosion but found this caused early failures.... Also....always use multi stranded wire, never solid.......

 

[Red Rock]

Hi folks,
Does anyone have any pictures of their GPS wiring?
Cheers.

 

[Johnny Dangerously]

ouch, I've just had a quote from my local dealer of £100 for an hours labour to fit! Anyone know of a good mobile fitter or dealer to take it to in East London or Essex?