Stebel Horn System Faults

[prozac]

I have searched through other horn posts but have not found this specifically addressed.
I want to install the Stebel Nautilus compact horn to my 2010 GS. BMW tell me if the horn draws more than 5A a system fault will be logged in the on-board computer, and that this will prevent any recalibration of said computer when servicing until the fault is removed. Evidently the frame system (?) circuitry is very sensitive to small changes in current to the point that even soldering wires can introduce a fault. BMW go on to say that even taking power directly from the battery via a relay can introduce a fault.

Before anyone feels a need to lampoon the BMW tech. , he said "I'm not saying it won't work, these are just some of the issues I've seen when bikes come in for service".

So my question is if the correct BMW connector is used to couple to the horn circuit, has anyone had success installing the Nautilus as a direct swap for the original horn without triggering a system fault on the 2010 GS?

 

[Womble]

I've not worked on canbus, but I know my electrics and that sounds very fishy. Solder the wrong wires in the wrong places and you can cause problems, but the tech makes it sound like soldering anywhere is an issue, which is nonsense.

However, the Nautilus is a power-hungry animal and is best fitted with a relay that is activated from the existing horn circuit.

 

[GSmonkey]

Canbus is just the communication system between modules, allowing signals to be send down the power cables rather than separate signal wires. It has nothing to do with whether you can connect this or that to the system.

Now the controllers don't have fuses, they are protected by electronic means. So if the system detects and overcurrent or short circuit, it'll shut down that circuit - simple. So if the OEM horn takes 5A and you stick a Stebel Nautilus on at 20A it'll shut down the circuit.

To get around this you have two options:

1) Install a relay which is triggered from the horn power circuit. This will then feed the Stebel Nautilus direct from the battery via a suitable traditional fuse.

2) Install a Stebel Magnum which you can connect direct.

You are free to connect anything you want to the battery - the bike does not "know" what you connect.

 

[Slowdown]

Right - what the BMW tech is telling you, in non-friendly, scary language, is kinda correct. Only it's not scary.

The computer on the bike knows how much current the OEM horn takes. So, when you press the horn button the computer measures the amount of current taken and one of three things happen:-

1. The horn goes 'Neep Neep'
2. the horn doesn't work 'cos too much current is drawn - like with the nautilas, an error is raised and the circuit breaker trips the circuit. This is as expected and no damage is done
3. Too little current is drawn - like if you install a relay - the horn works - assuming your relay is wired correctly but the computer thinks there is an issue and logs a 'horn not working fault' this is as expected and is not a problem

At no time is your bike going to stop working and resetting the error code take seconds - if you had a GS911 you could do this yourself just before the service so they'd never know(assuming you don't press the horn)


So, I think the BMW tech is just scaring you, like most mechanics do when electrics is mentioned.

Install a Nautilas with a relay, enjoy the PARP PARP! and just ride the thing

 

[Beemerman59]

I have twin Magnums wired direct to the battery via a relay which is triggered from the canbus cable to the original horn. No problems whatsoever.

 

[Slowdown]

I have twin Magnums wired direct to the battery via a relay which is triggered from the canbus cable to the original horn. No problems whatsoever.

But I bet the computer's logged a 'horn not working' error(even though it is) which will show up when a GT1 or GS911's plugged in

Unless you've put a wapping big resistor across the relay coil (which I bet you haven't)

This is what the 'BMW Tech' was alluding too in the OP

 

[jeff]

But I bet the computer's logged a 'horn not working' error(even though it is) which will show up when a GT1 or GS911's plugged in

Unless you've put a wapping big resistor across the relay coil (which I bet you haven't)

This is what the 'BMW Tech' was alluding too in the OP

Riding in Greece much of the time. Horn that sounds like a car is a life saver. I have a pair of Halfords "snail horns" wired through a relay activated by horn button. 2010GSA. works fine but if what you say is right I guess I have a horn fault registered on computer. What should I do to stop this (or is it not really a problem) "Wapping big resistor" bit more advice please. How big and where can I get one. Ta

 

[Beemerman59]

But I bet the computer's logged a 'horn not working' error(even though it is) which will show up when a GT1 or GS911's plugged in

Unless you've put a wapping big resistor across the relay coil (which I bet you haven't)

This is what the 'BMW Tech' was alluding too in the OP

I guess I'm thinking I don't have a problem as my bikes been hooked up to a GT1 several times since I fitted the horns, once for 12K service and t'other for calibration of new TPS units. As the dealer didn't mention anything and all works OK I assume alls well with the computer. I take your point though.

 

[Slowdown]

The dealer won't mention it 'cos the horn works

Jeff - the horn works - life's too short - just ride the bike

 

[Gringo-Loco]

I just fitted another stebel to my 2nd GS.
It comes with a relay in the kit and hee-haw else other than a shitty diagram.

The horns are awssum though and you can almost take the head off a taxi driver from 20 feet away.

You will need two rolls of 20 amp cable/flex some spade connectors and some heat shrink. Halfords (UK) Maplin, Radio Shack ect will supply.

There are loads of good posts on here of some good set-ups.

I even get a wee start every time I push the horn..

 

[Max]

Yep, This is the correct set-up to use, Relay direct to the battery. Use a Nippy Normans BMW male connector to wite into the horn feed then if anything goes wrong with the Aux horns its simply a case of plugging back into the Original horn.
I mounted the horns on the light bar underneath the beak on a 1200 GSA. Used this set up on 3 bikes and 50k miles and nothing has gone wrong yet.
Whether or not it the setup gives a fault code I really have no idea.

 

[Achim]

So my question is if the correct BMW connector is used to couple to the horn circuit, has anyone had success installing the Nautilus as a direct swap for the original horn without triggering a system fault on the 2010 GS?

You haven't looked hard enough...: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162076

Works fine, especially with a custom bracket that is stronger than the OEM one for the standard horn.

Achim

 

[Buttso]

2008 GSA

have my Stebel connected directly to the original wires, no relay

had it on for over a year , no triangle of doom on the dash at any stage

all working perfect

 

[Slowdown]

You haven't looked hard enough...: http://www.ukgser.com/forums/showthread.php?t=162076

Works fine, especially with a custom bracket that is stronger than the OEM one for the standard horn.

Achim

No, it doesn't. You can connect a Magnum as a straight swap, but you cannot connect a Nautilus without a relay, as it draws too much current (~15A)

 

[ahebron]

So why not leave the original horn in the circuit so the chance of the computer detecting a fault is removed and wire the Stebel through a relay across the horn connections. Seems simple if the space is available and no future potential fault errors.

Adrian

 

[advancedbiker]

Fitting a Stebel Nautilus Compact

I had a good look through previous posts before fitting my Stebel to my 2008 GS1200. I was after the canbus connector, but thought i a bit expensive, so in the end fitted the horn anyway. It is fixed to the mounting point under the headstock where the Electronic Suspension bits go. I do not have it fitted. There is a live feed off the battery to a relay and I scotch locked the horn buton feed off the exisiting horn wire back to the relay. Works everytime, no problems. Very loud as usual. Original horn still in place and canbus connector intact.

 

[ChrisK]

I brought one from Nipper Normans 14 months ago with the additional wiring bit. Worked fine until Thursday. Now dead, went to local Auto spares shop purchased a car horn for £10.34. All fitted in less than 5 mins and its louder.

 

[steviegasgas]

I brought one from Nipper Normans 14 months ago with the additional wiring bit. Worked fine until Thursday. Now dead, went to local Auto spares shop purchased a car horn for £10.34. All fitted in less than 5 mins and its louder.

Is it loud than Nautilus and the others do you think? If so what one did you get? I am after a louder horn! Cheers