Why does my Power outlet not work?

[Adamj79]

Arrrghh!! Just when I thought I understood my 09 GSA and we had a long and happy biking future, something else happens.

I recently installed an autocom taking the power from the underseat power outlet using BMW's splitter cable. That bit works fine and dandy. I was coming back from camping in Scarborough when the missus felt a bit chilly. No problem, I gave her my gerbings jacket and plugged it straight into the underseat power socket using their own cable.

Problem 1- this caused the intercom to stop working. Not to worry I thought, I'll sort it when I get home, at least she'll be warm. Nope, problem 2 the jacket didn't power up. I've used it before loads so I know it works.

So I got back and set about my bike with the multimeter. I'm a bit confused as it looks like the power outlet puts out a steady 12 volts for a short time and then the voltage drops away to almost nothing. The intercom works fine but this only needs a few milliamps power anyway.

The jacket power cable is fine if I run a continuity test so I don't know why the socket is behaving like this?

Anyone have any similar problems or ideas what might be wrong?

 

[John Armstrong]

5 amps max from the accessory socket, if above it shuts itself off. And then resets later.

The solution, wire in a fused accessory socket direct to the battery, then you can charge the battery, use heated jackets, tyre inflators etc etc with no hassle.

 

[Adamj79]

I knew about the 5a limit, but thought my gerbings jacket would be ok. Looking at their website they list it at 77 watts. Dunno if I'm getting this wrong but using the conversion of Amps to Watts at fixed voltage (12) by the equation Watts = Amps x Volts I'm looking at a maximum draw of 60 watts?

This means I can't use the power outlet for my heated gear. What are they normally used for?

Is the only other option to run an auxiliary fuse board and power my kit and other stuff that way?

 

[John Armstrong]

Powering GPSs, phone chargers etc.

I had a fuze board on mine so I could charge the battery etc etc without the bike deciding what I could or coulod not do.

 

[EggChaser]

This means I can't use the power outlet for my heated gear. What are they normally used for?

?

If I was a suspicious man, I'd be wondering if the BMW heated gear runs on just under 5A

 

[Adamj79]

Thanks for the advice. When you say charge the battery this way, I have an optimate charger that I used for my other bikes. I've put the charging lead direct to the battery will that work alright?

It's all much more complicated than a fuse box and wiring loom that's for sure!

 

[solidstate100]

This means I can't use the power outlet for my heated gear.

Is the only other option to run an auxiliary fuse board and power my kit and other stuff that way?

Correct and correct!

 

[Wapping]

See sticky, 'Switched power the easy way'.

If something draws more than 5 amps, the aux socket will shut down. If it draws less than 5 amps, it won't.

You can power heated clothing (or anything else) providing the item draws less than 5 amps. For instance, my Chilli vest draws less than 5 amps, even on start up and / or maximum. It works fine.

You can fix the problem via a relay or going via a suitably fused lead direct to the battery.

If you go direct to the battery, do not forget to unplug whatever it is you are powering when you stop.... or the battery will go flat.

 

[Wapping]

I have an optimate charger that I used for my other bikes. I've put the charging lead direct to the battery will that work alright?

It's all much more complicated than a fuse box and wiring loom that's for sure!

Yes the Optimate will be fine.............


............ and no it's not.

 

[Adamj79]

Thanks for the advice folks it's much appreciated