Zumo 550 - powering it from the bike

Johnny Davies

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Hey All, wouldn't mind the benefit of your experiences.

I shortly be getting a Zumo 550 and was wondering how I might go about powering it from the bike. The details for the Zumo say's it has the power connection for bikes included but just knowing BMW the fitting might be that bit different, CanBus etc.
I had heard from a mate that there is an aux power connection up at the front of the bike located next to the headstock on the right handside. So I took a look and found a little box connection looking like it wasn't doing much and saw it was a clip fitting, so unclipped it, to find a white/grey coloured male fitting inside (I do have pics but can't post them). He also said that BMW had put these on (mine's of '05 vintage) the bikes so SatNav can be fitted easliy, no battery hardwiring etc - not sure if that's true but sounds very logical.

So in order to get my Zumo hooked up will the kit supplied plug into this socket? or is a more BMW style approach required i.e. a new fitment from a dealer?
Also whilst having a scout on the touratech website (and laughing at the price of their Zumo's) I found they do a Zumo power cable with a CanBus socket on the end and it looks like it would be a matching fit for the little white/grey connection - only 37 quid, so not that bad. Will this wee cable be the answer and just plug it in and go? Has anyone used these cables? Or is more elaborate wiring work required - I'm not capable in this area so would have to take to a dealer (and probably get stung as a result)?

Apols for the millions of questions in the post.

Cheers
JD
 
You can either fit the Zumo supplied lead straight to the battery and not have to worry about the Canbus shutting it off after 20 seconds (but bear in mind to switch the unit off itself or you'll drain the battery).

Or, as I have done, fit the additional beak power socket (it piggybacks off the one under the seat frame) and fit the BMW plug to the Zumo lead. It's still connected to the Canbus tho'. This way gives you an extra power supply for anything else that takes your fancy should the notion strike.

Orrr, use the socket you've found at the headstock and buy the required connection from BMW (still goes through the Canbus).

The decision is yours. :thumb
 

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JD I connected mine to the rear socket at the side of the seat. I have tried in vain to get the connecting canbus plug from BMV but they have stopped supplying to punters...or so my dealer tells me.

I then found that my Zumo keeps switching on and off, this is because my software needs to be updated which apparently can take up to 1.5 hours.

Sorely tempted to wire direct to battery

Hope this helps
 
I have a spare canbus socket for your zumo.

PM me if you would like it £ 12.00 inc postage paypal please (two cost me £ 24.00, I thought that the same socket fitted a horn upgrade).

Regards Mike
 
JD I connected mine to the rear socket at the side of the seat. I have tried in vain to get the connecting canbus plug from BMV but they have stopped supplying to punters...or so my dealer tells me.

I then found that my Zumo keeps switching on and off, this is because my software needs to be updated which apparently can take up to 1.5 hours.

Sorely tempted to wire direct to battery

Hope this helps

Yeah I have seen that but it galls to have to pay so much when the BM plug is less than a tenner

No they havent.

Order one from BuMW, Battersea, and ask them to post it.
 
JD I connected mine to the rear socket at the side of the seat. I have tried in vain to get the connecting canbus plug from BMV but they have stopped supplying to punters...or so my dealer tells me.

South London Motorcycles posted one to me a few weeks ago. :clap
 
Just picked up the Canbus plug from my dealer last Friday. Mind you I had it on order for 3 months :spitfire If the dealer can't find it get them to look in the 'Tool' section as that is what it is classed as. Seems they had to put 'T' in front of the part no here in Aussieland. Ours are gold plated too going by the $25.85 asking price! :eek:
 
DIY

I got fed up with waiting for a dealer (tried 3 !) to supply me the Canbus socket. So I just spliced the Zumo power cable into the two cables ( brown and red/white) supplying the Canbus socket. Shrinkwrapped and cable tied up everything carefully and even the dealer techs would have a hard job spotting it . Cost a couple of hours, solder, shrink wrap, 3" cloth tape.

Bettlejuice
 
Direct to battery for me too.

I ordered one of those expensive Canbus connectors, but it is on back order from Mr. NN. Maybe use it for something else later.

So as I was fitting a dash tidy plate with spare power socket, I just connected the Zumo to the same direct battery feed.

Socket still free. No. Probs. Neat and tidy. :thumb2

<a href="http://s169.photobucket.com/albums/u234/boxerboy55/?action=view&current=Dash2.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u234/boxerboy55/Dash2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
 
Cheers

Thanks for the input guys - I'll probably go for a ready made cable from Touratach and when it (hopefully) arrives I'll let you know how I get on. I'll also try and get some pic uploaded - not sure how to do this?
Cheers
JD :)
 


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