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Power Source
Posted: Sun Feb 27, 2011 10:59 pm
by Neil
I am go wing to fit an intercom to my R1200R and need a power sauce that comes on and off with the ignition. I do have a Power Socket but my book said it will stay live for 15 minutes after the ignition is off and I would rather not have a visible plug showing all the time. So has any one taken power from an alternative position or could I brake into the Power Socket harness without upsetting the can-bus ( I think that is what it is called ) system. Life used to be simple on a R1150R you just took the power from a tail light .
Re: Power Source
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 7:10 am
by mogu83
Neil,
I ran a wire from the parking light in the headlight shell and used it to operate a 30A Bosch type relay mounted under the seat, then ran a wire from the positive battery thru the relay to a small fuse block. Use the fuse block, with proper size fuses and wire to distribute the wiring (electricity) where you need it.
Light goes on - power is on. Light goes off everything shuts down.
Wiring on a motorcycle is a little tricky, make sure everything is tied down (thank God (can we say that) for tie-wraps) and run where it won't be exposed to too much heat or anything that moves. Also use the smallest amperage fuse you can, that way if something goes wrong the fuse will blow quickly saving the wiring and maybe your bike.
Re: Power Source
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:23 pm
by Lost Rider
I tapped into the OEM GPS circuit for power to my tank box, and it shuts off within a minute or two of killing the ignition. Never 15 minutes, but maybe that's changed since the 07' R's.
I also stole power from my acc. plug on my 8GS for the same tank box and it shuts off in less than 5 minutes after turning the bike off.
Never a problem with the CANBUS running my GPS, and charging various electronics, unless I try to run a air compressor though my cigarette outlet in my tank box. (now I just have a SAE plug wired directly to the battery for that)
good luck!
BTW, what intercom system are you using?
I'm about to buy the Scala Rider G4 powerset, I think, but am still looking around to make sure I get the right one for Nancy and I.
Cheers
Finn
Re: Power Source
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:39 pm
by tl440
If it's only for a rider to passenger intercom, why not just use the bikes power outlet? Just get a 90 degree BMW type plug instead of the big ugly standard one. If you want more than that then consider a Centech (or comparable) fuse box with a relay.
Re: Power Source
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 12:51 pm
by Lost Rider
Bothering to purchase and then install of fuse block and relay system just to power an intercom system is over doing it a little don't you think?
There's two obvious places to tap into the already switched and fused circuits on the 1200R, the factory GPS circuit, and the accessory powerlet circuit. Either will do just fine for any low power electronics, plus will be easier and have zero cost to install.
If you want to power up some lights or heated gear, I agree, go get a fuse block or just wire directly to the battery with an inline fuse.
Re: Power Source
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 6:30 pm
by ContraMoto
I have a relay setup to power some auxiliary lights. The "standard" approach is to use the parking light wires as the relay trigger. Is there any reason to not use the GPS harness instead? It comes on with the key and stays on. I've got the GPS power line out already to set up my GPS...
If I use it...which two wires? Red, Greenish-blue and Brown are my choices...
(lights will draw power directly from the battery. I just need a place to provide switch signal to the relay)
Re: Power Source
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 8:24 pm
by websterize
ContraMoto wrote:If I use it...which two wires? Red, Greenish-blue and Brown are my choices...
Brown is ground, and greenish-blue is switched as I recall.
Re: Power Source
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:27 pm
by deilenberger
The only disadvantage of using the GPS connector is the power is left on for about 2 minutes or so after you switch off the key. If you have lights on that relay - that can seem a while.. the parking light is switched immediately.
Re: Power Source
Posted: Mon Feb 28, 2011 11:51 pm
by ContraMoto
The only disadvantage of using the GPS connector is the power is left on for about 2 minutes or so after you switch off the key...
Thought of that, but the lights have a separate rocker switch so I can turn them off when powering down the bike. If I forget, 2 minutes is ok.
Re: Power Source
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 12:28 am
by Neil
I think I have started something here. ChiTown my system is very old and was marketed in OZ under a number of brands.It was originally run off a 9 volt battery so I got a voltage reducer and wired it in with a fuse in line ( 1 amp )so it actually uses very little power, I have also replaced all to wiring from the unit to the head sets and the head sets . The thing has been fitted to 4 other BMW over a 15 year period. My power source solution would appear to be to use the GPS plug if this is fitted to Australian delivered bikes. So were do I find this plug if I have one.Well stop looking I just went down the posts and there is my answer photos and all
Re: Power Source
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 12:34 am
by Lost Rider
websterize posted a great photo of the ever elusive GPS plug here:
viewtopic.php?f=20&t=22271
Re: Power Source
Posted: Tue Mar 01, 2011 10:21 am
by ContraMoto
I pulled the GPS plug out on mine last night. Remove the plastic panel on the front of the tank. Facing the bike, it's down the left side, zip-tied to the front frame. Needed a flashlight to see it and some needle-nose pliers to reach it.
But, on Ozzie bikes, isn't everything backwards?

Left-hand steering and all...
Re: Power Source
Posted: Sat Mar 05, 2011 11:52 pm
by Kieran R1200R
ContraMoto wrote:I pulled the GPS plug out on mine last night. Remove the plastic panel on the front of the tank. Facing the bike, it's down the left side, zip-tied to the front frame. Needed a flashlight to see it and some needle-nose pliers to reach it.
But, on Ozzie bikes, isn't everything backwards?

Left-hand steering and all...
We're so backwards here that we're lucky to even get bikes sent down under. And when we do we pay twice the price you guys do. It's called turnover! We don't have any.
Even the countries fleet of car are the oldest on the roads, average age being 15 years!
The population and our GDP doesn't even send a ripple on the stock exchange.
When I was in the Army in the 80ies most US troops hadn't even heard of us, so why now?
We are so insignificant we don't matter to anyone.
Once the population tips it scale from predominately Christian to our new found politically correct whatch what you say or they will kill all your family Muslim community even our alliance with the US will be revocked and then we are open slather.
Coming on real quick too!
Oh did I just get carried away! Sorry
Re: Power Source
Posted: Sun Mar 06, 2011 3:15 am
by Neil
No Kieran sounds RIGHT to me