Mounting a Zumo
 

I figured out how to mount it centered on the bike but I would like to know if I can tap into the wires leading to the aux outlet. I looked back there and see only the two wires going to it one must be hot and the other ground if I am correct. so is it a no no with the can-bus to tap these wires. The wire from the zumo is fused on its own. I would like to have switched power for it but I do not want to just plug it on the outlet as I do not like the way it looks. Bike is a 2007 R12S.
I do not post here but read often and find most know what they are talking about.

Thanks: Cole

My set up works via my tank bag. The tank bag is powered via the porlet plug and then I have jacks in the bag that the various stuff I have plugs into. It is simple and does the job. An alternative is to wire it to the battery terminal (make sure you have a fuse). Getting at the battery is a bit of a pain.

To me seems like I could just tap the wire for the outlet. In my own testing I removed the plug on the rear of outlet and slid the positive wire and connected the ground to the battery and when the key is turned the Zumo turns on. But when the key is turned off it does not power down because BMW set the outlet up to work with their tender via turning the key on and then making connection and shutting key keeping power to the battery for charging so I guess the bike is thinking something similar with the GPS.

Tap them for power itself, or tap them for a 12v signal to trigger a relay with fused power run to the battery?

I would opt for the latter before I would ever recommend the former, but I'm kind of a freak about wiring like that.

You can look at the specs yourself, but typically a GPS isn't going to pull enough power to require a relay. I'd think tapping directly into the aux outlet wiring would be peachy. The aux outlet is specifically designed for accessories like this and you're just bypassing the connector.

You don't want to tap into the canbus upstream of the individual power controllers, but downstream is fine as long as you stay within the load limits of the circuit. Some of the circuits will squawk if you tap in extra loads, but the acc circuit is presumably happy with any load up to its current limit.

- Mark

So would tapping in say the brake light wire near the bulb be ok? atleast that way when the key is off the Zumo will be off also. I like the idea of the outlet but do not like that it does not shut off when I shut the key.

You could always wait the 30 seconds or less it takes o shut off, or swith it off. On my 07 R12S I plan to use a ZTechnik clutch mount shown here on the right side, but mine will be on the left:
http://shop.ztechnik.com/cgi-bin/ztech/large_photo?mv_session_id=trScx4Bi&mv_arg=Z6131&se arch_model=bm-064

I'll have to checking the settings to see if I have a setting set not to shut down upon loss of power.

The factory aux outlet stays hot indefinitely?

- Mark

No mark it does not I just did not realize that it takes maybe 30 seconds for the computer to shut the power down to it after bike is keyed off. Now that I see it will shut down I will tap the wires from behind and have a nice clean install.

Mounting the zumo?
 

Just curious if you would share how you are going to mount the Zumo? I have had a few ideas but none that would place the GPS in the center. I have a 99S and just purchased a Zumo 450 at JC Whitney for $399 and free shipping.

I took a few pics as I have it now. I will make a few adjutments possibly as I think it out.
I mounted a ram mount right on top of the verholen riser that Ihave, but I may buy a new ram as the one I have us used or I may just touch it up with a permanent black marker for now. The blue screws i had laying around from a FJR motor kit and thought I would see how they look.




http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1235779117.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1235779147.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1235779179.jpg

Off-subject a bit, but this is a good fundamental explanation on who the Canbus system is implemented on a BMW motorcycle. Looks like the aux socket is controlled by the ZFE Canbus node.

http://www.bmwra.org/otl/canbus/

- Mark

So according to Mark's link if I am correct if I tap the wire that directly lights the headlight the computer really would not care as long as to much juice was not used causing the ZFE to scream that there is a problem. Does this sound right?

Sounds right. I think the Zumo would be a minor blip in terms of power being fed to the headlight - that's where I tapped power too.

I also read somewhere that older bulbs become less effecient thus draw more amps as they get older.