GPS Hookup

[opticat]

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, if not on this forum somewhere else, but I would like the opinion of the readers of this particular board. Is it alright to wire a GPS directly to the battery, avoiding the CANBUS system, but using an inline fuse? I want to use my old Garmin, which has updated maps and a lot of my information stored in it, and it mounts nicely on the handlebar.

[marc]

Short answer: yes. Just remember to turn off your GPS before you leave the bike. If you wire it up to the accessory socket you don't have to worry about that as it will drop power sometime after turning off the ignition. That's how I've done mine.

Long answer. Where you used CAN bus you should have used ZFE. The CAN bus is nothing but a bunch of wires and a communications protocol. Your accessory socket is NOT on the can bus. Your lights are NOT on the can bus. Your various switches are NOT on the can bus.

What is on the CAN bus?

• the instrument cluster
• the engine management controller
• the central chassis management controller (ZFE)
• (optional) the ABS controller
• (optional) the alarm system controller
• (optional) the tire pressure monitor controller (not 100% sure about this)

Most the crap that gets blamed on the can bus is really controlled by the ZFE.

OK, I'm off my soap box, now.

[opticat]

Thanks, Marc. I usually take the GPS with me when I go into someplace, so leaving it on will not be a problem. However, connecting it to the accessory socket under the seat would be quite easy, I imagine.

[marc]

BMW makes a cable to add a second accessory socket. It ties into the under seat socket. Unplug the old cable, plug in the new. Plug the old into the new. I strung that cable under the tank and cut the connectors off the end as I wasn't interested in a generic socket... I just wanted power for a few items to be more or less controlled by the ignition. The bundle of wires is wrapped in tape and cable tied to the cross member that goes from under the horn to the bracket by the oil cooler.

[peter06gsa]

marc;are you sure about the socket, the one by the seat on my 06gsa gave me power with a test light, but when i plugged my electric vest in no heat.
ended up putting a after market socket wired and fused to the battery directly.
peter.

[marc]

Yes, I'm sure. The reason you got no heat is because the output to the socket is limited to about 5 amps. Most heated gear draws more than that. When the draw is more that 5 amps the ZFE turns the socket off.

A GPS doesn't draw near 5 amps. I've concurrently run a GPS, a radar detector, and my after market tire pressure monitor from wires tied to that socket.

[pdxrmccgs]

This pdf, at the very end shows a solid state "fuse" which may
be what the type of fuse the ZFE relies on for overload circuit protection. Its
referenced as a "Automatic Resetting Polymer PTC".

I don't remember voting on getting rid of the old reliable mechanical fuses.

http://www.autoshop101.com/forms/hweb1.pdf

[Marty H]

Originally Posted by opticat

I'm sure this has been covered somewhere, if not on this forum somewhere else, but I would like the opinion of the readers of this particular board. Is it alright to wire a GPS directly to the battery, avoiding the CANBUS system, but using an inline fuse? I want to use my old Garmin, which has updated maps and a lot of my information stored in it, and it mounts nicely on the handlebar.

It is fine to wire direct to the battery, however there is a BMW supplied GPS connector available - it is taped onto the strut that goes to the headlight assembly - goes from the steering head to the headlights if that orients you. Feel down there, it is a squarish plug with an end cap on it. You can get the male connector from your dealer and solder it to your GPS power leads, plug it in and you have switched power. No need to mess with the accy socket under the seat or go to the battery. It is CAB-BUS friendly.

[opticat]

Thanks again, guys!

[kurt1305]

Just a note on the BMW supplied GPS socket. At some point, probably in 2009, it moved to behind the backside, lower edge of the oil cooler.