I finally finished up my accessory power install on my '16 GS. My goal was to get power into my Touratech top case for all my charging needs on the go. I went out thinking that I'd just install the Powerlet electric tank bag kit in my top case but that solution required drilling a large center hole and four additional holes for the mounting screws - and the bulk head was a little larger than would conveniently fit where I wanted it. I ended up with this water proof SAE bulkhead connector for $15:
Amazon.com: OptiMate CABLE O-20 Weatherproof SAE socket, front panel mount: Automotive
It requires a 25mm hole in the case plus a bit of room around it for the locking nut and waterproof washers. I drilled the top case with a step-bit after punching a center point and it cut through the case like butter leaving a very neat and tidy 25mm hole. I installed the bulkhead connector in the hole with a schmear of water contact silicone sealant.
The next step was to go looking for a good place to mount up the PDM60. I've used this device on other bikes and I really like the robust weather proof design where there's no electrical contacts on the device exposed to the elements. It's overkill for this installation but I've got plans to add some additional lighting on the rear and will eventually want to mount up an electric tank bag on the bike as an option. The PDM60 will not fit anywhere under my seats. There's too much stuff installed by BMW now under the rear seat:
No room there and up under the rider's seat there just isn't enough clearance with the seat in the low position which I did not want to give up. I ended up attaching it to the back of the battery box between the box and the rear shock:
I like this location because I can check on it without removing anything. It's clearly visible from the right side of the bike and yet completely out of the way and it's easy routing the wiring from this location to both the battery and the area under the seat. It leaves the area under the rider's seat uncluttered as well:
I've taped off all but one 15A circuit from the PM60 for now. I took a SAE patch cable and cut one end off installing water proof connectors on it and the power lead from the PDM60. I also ran a dedicated ground from the battery terminal with the same water proof connector that completes the circuit for the SAE patch cord back to the tail and up to the water proof bulkhead connector I installed in step 1 above.
For the gray trigger wire from the PDM60, I used the red wire with a green stripe on the fuses in the right had side of the photo above. The tap was made with a Posi-tap that came with the PDM60 kit. From this connection, the trigger is supplied as soon as the ignition is turned on. The PDM60 has a default 7 second delay for all circuits (programmable, but I left it as default). This gives time to let the bike go through it's start up diagnostic and crank the bike before turning on my accessories.
When I'm not using the top case, I'll just coil the patch cord under the rear seat. With the top case installed, it's easily routed out and up through the mounting frame to the bulkhead connector on the case.
I haven't decided yet but I might go ahead and install another power bulkhead in my side case. My thought would be to install the lid organizer in my 38L Touratech where I'd plug in this circuit for the times when I'm riding with side cases but no top case. At this point, it's just another $15 bulkhead connector to get that done.
Inside the top case, I have a bunch of different options for power. I have a number of Y cables that go from SAE to cig.adapter, USB, and another SAE for daisy chaining cables. I can charge several GoPros, phone, Bluetooth gear, backup Mophie batteries I use in my tent at night, Delorme tracker, and anything else I need on the trip that can be charged on the go. I usually take a couple of 10,000mAh Mophie batteries and I use those in my camp for charging my Sena over night and running my portable USB fan for keeping air circulating in my tent on hot nights.
Hope this install is useful to others and if anyone can think of any problem with where I have my PDM60 installed, please let me know? I'm not at all worried about it from weather but what else am I not thinking of?
4
