Garmin Zumo mount hardwire install?

I've just ordered a Garmin Zumo and should be receiving it next week. I'd like to hard wire the mount harness to a switched power source, that turns on and off with the bike. Having just received my 8th gen this past Sunday, I'm just getting familiar with it. Does the fuse box have an accessory terminal that could be used, or is there a better way or place to wire it?

 

Best bet for questions like yours is to consult the wiring diagrams in the service manual. One of the owners of the same bike my have a freebies download or try www.manualsonline.com.

 

If there is no readily available accessory outlet, the easiest way to add what you're looking for is to tie off of the license plate light or other 12v circuit that switches on when the key is in the on or running position with a 12v Bosch type relay. There are tons of options that you can use if you're wanting more than just one switched outlet.

I was able to buy an inexpensive power outlet distribution box for my Ducati and I put in a switched circuit for my Radar Detector, one for my volt meter and one for the back light of the volt meter. Cost me about $20 for parts and wiring. Conversely, there are some that will run you $200 or more, but these are usually remotely controllable and/or almost infinitely configurable.

I would first do as BB suggest and see if you can find the service manual or see if another 8 Gen member has the info you're looking for. Although theoretically an easy job, some people actually have a hard with electrical wiring. That being said, if your at all apprehensive about doing it, I'm only 25 minutes from Torrance, you're welcome to come by and I can assist you with it.

 

I actually have the Honda 12v accessory outlet installed under the passenger seat. However the Zumo mount's wiring has bare positive & negative leads for connection to a battery or such, so I'm not sure how I could tie it into that. Also, I'd need to route the wiring from the cradle mount on the RAM stem mount back to the 12v outlet. I'd like the wiring to be basically hidden, but I don't know what bodywork I'd need to take off to route the wiring.

 

Not sure what paths are available on the 8 Gen but on my 6 Gen I ran them up the right side of the bike behind the fairings for the horn I installed. I have cable sheathing that can help hide wires and spade connectors that you can crimp/solder on to the wire ends. Can you take a picture of the accessory outlet? With the right connectors it shouldn't be a difficult thing, but it's probably something I need to see first hand.

 

The accessory outlet is a standard 12v female cigarette plug type outlet. I can get a picture if you need it though.

 

Okay, here's a pic of the outlet. I'm pretty sure this is a switched outlet. But the more I think about it, I feel I want GPS power to be always on - for those times at gas stops, stores, etc. This way I won't have to keep powering on from scratch all the time.

 

So I guess I could do a battery connection after all, I just need to figure out the routing for the wiring.

 

Most of these power leads have enough length to route from the dash to battery. Usually the power (12v) lead has an inline fuse in it. Make sure you leave this on the lead and make sure you carry spare fuses just in case. If you still feel like you need help, let me know.

 

On my 6th gen I went down the relay route and tapped into my rear light wiring to give me the "live when ignition on" to switch the relay over and hardwired down to the front of the bike. At the front I split the power cable going to the Zumo cradle and introduced a waterproof connector into the wiring
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/1710...rlsatarget=pla-181479824466&adtype=pla&crdt=0
to allow me to remove the cradle as and when I want but to leave the wiring there.
The start up time is pretty quick on the Zumo so I wasn't bothered about it. I know which direction I was going before I stopped !!
I made up a simple inexpensive locking system to allow me to leave the Zumo on the bike when I am paying for fuel etc


Its just a piece of aluminium angle with a patio door lock fitted so that the release mechanism cannot be operated
Good luck

 

The programmable power controllers actually allow you to create a delay when the ignition is turned off, so that the power circuit remains active for several minutes after the power is switched off. Some you can create an "or" logic, where you can use a latched switch to turn on the circuit "or" use the ignition on to trigger it on. Some even have mobile apps so that you can control what they do on the fly with your cell phone.

Of course, just hard wiring to the battery is the cheapest option :wink:

 

That's what I think I'll do. Now I just need to figure out the wire routing on this 8th gen.

 

Anyone know the best place to get battery terminal rings for the 8th gen, and maybe what size (gauge)? Now that Radio Shack is no more, I'm not sure what the next best outlet would be.

 

The length of the wire and the amperage usually dictates what wire gauge to use. For some runs I use 12 gauge, but 14-16 is usually sufficient. The lower the number the thicker the gauge. Unfortunately I don't know what shops are close to your area. Maybe Fry's electronics would be the best place to try.

 

I don't think I explained it very well. The wires I'm using are those from the Garmin GPS mount wiring. But it has bare ends and I need to attach battery terminal ring connectors to it. And the terminal connectors that I saw on Amazon are sized by wire gauge - though I don't know what gauge the mount wiring is.
Oh, and there is a Frys but it's not exactly close.

 

Ah ha, well most of the crimp on eyelets are color coded, where yellow is 12-10 gauge, blue is 16-14 and red are 22-16. By comparison, I believe the SAE plug is wired with 12 gauge wire and most wires in your wiring harnes are in the 22-16 category, depending on what they go to. You can also check out an auto parts store or even Home Depot, now that I think about it. Maybe take your GPS wire with you so that can see what gauge it is.

 

There ya go - Home Depot is likely to have the terminal connectors, thanks.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk