Installation of a remote power block

Hey all, looking for some guidance. Looking to add a remote power block to my '04 VFR. Specifically looking at adding this one http://www.aerostich.com/catalog/US/Auxiliary-Power-Fused-Panel-p-16296.html
Has anyone gotten one? or something similar? Looking for guidance on the install. Want it to be switched power, so don't want to just hook it up to the battery directly. Not the greatest with electrical work. With good directions I can do pretty much anything, but not just blindly on my own.

Did a search and didn't find anything,but I might have been using the wrong search terms.

Thanks,
Spike

 

I have the power block and grounding block from The Electrical Connection. Easy to install. Activated by relay when you switch the ignition on. Grounding block has 7 connections (one for power block plus six for accessories). Fits perfectly under the seat of a sixth-gen VFR. Look at the photo in my gallery. Highly recomneded. http://www.electricalconnection.com/power-distribution/pplate.htm

 

Yeah, I have seen that one too, last year when I was looking at doing this to my FJR (decided instead to dump the FJR and go back to a VFR). Was just going with the other since I was going to order some stuff from Aerostitch anyway. Unless someone out there with more electrical knowledge than I has something pro or con to say about either product that should make me go with one over the other?

Oh, wait now that I look more at this one, it includes the relay. OK, that makes the descision easy. Thanks for bringing it back into my radar.

So do I hook it directly to the battery? If so, forgive my stupidity, but how does it now when the ignition is on? That part is important to me.

I looked in your gallery, saw the tank pads, the convertible bars, and the grips, but nothing on this. Am I looking in the wrong place? Really would like to see it installed on a VFR, as that would make my install a little easier. But damn I wish there was more room under the seat for stuff.

Spike

 

Where did all my photos go? I had about 15. I just tried to upload that photo again, but it is still not there...

Anyhow, the hook-up is simple. The relay (that comes with the power block) connects to the positive battery terminal. It also has a ground that can be connected directly to the battery ground if you're not using their grounding block. I don't know how it "knows" the ignition is on, but it automatically powers up when the switch is on and powers down when you switch off. (Electricity has always been a bit of a mystery to me.)

The power block has six fused connectors. The grounding block has seven connectors (one for the power block; six for accessories).

Since I can't seem to get the photo into my gallery, let me try to describe the installation. I used double-sided velcro to mount the power block (about the size of a granola bar) under the rider's portion of the seat opposite the battery. The relay is permanently attached to the power block by a short cable. I ran the cable under the "spine" and tucked the relay in next to the battery. I velcro-mounted the grounding block under the passenger section of the seat opposite the tool kit. It has a fairly long cable that I connected to the negative battery terminal.

I highly recommend getting their grounding block to go with the power block. The result is a very tidy installation that doesn't require cutting or splicing a single wire. All my accessories can be easily removed if I sell the bike.

One of my gizmos is a TomTom Rider GPS. It has a rather difficult-to-press on/off switch that I don't have to worry about with this installation. GPS automatically comes on and goes off with the key switch. Same thing with my other accessories. The way the factory would have done it.

 

Can you re-post the pics yet? or email them to me directly? Thought re-post for the next guy/girl would be better if possible.

 

Spke, I managed to post a photo of the complete installation in My Gallery. I'm still having trouble with the gallery posting tool, so I am emailing additional photos directly to you.

I need to correct a misimpression I created in my original post.

It has been so long since I installed the power block that I had forgotten how the relay powers up. I looked under the seat to refresh my memory. There is a wire from the relay that must be connected to a wire that always comes on when the ignition is switched on. I used a little crimp-style connector (supplied with the power block) to connect it to the wire for the license plate light. I hope I didn't confuse anyone with my memory lapse.

Next week I'm adding a fourth accessory (radar detector) to my bike. Imagine how many splices I would have if I didn't have the power block/fuse block. I think you'll be very pleased with this installation.