Let me preface by saying I have had electrical crap explained to me a million times and what can I say? I do not understand it as much as most people seem to.
So, here's where I am.
I want to be able to run a handful of things, but not at the same time. On that list are
- My hardwired GPS (all the time)
- Heated vest (once in awhile)
- Heated grips (once in awhile)
- Aux lights (hardly ever use these)
I have always just stuck all this stuff on my battery terminals (with fuses in-line to each accessory) but with 4 things it's getting kinda clogged up.
What's the solution to that? (I saw Stretch's maniacal creation but that is NOT something I'm gonna mess with!) :lol:
Also, I have been putting off adding a voltmeter but it is time. I DO know that I need at least 13.1 volts to ensure my battery is being charged. I see everyone recommends the Datel unit but DAMN $50 + shipping seems a little pricey. Anyone have something different or do I just need to suck it up? Also, do I just connect the voltmeter to the battery like everything else?
Thanks guys for bearing with me on this! 8)
Ok, actually $50 seems like a decent price now that I search around the net a little more. Apparently there's an LCD one instead of the LED that is about $20 less but I can't find it.
Here ya go:
Go to www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php (http://www.canyonchasers.net/shop/generic/relay.php)
This will give you a complete pictoral and detailed instruction for installing a relay protected power block.
Hopefully Stretch will pipe in and guide you to his pics. They are good . .
I don't know where they are!
In a nutshell:
1. Get an automotive, 30 amp relay with 4 prongs. These prongs are numbered: 30 - 85 -86 - 87
2. Get a 4-6 slot LOW PROFILE fuse block that uses BLADE fuses
( not minis )
3. You'll need a few feet of RED & Black wires. (I may have used 16 ga )
( I also used BLU wire to tap into my tailight wiring).
4. In-line 20 amp fuse
5. Wire end connectors.
6. Splices.
7. If you are comfortable with soldering .. solder all the wire ends.
( I use an inexpensive 'pencil torch' $20 ) Very Neat.
Just plan on 4 hours of thinking, figgerin' things out, cutting, crimping, soldering, bitching, listening to the radio. This is not difficult . . just keep things in order.
Be sure to use the right fuse sizes.
For the voltmeter, I'm using one of these :
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-in-1-Digital-Ca ... %26ps%3D63 (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/2-in-1-Digital-Car-Thermometer-Battery-Voltage-Monitor_W0QQitemZ250527146894QQcategoryZ9895QQcmdZViewItemQQ_trksidZp4340.m263QQ_trkparmsZalgo%3DSIC%26its%3DI%26itu%3DUCI%252BIA%252BUA%252BIEW%252BFICS%252BUFI%26otn%3D11%26ps%3D63)
It's not stated as waterproof, but mine's behind my screen cowl on top of the instrument binnacle and has been holding up for 9 months now with no probs. Comes in a lot cheaper than the others and gives you the ambient temp as well. Just need to hack off the cigar plug and wire in appropriately.
At last somewhere to post my inability to understand anything electrical..
I too need a voltage meter display thingy and other add ons..
*watches post with interest*
Edit: Why when i looked at that ebay listing the first time did i think it wasn't back lit :oops:
Quote from: "Bixxer Bob"Just need to hack off the cigar plug and wire in appropriately.
When you say wire in appropriately :roll: Any Pics?
Thanks TigerTrax for that link. That doesn't look too difficult. I may give it a go. Honestly, I've never had a problem turning my accessories off when I dismount but it probably IS a good idea.
Quote from: "BigMark"Quote from: "Bixxer Bob"Just need to hack off the cigar plug and wire in appropriately.
When you say wire in appropriately :roll: Any Pics?
You need to pick up as close to the battery as possible but can't connect direct to the battery, otherwise it'll be on all the time and would eventually run it down. Since I've already done an accessories modification similar to the one being discussed here, I attached mine to the switched side of the relay. That way it's monitoring the voltage only as long as the ign is on. :wink:
I tried just monitoring the voltage at the lights as that's the easiest place to hook it up behind the cowl, but the voltage drop is too great. It can be nearly a volt so the gauge would always under read by that amount.
Ok, actually, I think I have this thing figured out. Will report back later! 8)
Success! Got it all sorted out and everything works great! Check it out (hey, I'm proud of myself for figuring it out). And yup I ended up zip tying all those wires going over the frame in place. Great mod and I'm happy I stuck with it and learned something new. Thanks gang!
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v226/flux_capacitor/TIGER/wires.jpg)
I don't really understand all of this elecrical stuff either. My heated grips and aux lights are hard wired to the battery and I'm not really worried about forgetting to turn them off. But I would like a volt meter so maybe I will set it up right over the winter.
I hear ya, Johnny. I wasn't too worried about forgetting to shut off my accessories either but the more I started thinking about the places I take this pig the more it started weighing on my mind.
I have yet to find an EXACT list of what is needed, and what the proper names for things are, so I will put one together tonight. 2 auto parts stores didn't know WTF I was on about, and recommended Radio Shack, where the (bored) guy working there was very helpful and walked me through it. He'll be getting my business in the future for sure.
This is what I used.
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Produ ... rcuit.html (http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/Fuseboxes/3_Circuit/3_circuit.html)
Quote from: "RT"This is what I used.
http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Produ ... rcuit.html (http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Products/Fuseboxes/3_Circuit/3_circuit.html)
That's pretty cool. Nice and tidy.
You have every right to be proud of yourself for that as a first shot at these things. If it didn't come with it, I recomend fitting a plastic sheild over the top of those terminal strips. If you didn't get one, cut up a dish wash bottle to do the job.
I always recommend running some solder the joints after you crimp them, keeps corrosion at bay and will give you a joint that will not drop volts over the years, not so flexible though so leave a few mm extra slack.
Thanks, Sin. :oops:
I put together a "how-to" thread for others that may need some ideas from a fellow wiring rookie.
http://tigertriple.com/forum/viewtopic. ... 5943#45943 (http://tigertriple.com/forum/index.php/msg,45943#45943)
Next project is to attempt the Sasquatch Voltage Fix but I may have to wait for later in the winter for it.
I dimly recall how I learned to wire a bike. Had a '72 Tiger/Bonneville that someone decided didn't need a fuse. Guess what happened?? And if I wanted to ride, I hadda learn how to wire, from the diagram.
Being broke can sure teach a lot. But I don't wish I had that bike back. I DO wish for my '67 Daytona back...
Cosmo
I swear . . . .
if there was nats ass to be found on the net . . .
And someone needed it . . .
Evil Betty would find it!
What a hoot!
I don't remember anyone requesting such, but encase the need arises I found one here :)
(http://i143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/Jaredcm1/gnat.jpg)
I'm searching for some cool ideas of where to locate power outlets. I have one that I plan to mount in the instrument area below the knock out for the heated grip switch. (I may add those later).
I have one of the Wally World models with the spring cover that has a bracket built in for mounting under or alongside. I was thinking of mounting this one under the seat somewhere or inside a pannier with an SAE connector for easy removal.
Any brilliant ideas? I tend to be a pretty linear thinker so creative ideas are appreciated. :idea:
If using the Powerlet system, these parts may give you some ideas.
http://www.powerletproducts.com/shop-by ... re/PWRDIST (http://www.powerletproducts.com/shop-by-product/plugs-sockets-wire-more/PWRDIST)
I've thought about creating a cable that would connect the left side pannier to the accessory port on the bike, but that's about as far as I got. I've put more though into making my OEM tank back electric, going from the powerlet connection the side of the bike through the bag, into a 3 port 12v light socket connection to charge the phone, ipod, headsets, etc.
I had similar thoughts a while back. I wanted to make my whole GPS / phone charge / intercom fit swappable between bikes.
I bought a mini tank bag and installed the lot in there with one lead going to the accessory socket. The Blackbird didn't have one so I installed one like the Tiger's on the right fairing infill.
The tankbag contains the autocom, the phone charge lead and the power out to my Garmin mount all connected through a single black box (plugs removed and soldered in) which contains fuses for each circuit. The autocom also powers a bike-to-bike radio if connected (I don't use this much).
When I park up I only have to unplug one lead, undo the garmin ball mount, put it inside the tankbag and the whole (expensive) fit goes over my shoulder.
Thanks for the replies. I was also thinking about running a three outlet extension into my tank bag. I found a small Nelson Riggs CL-300 tank bag on New Enough for about $52 that I think I can fit pretty easily. Also found a nice rear top box for about $60 that fits perfectly on the rear. May do power to it instead of a stock pannier.
Tank Bag
http://www.newenoughhp.com/closeouts/lu ... k_bag.html (http://www.newenoughhp.com/closeouts/luggage/nelson_rigg/cl_300_mini_magnetic_motorcycle_tank_bag.html)
Top Case
http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tail ... l_bag.html (http://www.newenoughhp.com/luggage/tail_bags/emgo/portable_motorcycle_travel_trunk_tail_bag.html)
Not expensive but seem nice. I'll post pics after install.
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I actually was just going to make my OEM tank bag electric using something like this, with my Powerlet to SAE pigtail, then wire up a 3 lighter plug with an SAE connector.
(http://www.powerletproducts.com/img/productImages/primary/PTB-001_p_166_webl.jpg)
http://www.powerletproducts.com/product/luggage-electrix-connector/286
I did the Powerlet tank bag mess a few years ago...put the whole kit (autocom, i-pod, radar, phone charger) into a Wolfman bag. Installed a second Powerlet plug for juice next to the heated grip switch on the left fairing panel. Works extremely well...made a soft bottom panel for the tank bag and used industrial strength velcro on all the internals to keep everything from shifting around too much. Melted a hole to feed the autocom helmet connection from the main compartment into the small zippered compartment...keeps everything (mostly) neat and tidy. Can post a pic or two if anyone would like.
Jonathan