Centech AP-1 install w/ photos

[sweatmark]

Waterproofing - or a step in the right direction, hopefully.

Washed the R1150Rs today, and consciously sprayed Mrs. Sweatmark's seat a bunch (you know what I mean) in order to see how water made its way down the back edge of the gastank and dripped onto her Centech. The ground side wiring had some drips, but it wasn't as bad as originally envisioned.

OK - so in order to provide a bit of drip resistance, and used some special cling wrap stuff we had in the house. Sticks pretty well to clean surfaces, and it's microwave safe which I hope means it won't melt into a puddle of plastic atop the Roadster airbox.

Here it is:



Didn't trim the cling wrap this time around, since it'll get replaced when i get around to installing Ohlins on my wife's bike.



This stuff is handy. Will try this on my Rockster when it gets its Centech. Results pending...

[rdsmith3]

That was clever.

Is it sealed all the way around? Are you concerned about condensation causing issues?

[taosports]

Is it sealed all the way around? Are you concerned about condensation causing issues?

I was wondering the same. Would think that unless there is ample airflow around it, it would get pretty wet through condensation.

I velcroed a piece of waterproof nylon cloth to the under-lip of the gas tank so that it protected my Centech from rain dripping off of the tank. Looks like it will work however since I rarely ride in the rain, I haven't had the opportunity to test it.

[Dr. Strangelove]

I just velcro'd a piece of viskween just over it. yes it could flap in the breeze, but seems to work.

I went through a rainstorm and washed the bike a couple of times and it seems to work well. Water could get under it, but doesn't seem to in real life.

John

[sweatmark]

It's not really sealed around the perimeter. There's an air gap at left side where the +12Vdc and ground attach to the Centech, and around the top/front portion facing front of bike. Centech is mounted to an aluminum plate, which in turn is mounted to airbox, with airgap on the bottom. Hopefully that's enough air access to prevent condensation. Time will tell.

Aluminum foil would work too, though using a nonconductive material is a safer bet.

The thing I don't like about the Centech is how much room is required to route the wires into it's clamp connectors on power and ground sides. I've been looking for some type of crimp-on terminal that provide 90-degree pin (like speaker terminal pin) to insert into the Centech and allow better routing of wires without sharp bends and potential wire fatigue failure.

[abglenn]

Prior to installation, I masked-off the bottom AP-1 case perimeter, then applied 4-coats of "Performix" Plasti Dip rubber coating spray paint which can be purchased at any home improvement store. Sealed the bottom great and now you can't even feel those protruding pin points. If you use this stuff, take care during removal of the masking tape because it may tear the rubberozed paint edge. Anyway, the bottom is totally protected, but the case cover is not.

[sweatmark]

abglenn- good tip re: the bottom of that Centech circuit board!

[Happy Rider]

Hi everyone:
Thanks for all the good advice, I installed the fuse box last weekend and it worked like a charm. Real good board.
Martin

[Jayken]

Hi Martin, Do you have any pics on the install, I am thinking about a AP-2 box, where did you mount the box? BTW I have the same 2004 R in the same color.
regards

[Happy Rider]

Hi Martin, Do you have any pics on the install, I am thinking about a AP-2 box, where did you mount the box? BTW I have the same 2004 R in the same color.
regards

I mounted it the same way as shown by Taosports (Michael) at the bottom of the first page. I had no aluminum but a piece of thin sheet metal to mount the unit on. Also, I got the bike with PIAA lights and an Autoswitch. The switch is mounted right by the fuse/relay box and I used the switched power going to the Autoswitch to connect the trigger wire of the relay for the Centech. I did not take pictures so far but the next time I take the seat off, I will do so and post them here.

Great choice of color for your bike
Martin