TomTom Rider - power off bike

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 8:19 am

Hi,

I've ordered a TomTom Rider which I understand can be hardwired to the bike to draw power - it's not arrived yet, so I haven't seen the manual - but could you tell me where specifically can I wire it into on the bike?

I have a 2005 R850R Classic/Comfort, but no manual or wiring diagram. I'm guessing the options are either direct to the battery with an inline fuse, or somewhere off the loom near the front - anyone already done this please?

Grateful for any tips!

jonothan · Post by **jonothan** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 9:00 am

I would be grateful for any tips myself when you get yours sorted.

I'm hoping to buy one soon myself.

J

JerryTreeXprt · Post by **JerryTreeXprt** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 9:34 am

I just hooked up my Garmin 2610 on my 1100S. I was able to splice into a hot lead and ground that go to the relay for my dual Fiamm horns. Nice 'n' easy since it's right up front and it's already got an inline fuse right off of the battery. It's got power all the time so I can mess with it while I'm stopped.
As far as mounting it on the bike, here is how I did it. May be a bit different on the 1150R since it has the tubular bars. After mounting, I realized that I should've mounted it on the left side of the bike so I don't have to reach for it if I need to play with it on the fly. Since I cut the cable to the length I need I'll check it out as is and see if it's annoying enough to warrant a change.
If you want to see the wiring for the horn, go here and scroll down the page-many pics and good description of the whole process.

Post by **chibbert** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 8:12 pm

I have a Garmin 2610 too.
I hard-wired it to the backside of the auxillary power port (or powerlet) on the left side fo the bike. an allen wrench removes the cover and then you can just splice into the wires there. THis also provides constant power.

Good luck

prpbmw · Post by **prpbmw** » Sat Feb 11, 2006 8:43 pm

I got the lead from a battery tender, and ran it to the handlebars.

Spliced another connector to the cig lighter adapter for my garmin.

Also, any 12 volt device can be used, simply by splicing the connector to the power cord.

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:44 am

Having had a look under the front, do you think running it off the horn is a good idea? - its about the right distance away from the bars & isn't hugely critical to the running of the bike if something goes wrong.

There look to be two leads - a brown & a green/yellow - which one's positive / negative please? Apologies for the numpty questions, must get a Clymer...

Thanks!

acejones · Post by **acejones** » Sun Feb 12, 2006 9:14 pm

Browns neg (ground)

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 9:23 am

This is the best way to add power for an accessory, IMO, because it is simple and secure, and involves no cutting of wires. I suggest that you connect to a non-essential, keyed power circuit, such as the one for the heated grips. It is really simple to do this:

http://www.partsexpress.com/pe/showdetl ... er=071-580

Assuming the TomTom does not draw much power, you can just hook the negative of the GPS unit to ground and the positive to the red wire on this circuit. You can only draw a few amps on this, though. If you are powering something more substantial, such as driving lights, you must use a relay.

JerryTreeXprt · Post by **JerryTreeXprt** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 2:41 pm

My power doesn't come directly from the horn, it is a fused hot lead directly off of the battery that runs to the relay for the aftermarket horns. rdsmith has a nice, easy add on as well. I'd avoid wiring to a keyed circuit and find an always on line so that you can mess with the gps and not have the key switched on while you're parked.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 3:39 pm

JerryTreeXprt wrote:My power doesn't come directly from the horn, it is a fused hot lead directly off of the battery that runs to the relay for the aftermarket horns. rdsmith has a nice, easy add on as well. I'd avoid wiring to a keyed circuit and find an always on line so that you can mess with the gps and not have the key switched on while you're parked.

Jerry

I don't actually own a GPS unit so I will defer to your judgment about always-on power. However, if you accidentally leave it on in your garage, would it run the batter down, or is the power draw very slight?

Post by **touchton** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:23 pm

As far as switched or unswitched power, it depends on the specific GPS unit. I've had two GPS' on my bike; a Garmin GPS V and now a Garmin 276C. The power management functions of each unit was different enough that on the GPS V I used unswitched power and on the 276C I use switched power.

Both units supported operating on battery or external power. The 276C has a rechargable battery and will automatically power down 30 seconds after external power is removed. It will also power up when external power is applied. It just made sense to use switched power for the 276C.

For unswitched power, I connect directly to the battery and use an inline fuse. For switched power, I use the device rdsimth3 suggested.

Post by **chibbert** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 6:20 pm

Hi Thad!

morrie · Post by **morrie** » Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:24 pm

Pardon my ignorance. What's a Tom Tom Rider?

I removed my tank ahd hard wired the GPS to the battery wth an inline fuse. I guess I did it the hard way from what I read here.

Post by **rdsmith3** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 8:05 am

Morrie,

Removing the tank is always my last resort. There are so many things that can go wrong that I don't tempt Murphy's law. The O rings on the fuel line disconnects can get messed up; the crimps on the disconnects can get messed up; the vent hoses can get switched; the tank can get dropped; the rubber-encased nuts can get deformed; and so on and so on.

With the little device I mentioned above, you just remove your seat, remove a fuse, and insert that thing, and you have a hot wire.

morrie · Post by **morrie** » Tue Feb 14, 2006 9:25 am

Bob,

That's good advice. I plan to order a couple of those to have on hand.

Thanks,

Morrie

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Wed Feb 15, 2006 8:41 am

Thanks for the replies & advice.

Ordered some ring-terminals & an inline fuse holder, but as the TomTom GPS arrived first, I decided to break in via the horn. I foolishly didn't check that it would run first off the battery directly & did a lot of head scratching when it wouldn't work when correctly wired in to the horn.

Nett result is that I have all the stuff I need to do this properly now, but needlessly chopped wires on my new bike and still have to wait for TomTom to ship me a replacement power cable ...

Ho-hum

hirsty · Post by **hirsty** » Mon Feb 20, 2006 3:11 pm

Dumb question - does anyone know if the battery icon changes whilst the TomTom Rider is powered off the bike?

Mine changes to a "filling-up" battery icon when charging off the mains, and my TomTom GO also has the same charging icon when running off the cigar-lighter in the car, but no dice on the Rider.

I've had a new bike power cable sent to me, but nothing doing - I'm just checking that the icon is supposed to change! If so, then I guess they'll send me a new cradle next...

Thanks in advance.

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TomTom Rider - power off bike

TomTom Rider - power off bike

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