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Wiring a GPS into the ignition system

Posted: Sat Nov 12, 2011 11:40 pm
by banner001
Hi guys, i have my GPS powered directly from the battery, it goes through a modifier that drops the voltage down to (i think) 5V and ends in a mini-USB connector.

At the moment the system is "always on", there is minimal drain and i use the bike everyday so the battery is always fully charged, but i am wondering if there is a way to power the GPS only when the ignition is on?

Can i just connect it up to the ignition wires, or will it cause a drain on the ignition system? BTW my knowledge/skill around electronics is not brilliant so make your answers as idiot-proof as possible please :D

Re: Wiring a GPS into the ignition system

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 1:10 am
by Mori Man
Check the wiring diagrame in the workshop manual, follow the ignition barrel main loom down to it's block connector there you will get access to a brown wire (heavy guaged) that is a switched live - tap into that and the unit will only come on when you turn the key. The White wire is a constant live if it has a seperate memory power cable.

Check these colours are right with the wiring diagrame.

Failing that buy an on/off flip switch and wire into your constant live and mount in an easy accessable place and manually switch it off.

MM!

Re: Wiring a GPS into the ignition system

Posted: Sun Nov 13, 2011 8:24 pm
by banner001
hmmm on/off might be the easier option, im sticking in a lithium battery instead of the lead acid and "i have heard" that the lithium battery's dont like to have things like immobilisers hooked up to them, so i thought the inactive gps mower modifier probably draws a similar current, and would be in a similar position.

if someone has a lithium battery and can shed more light on this that would be ideal...

Re: Wiring a GPS into the ignition system

Posted: Mon Nov 14, 2011 12:07 am
by Mori Man
Buying one of the composite carbon fibre Lithium batteries today :smt003

Shorai LFX14A2

weighs nothing !

http://www.shoraipower.com/p-152-lfx14a2-bs12.aspx

There's plenty info on them if you google , 2yr warranty so I am taking the plunge. I know several users with them in ZRX11/1200s with the only issue being cold starts on cold days, like 3'c cold but it seems a few attempts to start and leave for 30secs with ignition on then try again and it spins the motor fine.

My bike isn't urgent use in winter that's what the car is for :smt005

MM!

Re: Wiring a GPS into the ignition system

Posted: Wed Nov 16, 2011 11:13 pm
by banner001
so it should easity be able to spin up a 400...im still dubious as the the claims ive heard that they dont do well with small drains on them, dont wanna find out its died on me suddenly :D