Hey all,

So I finished my first ever mod to my '07GS.  I installed a 12V power outlet for a trip I'm planning next week.  Basically, I followed the directions laid out by Kerry from the Wiki.  I'm going to go ahead and describe what I did (even though it is described very well in the wiki).  I was personally proud of my feat (new to the whole build things from scratch game).

Here goes:

Went to Walmart and bought a 12V power outlet (pos and neg wires already distinguished), a mini fuse (20G), some 14 gauge wire, some zap ties and some connections.

1. First thing I did was find a place to install the power outlet.  I ended up zap tying it one of the brackets the seat rests on.  (sorry for the out of focus pic)



2. I then started my wiring.  Ran the live (pos) wire and attached it to the battery terminal.  I slipped the connector right under the protective cover.  Also installed a 20G mini fuse.



3. With the negative feed, I initially hooked it right to the negative terminal.  Plugged in my GPS and it worked.  However, I realized that when I shut my bike down (key in off position), the GPS was still drawing power from the battery.  I didn't like this, so I decided to install a switch to break the circuit when not in use.  I zap strapped it to the frame just above the right side rear passenger peg.



4.  Then I tidied things up and ran the GPS power cord along the frame under the tank to my Ram GPS mount.



5.  I liked how neat to turned out.  Not a lot of wires running everywhere.  The only component visible is the switch.  Again, I know this isn't the grandest of mods, but I still felt like sharing it...so sue me 



I ended up self teaching myself a little about circuits and electronics on bikes (mostly from GSTWIN).  If you notice anything that I've done that is grossly wrong or might get me blown up...PLEASE let me know 

tbh i wouldnt run the ground to teh neg terminal. ( potential for a short cercuit. ), but teh fuse will take care of that.) anyhoo i wired mine in. in almost the same location ( for my onboard camera), but grounded it to the screw where teh rear plastics screw in. ( and it works too)

Congrats!

Looks good.  Just remember rule #1:  don't be afraid to try things you don't know how to do.  You can't mess it up as bad as you think.  I'm not sure you'd ever blow that 20A (I assume) fuse with a 14 gauge wire.  Did you want to find a way to "hide" the switch?

Again, keep up the good work.   

Quote from: pennstump on July 06, 2008, 12:20:58 AM
Congrats!

Looks good.  Just remember rule #1:  don't be afraid to try things you don't know how to do.  You can't mess it up as bad as you think.  I'm not sure you'd ever blow that 20A (I assume) fuse with a 14 gauge wire.  Did you want to find a way to "hide" the switch?

Again, keep up the good work.   

Thanks!

I assume there is probably somewhere where its tucked under the faring.  I'm thinking of putting nitro label on it... 

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on July 06, 2008, 12:19:35 AM
tbh i wouldnt run the ground to teh neg terminal. ( potential for a short cercuit. ), but teh fuse will take care of that.) anyhoo i wired mine in. in almost the same location ( for my onboard camera), but grounded it to the screw where teh rear plastics screw in. ( and it works too)

Thanks for the input.  I found a place to hook up my ground.  Its a bolt that looks like its attached the cradle for the battery to the frame.  So, it was close and I didn't have to re-wire anything. 

does the outlet have one of those  rubber caps over the end of it?, to close it off from the weather when not in use?, the one i got from advanced auto parts, lol, does, . anyhoo was wondering

Nice mod.  I've got this on my list too.

Anyone find creative ways to hide a switch?

No need to wire it to a switch if you run it off the ignition switched power lead in your headlight 

Quote from: SIKDMAX on July 06, 2008, 11:33:46 AM
No need to wire it to a switch if you run it off the ignition switched power lead in your headlight 

Was asking cause there's a feature I'm adding to my bike and was looking for creative ways to conceal a switch.

Thanks.

Quote from: yamahonkawazuki on July 06, 2008, 10:01:02 AM
does the outlet have one of those  rubber caps over the end of it?, to close it off from the weather when not in use?, the one i got from advanced auto parts, lol, does, . anyhoo was wondering

Yes, it does.

good. that will be a bonus. im going to relocate mine, here in the enxt few days, more toward teh rear of the bike ( prolly in the tool tray), and carry the PVR in my jacket pocket

Only thing I would add is rethink the 20 amp fuse.
20 amps is a lot of current.  I would bet your GPS draws less than one amp.
A lot of things can melt/fry at 20 amps.
I would think about 2-5 amp fuse.

birdman

Can't quite tell if you ran the power cable between the tank and the frame but be careful of the tank crimping the wires and causing a short circuit.

Quote from: ATLRIDER on July 06, 2008, 10:04:31 AM
Nice mod.  I've got this on my list too.

Anyone find creative ways to hide a switch?

Wire it through a relay switched by the headlight or taillight.  That way it's on when the ignition is on ONLY.  I did mine that way.  I'll take pictures one of these days.

Quote from: SIKDMAX on July 06, 2008, 11:33:46 AM
No need to wire it to a switch if you run it off the ignition switched power lead in your headlight 

WOW!! That's such a simple concept but no one (at least not me) would ever think of that!  Thanks for the tip!

what gps unit are you loving or hating ? have you had a trip with it yet ? impressions, etc ?

nice write up, nice information.