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Wirring of my Zumo 550

spydrn

New member
Don't know if this as been discussed yet. I was looking at my Zumo today and deciding on how to wire it. I know to make the music work it has to be hard wired. What is the best way to wire it up. I am pretty much a Griswald when it comes to these things. This is the first thing that I have gotten for the spyder...:yes:
 
I'm guessing the 550 comes with the same connections like the 660, so I am using parts from Powerlet and I have added a powered tank bag that I connect everything up to. I think I copied the idea from Scotty, but cant remember. Real easy to use and the battery connection stays and you add/remove things you want to power. I have had AAA battery chargers/GPS/Radar detector all hooked up with no issues. I think thier link was www.powerletproducts.com. I used this to start http://www.powerletproducts.com/product/basic-luggage-electrix-tankbag-saddlebag-power-kit/288
 
I'm guessing the 550 comes with the same connections like the 660, so I am using parts from Powerlet and I have added a powered tank bag that I connect everything up to. I think I copied the idea from Scotty, but cant remember. Real easy to use and the battery connection stays and you add/remove things you want to power. I have had AAA battery chargers/GPS/Radar detector all hooked up with no issues. I think thier link was www.powerletproducts.com. I used this to start http://www.powerletproducts.com/product/basic-luggage-electrix-tankbag-saddlebag-power-kit/288
The tankbag connectors were from Deb (dltang).
 
Don't know if this as been discussed yet. I was looking at my Zumo today and deciding on how to wire it. I know to make the music work it has to be hard wired. What is the best way to wire it up. I am pretty much a Griswald when it comes to these things. This is the first thing that I have gotten for the spyder...:yes:

Wire it directly to the battery...then you never have to worry about it. Also, get the locking mechanism from garmin for the cradle...if someone takes your cradle, you're SOL...with the locking nut, they can't easily get it off...for like $25.00, it's well worth it...
 
If you wire your Zumo directly to the battery you could theoretically run your battery down if you forget to turn it off. I have only seen one post from someone who did that. Posts from people who have done it both ways can be found if you search this site. I wired mine into an accessory fuse box that is powered by the switched circuit that is used for the BRP accessory outlet. There are also lots of mounting options that would be turned up in a search. Good Luck. :thumbup:
Ryde Safe and Enjoy :spyder:
 
If you wire your Zumo directly to the battery you could theoretically run your battery down if you forget to turn it off. I have only seen one post from someone who did that. Posts from people who have done it both ways can be found if you search this site. I wired mine into an accessory fuse box that is powered by the switched circuit that is used for the BRP accessory outlet. There are also lots of mounting options that would be turned up in a search. Good Luck. :thumbup:
Ryde Safe and Enjoy :spyder:

True, but if you leave the garmin attached, it'll likely get stolen before anything else...I have had my hardwired since day one. It NEVER stays on the bike when it is parked, anywhere, including my garage...I always take it off and bring it inside or just leave it in the trunk...if you hardwire it, you'll never have an issue with anything getting in the way of its function...the more complicated the connection, the more room for error...if you add a fuse, you add a potential headache...take, for example, lots of humidity or water shorting something out...who knows? With a direct connection, never an issue with that...JMHO...it's working great for me, no problems...
 
I would never recommend wiring any electrical accessory to any vehicle without an in-line fuse or having it go through a fuse block. My peace of mind & my vehicles are worth far more than any problem that may bring. Anyway, I've rarely had a bad fuse turn out to be the problem. I have had fuses blow as designed & protected my investment.

Fortunately, as I have grown older & wiser, that has happened with far less frequency than when I was young and inexperienced...
 
Go with the Can-am Power Bus System from evoluzione.net

My recommendation is to go with the can-am power bus system from evoluzione.net

application: Spyder sm5 ('08/'09), Spyder se5 (2009)
p/n 88010

This power bus system is designed to add up to six switched power terminals, each with it's own blade type fuse. the system also has a master fuse protecting the whole system and is rated at 30 amps total. the main unit is located behind the gauges where it is well protected yet easily accessible for both wiring and fuse replacement. the complete kit includes all necessary wiring, relay, fuse block, assorted fuses and mounting hardware.

http://www.evoluzione.net/evo-cycle-can-am.htm

It is easy to install and the directions are clear. By using this set up you can hook up to 6 items to the bus. I ran my 550 to this as well as a powerlet outlet, my Zoomback locator power, and the truck power outlet.

Good product.

Mole :spyder2:
 
I would never recommend wiring any electrical accessory to any vehicle without an in-line fuse or having it go through a fuse block. My peace of mind & my vehicles are worth far more than any problem that may bring. Anyway, I've rarely had a bad fuse turn out to be the problem. I have had fuses blow as designed & protected my investment.

Fortunately, as I have grown older & wiser, that has happened with far less frequency than when I was young and inexperienced...
:agree: An electrical circuit without a fuse, especially with small wire, is a fire just waiting to happen. Which do you value more, your GPS or your Spyder? BTW, a fuse will protect both.
 
:agree: An electrical circuit without a fuse, especially with small wire, is a fire just waiting to happen. Which do you value more, your GPS or your Spyder? BTW, a fuse will protect both.

Disagree Scotty (respectfully, or course). I checked everyone online, esp. other biking forums, and it's about half and half...many put it right to the battery, such as this one...

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17501

This thread has some good information as well:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r1100s-r1200s-tech-forum/517904-gps-hardwire.html


I checked for any and everything that would even remotely relate to a GPS and dangers to hard-wiring and I cannot find anything. I think it really comes down to preference, not safety. If you want to turn off your GPS (or hit the prompt) every time you stop, then go through a fuse, if you want the convenience of keeping it on, then hard-wire it and go. There simply isn't any data regarding fires, frying of the unit, etc...with a direct connect...I've had mine hard-wired since I got the Spyder and haven't had a problem...I've been in 1.5 hour serious thunderstorms with my GPS, and no problems...I do not see a problem with connecting it directly to the battery...I like having it on and whenever I want to turn it off, I remove it anyway...don't want it off while fueling up (don't need to if directly wired)...with a GPS, the most important thing to do is to take the thing with you whenever you leave your ride...never leave it on as you're inviting someone to take it...
 
Disagree Scotty (respectfully, or course). I checked everyone online, esp. other biking forums, and it's about half and half...many put it right to the battery, such as this one...

http://www.pashnit.com/forum/showthread.php?t=17501

This thread has some good information as well:

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/bmw-r1100s-r1200s-tech-forum/517904-gps-hardwire.html


I checked for any and everything that would even remotely relate to a GPS and dangers to hard-wiring and I cannot find anything. I think it really comes down to preference, not safety. If you want to turn off your GPS (or hit the prompt) every time you stop, then go through a fuse, if you want the convenience of keeping it on, then hard-wire it and go. There simply isn't any data regarding fires, frying of the unit, etc...with a direct connect...I've had mine hard-wired since I got the Spyder and haven't had a problem...I've been in 1.5 hour serious thunderstorms with my GPS, and no problems...I do not see a problem with connecting it directly to the battery...I like having it on and whenever I want to turn it off, I remove it anyway...don't want it off while fueling up (don't need to if directly wired)...with a GPS, the most important thing to do is to take the thing with you whenever you leave your ride...never leave it on as you're inviting someone to take it...
Well, no matter what anybody does, I still don't believe in unfused circuits. I've seen too many fires. Please understand that the presence of a fuse does not keep the circuit from being hot all the time, as long as the fuse is installed and intact. It is where you run the wire, not how, that determines when the circuit is hot. A 22-24 gauge wire attached directly to a battery is an accident just waiting to happen. All it takes is a short in the GPS or in the wire to start a fire. BTW, my GPS specifies installing an inline fuse in the power wire, doesn't yours? :D Mine is fused, but on all the time, BTW.
 
Well, no matter what anybody does, I still don't believe in unfused circuits. I've seen too many fires. Please understand that the presence of a fuse does not keep the circuit from being hot all the time, as long as the fuse is installed and intact. It is where you run the wire, not how, that determines when the circuit is hot. A 22-24 gauge wire attached directly to a battery is an accident just waiting to happen. All it takes is a short in the GPS or in the wire to start a fire. BTW, my GPS specifies installing an inline fuse in the power wire, doesn't yours? :D Mine is fused, but on all the time, BTW.

Have the zumo 550...doesn't say one way or the other...has a bunch of do's and don'ts, but doesn't mention this topic...
 
Well, no matter what anybody does, I still don't believe in unfused circuits. I've seen too many fires. Please understand that the presence of a fuse does not keep the circuit from being hot all the time, as long as the fuse is installed and intact. It is where you run the wire, not how, that determines when the circuit is hot. A 22-24 gauge wire attached directly to a battery is an accident just waiting to happen. All it takes is a short in the GPS or in the wire to start a fire. BTW, my GPS specifies installing an inline fuse in the power wire, doesn't yours? :D Mine is fused, but on all the time, BTW.

I wrote Garmin...will let you know their response when I get one...
 
Have the zumo 550...doesn't say one way or the other...has a bunch of do's and don'ts, but doesn't mention this topic...

Your Zumo has a fuse built into the plug that goes in your cigarette lighter. They've already taken care of it. As far as the motorcycle mount goes, it has a blade-type in-line fuse.

How you wire it in, rather in a switched circuit (only energized while the key is on) or direct to the battery, is a personal choice. For the safety sake of both the Zumo & Spyder, make sure that fuse is in place near the place it is attached to the source to provide proper protection. A misrouted wire that rubs against the frame until the insulation is breached will cause either the fuse to blow, if equipped with one, or the wire to burn if not equipped with a fuse, which can be catastrophic to all concerned.
 
Let me get this straight...without going in the cold garage and looking, are you saying that the Zumo 550 comes with a fuse already intact and when the dealer installed the Zumo onto the bike, it is already protected? Why, then, does it not turn off when the key is taken out?

A fuse has nothing to do with how the power comes to the Zumo (whether through a switched source or a source that is hot all the time), it just protects the Zumo & bike if there is a surge, as in a short. You can wire it either way & still have the fuse in place.

What you might consider doing is to look where the Zumo power cord connects to it's power source, & you should find the in-line fuse near that attachment point, provided the wire is part of the original Zumo supplied power cord & the dealer didn't cut the fuse off. That way, if the fuse were to blow, you'll already know 1) where it is located, & 2) what size fuse to carry as a spare.

If the in-line fuse is a different type than what the Spyder already uses in the fuse box, you might decide to cut out the in-line fuse that came with the Zumo & wire in one that uses the same type the Spyder uses. Just make sure it has the same amp rating as the original. I did that when I installed the Hondaline heated grips on my Goldwing. This makes carrying spares easier since your Zumo might use the same amp fuse as one of the Spyder's fuses. If you have a spare for one, you'd have it for both.
 
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