Power Source Install

[biscuitsngravy]

I'm installing a power source to run my GPS off the Nomad circuit instead of just using the GPS battery. I have a power source that looks like a cigarette lighter but has a cap on it. I also have a fuse to put between the power source and a hot wire.

I thought that using a hot wire from the headlight bucket would be the most logical because I don't want the circuit to be hot when the bike is turned off. What hot wire should I use? What color is it? And which wire is a ground wire?

Thanks,
BnG

[caddman11]

The wire I attached to I think is blue/yellow, someone will pipe in if I got the color wrong, but it's always hot. :-/ I just grounded to one of the bolts in the bottom of the headlight bucket. http://s2.images.proboards.com/grin.gif

[butch]

I did the same, but I ran a separate ground wire from the bucket bolt to the bike frame to make sure I wasn't relying on a ground thru the steering bearings.

[ringadingh]

Wouldn't you rather have the plug hot all the time? Thats how I wired mine in. You could use the spare wires under the tank or under the seat. They are already fused but not switched.

[Yellow Jacket]

Any wire which is black with a yellow stripe is a ground wire.

There is an accessory outlet in the headlight bucket with a fused 12v source along with a ground wire. This is not a switched power source however.

If you want to connect to a switched source I would suggest the running light circuit which is a red with blue stripe wire.

[nomad561]

I used the accessory wiring in the bucket. It is already fused and easily accessible. I don't remember the colors but the wires were noted in my owners manual.

[biscuitsngravy]

Thank you all! Another reason this forum is the best ever!
BnG

[moenko]

As long as you only use the outlet for your GPS, I feel okay about it. When I had my Suzuki C50, you could NOT use the accessory plug for anything pulling too much juice as it would cause the ignition switch to overheat and eventually fail.

I carry a 12-V air compressor in my bag on long rides (along with Slime) which draws 150 Watts - because of that I wired my 12-Volt outlet directly to the battery with a 20A fuse (and matching wire size - very important!!!!). Peace of mind - the last thing anyone wants to do is to overtax their electrical circuits. (I know next to nothing about engines, but fortunately electricity is one of my friends ;) )

In my case, the outlet is always "hot". If you like it to be hot only when the engine is running, consider a relay. I did a write-up on that subject on the Volusiariders site at one point:

http://www.volusiariders.com/viewtopic.php?t=65658&highlight=