v7 GPS connector

[Zinfan]

So I found the GPS connector and would love to use it with my Zumo 550.  I'm thinking I could splice the matching connector onto my Zumo cradle power line and then just plug it into the existing V7 connector.  This would allow me to take the cradle off quickly when security may be an issue or if I just don't want it on the bike that day.  Any one know what type of connector is on the GPS line and where I might find it's mate?

[GuzziKevin]

Any luck in figuring this out? Is there a picture of the plug somewhere?

[Zinfan]

Any luck in figuring this out? Is there a picture of the plug somewhere?

Nope but an electronics repair store said they could either splice into the cable leaving that connector attached or just replace it all together with another waterproof style connector that they have both ends for.  I can take a pic of the connector if you like, it is easy to find next to the headlight on the V7.

[Kiwi_Roy]

Be aware most GPSs run on 5VDC, if you pull the plug apart you will find a tiny converter inside. As long s you keep that in the circuit you can wire it however you wish.

[Zinfan]

Be aware most GPSs run on 5VDC, if you pull the plug apart you will find a tiny converter inside. As long s you keep that in the circuit you can wire it however you wish.

The shop tested the connection at 12 VDC switched so this may be a different style.

[GuzziKevin]

Depending on the mount you use, it may convert the voltage down to 5v from 12v. I'm picking up my V7 this weekend and I plan to use a Garmin Montana with the rugged mount and from what I've read so far, it will do the conversion. Maybe I can take the mount apart and look inside to see if that's the case. I have a multimeter to test with as well. Depending on what the plug looks like, I may just splice it in if I can't find a matching plug from Radio Shack. Still, I think it's cool they include that plug.

[Zinfan]

I plan on using the wire with a Garmin Zumo 550 cradle so that might do the same thing.  The wiring for the cradle has a 2 amp fuse on it and I'll need to get that spliced in as well as the GPS power line is hooked up to a 15 Amp fuse and I want the 2 amp fuse in line to protect the GPS.  I'll try to get a picture up tomorrow of the connector.

[lomax]

I am going to hook up my Zumo 550 to the bike as soon as I get some mounts in.

Pray tell, where did you find the GPS connector, any pictures of it?

I normally just hook the GPS directly to the battery but if there is already a circuit and I don't have to take off the tank, that would be just fine with me.  ;-T

Marc

[Zinfan]

I am going to hook up my Zumo 550 to the bike as soon as I get some mounts in.

Pray tell, where did you find the GPS connector, any pictures of it?

I normally just hook the GPS directly to the battery but if there is already a circuit and I don't have to take off the tank, that would be just fine with me.  ;-T

Marc

Sorry!  Forgot to post the pics,  I swear I'll get them up tomorrow, I've already taken them but am at work now.  The connector will be just to the left of the head light if you are looking at the bike from the front towards the back, it is tuck in a bit and right next to the cable that runs into the dash.

[pyoungbl]

Your Garmin will come with a wiring harness that is set up to drop the voltage from 12V to the correct voltage.  It does not matter where you tap into 12V power, just don't try to cut the Garmin harness short because that will screw up the GPS.  I'm running a Zumo on each bike (Stelvio and V7S).  On the Stelvio I went with the OEM GPS circuit, on the V7 I did not know about the GPS circuit so am going through a fuze block.  In each case I had to bundle up more wire than I really wanted due to the voltage issue.  The GPS mount itself does not drop the voltage.

Peter Y.

[Zinfan]

Here is the GPS Connector.



And here is where it resides, it is hard to see but you can just see a bit of green to the right of the 12/12 lettering on the gray cable.

[Zinfan]

Your Garmin will come with a wiring harness that is set up to drop the voltage from 12V to the correct voltage.  It does not matter where you tap into 12V power, just don't try to cut the Garmin harness short because that will screw up the GPS.  I'm running a Zumo on each bike (Stelvio and V7S).  On the Stelvio I went with the OEM GPS circuit, on the V7 I did not know about the GPS circuit so am going through a fuze block.  In each case I had to bundle up more wire than I really wanted due to the voltage issue.  The GPS mount itself does not drop the voltage.

Peter Y.

hmm interesting about the wiring setting the voltage, I had no idea so thanks very much for that.  That is a bummer since just as you said it comes with a lot of wire that I had hoped to not need.  A fuse block sounds nice, may I ask where you installed it? 

[GuzziKevin]

Thanks for the pictures. That is an interesting plug, I've never seen anything like it. I'll check Radio Shack but I don't think I'll find its match. I'm considering using Posi-Tap connectors to tap into the wire without the need to cut the existing plug. Here's what they look like and I'm hoping they can be found at Radio Shack or Auto Zone.

http://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/Elec__Products/Posi-Lock/posi-lock.html

On another note, I've done switched fuse blocks in the past. I've used the three circuit solution from Eastern Beaver on a few bikes without issue. Usually for GPS, voltmeter and heated grips. I have always found a spot somewhere under the seat.

[sign216]

Kevin,

I just used a Posi-Tap to tap into a parking light wire, to mount a voltmeter.  And also used them in the past for other things.  They work well, and allow you to non-destructively tap into the wiring harness.

They get my vote.

Joe

[bigtex]

A fuse block sounds nice, may I ask where you installed it? 

Mounted mine under the seat, decided there was just enough room to mount it just forward of the tool tray on a small riser bracket.



I used the GPS plug for my GPS, but the fuse block handles the aux lights, radar detector, and USB plug.  And who knows what future silly farkle I may come up with.

[Wayne Orwig]

hmm interesting about the wiring setting the voltage, I had no idea so thanks very much for that.  That is a bummer since just as you said it comes with a lot of wire that I had hoped to not need.

Just to be clear, it is not the literal wire itself that sets the voltage. It is a device in the wire, usually a small box, or built into the connector, that sets the voltage. You shouldn't have any problem modifying the wire length as long as you leave any regulators alone.

[Penderic]

I made this ridiculous complicated bracket to fit my o9 Classic.



I have my heated handgrips on a switched fused circuit, an always on alarm circuit and my switched fused gps adapter (room for all ... barely!)

[GuzziKevin]

It may be complicated but it looks cool. What kind of switch are you using for your grips? When I have installed grips on bikes in the past I've usually had a panel to drill into but I'm not sure what to do with the V7.

[Penderic]

I got the Oxfords with the little square controller mounted to the left mirror mount ... good quality - nice and warm for the hands.  ;-T

I dropped the gps auto plug and converter unit, along with the other box -thing controller part of the Oxford heated grip setup - into the gap beside the battery and rear fender .... fits!  :P


Before the accessory fuse panel:  :o


And after: and the stock fuse panel goes back into its original position.  8)

[Moto Fugazzi]

The FuzeBlocks are nice-I have them on my bikes.
I also added a cig lighter up front for misc. electricals    http://wildguzzi.com/forum/index.php?topic=45758.0
Ken

[Zinfan]

Just ordered up a Fuzeblock for the V7.  Thanks for all the info and pics.  I'm thinking I'll use the GPS wire to power the Zumo and run some other stuff off the Fuzeblock, things like heated grips/cig lighter plug for charging stuff etc.

[pyoungbl]

  A fuse block sounds nice, may I ask where you installed it? 

My bike is a single throttle body V7 Special so the open space under the seat is now the air box.  As a result I mounted my fuze block behind the left side panel.  There's lots of room.  I hung my mounting plate from the upper frame member just above the side panel, using pipe hangers.  So far I have the GPS, battery tender, and horns going through the fuze block.  Heated gear is next, followed by LED aux lights.  Oh, also using the FZ1 from Fuzeblocks.com. 

Peter Y.

[Zinfan]

My bike is a single throttle body V7 Special so the open space under the seat is now the air box.  As a result I mounted my fuze block behind the left side panel.  There's lots of room.  I hung my mounting plate from the upper frame member just above the side panel, using pipe hangers.  So far I have the GPS, battery tender, and horns going through the fuze block.  Heated gear is next, followed by LED aux lights.  Oh, also using the FZ1 from Fuzeblocks.com. 

Peter Y.

The FZ-1 is what I ordered from them.  Are you worried about over taxing the abilities of the charging system of the V7 when adding things like heated grips/gear?  I know LED lights don't add much draw.

[rboe]

Here is the GPS Connector.



And here is where it resides, it is hard to see but you can just see a bit of green to the right of the 12/12 lettering on the gray cable.

Does anyone know what and where to get the matching socket that mates with the green port on the bike? If I had one of those I could use it to attach a USB port and plug my GPS into that.

[pyoungbl]

Are you worried about over taxing the abilities of the charging system of the V7 when adding things like heated grips/gear?  

Well, Guzzi says the charging system puts out 350 watts.  My experience with a G650GS (BMW thumper) with more rated capacity says that there is reason for concern any time you get below about 3500 rpm if you are running the heated gear.  Honestly, I would like to install a voltmeter so I can see what's going on but I have yet to figure out where to put the meter without making a mess of how clean the bike looks now.  On the BMW I could clearly see when the fan kicked in (drop of almost 1V) or when the heated gear cycled.  One thing to consider is using a pulsed controller for the heated gear.  I think that Powerlet, WarmNSafe, and Gerbing are all pulsed now.  The pulsed controller sends a charge to the heated gear and that pulse is a longer or shorter part of a second depending on how you have set it.  That way, if you only need moderate heat you can send a small pulse (thus less drain on your electrical system).  On a really cold day you can crank it up but be advised that if you are also creeping along on a fire trail you are heading for electrical trouble.

Just to be clear, on an earlier post I said that the Garmin wiring is what brings the voltage down to what you need...I probably should have been more specific.  The Garmin wiring harness has a lump built into the + wire.  That lump is about the size of the terminal digit on my little finger.  The lump is what is bringing the voltage down to 5V.  You can chop up the harness all you want but do not eliminate this critical bit of kit or you will fry your GPS.

As for the correct plug to mate up with the Guzzi OEM GPS plug, I'm sure someone here will figure that out and we can all benefit from having the correct mate.  FWIW, BMW lists similar connectors for various bits on their bikes and you can get the matching plug, already wired.  I suspect these are AMP plugs but I seem to recall them being made up to mate to Tom-Tom GPS units.  

Peter Y.

[GuzziKevin]

I think the connector might work with a Tom Tom Rider but it's hard to tell from the picture:

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000EEXMNO/ref=ox_sc_sfl_title_1?ie=UTF8&psc=1&smid=A2QDQQXLQ5UXT6

I did some searching and this thread is what makes me think it's a Tom Tom Rider plug:

http://forum.guzzitech.com/forum/163/2453?start=10?view=print

A few years ago I went down a forest road on a V-Strom with both Gerbing vest and heated grips on high. Coasted all the way down... I shut the bike off and it wouldn't start because I'd killed the battery. I was able to bump start it but ever since then I've always had a voltmeter and I check the voltage before I shut the bike off.

I have run heated grips and the Gerbings on high on a KLX 250 and never had a problem, but I've always had a voltmeter and I always shut that everything off a few minutes before I kill the engine.

I'm not sure where to install a voltmeter on the V7. Maybe cut a rectangle right next to the Guzzi badge on the dash and install a Datel meter. But, I really love the looks of the bike as-is and hate to think about cutting anything on it. A Kuryakyn like this has worked well for me, too, and mounts with double-sided sticky tape.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000GU5WNO/ref=oh_details_o08_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Here is another idea for a mounting location:

http://www.amazon.com/Kuryakyn-4219-Chrome-L-E-D-Battery/dp/B000GU5WO8/ref=sr_1_10?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1376826664&sr=1-10&keywords=battery+gauge

[cbeaner007]

I just ordered the FZ-1 for my V7 Stone and I have a quick question.  Is there a switched wire that's easy to get to, preferably somewhere near the battery.  I would like to limit the number of wires I run forward if I can.  I'm already adding the Denali DM-1 driving lights and a Kuryakyn usb port up front and may add a volt meter at the same time.  Just wondering what everyone else used for the switched input lead.  Thanks!

CW

[bigtex]

I tapped the tail light, yellow wire if I remember correctly.  The rear wire bundle is just behind the battery and was easy to access.

[MGPilot]

I just finished mounting a TomTom 400 to my V7.

Used the green connector behind the headlight.

Yes, I can hack into the electrical system, but in thinking about the next owner of the bike, I'd rather use a plug and the factory wiring.

Although (I assume) you can get the part through any Mercedes dealer, I ordered 230-540-01-66 through Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis (www.getmercedespart s.com) which gives you the female socket for the green plug behind the headlight.

The connector was $16 -- but they charged me $2 handling & $12.54 shipping -- for about a one ounce connector that could have been dropped into an envelope.

Anyway, this can give you a base price comparison if you contact a local dealer.

[GuzziKevin]

I just finished mounting a TomTom 400 to my V7.

Used the green connector behind the headlight.

Yes, I can hack into the electrical system, but in thinking about the next owner of the bike, I'd rather use a plug and the factory wiring.

Although (I assume) you can get the part through any Mercedes dealer, I ordered 230-540-01-66 through Mercedes-Benz of Annapolis (www.getmercedespart s.com) which gives you the female socket for the green plug behind the headlight.

The connector was $16 -- but they charged me $2 handling & $12.54 shipping -- for about a one ounce connector that could have been dropped into an envelope.

Anyway, this can give you a base price comparison if you contact a local dealer.

I'm not sure how you found the part number or what led you to Mercedes but many thanks for posting it. I've been searching for it for quite a while without any luck.