Where to tap in for Autocom?

[RebeccaV]

I have an Autocom Pro-7 Sport that I would like to wire to bike power (using the Autocom wire harness). I would like to tap in somewhere that will be off when the bike is off and on when the bike is (duh) on. :)

It has to be 12v. I plan to mount the Autocom unit in the tail section, so I was thinking that the taillight would be best but I've also heard that this is not a good option.

I'd be interested to hear what others on this forum have done. TIA.

[cjack]

I have an Autocom Pro-7 Sport that I would like to wire to bike power (using the Autocom wire harness). I would like to tap in somewhere that will be off when the bike is off and on when the bike is (duh) on. :)

It has to be 12v. I plan to mount the Autocom unit in the tail section, so I was thinking that the taillight would be best but I've also heard that this is not a good option.

I'd be interested to hear what others on this forum have done. TIA.

You can use the tail light on your model bike. I don't know of any reason why not unless some think there is noise on the tail light circuit. The later bikes which monitor the tail light current to warn you that there is a bulb out are the ones which shouldn't have additional loads on it. Your tail light and parking light in the headlight comes from fuse #2 and are the only two loads on that fuse. I would use the ground there too, however the best ground is at the battery. Since your battery is sort of out of easy reach, try the tail light ground first. Noise is the only possible issue, say when the brake light goes on and off, etc. Whenever you use a ground that other loads go thru, there are possible noise issues due to other intermittant currents going thru the wire to the battery ground. The battery ground is always the cleanest, but try the tail light ground first for simplicity.

[The_Veg]

Also, don't forget at minimum a fuse on the power lead. Better still would be to use either light to close a relay that would switch accessory power from the battery. You could install a second fuse-box that runs on such an accessory relay. A little bit of work up front, but then future accessories need only be connected to an available curcuit in the box. :)

[RebeccaV]

You can use the tail light on your model bike. I don't know of any reason why not ...
1. Will tapping into the taillight interfere in any way with the ABS?
2. Will I lose power to the Autocom if my taillight bulb goes out?

These are the reasons that I was given to NOT tap into the taillight. Are they relavant?

[cjack]

1. Will tapping into the taillight interfere in any way with the ABS?
2. Will I lose power to the Autocom if my taillight bulb goes out?

These are the reasons that I was given to NOT tap into the taillight. Are they relavant?

No to both. Your R1100RS ABS doesn't involve the tail or brake light...like on the Integral Brake ABS system on the later bikes. Your tail and brake light circuit are just like the ones on the R90/6.

And, you will be adding a load (the Autocom) in parallel with the existing load which is the taillight bulb. It is the same as if you had two bulbs in parallel, if one goes out, the other one is still working. You will put your fused red wire from the Autocom on the hot wire to the taillight (I think gray/black) and your black wire from the Autocom to the ground (brown) wire on the bulb socket.

[wuli959]

Consider staying out of the ABS circuit by tapping into a switchable power source in your fuse box. Use a fuse tap to the existing fuse with the power lead from your autocom.

http://wulimaster.smugmug.com/photos/58198089-M.gif

[cjack]

tap into a switchable power source in your fuse box by a fuse tap to the existing fuse with the power lead from your autocom.
I'm not a fan of those. Some of them cause the fuse socket to spread wide and make it loose for future non tap use.

[wuli959]

I'm not a fan of those. Some of them cause the fuse socket to spread wide and make it loose for future non tap use.

That's a slight possiblity but if you use a single insert vs a wrap-around tap you'll minimize the spread that you're worried about and it give you a clean install.

[kbasa]

Autocom sells a little relay that will turn the unit off when the bike shuts off. If you don't have this, the Autocom will kill your battery in about 2 weeks of parked bike time. DAMHIK. :bluduh

I'd just pull the power from the tail light.

[wuli959]

This is what I was looking for (had to open my GS's fuse box) . . .

this is a simple way to add an additional fused circuit and not worry about deforming the fuse holder.

http://wulimaster.smugmug.com/photos/58227995-M.jpg

It replaces a fuse in your fuse box that has switched power and allows you to stack an additional fuse for an additon circuit. It's L shaped with the prongs of the unit going down into the fuse fitting and the fuses 90 degrees to the original position. works great for power requirements like a relay switch or autocom.

$3.99 at Autozone. Probably find them cheaper somewhere.

[cjack]

This is what I was looking for (had to open my GS's fuse box) . . .

this is a simple way to add an additional fused circuit and not worry about deforming the fuse holder.

http://wulimaster.smugmug.com/photos/58227995-M.jpg

It replaces a fuse in your fuse box that has switched power and allows you to stack an additional fuse for an additon circuit. It's L shaped with the prongs of the unit going down into the fuse fitting and the fuses 90 degrees to the original position. works great for power requirements like a relay switch or autocom.

$3.99 at Autozone. Probably find them cheaper somewhere.

That's nice. I like that one. Don't forget to figure out how plug it in the right direction to be single fusing the pigtail instead of the pigtail being double fused if you turn it around. Interesting possibilities.

[wuli959]

That's nice. I like that one. Don't forget to figure out how plug it in the right direction to be single fusing the pigtail instead of the pigtail being double fused if you turn it around. Interesting possibilities.

Can't really mess it up. The upper fuse handles the pigtail and lower fuse handles the original ciruit. simple even for me.

[cjack]

Can't really mess it up. The upper fuse handles the pigtail and lower fuse handles the original ciruit. simple even for me.

What I meant (even tho it's just rambling), is that if you turn it around, the two battery ends of the fuses are going to be at the load end of the original circuit instead of at the battery side...depending I guess on how it fits or not sticking up like that.

[Kev95GS]

I put a Centech (sp) fuse box on mine, so I could power the Autocomm, and used a relay with the switched power coming from the tail light and have not had any issue. (on a 95GS).

Well.... except that now I have all these extra power outlets that I can use, so now I want a GPS, Sat radio, radar detector, coffee pot.... :dunno

Kevin

[wuli959]

I put a Centech (sp) fuse box on mine, so I could power the Autocomm, and used a relay with the switched power coming from the tail light and have not had any issue. (on a 95GS).

Well.... except that now I have all these extra power outlets that I can use, so now I want a GPS, Sat radio, radar detector, coffee pot.... :dunno

Kevin

guess I need to add coffee pot to my list . . . . :laugh

[wuli959]

I forgot about the least intrusive way to tap into fused power for low draw power like an autocom or autoswitch. . .

Try one of these:
http://wulimaster.smugmug.com/photos/58808533-S.jpg

The fuse slips into the hole at it's base. Then you simple plug the fuse back into its slot. Slide a female insultated connector over the end sticking out above the fuse (you can then gently bend it over if headroom is an issue) and you're tapped into a fused power source.

:clap :clap

[IAMBOB]

This is what I was looking for (had to open my GS's fuse box) . . .

this is a simple way to add an additional fused circuit and not worry about deforming the fuse holder.

http://wulimaster.smugmug.com/photos/58227995-M.jpg

It replaces a fuse in your fuse box that has switched power and allows you to stack an additional fuse for an additon circuit. It's L shaped with the prongs of the unit going down into the fuse fitting and the fuses 90 degrees to the original position. works great for power requirements like a relay switch or autocom.

$3.99 at Autozone. Probably find them cheaper somewhere.

I hope this fits in an RS fuse box, I bought two of them on Saturday, for the same reason.. Autocomm power.. and will think of something else to take away from the batter terminal too..

[RandallIsland]

...and ya'll are still falling all over to help her. I know she appreciates it guys.
I DO get a kick out of the enthusiasm myself. :love

[wuli959]

...and ya'll are still falling all over to help her. I know she appreciates it guys.
I DO get a kick out of the enthusiasm myself. :love


she's not even reading them . . . :nyah

[cjack]

she's not even reading them . . . :nyah

Actually, the thread has evolved into "ways to tap into the power on bikes".

It's interesting how threads evolve into something else.

[jacco]

she's not even reading them . . . :nyah

It sure keeps ME happy. Trust me, that's worth something...