Switched or not switched?

[crashmonkey85]

I just purchased a Garmin Montana 600 and a Rugged Mount which will be used with the Touratech Adjustable Windscreen and Locking Mount. I'm just getting into how i want to set this up on my '13 ST. I am thinking that wiring the Rugged Mount red wire to a hot lead after the ignition key so it will power off when the bike is turned off so not to accidentally drain the battery. I have read that the GPS should prompt if to power down or continue with battery power. I am thinking this would be optimal. Now my question is, where do I tap in?

 

[Berg_Donk]

It would take a long long time for a Montana to drain the S10s battery, perhaps a week or 2, or 3, or more. Could do the math, but its just not an issue.

I have mine wired to the bike's battery via a fuse and handlebar switch. I then generally turn it on and off once a day with the handlebar switch, but it not really needed.

 

[Juan]

My Garmin Zumo 590LM is wired to the switched wire of the auxiliary light socket. The socket has three wires - ground, +always hot, +switched. I purchased a plug that connects to the socket. Can't be simpler.

 

[Brick]

I always us an FZ1 Fuse Block... and for the GPS I want it hot all the time. Why? Well when I stop for gas I don't want the GPS to turn off and have to turn it back on each time. Works for me. My GPS is always right in my face on my 2014ES mounted on the cross bar on the stock windscreen. So I always see it. Also I always see it because I've done it this way since I got my first GPS a long time ago!
YMMV

 

[AVGeek]

I have mine setup to the switched side of my EB PC-8. I had used the two unswitched circuits for something else...it's a simple tap to keep it alive when I switch off at gas stations, or anywhere else I want to keep it going, or I just let it turn off if I'm done.

 

[Koinz]

I have mine setup to the switched side of my EB PC-8. I had used the two unswitched circuits for something else...it's a simple tap to keep it alive when I switch off at gas stations, or anywhere else I want to keep it going, or I just let it turn off if I'm done.

+1 I have mine setup the same way. In the past I had one of my GPS's hardwired and forgot to turn it off. That one didn't have a battery in it and killed my main bike battery in a day. My 660 senses when there's no power to it and begins a timed shutdown with the option to stay on. If I needed to stay on, I'll hit the button and run it off it's own battery.

 

[crashmonkey85]

For this weekend I temporarily hardwired it directly to my battery via the Garmin Rugged Mount wiring just to try everything out. I really didn't like the GPS running while stopped or having to remove it. I am planning to look for the auxiliary light socket and just choose to leave the Montana 600 on if I want to.

Where is the location of the switched lead? Behind the cowling or under the seat?

 

[Juan]

The aux light socket is behind the battery cover on the right, well hidden behind the mass of cables near the battery. Talking about the 2013 S10 version, there are two white sockets, one is 3-connector (aux lights) and the other 4-connector (heated grip). I think there is a difference on the 2014 S10 version re. the 4-connector, but the 3-connector should be the same.

 

[JRE]

Well when I stop for gas I don't want the GPS to turn off and have to turn it back on each time.

If you have a GPS that has internal battery power (not sure about the Montana) doesn't it stay on when external power is cut? My older nuvi does.

 

[AVGeek]

If you have a GPS that has internal battery power (not sure about the Montana) doesn't it stay on when external power is cut? My older nuvi does.

Yes the Montana has an internal battery. When power gets cut, it asks if you want it to turn off or stay on, and starts a count down to automatic shut down.

 

[JRE]

Problem solved then? ;D

 

[crashmonkey85]

If you have a GPS that has internal battery power (not sure about the Montana) doesn't it stay on when external power is cut? My older nuvi does.

The Montana will prompt if you want to leave on or turn off. If you do not choose, I think if will shut off after a certain amount of time. I just got the GPS and only used it this weekend so far.

 

[crashmonkey85]

Problem solved then? ;D

I think running it to the aux lights connector would do the trick. I am assuming that I will just need to find some connectors to mate with the ones on the bike. I have a red and a black wire coming from the Garmin Rugged Mount. Hoping it's that simple. I'd like to save the heated grips connector for down the road if I add those.

 

[Juan]

The aux light connection is a Sumitomo connector. The Garmin red and black wires simply go to the negative and +switched wires in the connector. I have a Garmin Zumo590LM hooked up that way.

 

[crashmonkey85]

I'm not an electrician and only no enough to get myself in trouble. Do I need to worry about amps coming of of the aux lights connection to run my GPS unit? Does a fuse need to be added or will the inline fuse on the Rugged Mount take care of it? I have seen these http://www.easternbeaver.com comments. Are these kit options needed?

 

[chrispy56]

I'm not an electrician and only no enough to get myself in trouble. Do I need to worry about amps coming of of the aux lights connection to run my GPS unit? Does a fuse need to be added or will the inline fuse on the Rugged Mount take care of it? I have seen these http://www.easternbeaver.com comments. Are these kit options needed?

The inline fuse (a 2 amp fuse I believe) found on the harness for the rugged mount will take care of it, just make sure if you ride in the rain WITHOUT the gps mounted that you press the rubber cover over the terminals.

If you plan to add other accessories especially high draw items(lights, heated gear, etc.) then you may consider a way to distribute the different circuits with something like the Eastern Beaver or Rowe products.