[Penmaker]

I just bought a Tomtom Rider GPS. I had one on the Goldwing and bought another for the V-strom. I hooked up the mount to an unswitched 12V supply coming from the battery (powerlet outlet). When I checked at the mount I was expecting a 12V reading but found 5V instead. That tells me the mount has a step down circuit inside. I am afraid that if I wire it to an unswitched source that the mount circuitry may drain the battery. Where is a switched 12V source on the 2011 DL650A? All the threads that show the aux connector are on newer bikes.

 

[Rolex]

I have a Garmin and they use a similar system, the drain on my Garmin mount was so small most of my equipment could not measure it.

I have hooked my system directly to the battery and also use it to charge my phone and Bluetooth head set while parked.

How often do you ride your bike ? if it is more than once a month you should never have a problem but if you park it up over winter you may want to pull the fuse to stop what could be very small drain.

The best thing to do is measure the drain from your Tomtom and then make a decision.

 

[Penmaker]

I've decided to tap off the lighting circuit. I have the Eastern Beaver relay kit for the headlights. One of the original light sockets is tied back and unused. I'm going to fit some spade connectors into the socket and power the GPS from that. As you say the current draw is small so there shouldn't be any damage to the switches in line.

 

[greywolf]

If you use the light connector on the low beam wires, you will lose power on high beam and vice versa.

 

[NSdave]

The tail light is a better source for switched power for a relay

 

[Penmaker]

Well it almost worked. The GPS comes on at key ON. But the interruption at START caused the GPS to sense a power loss and try to shutdown even though power resumed. The TomTom forums have many similar problems and fixes. I'll try to tap off a switched circuit before the Start switch interrupt. And I'll change some of the power on preferences of the GPS.

 

[Penmaker]

Eastern Beaver to the rescue! I ordered their 3 circuit solution for V-Strom. 3 switched circuits and one unswitched circuit. When it comes, I'll install it under the seat and run a pair of wires forward to the GPS.
When I had the GPS hooked to the lights, the low beam was burning extra bright and was definitely affected by the presence of the GPS. Not a good hookup.
I've got the shutdown problem fixed by setting a preference on the GPS to not shutdown at loss of external power. This is the way the one on the Goldwing works and the way I prefer it. No fiddling around with the GPS after a gas stop. Just remember to shut it off when you park the bike.
Stay tuned for the final episode after parts arrive from Japan.

 

[Penmaker]

The Eastern Beaver 3 circuit solution arrived in the mail today. Digging down to find the tail light connector took an extra pair of hands for a few moments. I removed the two bolts that hold the tank mount bracket and coolant over flow bottle. Then the "extra hands" held the tank and bracket up while I snapped open the connector and attached the in line pair of connectors. The rest of the job was routing the wiring and attaching the relay to the forward part of the plastic tray with zip ties and making it look neat and tidy. The GPS wiring was crimped to the blade connectors and the blades snapped into the connector. The fuses were inserted and the test run passed without any meltdowns. The bike was reassembled and the job is done.
The GPS comes on with the key and shows a charging battery indicator. Now I just need to test it on a trip.