GPS Sat Nav Power Connection
How to make a power lead for your Garmin, TomTom or other GPS Sat Nav system to connect to the BMW Navigator GPS power socket found on R1200GS motorcycles (and many other BMW bikes)
External link: BMW K1200S Power Socket (will be similar for K1200R and K1200GT)
Wiring a Powerlet socket to the unused OEM GPS power connector on the K1200S.
Author: AndyW July2007 (updated Feb2008 [and again Sept 2008] - socket location for the 2008 model R1200GS)
Update Oct2008 - add an additional connector
View thread for additional comments:
Taking power from the BMW GPS socket (external link)
Alternative method: GPS SatNav Power Connection (2)
Usual disclaimer - mess with your motorcycle electrics, without knowing what you're doing, at your peril! :-)
NB: Click small images to enlarge (open in new window)
There's been lots of discussion on how best to get power to motorcycle GPS Satellite Navigation systems on the R1200GS (search on ukGSer.com ;-)
I liked the idea of plugging into the socket provided for the BMW Navigator GPS system, after-all it's there for that purpose (although designed for BMW's proprietary connector plug) and benefits from being managed by the bikes CanBus system i.e. the socket remains powered up for a short time after the bike's ignition is turned off.
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BMW R1200GS For anyone that's interested here's (1) Brown = ground (Click image to enlarge) |
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1) You'll need to buy the connector plug that fits the socket on the bike from your BMW Dealer - part number 80 00 0 611 656 (£8.52)
NB: for USA/Canada the part number is 83 30 0 413 585 (looks like different part numbers are used in different locations worldwide?!)
This is from Chicago BMW.
Part Number Description Regular Price Quantity
83300413585 REPAIR CONNECTOR-3 P S $ 19.44
List from BMW is $24.30
2) Locating the GPS Sat Nav power socket (optional accessory socket) on the bike. The diagram up above gives a pretty good clue but here's some photos of the real thing below. To do the job you'll need to remove the fuel tank side panel at the very least and most likely the beak as well. I'd recommend taking the tank off as well (it's not a big job and only takes a few extra minutes) so you can really see what you are doing.
(the location has changed for 2008 model R1200's - see below)
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Beak and tank side panels removed. |
Closer view. |
The socket is taped to the main wiring loom, snip the tape, unwrap it from the socket/wiring loom and you will be able to pull the socket away from the wiring loom by a few centimetres. The socket is blanked off by a black plastic cap.
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GPS Sat Nav socket freed from |
3) Make up your custom GPS power lead with the connector plug that fits the GPS / optional accessory socket on the bike. If you've not already sussed - yes you need to cut the power lead that came with your GPS system! (no big deal, keep the bit you don't need to patch back together should you want (?) or you can always buy another as and when you sell your GPS unit)
Before (!) you cut anything, work out how you'll route the completed power cable to your GPS unit. I made my power lead a fair bit longer than necessary to allow scope for changed plans at any time - the excess is tied out the way under the tank with the bike's standard wiring looms. I made mine 1.5m in length.
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Strip wire ends ready to connect
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Twist wires together
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BMW connector plug and cut down |
If you're using heat shrink insulation |
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Solder the twisted wire connections |
Finished power lead with heat |
Why I don't use conventional wire tinning and soldering method:
By twisting the wires together you have a perfect metal to metal connection which is then soldered to prevent oxidation and make the join permanent. This avoids solder 'dry joints' and high resistance joints that can result from conventional method of tinning and soldering wires. (in my opinion!!)
TIP: Test you connections with a multimeter or test bulb to ensure they're good (multimeter is best - zero resistance:-) - I do this at various stages e.g. wires twisted together, then when soldered etc
(1) Brown = ground (-ve earth)
(2) Blue/Green = Speed Pulse (not required)
(3) Red/White = 12V (+ve power)
The three yellow wires on the BMW plug are very helpfully marked with corresponding numbering (1, 2 and 3). The connector only fits one way so you'll see which wire is which in any case. Your original GPS unit power lead will most likely have black and red wires (earth -ve and 12v +ve respectively) - in any case the 12v +ve lead should be easily identified by an in-line fuse.
NB: It seems that where the yellow wires are numbered varies - make sure you mark the yellow wires if your going to trim them if the numbers are on the bits to be cut off!
4) Fit the new power lead to the bike and route the cable safely and tidily to your GPS unit (tie wrap the lead to existing wiring wherever possible - ensure it won't be trapped or chaff anywhere)
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With the new power lead connected to |
.....as can be seen here. The connector |
5) Test with your GPS before you replace the tank and plastics :-)
Update Feb2008 & Sep2008 - 2008 GS models
Update Oct2008 - Add an extra connector in the power lead
I forgot to post this until now! By adding an extra electrical connector in the lead, close to the Garmin power plug you have the option to remove your GPS mount/RAM mount and cradle from the bike without dismounting your Zumo/SatNav. Useful when you're bike is going to be left unattended for any length of time (when some 'scrote' might try to steel your GPS mount/RAM mount and cradle if left in place). Additionally, if you have two bikes this is also a neat solution to swapping your GPS between them as you can leave a power lead in place on both bikes with the same connector.
I even made up a 'blanking plug' to make the lead left on the bike watertight when not in use (tyre valve dust cap, spare electrical connector and some silicone sealant:-)
This just tucks away behing the speedo/trip computer unit when not in use.
You can get electrical connectors like the ones I used from Maplins or any electrical components shop.
Alternative methods for powering GPS Sat Nav systems:
# 'Piggy-back' connections to the back of an existing Accessory Power Socket.
Cons: could be issues with the CanBus system if the socket is used to power other items - making proper/good connections could be difficult - could be fiddly to undo)
# Use the original power lead provided with your GPS system to connect direct to
the battery
Cons: The connectors on your GPS system cradle will be live all the time so there is the possibility, however slight, that water could ingress and cause a short when the GPS unit is not mounted. Power lead has to be routed most of the length of the bike.
There's another 'con' to add to your 'Use the original power lead... direct to the battery' -- that the terminals get oxidised by being live all the time. (Tim Cullis - GSclubUK)
Update Feb2008 - location of the GPS power socket on 2008 model 1200GS's
(thanks to ukGSer 'Thunder' for the photos:-)
Update Sept 2008 - thanks to Ken S for emailing and letting me know that the socket was located differently on his 2008 R1200GS
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