Fairing Pocket Heat

[georgeorge]

Here's my latest time-killer. I figured that since I have all the plastic off, and I know I'm getting my Autocom for Christmas, I would try to cool off the let pocket a little so that I can mount it in there. It's like useless space to me. I never use it for anything since it's locked, so I figure it's probably the best place to put it.

I bought some reflective foil tape at a parts store and I had some foam packing. The foam packing is a sheet of foam about 1/8" think. I wrapped the pocket with the foam and then covered the whole mess with the reflective tape. I'll keep my fingers crossed and hope that this helps.

[tricky_micky]

Brian

I have the Honda Radio situated in the left fairing pocket of the bike, that is how Honda fit the kit.

In the right hand pocket I have a few odds and ends, plus that is where the cellphone sits, all hooked up to the Autocom System.

I know the pockets get hot, and I would imagine over there in the US, they get even hotter because of those high temperatures you get! (Drooool)

As you know, there have been many posts on mounting the Autocom System, but I plumped for under the seat by the tail light. It gives me easy access to adjust if needed, the Vox settings and also to plug or unplug any other gizzmo I have running.

I run the GPS, Sat Nav, plus the cellphone and bike to bike radio when I am out training. Plus, once I get the antenna bracket sorted, I can quickly change over from bike to bike radio, and plug in the Ham radio.

From this position at the rear, I have found that ALL leads can be run easily and get them to where you want them to go. My advice would be to reconsider mounting in the left hand pocket.

In the rear, I can sit the Autocom unit and take out the PMR radio and plug in the Ham radio very easily. I would think much easier than if it were mounted in the left hand pocket.

Just my thoughts on the mounting area.

Mick

[georgeorge]

Mick, Why would it be easier to go under the seat that to just open the pocket to adjust VOX and such? Am I missing something? That's kinda why I descided on that location....ease of adjustments.

[Kempo-STer]

Mick, Why would it be easier to go under the seat that to just open the pocket to adjust VOX and such? Am I missing something? That's kinda why I descided on that location....ease of adjustments.


FWIW you'll only have to play around with the Vox once or twice. Mostly for windnoise turning it on accidentally. I forget where mine is set to but I can check if you want..
In the left fairing pocket you won't be need any additional cables thats for sure..

Once I am done riding for the season (still in denial) I will take the plastic off and give her a good cleaning and tighten up all the wire routing.

[tricky_micky]

Brian

I do a lot of motorcycle training here and I do tend to change the radio systems from PMR gear to Ham.

If you needed to expand the system and put the splitter in line, you may get stuck for space, not sure as I am down the back of the bike with mine!

Whilst at the rear of the bike, I can hook up a PMR radio that sits by the Autocom unit, when I change to Ham gear, that will also sit in the rear. I run all of the radio gear directly off the Autocom System, so if I am running PMR stuff, the leads are very short. When I change to Ham gear, I just unplug the leads and put the Ham radio in it's place and all fits snugly under the back of the seat.

It is just my preference, but of course, I had no choice as I had to find an alternative place because the left pocket has the Honda Radio situated.

I have run 2 ST1100's in a similar set up and now the 1300. I do not have to worry about heat whilst it is in the back end of the bike, I just get on with it.

Just thought I would add an alternative solution for you in case you think about further add ons that use the Autocom System, I have found this a nice easy place to house the lot.

Mick

[georgeorge]

well, thanks for the input Mick. I guess I'll look at it more closely before I actually mount it.

[georgeorge]

I just thought of another drawback to mounting it in the fairing pocket. It would make removing the left side plastic a chore because it would have all those wires run into it. Food for though and I'm eatin'.

[tricky_micky]

If you give me a while.

I will try and take some picures for you and post them so you can see how I have my set up on the bike.

Bike is under cover at the moment as it will not be doing any work for the next few weeks, but if it helps, I will try and get some pics and post them on here for you if it helps.

Mick

[georgeorge]

Na...that's OK. I get a feel for what you've described, so don't go through the trouble with pics. Thanks for the offer though.

[tricky_micky]

Brian

Appreciate your comments but it would have been no problem for me to do that for you. The business is quiet here and it would have given me something to do LOL. So I might just take the pics anyway.

I also have the Autocom transmit switch installed on the left bar. I did not think this would be of any use to me until it was pointed out that if you are running bike to bike radio and the switch is not installed. If you and wifey have a conversation, it goes out to all that are sitting on the same frequency because the unit will transmit everything you say. With the switch in line, you can toggle it to a PTT, full vox, full transmit or whatever!

I am not a salesperson for Autocom, but I have sure set up a number of bikes over here with that system installed.

Take care and all the best

Mick

[NormanPCN]

One thing about insulation. It does not stop heat from flowing. It only slows it down. Once the heat does get into the pocket, now you pocked is insulated and it will hold the heat in better. Food for thought.

[bcst1300]

First teh pocket insulation does not work. Been there done that. Still it does help a little. When touring IE get on the road and drive a long way before i stop I never have heat problems. Just those lower speed runs with lots of stops that get things really hot.
Sorry I don't want to start a heat thread.
I had the Autocom under the rear seat but this had a couple of problems with tight wire runs, ground loops, and the audio connectors always causing trouble from tight quarters shifting them and sometimes causing crackling sounds. It was also hard to get at the vox dial. I was going to try under the seat or up under the fairing then I found the space to the back of the battery under the main power relays. I ty wraped the unit to the frame with a bit of hugh density foam in between. The jacks for the inputs face up and the knob for the vox facces up too and a long screw driver can reach it for adjustment. I still put the passenger intercom plug on the deck under the rear grab bar facing backward and my IC hookup on the left just above my left knee on the gas tank. I have to cover that one in the rain when the IC is not plugged in. I have a ptt on the left bars and a bike to bike radio lead or CB or Ham depending on tthe antennae I chose and who I might be talking to. The location close to the battery and my relayed power block helps shorten all my Audio leads and antennae lead along the right side of the frame. I pass the coil on the aircleaner side of the frame member to help keep ignotion noise out. I also keep my power leads for any audio gear short and run them through filters as well as be sure to ground them all in the same place. the audio interconnect wiring and antennae leads come out of the right pocket.
I originally ran the feed for the power outlet from the quartet harness but the long routing and close proximity to the coil induced a bit of ignition noise into the devices that would plug into the power outlet and the intercom. I now power the power outlet in the right pocket as direct as I can from the power block.
Another thing you might be concerned about with using the pocket for your autocom is the proximity to the coil which should be shielded a bit by the metallic insulation around the pocket if you also ground it.

[tricky_micky]

Autocom rear mounting

5773 5774 5775

Hope the thumbnails work!

As you can see, the system is fitted at the rear, and the radio attached is a PMR 446 which again fits snugly. I can quickly change the PMR radio and replace it with the Ham radio (Hand Held of course!) And it all operates fine. The little RED box is the Autocom isolator which runs the cables to the GPS and cellphone.

Third attachment is the switch situated on the left bar section. The bike is covered at the moment, so just lifted it off to show the mounting.

bcst1300, I would like to see some pics if you could get some. I am always looking for improvements on the mounting side of things.

Mick