Thank you Larry, was hoping you'd chime in on this. I thought of something like that in the general sense, but couldn't figure out how to do it... your explanation makes perfect sense.
OK, the GPS battery won't back feed into the bike. But powering up the circuit as shown will power up everything on the switched side of the relay in the fuse box.
Larry is right , above post. You would have to diode the feed line to the gps between the fues block and the switch splice. double diode and I don't know what or where to get one . If you had a old GM alternator around it has a triple diode tree that might work. or this auto diode dont know specs https://www.mouser.com/ProductDetail/Aptiv-formerly-Delphi/12135037-B?qs=xTCAHnnYCzEMGVOH7nVa%2Bg==&gclid=EAIaIQobChMI8Ynj8cGQ6QIVDdbACh3jLgaAEAQYAyABEgIpp_D_BwE or https://www.ebay.com/i/264508765540?chn=ps&norover=1&mkevt=1&mkrid=711-117182-37290-0&mkcid=2&itemid=264508765540&targetid=884572167531&device=c&mktype=pla&googleloc=9021626&poi=&campaignid=9423619092&mkgroupid=97011544713&rlsatarget=pla-884572167531&abcId=1141016&merchantid=6296724&gclid=EAIaIQobChMIjtnOzcGQ6QIVhIbACh1wPgHlEAQYBCABEgLOdfD_BwE
I want to add a switch to my GPS power so I can use it on my bike without the key on and without pulling down the GPS battery. Currently it's on key switched power from a Fuzeblock, which works well. I'd like to add the switch as shown below. Note the the 12V>5V inline transformer for the GPS is not shown. The switch would of course be on the 12V side of that. I've actually got two GPS mounted that I'd like to add a switch to, one for each.
See any issues with this, or maybe a better way to do it? TIA!
Edit: To clarify some things...
- Right now, this is just a mental/forum exercise. Not sure if I'm going to actually do it, just wanted to flesh it out so to speak, see what the STO hive thinks.
- I want to be able to use the GPS with the bike turned off and without using GPS battery power.
- Just to be 100% clear, this will be a switch physically mounted somewhere on the bike and the GPS will remain in it's powered cradle.
it started as a simple project 3 post while I was typing my last one
That‘s a simple solution....except. The GPS will continue to recharge its internal battery, even when turned off, resulting in a dead bike battery after about a week. Been there, done that.
I typically wire the GPS to unswitched power with it's own inline fuse, usually the supplied one in the GPS power cable. Beginning with the earliest mapping GPS I had, a Garmin 2730, it did not have an internal battery and I wanted to be able to use it in the campground while on the road. All bikes since then I wire like that. I know I run the risk of leaving the GPS on but in over 330,000 miles I did it only once and that was in my garage.
Take the battery out.
Because it does not shut off the GPS charger. Many folks have already learned (the hard way) that leaving the GPS in the cradle that is hardwired to the bike will drain the bikes battery. It does keep the GPS nicely charged so you can use it to find the nearest part store.
Im not sure which GPS that Paul has, but a Zumo 660 won‘t boot up, without an internal battery. I just went to the garage to verify. All you get is the Garmin logo screen, with the message, “Insert Battery”.
I've never had this happen with the 2730 (well, once. I left it on for a week), the 550, or my 396. I do ride quite often but rotating bikes sometimes one will sit for two or three weeks.Because it does not shut off the GPS charger. Many folks have already learned (the hard way) that leaving the GPS in the cradle that is hardwired to the bike will drain the bikes battery. It does keep the GPS nicely charged so you can use it to find the nearest part store.
PS Ohh.. yeah... what nashcat said.
I did on long rides. Around town, nope. Just checked mine the other day and looks liek the batteries died. Left it to charge 24 hours and nothing going ino the system. Guess it's time to crack it open.
No way I'm wiring the GPS direct to the battery. Even with the GPS off or pulled out, the transformer will still consume a little power. BTDT.
Yes, on my bike at all times. Takes very little space in my right saddle bag.
