Which wire to tap for GPS power?

[bflint]

Yeah ... wanted to order from them, but they aren't fulfilling orders until August 1st ... so went with the Oregon expatriate in Japan.

[White Dog_imp]

White Dog, that would make sense. One wire is ground and the other is +12dc. Don't wanna mix those up... :0

Anytime Occi Glad to help.

It helps to pay attention to wire colors. I also was wiring the Escort external speaker to the same wires. The reversal of the wires to the RD was the reason for the blown fuses.

[Riko_imp]

my dealer used my headlight to power for the GPS

[Lord Popgun]

That is an idea but I can think of at least one reason it is maybe not the optimal idea. But why didn't he just use the accessory connector or wiring? My guess is he didn't know about it.

[Riko_imp]

dunno, but works great....switch on and you got power, switch off and the power is off too...

dunno whats the sole reason you refer too that its not optimal that way

[Lord Popgun]

Being a tech, we always come up with reasons something isn't good If there is a short or excessive current flow, you would lose the headlight and whatever else (don't have the wiring diagram right now). That would be bad at night. As devils advocate you could say well if you short the accessory circuit you will lose the tail light and meters. Pick your poison. Losing the headlight at night could be real bad depending on the situation. Tail light, at least you can pull over to prevent a rear ender.

That's my thinking. YMMV

[bflint]

Help ... I seem to have done something wrong because when trying to tap into the unused heated grip connector in the headlight cluster. I Ordered the male connector and SAE 2 prong wire harness from Eastern Beaver. Connected wiring harness to male connector and plugged into the heated grip female connector. Started engine and checked SAE end with multi-meter and NOTHING registered. Disconnected male connector and checked original female heated grip connector, but still nothing registers on the multi-meter. I've been looking thru the 2013-2014 Service Manual, but really don't know what I am looking at. Any suggestions?
ALL OK NOW. Realized that I blew the 10A Meter Illumination fuse. Replaced that and all ok now. Think it may have crossed electrodes on the first multi-meter I was using (big bulky complicated thing) ... the hint was that I thought I saw a small arc/spark. Replaced fuse and switched to my neighbors palm size meter which is easier to handle.

[Lord Popgun]

The green wire is ground. The other wire is +12 volts. Can't remember the color, even though I was just working on mine Saturday. If using a meter, its easy to tell the polarity though. It pays to check as there have been reports of miswiring on some '14 models. Mostly on tail lights IIRC.

[Riko_imp]

Being a tech, we always come up with reasons something isn't good If there is a short or excessive current flow, you would lose the headlight and whatever else (don't have the wiring diagram right now). That would be bad at night. As devils advocate you could say well if you short the accessory circuit you will lose the tail light and meters. Pick your poison. Losing the headlight at night could be real bad depending on the situation. Tail light, at least you can pull over to prevent a rear ender.

That's my thinking. YMMV

isnt that the purpose of a fuse to prevent such things?

[Lord Popgun]

Yes, but riding at night, no headlight, could be a bad thing. The fuse stops current flow by interrupting the current path. I wouldn't lose any sleep over it, just a consideration.

Edit: Rico, Sometimes the internet makes it hard to tell what we are talking about. I've thinking that you mean the connection you (or the dealer) added has its own fuse. That would be a good thing.

I added a power connection to my headlight accessory plug Saturday and the lead has its own 7.5amp fuse. So I left it so hopefully if something goes wrong, it will pop instead of the 10amp fuse.