Wiring in an Sat Nav

My new GArmin Zumo arrived today and I have to say first impressions are very good.

What I would like to know is:

There is a wiring kit in the box and I want to know if it is wise to wire this direct to the battery terminals. It has an inline fuse on the wiring kit.

Is this going to fry the sat nav while riding?

[tigersaw]

You got a pointy? I wired mine to the lights, it was a shorter and easier run, and ensured it was turned off with the ignition.

Yeah I got a pointy K6. How did you go about doing it? Just splice into the lights Positive and Negative?

[tigersaw]

Yes - into the sidelight, easy to get at

[embee]

FWIW here's my view.

I don't use my Zumo on the SV, I use it on a Deauville.

I don't think you want to be repeatedly plugging/unplugging that small connector into the bike mount. Fit it, fit the 2 small screws and leave it.
Get a 12V accessory plug with integral fuse, £2-50 from Maplins (they're quite well made), shorten the bike cable to suit your installation and fit the plug.

Also get a standard car type accessory socket, one with a weather cap (I got a marine spec one from Maplins too, but they've since stopped that particular type) and install it on the bike with an in-line fuse and a convenient switch (again Maplins do a metal switch for which you can get a rubber boot to waterproof it), wired direct to the battery not through the ignition.

My reasoning is that the Zumo starts up as soon as it gets power to the bike mount, so it is useful to be able to mount it and turn it on, allowing it to load etc while you get ready to go. Also if you stop briefly and turn ignition off it doesn't keep asking if you want to continue on internal battery before shutting down etc.

I've had no problems with having it powered while starting the bike.

I don't want to leave even the mount on the bike, so simply unplug and undo the RAM mount screw and it's off.

Also get the little thumbscrew advertised by some Dutch folk on the Zumo website (below) to replace the standard security screw. It means you use the screw to make sure it doesn't fall out of the mount, but it's quick to undo it and slip it in your pocket when refuelling etc. That fiddly security screw is a pain.

Make sure you get onto the Zumo users website,
http://www.zumoforums.com/zumo/index.php
it's a mine of useful information, and make sure you update the software to 3.30

Be aware of the "issues" with the Zumo, know how to boot it up if it freezes, and be aware of the bike mount rubber flap cracking (Garmin give excellent service, I got my bike mount replaced after a month of ownership, 3 days turnround).

Originally Posted by tigersaw

Yes - into the sidelight, easy to get at

Did it today before reading the post above. I am a little concerned about the cradle getting swiped, but its too late now.

As for the installation. A piece of P!55 and works a treat as well. The RAM mounts are brilliant.