GPS power tap / BMW trickle charger conflict

[JHP]

I recently installed Photon Blasters (LED conspicuity lights) on the front of my 2007 R1200RT. Easy to install and they look great. But that's not why I'm writing this post.

 

Given the location and low draw of the PB lights, I decided to tap switched power from the GPS power connection I use with my Garmin GPS. The GPS (and now the LEDs) draw power from the BMW connector 83-30-0-413 585. Everything works great when I turn the ignition switch on/off, although there is a 1 minute delay to power off on that connector. But that's not why I'm writing this post.

 

The other day I put my bike on the BMW Canbus-compatible trickle charger with the sequence I always use (ignition on, connect charger to bike, plug in charger, turn off bike) ... and this is the problem. With the charger connected, the LED lights stay on.

 

Is there a way to defeat this behavior?? Or do I have to tap power from elsewhere for the PB LEDs (probably the parking lights that turn on/off with the ignition)?

[Firefight911]

That is "normal" operation now. Your best bet is to bypass the whole problem with a direct connected pigtail to the battery.

 

The added benefit of this is that you will now have a pigtail to plug in an air pump in the unfortunate event of a roadside flat.

 

Your current charger will work fine direct connected although, you won't need to do the jiggy dance with your connection any more.

 

Otherwise, add an inline switch to the lights so you can manually defeat them.

[JHP]

Will I have the same problem if I tap into the parking light leads for the aux LEDs? The parking lights do stay off.

[Firefight911]

I would stay away from parking light leads on these bikes. They are a variable voltage system and can create faults if you tamper with them. Plus, they won't operate your accessories as a result.

[SageRider]

I would stay away from parking light leads on these bikes. They are a variable voltage system...

Phil, are you referring to the front parking lights or the rear tail light?

This is the first I've heard of the front parking lights being any sort of variable voltage.

The parking light wire is a common tap point for auxiliary power relays, and at 0.2 Amps per Photon Blaster Module, tapping into the parking light wire for a couple of these modules is unlikely to have any impact.

[Firefight911]

I would stay away from parking light leads on these bikes. They are a variable voltage system...

Phil, are you referring to the front parking lights or the rear tail light?

This is the first I've heard of the front parking lights being any sort of variable voltage.

The parking light wire is a common tap point for auxiliary power relays, and at 0.2 Amps per Photon Blaster Module, tapping into the parking light wire for a couple of these modules is unlikely to have any impact.

 

Brain fade moment! I read parking and interpreted it as brake. Woops!!!!

[JHP]

I just got it all squared away on the front parking light lead. Positive on/off with a twist of the key, and the BMW trickle charger is minding its own business again. Thanks for the input, as always.

[cpallen]

I look at the fact that you can power up your GPS with the battery charger to be an "undocumented feature"