12v Accesory Socket location?

[Boris]

Originally Posted by davsato

my accessory fusebox relay (30A)


is switched by the same feed that switches the headlight relay, and powered straight from the battery. i agree low amperage stuff can probably plumb in anywhere, but theres no way im shoving heated grips, an accessory socket, and a stebel nautilus through another items wires!
i wanted an accessory point with fuses that i could just wire stuff to without any more hanging off the battery or any more wire chopping into the loom. also if it goes tits up i dont want to lose my headlights suddenly.

I agree absolutely with what you are saying which is why I wouldn't advise taking a feed for heated grips or such of the brake light feed at the bars (despite some Honda dealers doing it).

However if you were say fitting a 500mA feed to a satnav neither would I recommend fitting a relay as its a bit over the top for just one low current device.

It's a case of horses for courses but if you are planning to fit a few accessories the relay and aux fusebox (especially one like davsato has fitted) is the way to go. Where did you get it btw?

[davsato]

Originally Posted by Boris

It's a case of horses for courses but if you are planning to fit a few accessories the relay and aux fusebox (especially one like davsato has fitted) is the way to go. Where did you get it btw?

vehiclewiringproducts.co.uk

you can get a fancy one from nippy normans BMW'r'us shop for about £50 but this was £2.20

[Vara17]

Curzon

Where abouts does the harness fit plug into. I too have a 2008 Vara and had thought about getting one of these.

[Curzon]

Originally Posted by Vara17

Curzon

Where abouts does the harness fit plug into. I too have a 2008 Vara and had thought about getting one of these.

On the 2008 models, remove the LHS inner fairing panel. Behind this you will find a cluster of wiring loom connectors, protected by a large clear plastic sheath. Pull this sheath back, to reveal the connectors and you will see that one of these connectors is spare and protected with a waterproof blanking cap.(from memory a square white, 4 pin Hitachi connector.) Remove the cap. This is where the Honda quartet harness plugs into.

Ever so thoughtful of Mr H to provide such a convenientand accesible hook up point!

[davsato]

Originally Posted by Curzon

Ever so thoughtful of Mr H to provide such a convenientand accesible hook up point!

not quite so thoughtful on the 06/07 models that came with the offer of free grips though, to save giving away the quartet harness the grips were butchered into the wiring loom by dealers with variable quality results!
im glad i did my own

[Curzon]

Well thanks all for your views and comments, and after much deliberating, I eventually gave in and fitted the accesory socket where Honda suggested. Inside the storage compartment in the inner RHS fairing.Very discreet and neat installation it is here to, I can see the logic of why Honda says to fit it here. Wel chuffed with the installation

As I said when I started this thread, my original thought was to install it on the inside LHS fairing cover, but after much deliberating was concerned about possible clearance / interference between the power lead and handlebars / handguards etc on full steering lock.

Hardest part of the installation was removing the RHS inner fairing panel c/w storage compartment, and then refiting. Not much clearance with the bars / handguards, but worth the percerverance for a tidy instalation!

[davsato]

if its inside the compartment, how do you use it on the move for a gps or something?

to me a storage compartment is for storage, even if its a tiny one like that

[Curzon]

Yeah! That was my original concern too! However, having tried it, its not to bad on the move!

You can shut the lid fully with the power lead pluged into the socket, and trail the lead to wherever you need it. It is better with a straight plain type of lead, rather than the coiled curly type. However even with the coiled curly type, I just strech this staight so I can shut the lid on the cable.

In reallity, I realised I actually didn't store very much at all in the storage comaprtment! Nothing I can't really store elsewhere. On longer trips I tend to use my tank bag to store all the bits and pieces I need to hand en route. Much more convenient!