Handlebar Controller for XT2

[jfheath]

Welcome Marc

Good to know that the level of internal communication is more or less as I imagined it. From everything that I have read - yes, for the XT2 as a new purchase, you would need both cables.

I think the issue is that it is designed for use with the Tread SatNav and some of those need to have the high powered cable becasue of other gadgets that can be used with it. So some devices will already have the high current cable. Some will also have the Y cable attachement. The XT2 is also sold as a bundle with the Group Ride radio - which has both cables supplied. Hence the reason for supplying two cables separately.

Us mere mortals with just the XT2 - yes it would seem to need both cables. I'm hanging fire until I can get the dimensions of one. My ST1300 has no handlebar space. Although I have a mockup of a solution, I want to check it out properly before I spend hard earned cash.
In my case, the wiring for the XT2 is proeprly screend and protected and routed under the fairing. It'll be a winter fairign off job to rip all that out and put in the new cable. I'm in no rush.

[turbo19]

Subtitles can be added in the desired language .

[marcparnes]

I just hooked up the controller without the high-current power cable. So far the controller and the GPS is working fine with just the Group Ride Radio Y-adapter cable. I only tried it because the power cable hadn't arrived yet and I was anxious to see how it works. I just fed 12V into the Y-adapter cable at it's brown connector and everything turned on. Anybody see a downside to leaving it this way and returning the power cable?

BTW, all these connectors take up a lot of space so hiding them might be an issue for some. I have a Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally and was able to get everything hidden away with enough remaining space to accommodate the power cable if I decide to use it but it took a bit of doing.

Marc

[jfheath]

I don't know the answer to your question, but I would be very wary of doing that.

What I do know:

• The XT2 will run on 5v or on 12v.
• The powr lead for the XT1 has an in-line voltage reducer (black box)
• The XT2 will plug into the XT1 cradle and run/charge on 5v.
• The pins that contact the rear of the Zumos XT1 and Xt2 are in different positions.
• The XT2 cable feeds 12v to one pin direct from the battery.
• The p XT1 power lead feeds 5v to a pin in a different position in the XT1 cradle.

Would I do what you are suggesting ? No, I would not. Because it involves things that I don't know, and I am a worrier.

I am worrying about that black rectangle in the new main wiring harness. I am worried that it may be a transformer to reduce the voltage to 5v not 12v. If so, then putting 12v into that red connector would feed 12v to the controller, and pnut 12v into the 5v pin for the XT2.

I would love to think that I could chop off that red connector on the Y harness, and add one of my own connectors for the 12v supply. Save myself the cost of the high current cable. But I'm worried that I could blow up some very expensive gear simply by not knowing.

I'm waiting until I have more answers. I do find it curious that the official diagram shows a power lead without a black block in the middle.

But as I said at the start - I don't know.

[turbo19]

I just hooked up the controller without the high-current power cable. So far the controller and the GPS is working fine with just the Group Ride Radio Y-adapter cable. I only tried it because the power cable hadn't arrived yet and I was anxious to see how it works. I just fed 12V into the Y-adapter cable at it's brown connector and everything turned on. Anybody see a downside to leaving it this way and returning the power cable?

BTW, all these connectors take up a lot of space so hiding them might be an issue for some. I have a Ducati Multistrada V4 Rally and was able to get everything hidden away with enough remaining space to accommodate the power cable if I decide to use it but it took a bit of doing.

Marc

Very interesting. I think there would be no problem, because the remote control will not consume much, I think.

By getting this same male plug, perhaps you could save €60 on the high voltage cable.

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Could be a good solution

[jfheath]

By getting this same male plug, perhaps you could save €60 on the high voltage cable.
Could be a good solution

Providing the High Current Cable provides 12v and not 5v. (High current is not the same as high votage).

However - I have been trying to work out whether my guesswork in my post above is reasonable. So today I went to look at the pins on my bike which has the XT1 mount and the XT2 mount installed.
On the back plate of the Zumos, the XT2 has 6 contacts (1-6), the XT1 has 5 contacts (1-5). They have identical centres - (distances between contacts) - which I established by putting a blob of grease on the pins and mounting the XT2 in the XT cradle.

XT1 cradle has pins 1 and 3 ; XT2 cradle has pins 1, 2 & 6;
XT1 does not have pin 6 which on the XT2 mount is the one that supplies +12v)


# --+-- Pin --+---------XT1----------+--------XT2-----------+--Y Ad--+

6 --+-- O ----+-------------------------+--- XT2 12volts -----+----* ---+
5 --+-- O ----+-------------------------+-----------------------+---- * ---+
4 --+-- O ----+-------------------------+-----------------------+---- * ---+
3 --+-- O ----+---- XT1 5volts -------+-----------------------+----------+
2 --+-- O ----+-------------------------+--- XT2 0volts ------+---- * ---+
1 --+-- O ----+---- XT1 0volts -------+--- XT2 0volts ------+---- * ---+

The Y adaptor connector shown in the photo posted by @turbo19 has pins 1,2,4,5,6. No pin 3 (shown above as asterisks)





So it has a pin for supplying the 12v feed for the Zumo XT2. It does not have a pin in the position where the XT1 cradle provides +5v.

That would suggest that my guesswork posted above is wrong (I'll delete it). But it does beg the question - what is that black box for in the high current cable ????

[turbo19]

I have no idea, but I think it will be a small antiparasitic or regulation system to avoid voltage spikes (by connecting directly to battery or unregulated power supply). But in my case, now I have the XT2 powered with the original BMW can-bus output for the navigator, I don't think the extra voltage of the remote it is noticeable. Like I say, I have no idea.


Anyway, I ordered the cable because it can be returned to Garmin. We'll see when I get there this week.

[turbo19]

I just received the cable:

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As I already mentioned, I think this cable makes sense if it is a vehicle with a double battery (truck type, etc.) 24v. But having a Can-Bus 12v output on the motorcycle, I don't understand why this cable is needed, only for the red male power plug.

As Marc said, I think it could be connected directly from the Can-Bus to the Y cable without problem. I'm still looking for a male plug like this, but I can only find similar ones, I can't find anything like it.

[jfheath]

Thanks @turbo19

That info on the black box might contain the answer.

It says Input 10-30v DC
Output 10-12v DC

XT2 spec says that it can take input from 12 to 24v DC - so it can handle the fluctuating voltage that comes from the bike's battery / alternator without the need for a voltage limiting buffer.

Maybe the Remote Cotroller needs a more restricted voltage of 10 to 12V than the varying voltage that is provided by a direct connection to the battery ?

If you cut out the High current cable with its black box, the controller will be exposed to whatever the battery/alternator is putting out - which we know is often over 14volts.

Just a thought - there must be a reason for that black box. Maybe that is it ??

[turbo19]

Thanks @turbo19

That info on the black box might contain the answer.

It says Input 10-30v DC
Output 10-12v DC

XT2 spec says that it can take input from 12 to 24v DC - so it can handle the fluctuating voltage that comes from the bike's battery / alternator without the need for a voltage limiting buffer.

Maybe the Remote Cotroller needs a more restricted voltage of 10 to 12V than the varying voltage that is provided by a direct connection to the battery ?

If you cut out the High current cable with its black box, the controller will be exposed to whatever the battery/alternator is putting out - which we know is often over 14volts.

Just a thought - there must be a reason for that black box. Maybe that is it ??

In my case with a can-bus output from a Bmw motorbike, I don't think there is any reason to use this box .