12V power

[AwesomeDad]

If I run directly off the battery and the device is off and switch is off will it still draw power?

JJ

[MarkT]

No.  If the external switch on it's power is off.  Some devices which appear to be off, are still drawing a trickle charge.  Like clocks, or anything with a computer and memory to maintain.  So you likely wouldn't want it to lose it's memory so you wouldn't switch it off via it's power supply.  Unless it will sit without running for a long time and drain your battery - then of course you would want to address that.  By switching it's power off, or put a trickle charger on the bike, or ride it once in awhile.

[AwesomeDad]

No.  If the external switch on it's power is off.  Some devices which appear to be off, are still drawing a trickle charge.  Like clocks, or anything with a computer and memory to maintain.  So you likely wouldn't want it to lose it's memory so you wouldn't switch it off via it's power supply.  Unless it will sit without running for a long time and drain your battery - then of course you would want to address that.  By switching it's power off, or put a trickle charger on the bike, or ride it once in awhile.

Sounds like a plan...

[Madmike]

If I run directly off the battery and the device is off and switch is off will it still draw power?

JJ

Do you have an auxiliary electrical panel installed??  Handy for installing add-ons and load sharing.

[AwesomeDad]

If I run directly off the battery and the device is off and switch is off will it still draw power?

JJ

Do you have an auxiliary electrical panel installed??  Handy for installing add-ons and load sharing.

Just picked the bike up last week, somebody installed running lights. Still running down where everything is going.

JJ

[gordonv]

Just picked the bike up last week, somebody installed running lights. Still running down where everything is going.

If you are referring to the above running lights, then most likely the switch is between the battery and the light, so no power when switch is turned off.

If I run directly off the battery and the device is off and switch is off will it still draw power?

We can't answer this without knowing what the device is, and which switch you are referring to?

Like said, if you have instant on, then there is always power going to it. The power switch just turns on the screen/sound. I did have an aftermarket radio that had a saved memory, no power required, like a thumb drive.

Most power on our bikes are eliminated by turning off the ignition switch, except for the IS radio/clock/trip memory.

So it would matter the bike and what they did. So you need to investigate.

[AwesomeDad]

Just picked the bike up last week, somebody installed running lights. Still running down where everything is going.

If you are referring to the above running lights, then most likely the switch is between the battery and the light, so no power when switch is turned off.

If I run directly off the battery and the device is off and switch is off will it still draw power?

We can't answer this without knowing what the device is, and which switch you are referring to?

Like said, if you have instant on, then there is always power going to it. The power switch just turns on the screen/sound. I did have an aftermarket radio that had a saved memory, no power required, like a thumb drive.

Most power on our bikes are eliminated by turning off the ignition switch, except for the IS radio/clock/trip memory.

So it would matter the bike and what they did. So you need to investigate.

Just mounting a Garmin and running the power direct from the battery.

JJ

[gordonv]

Then I would say Yes, when power is removed from the battery, then there is no draw.

With a note, as long as the power is removed before the transformer. I suspect that it has a lighter adapter. So a wired in aux port (12V) would be just straight wires to it from the battery, and until the adapter is inserted, there would be no draw. Unplug the adapter, no draw. Unplug the adapter from the GPS, and the transformer still draws power (mA, but still draws).

Such a hard answer with out all the information. I could ask how is it wired, through what. The GPS most likely only operates on 5V, and our bikes are 12V.

So is it a wire with a fuse from the battery to the Garmin? Or does my above explanation answer the rest of the question? Pictures?

[AwesomeDad]

Then I would say Yes, when power is removed from the battery, then there is no draw.

With a note, as long as the power is removed before the transformer. I suspect that it has a lighter adapter. So a wired in aux port (12V) would be just straight wires to it from the battery, and until the adapter is inserted, there would be no draw. Unplug the adapter, no draw. Unplug the adapter from the GPS, and the transformer still draws power (mA, but still draws).

Such a hard answer with out all the information. I could ask how is it wired, through what. The GPS most likely only operates on 5V, and our bikes are 12V.

So is it a wire with a fuse from the battery to the Garmin? Or does my above explanation answer the rest of the question? Pictures?

Garmin has a power cable that directly wires to the battery.

JJ

[MarkT]

My Garmin ZUMO is wired directly to the battery via my PC8 fuse buss.  Not switched there.  I turn it off with the power switch on the ZUMO.  This model does not drain power while off.  If it did I would switch it externally or connect it to the switched buss in the PC8.  Wouldn't like that much because I want to leave it on at fuel and food stops, instead of breaking up my track files.  Doesn't draw too much power at such short stops to drain the battery.

[gordonv]

Same reason I left my USB port directly wired to the battery, no switch. So it will drain the battery over time, but I wanted to be able to charge devices when stopped. Also I have the IS, so I already have a drain with the memory items.

But I have been thinking of a switch, I think like Jeff did, on the side of the throat cover.

[Fazer]

If you are planning on adding accessories, the PC8 in Mark's post is the way to go.  Check out easternbeaver.com.  Forget to turn your running lights off for even a short time will draw down your battery.

[Gondul]

If you are planning on adding accessories, the PC8 in Mark's post is the way to go.  Check out easternbeaver.com.  Forget to turn your running lights off for even a short time will draw down your battery.

Just picked up the PC8 myself to clean up the mess I've made over the years...due to current issues you have to go with FEDEX to ship for an additional $10 (just about $20 total), but it made it here in 3 days. 

I've already cut out the separator in batttery box to make room for the PC8 and all the relays...once the phone-mount/charger gets here from MotoPowerPuck, I'll be cleaning everything up and wiring in the I/S truck (and modding the signals) and Tsukayu bags with some waterproof connectors for easy removal.

[da prez]

  If you do not use the fuse buss , be sure to install a fuse as close to the battery as possible.

                                          da prez