I was getting a flat battery which was being caused by the drain of my K2 system when the bike wasn't being used for a while. By connecting up a "delay off" relay which cuts power to the K2 system after a pre-determined time once the ignition is off, the problem is solved. The delay before cutting power ensures that the last video file is saved properly and the system shuts down before cutting power. Below is a link to the adjustable delay relay I purchased and also a wiring diagram to show how I wired the relay. I have mine set to a 30 second delay.
https://www.12voltplanet.co.uk/adjustable-delay-timer-relay-delay-on-or-off-12v-10a.html
I don't know what its like in the US, but when you get at a biker rest in germany, you usual see 80 BMW (GS, LT and some RS), 40 Japs, 20 Harleys, 10 Ducati and one Triumph (that's me) :-)
And the most funny part in this is, that most of the GS are the Adventure Edition and/or equiped with various hard parts, while the bike itself twinkles like it was just fetched from the showroom. :-)
Back from the south English coast yesterday. Good weekend, good rides and far too much beer. Bike started every time so no apparent battery drain or other problems. Happy biker again....!😀
I know its too late now (glad to hear its sorted), but I was just browsing the Denali site and notice they have a new fitting that sounds perfect for this type of need, see below:
I already use a Denali CanSmart and because I had a spare circuit was able to use the switched circuit on that, but for those that either use all 4 circuits, or don't have one at all, and want to avoid cutting into the low, this looks a perfect add on that simply piggy backs off an existing plug
https://denalielectronics.com/collections/all/products/dnl-whs-10000
OK..Latest update. Removed my Bike from the installers and took it to BMW who connected to a 12V switched live. System seems to be working in all respects. The DVR takes about 12s to power up and approx 60s to power down. This is preseumably so no files corrupt as there is plenty of time to save on a switch off..... So...all looks good so far.........Of on tour in the morning and taking my battery charger just in case. All in........//....this cost me nearly £700. I really hope it’s worth the hassle and expense. 😀Thanks for all of the advice and guidance guys... I will let you know on Sunday if my current positivity turns to ‘rat shit’.
Kev, I feel real sorry for you having all this on going hassle and loads of expense. So frustrating and makes you wonder if it is all worthwhile.
Well...I, too, would not trust an Installer anymore who mixes up 5V and 12V wires. :-)
I hope that BMW can help you in that by acceptable costs.
Though I don't own a GS, I know that BMW excessively uses Canbus. Which means you cannot simply tap a wire to the head- or taillights to get switch power, as this can lead to errors in the electronic. But there are some more GS riders here in the forum, which uses a special, Canbus compatible power relay to get switched 12V power.
Take a look here https://www.innovv.com/forum/main/comment/5d757c5a16328a007e269e8a
But I wonder that your installer does not know of the Canbus difficulty on BMW.
The Nightmare Continues: Steve (INNOVV UK) has been very helpful. He sent me a new Converter and I have had several chats with him. Installer fitted the new converter (at cost again) and connected it (as per the old converter) to the switched wire that also feeds my Rider 550 SATNAV. In short, with the new converter fitted, the DVR would not power up and the Converter LED light was irregular and intermittent. It transpires that this is because the SATNAV is connected to a 5 volt switched feed which is insufficient to power the DVR which needs 12 volts and this was confirmed by running the yellow wire to the battery positive and the DVR powered up correctly. I contacted BMW on behalf of the workshop/installer to identify the best 12 volt feed, but BMW will not share any details of electrics etc with any other MC workshop due to electronic and CANBUS sensitivities and warrantees. They won’t share data or advise. The installer suspects that splicing into the tail light would suffice, but BMW told me that is not necessary and would adversely effect the rear light warrantee. My Bike is still in the workshop and I will collect it tomorrow and take it to BMW and hopefully they can find time to connect to a 12 volt switched live (at cost). This is turning into a very expensive exercise. I am also in dispute with Amazon for selling obsolete stock as this has incurred additional expense on my part with the installer to refit the new converter. Not too happy with installers cost or fit to be honest and will need to deal with that....Pissed off, but hopefully might be finally sorted tomorrow.
Just to add for others info, I had a v2 convertor, and so Steve at Innovv UK sent me a v3, not because of any issues, just I felt I should get the latest spec. Sadly I have had no time to use the bike since mid-August until last weekend, total of 7 weeks where the bike has been parked outside and no battery charger (a 2015 model BMW R1200GSA). Even after 7 weeks sat without charge and the alarm on, it started on the button. So the v3 convertor clearly doesn't cause any issues for me! :)
Steve is sending me a new converter tomorrow. It would appear that Amazon sent me an old stock item. Steve stated that they swapped most out most of the Amazon when they upgraded the converter, but Amazon kept some as a sales pool during the swap out. I have one of the older ones. I will fit the new converter tomorrow then do some tests. If all is not well, I will then take it back to the installer.
Hi Paulouk.....I think the drain at the installers was 6+ hours of TFT and Running lights on then me starting the bike to ride home. It takes about 17 miles of running time to put the charge back in used for a start up. I travelled 6 miles then messed about with the app and cameras (ignition on again with TFT, Running lights and K2). Left it overnight and tried to start it the following morning. Wouldn't start as only 2% charge left. This was not attributable to K2 overnight drain as the battery will have been pretty much drained from the previous days events.....But a full charge later that day, a 20 minute ride should not have resulted in 82% loss of battery charge. Something is going on. Ive charged again today to 100%. I will check it again in the morning before heading to the installer and will check the charge % again when I get there....Will keep you posted.
Kev, I'm sure Frostie is right that there must be a fault on the bike after installation of your K2. Even an old style convert would not drain the battery in 6 miles as the bike alternator would put out loads more juice than the convert would use. Reakon the installers messed up. Sounds expensive!
Will do !
Thanks Jeff...That helpful !
Correct. I am in Germany. You surely read my german accent :-)
Ride safe guys and thanks......PS...I suspect most of you are in the US.....Heading to Sturgis next year and then on tour to New Orleans. Really looking forward to it !!...Regards ...Kev
Good luck, Kev!!
Guys...Thanks for all the advice...Will take it back to the installer in the morning to run some tests and find out where the inline fuse is situated. If I don’t get some answers there I will have to take it to BMW as I don’t have time to mess about with this too much as I am committed to the tour on Friday.....Much appreciated chaps.....Thanks
I'm suspicious that something went wrong during the installation. If you have an ammeter, disconnect the positive lead on your battery and connect ammeter between the positive terminal and the positive lead. Note the current draw, and start pulling fuses until you find the culprit.
This may sound a little silly ,but my concern is at the moment that the drain is more than what is going into the battery on a ride and after during the 300 mile journey on Friday I stop on breaks etc and cannot restart the bike...Would that be a possibility ?