ElectricMotorcycleForum.com

Tech => Tech Help => Topic started by: DonTom on August 18, 2017, 02:29:01 PM

Title: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: DonTom on August 18, 2017, 02:29:01 PM
I own a couple of Zero bikes. A 2017 Zero DS ZF 6.5 and a 2017 Zero  SR  ZF 13 with the power tank.

I have successfully added the optional  12 volt  outlet to the DS with no issues.  I found the connector under the "tank" plastic.

However, on my SR which has the power tank, I cannot find the accessory connector anywhere. Where could  it be?

-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: Shadow on August 18, 2017, 11:00:36 PM
Same location. This was discussed recently in another forum thread. Anyone remember the thread and can link to it?
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: BrianTRice@gmail.com on August 19, 2017, 01:27:54 AM
Wiki reference: http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#S_Platform_Routing (http://zeromanual.com/index.php/Unofficial_Service_Manual#S_Platform_Routing)

For the Power Tank, your dealer may have moved the connections, and also they will be less accessible with the Power Tank in place. You may have to remove the tank plastics completely and try fishing around for it from in front / under the frame shoulder.
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: Shadow on August 19, 2017, 08:16:11 AM
Found it: Need help installing SAE USB accessory (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=6951) has pictures clearly showing the PowerTank.
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: DonTom on August 19, 2017, 11:03:56 AM
Found it: Need help installing SAE USB accessory (http://electricmotorcycleforum.com/boards/index.php?topic=6951) has pictures clearly showing the PowerTank.
Thanks, but the connector type shown there does NOT match the white cigarette adapter plug connector.  Nor does it match the type used in my 2017 Zero DS bike which I have connected up just fine.

But I guess it doesn't matter, as I also cannot find one that looks like the one shown in the video.

I decided it is not worth tearing the SR with pwr tank apart trying to find it. I just wired it into the low beam of the headlight. I don't care if it loses power when on high beam. It's mainly just to run the power for my added GPS, but I would also like to be able to use a tire pump from it if possible, if ever needed.

I wonder why Zero decided to put the connector  in such a stupid location to begin with.   IMO, in the headlight area is where is should be or any other place where you don't have to tear the bike apart to get to it.

-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: ESokoloff on August 22, 2017, 08:14:34 AM
I wouldn't use a high amp draw device on a cuircuit that's not designed to handle it.
I'm guessing that a tire pump will add about 10 amps to the low beam switch & wire that may only be designed to handle 5 bringing the total load up to 15 amps!!!!

Could you just go back to the fuse block & abandon the factory Aux wire & run your own?

You will need a blue 90° .25" crimp on connector (for the connection to the fuse block) & suitable wire (type/gauge).

Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: DonTom on August 22, 2017, 03:27:27 PM
I wouldn't use a high amp draw device on a cuircuit that's not designed to handle it.
I'm guessing that a tire pump will add about 10 amps to the low beam switch & wire that may only be designed to handle 5 bringing the total load up to 15 amps!!!!

Could you just go back to the fuse block & abandon the factory Aux wire & run your own?

You will need a blue 90° .25" crimp on connector (for the connection to the fuse block) & suitable wire (type/gauge).
I might just do that. But for now, I am adding a switch to turn off the low beam so the full ten amps can be used at the socket when the lamp is off.  Some day, I will wire it to always on 13.8  volts so I don't need  to have the ignition on at all. I also like to wire my new horns that way, so I can sound them even without the ignition key.

I remember seeing somewhere that there is a always on 13.8 volts that we can draw a good 15 amps from, but I have not checked for that yet.  I like the horn button to be hot at all times and I will add a relay for a much louder horn. The stock Zero horn is a joke. I also want the 12 volt accessory socket hot at all times. However, I like the way the GPS goes off and on with the key and I run it from the accessory socket.

BTW, I already added a switch to turn off the low beam in my Zero DS bike and I had no trouble finding the accessory connector in that bike, so I am using it. In my SR bike with the power tank, there is no trace of that connector. It must have been buried somewhere under the powertank when it was installed.

BTW, I wonder how far I can go on this bike without voiding the warranty. I never let that stop me anyway. I know I will be making many changes with both bikes after I get a bit more familiar with them.

I will be back in Auburn, CA next week where my SR bike is and I will work on it then.

-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: Doug S on August 22, 2017, 08:18:22 PM
I've posted elsewhere, but I'm very happy with my horn:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DINKPQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DINKPQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

It doesn't draw so much current that I felt I needed to add a relay/find more power for it, but it's a nice loud tone and plenty mean sounding. Nobody respects those "meep meep" horns, if they even hear them. Every once in a while I visit this page and drool a bit: https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003399801-Supertone-High-Bracket/dp/B000CRZXPI/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1503411285&sr=1-1&keywords=hella+supertone (https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003399801-Supertone-High-Bracket/dp/B000CRZXPI/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1503411285&sr=1-1&keywords=hella+supertone) , but then I WOULD feel obligated to add a relay and make sure there's adequate current.
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: DonTom on August 22, 2017, 11:36:18 PM
I've posted elsewhere, but I'm very happy with my horn:  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DINKPQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1 (https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000DINKPQ/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1)

It doesn't draw so much current that I felt I needed to add a relay/find more power for it, but it's a nice loud tone and plenty mean sounding. Nobody respects those "meep meep" horns, if they even hear them. Every once in a while I visit this page and drool a bit: https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003399801-Supertone-High-Bracket/dp/B000CRZXPI/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1503411285&sr=1-1&keywords=hella+supertone (https://www.amazon.com/HELLA-003399801-Supertone-High-Bracket/dp/B000CRZXPI/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1503411285&sr=1-1&keywords=hella+supertone) , but then I WOULD feel obligated to add a relay and make sure there's adequate current.
I use the dual horns, so I use a relay. I already have them on my 2017 DS 6.5, but need to also install them on my newer SR. I have all the stuff, I just have to install it all.

-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: ESokoloff on October 03, 2017, 05:05:06 PM


Could you just go back to the fuse block & abandon the factory Aux wire & run your own?

You will need a blue 90° .25" crimp on connector (for the connection to the fuse block) & suitable wire (type/gauge).

This may be bad advice.....

I ended up taping into the factory supplied SAE connector located in the power tank cavity for my aux power needs. 
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: DonTom on October 05, 2017, 01:14:32 AM
This may be bad advice.....
I ended up running a wire from the 12 volt fuse for both my horn and outlet. I used the headlamp negative for the "ground". It works fine. I don't see why that would be bad advice.   I never did find the aux connector and I wasn't going to take the pwr tank apart looking for it when it (AFAIK) simply goes to the same fuse I used.

-Don-  Reno, NV
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: ESokoloff on October 07, 2017, 05:40:30 AM
This may be bad advice.....
I ended up running a wire from the 12 volt fuse for both my horn and outlet. I used the headlamp negative for the "ground". It works fine. I don't see why that would be bad advice.   I never did find the aux connector and I wasn't going to take the pwr tank apart looking for it when it (AFAIK) simply goes to the same fuse I used.

-Don-  Reno, NV

If doing what you did causes too much draw on the ground wire (additive of the two circuits), that would not be a good thing.

If the ground wire can accommodate this extra/added current safely, then "it's all good" (I usually HATE that expression but here, it's all good) ;D
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: ESokoloff on October 07, 2017, 05:54:19 AM
One more thing......

A few weeks ago, I finally finished up my additional horn, heated grips, & SAE plug for heated gear (if need be) all powered by the Aux cuircuit.

What I did for a horn relay was to use a SPDT & ran the Aux cuircuit through the NC contacts & the horns through the NO contacts.
The relay coil is wired parallel to the existing horn so a toot of the horn kills the aux cuircuit (except for the additional horns) so as not to over draw the cuircuit.

I nestled the horns inside of the plastic Faux tank with super tenacious dbl sided 3M tape (fingers crossed), so they are out of sight.
Title: Re: Optional 12 volt accessory outlet
Post by: DonTom on October 18, 2017, 03:00:44 PM
If doing what you did causes too much draw on the ground wire (additive of the two circuits), that would not be a good thing. If the ground wire can accommodate this extra/added current safely, then "it's all good" (I usually HATE that expression but here, it's all good) 
I use the negative wire for the headlamp as the ground. It Looks  thick enough to use for the things I added. And I have a LED headlamp blub in there that draws about half the current of the stock lamp.

-Don-  Reno, NV