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adding an power accessory socket to your bike
"A Suzuki V-Strom (DL1000) gets a power outlet for a GPS and other accessories"
 
The following tips and tricks are not intended as a replacement for the services of a trained technician. Further, they should not be used to replace any information contained in the service manuals or operator's guide(s) for your particular motorcycle. Making a mistake while servicing your motorcycle can be fatal to you or others.
 

Powerlet kit and coiled Garmin adapterTools Needed

• Electric Drill
• 11/16" hole saw
• Hex wrench
• Loctite® blue
• Philips head screwdriver
• Masking tape
• Ty-wraps (included with kit)

I ordered a Powerlet BMW-type power connection kit and GARMIN® GPS V 12V power adapter cable from Jastek/Powerlet™ Products (1-877-7JASTEK) on the web. They have several preconfigured kits available for a variety of bike models but the Suzuki V-Strom wasn't in the lineup. When I spoke to John, the owner of the company, he told me that they could custom make a kit for any bike provided they're given measurements for the wire length. I wanted to fit the 'Strom with a front panel outlet close to the GPS and estimated the length of the cable at around 4'. The longest cable length Jastek/Powerlet™ currently offers in their kits is 3' so they had to make one special for a few bucks more.

IMAGE 1: Click for detailFirst, determine the desired location of the outlet. I wanted mine on the left front panel closest to the GPS V 12V power outlet. Place a piece of masking tape over the area and mark the spot for the hole with an "X". Using the 11/16" hole saw, carefully drill the hole where the outlet will be installed.

  

IMAGE 9: Click for detailInsert the supplied fuse into the fuse-holder of the harness and reattach the negative battery lead to the battery. I nestled the fuse holder into the side area just to the left of the battery (Image 9). It fits securely and doesn't require securing with a Ty-wrap.

IMAGE 10: Click for detailUnscrew the brass nut from the power socket assembly and insert the socket into the drilled hole on the front panel. Place a few drops of Loctite® on the nut and screw onto the socket from underneath the panel. Secure tight but don't over-tighten Connect the two lead ends of the wiring harness to the power socket as directed in the instructions provided with your kit. Be careful to connect the positive and negative wires correctly.

IMAGE 11: Click for detailBelow are pictures of the completed installation. The GPS is attached to the V-Strom's handlebars using a RAM mount system. I chose the Jastek/Powerlet™ coiled power cord for my GPS V for the added flexibility although they offer a straight cable type as well.
     
IMAGE 2: Click for detailRemove the seat and the black, left side panel using the Hex wrench.   IMAGE 12: Click for detailSome other uses for the outlet include heated clothing, cell phone, battery/trickle charger. I plan on installing an additional outlet on the side panel near the center of the bike for a heated vest and cell phone charger.
     
IMAGE 3: Click for detail Note that once the single Hex screw is removed from the panel, it snaps out with two rubber connectors, one at the center and another located toward the rear.  

The completed installation

IMAGE 13: Click for detailClose-up of GPS mount from RAM.
     
IMAGE 4: Click for detail  

IMAGE 14: Click for detailThe power socket.

Spring hinged and waterproof.
     

IMAGE 5: Click for detailThread the cable, fuse box side, from the battery area through to the front of the bike (Image 6 displays detail of wire routing). You'll find it a bit tight to get through between the frame and motor but this location seemed to work really well.

IMAGE 6: Click for detail Ty-wrap the cable to the frame of the bike to give it a little more security (Image 5: Red arrow points to Ty-wrap). Run the cable up to the front fairing.

  

IMAGE 15: Click for detailCockpit view.

 

 



IMAGE 16: Click for detailGPS V connected to outlet.

Outlet is always hot. Convenient for battery charger!
     

IMAGE 7: Click for detailDisconnect the negative battery cable first followed by the positive cable. Connect the red (positive) wire of the Powerlet™ harness to the positive battery terminal and secure. I trimmed the redIMAGE 8: Click for detail rubber battery lead protector cap about 3/8" to accommodate the extra wire.
(Images 7/8)

Connect the black, negative wire of the harness to the frame of the bike. I attached mine to the bolt just forward of the battery on the left hand side of the bike.

  

IMAGE 17: Click for detailAnother cockpit view.

 

 

 



IMAGE 18: Click for detailJastek/Powerlet™ plug.

 

 

NOTE: Although this installation was performed on a Suzuki V-Strom, the application is essentially the same for most bikes. Check with Jastek/Powerlet™ Products for a kit specifically for your ride.

— Jacques Rambonnet
     
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