XM Radio Install

[TopDog2]

I'm installing an XM radio on my VTX. I know some of you have done this. From where did you draw the power? I was thinking about tapping the fog light plug in the headlight bucket. Is that a good place? Do you need a relay?

Thanks in advance for the answers!

[stepbill]

Why not just run it straight to the battery with an inline fuse? Of course your line would always be hot then.

[drewp21]

i think if i was going to start adding electrical id consider installing a fuse block with multiple fused taps. this would only require 1 extra battery connection. one consideration with the electrical in the headlight is its a switched source and the ignition would have to be on anytime you might want to listen to the radio. just a thought. might be times when you would want to have the radio on when the bikes not running? unless your going with earbuds or helmet built ins.

[TopDog2]

Stepbill,

I don't want the line to be hot all time. I might forget to turn off the radio and then I'd be stuck.

drewp21,

I use helmet speakers that I've modified to use with my half-helmet, so I'l always be using the radio when I'm on the bike.

[Blade]

I have a Delphi Roady2 XM radio installed and used the below hardwire power cord from Hoonhardware or cycle-gadgets (about $30) which was specifically for this series of radios. The negative wire gets hooked directly to the battery negative terminal and the positive wire goes to a switched ignition wire such as the feed to the tail lights or rear brake light -- XM radios, GPSs or associated peripherals WILL drain your battery if you connect both wires to your negative and positive battery terminals. Don't ask me how I know...
Anyway, I hope this points you in the right direction. Best of luck, ride safe and happy listening! http://emoticons4u.com/cool/408.gif

Roady2 Hardwire Kit
http://www.hoonhardware.com/assets/images/Hardwire.JPG

My XM Roady2 and Mount
http://static.flickr.com/28/91879842_08e23837d6.jpg

[cerooth]

I use the Delphi MyFi on my scooter, I have the power running from the ignition switch with an inline fuse. The hardest thing wis hidding the wiring since it has about a mile of it.

[TopDog2]

Blade,

Thanks. I have an adaptor already. Looks like I will have about the same set up you do too.

Would there be a problem hooking up the negative to a wire that goes to ground? Like I mentioned, the easiest place seems to be the fog light plug in the headlight bucket. There is a ground wire (the green I think) there and it is (I think) switched as well. Even though I've installed everything else on my bike, the electrical stuff is something about which I know nuttin'!

cerooth,

Yeah, they give you plenty of wiring. At least there is enough instead of too little.

[Easy Rider]

[quote="TopDog2"]Blade,


Would there be a problem hooking up the negative to a wire that goes to ground? Like I mentioned, the easiest place seems to be the fog light plug in the headlight bucket. There is a ground wire (the green I think) there and it is (I think) switched as well. Even though I've installed everything else on my bike, the electrical stuff is something about which I know nuttin'![quote]

I think the "fog light" plug is switched so it only works when the low beams are on and switches off when the high beams are on. Might want to check that out before you commit to that hookup.

[TopDog2]

I think the "fog light" plug is switched so it only works when the low beams are on and switches off when the high beams are on. Might want to check that out before you commit to that hookup.

Thanks for that tip! That wouldn't be good.

[dawj]

The only issue I had was I had to wire my amp to the neg. on the battery to get rid of the humming.

[TopDog2]

I was hoping to avoid having to remove the tank to do that, but I guess I'll do what I gotta do. Thanks!

[Blade]

I was hoping to avoid having to remove the tank to do that, but I guess I'll do what I gotta do. Thanks!

YIKES. :shock: Why would you do that? I had no need. I just wired the power underneath the left side of the tank; there's plenty of places to attach it to there. I did the same thing with my GPS power cord - even have some LED light pods there. You shouldn't make THAT kind of extra work for yourself and you also run the risk of rupturing or causing an imperfect seal on your gas line.

[TopDog2]

Thanks to everyone that replied. I now have XM on my bike :-)

I ended up using the fog light plug. I got a meter and it is powered high and low beam, so that was the easiest place to get power and ground. I will need a volume control though. Rat Shack, here I come...again :D :D