Installing PTT Switches with Voice Com II

[GBaker]

I have ordered the above kit for the rider and passenger. Have looked thru the FAQs but did not see anything on this.

Has any one installed them themselves? Hopefully there will be installation directions other than 'see your dealer'...

Any way is the com II pre wired to "plug" the PTT switches in. Which tupperware has to be removed and how? Trying to save a nickel.

Thanks

[mneblett]

I have ordered the above kit for the rider and passenger. Have looked thru the FAQs but did not see anything on this.

Has any one installed them themselves? Hopefully there will be installation directions other than 'see your dealer'...

Any way is the com II pre wired to "plug" the PTT switches in. Which tupperware has to be removed and how? Trying to save a nickel.

ThanksThe VOICE II is pre-wired for the rider PTT, and it's plug is actooly easy to get to -- laying under the left handlebar cover (remove two 3mm Allen screws from the bottom side of the cover).

The VOICE II is *not*, however, pre-wired for the passenger PTT. And unless BMW has come out with a passenger kit which plugs into (piggybacks on) the rider's PTT plug, with wires that go all the way back to the trunk (location for the passnger PTT on the pre-VOICE II bikes), you'll have to rig up your own setup.

Worry not, though, because conceptually it's easy. I have done this twice, once on an '05 and once on an '06.

Basically, all that is required is to tap the two front PTT wires, and run the two wires from the handlebar back to the passenger PTT. All the PTT does is complete an open circuit, signalling the VOICE II that an "open mic" request is present. The VOICE II doesn't care whether its PTT circuit is closed at the front switch or the rear. There's also no polarity issue, so you don't have to keep track of which wire is which.

The pita aspect of this is that if you're not taking the bike apart for other modifications and/or maintenance, it's a fair amount of boring work removing/installing body parts just for this one addition.

For a quick and dirty job, you only need to remove the left fairing panel and the rear seat, so that once you route the wires out of the handlebar cover, you can route them rearward along the outside/bottom of the fuel tank and then back up to the trunk.

But if you want to do the job _RIGHT_ ... (;)),

you should route the wires under the fuel tank. While this can be done without removing the tank, it's a lot easier (especially for a first-timer) to yank the tank to see what you're doing. If you've not removed the tupperware before, see if there's a list member near you that would be willing to give you a hand -- it's not hard, there's just a few hidden screws and things to be aware of.

And a reminder -- you'll want to put a quick-disconnect somewhere in the rear part of the harness so that you retain the ability to remove the trunk!

One suggestion: Next time your dealer has an open house, look through the "junk/scrap" pile -- I've picked up a number of bits/pieces/connectors/harness sections for pennies on the dollar that get pitched into my BMW parts bin in anticipation of undefined future needs. Both my rear PTT installs have used BMW OE connectors and wiring runs from "the bin" for quick-disconnects, giving a more sanitary look (yeah, ok, so I'm A.R.! :)).

HTH,

[unleashd]

It should come with "detailed" :rolleyes: instructions, but I'd suggest you get a hold of somewho has done it before to atleast look over your shoulders. It is not rocket science, but has its own quirks. You will neet to take off the left and right side fairing pieces, handle bar covers etc. before you get to remove the oddments box to install the comm unit.

You'll need to drill holes in a couple of places to install the headset plugs etc. Take your time doing this. In case you haven't taken the tupperware off yourself before, I'd suggest giving it that much extra time to make sure that all the screws are removed before you even tug that piece!!!

One thing that I read during my earlier LT days, somewhere on this forum that I will never forget - If you are trying to pull off a piece of plastic and it doesn't want to come off, be assured that you haven't taken off all the screws that are holding it down!!! Go back and search for more screws!!!

[mneblett]

I have ordered the above kit for the rider and passenger. Have looked thru the FAQs but did not see anything on this.

Has any one installed them themselves? Hopefully there will be installation directions other than 'see your dealer'...

Any way is the com II pre wired to "plug" the PTT switches in. Which tupperware has to be removed and how? Trying to save a nickel.

ThanksForgot to add: I have a copy of the older ComSystem passenger PTT instructions; let me know if you want a scanned copy. Basically not much there -- remove the two T20 torx screws securing the right switch panel to the trunk, drill a hole (using the second "0" in the part number on the panel rear as the hole center) and insert the PTT switch and secure it with its nut.

[unleashd]

Worry not, though, because conceptually it's easy. I have done this twice, once on an '05 and once on an '06.


Make that 3 times if you count the BC3 install on my bike :bmw:

[mneblett]

Make that 3 times if you count the BC3 install on my bike :bmw:Naw, can't count that one -- the ComSystem harness had the rear PTT built in :). Sounds like he's only looking to add the PTTs, so I'll spare him the full installation instructions ;)

[unleashd]

hmmm.......OK

[unleashd]

BTW, can you give me a source to find that dang PTT wire that will plug into my comm system. You know the wire that was missing the two pin connector from the driver PTT switch to the comm system. I called J&M and they referred me to BMW since this is a rebadged BMW unit.

[mneblett]

BTW, can you give me a source to find that dang PTT wire that will plug into my comm system. You know the wire that was missing the two pin connector from the driver PTT switch to the comm system. I called J&M and they referred me to BMW since this is a rebadged BMW unit.When I'm back in town next week, let's talk/meet up again. As I recall, that is a standard harness piece that the dealer should be able to get, but we should first check under the left panel/stingray to see whether it's not already there, stashed somewhere amid the rats-nest of wires. Besides, IIRC, I still need to get your rear harness back to you, right? :)

[unleashd]

When I'm back in town next week, let's talk/meet up again. As I recall, that is a standard harness piece that the dealer should be able to get, but we should first check under the left panel/stingray to see whether it's not already there, stashed somewhere amid the rats-nest of wires. Besides, IIRC, I still need to get your rear harness back to you, right? :)


Cool. I'll catch up with you soon.

[hschisler]

I'm curious why you want a PTT button for the passenger. Is that so the passenger can use the FRS/GMRS radio to talk to another bike, and not rely on you to press the button? Or is it because your intercom doesn't have vox?

[mneblett]

I'm curious why you want a PTT button for the passenger. Is that so the passenger can use the FRS/GMRS radio to talk to another bike, and not rely on you to press the button? Or is it because your intercom doesn't have vox?So my son can talk to his mom, over on her R1150GS, via the FRS radio :) The VOX works fine for intercom/phone/etc.

[GBaker]

Thank you all very much. I feel a little better about it now. The passenger PTT is so my bride can talk to other wimmens on the road.

As info the kit I have on order is:
Description
Rider - Push-to-Talk Switches
Item #: 99 00 0 001 530 - [In Stock

And is shown as for K1200LT only

[hschisler]

So my son can talk to his mom, over on her R1150GS, via the FRS radio :) The VOX works fine for intercom/phone/etc.What I was getting at is this:

I have intercom/FRS/GMRS/cell phone working on my LT. At some point my riding buddy will get FRS/GMRS on his bike. When that happens the wives (both passengers) will want to be able to talk to each other. So... can bike-to-bike communications be set up so that both rider and passenger each havetheir own PTT switch, using 1 radio/bike? Or, will the riders have to press the PTT so the passengers can talk? That sounds very inconvenient.

[mneblett]

What I was getting at is this:

I have intercom/FRS/GMRS/cell phone working on my LT. At some point my riding buddy will get FRS/GMRS on his bike. When that happens the wives (both passengers) will want to be able to talk to each other. So... can bike-to-bike communications be set up so that both rider and passenger each havetheir own PTT switch, using 1 radio/bike? Or, will the riders have to press the PTT so the passengers can talk? That sounds very inconvenient.Oops! Sorry, Howard. I misunderstood -- 1 FRS radio, 2 PTT's, either rider or passenger can trigger their PTT to transmit over said radidio :)

[hschisler]

Oops! Sorry, Howard. I misunderstood -- 1 FRS radio, 2 PTT's, either rider or passenger can trigger their PTT to transmit over said radidio :)Perfect, Mark -- thanks. I'll go back and read this thread more carefully because for anyone who rides two-up and has bike-to-bike communications going, 2 PTTs are the way to go.

Thanks.