[dannyjvl]

I just purchased a Garmin 2730 GPS fro my 05 LT. Along with it I purchased the DC power cable. Can anyone tell me where and especially how to splice / hook up the power cable?
I'm somewhat electricity challenged but can usually figure things out with good instructions.
Thanks in advance for the help.

 

[rab1967]

I'm not sure if the 05's are the same as the 99's, but I routed mine through the light over the instrument panel and then ran it back to the BMW plug on the left side by you leg. Some people will put in one of the Blue Sea fuse boxes just about the battery and run it there so it's easier to change the fuse if that ever needed, plus it make it easier to add other farkels to the LT later on.

 

[messenger13]

I powered my GPS from the maplight leads.

 

[jers99lt]

I powered my GPS from the maplight leads.

+1. Just need to purchase a couple of crimp-on female connectors and a dual male to female adaptor package (4 to a pack IIRC) from Radio Shack.

Jer

 

[bmwusmc]

+2..but I soldered mine to the maplight leads..works good..2years with no problems..

 

[FredR]

I apologize for hijacking, but does anyone have a solution to mounting a 2720 to the BMR shelf using the Garmin motorcycle mount that does not require bending metal? I don't have the tools or the skill for metal bending.

 

[sctdixon]

I just purchased a Garmin 2730 GPS fro my 05 LT. Along with it I purchased the DC power cable. Can anyone tell me where and especially how to splice / hook up the power cable?
I'm somewhat electricity challenged but can usually figure things out with good instructions.
Thanks in advance for the help.

I have a 2730 on my 05 also. I purchased the Garmin motorcyle kit. I took off the tupperware and stingray and then ran the wire back to the battery. I connected the wires to the battery terminals with crimp on ring connectors. Works fine with no issues.

 

[Canabarry]

re Fred's metal bending question. I just installed my 2720 using the Garmin mount to a BMR shelf without bending metal. I cut a piece of plastic from a heavy, wide slat from a venetian blind about 2 inches wide and 4 inches long. Using a heat gun, I bent a 90 degree angle into it and then rounded the corners. After drilling, I spray painted it black and then pop riveted it to the shelf and bolted the Garmin mount onto it. It's nice and strong, looks professional and will present less of a safety hazard than metal in case of any unwanted get-offs.

 

[FredR]

Thanks Barry, I may give that a try. It was pointed out to me that BMR makes a slotted bracket that am going to try first.

re Fred's metal bending question. I just installed my 2720 using the Garmin mount to a BMR shelf without bending metal. I cut a piece of plastic from a heavy, wide slat from a venetian blind about 2 inches wide and 4 inches long. Using a heat gun, I bent a 90 degree angle into it and then rounded the corners. After drilling, I spray painted it black and then pop riveted it to the shelf and bolted the Garmin mount onto it. It's nice and strong, looks professional and will present less of a safety hazard than metal in case of any unwanted get-offs.

 

[yeoman_kp]

I just purchased a Garmin 2730 GPS fro my 05 LT. Along with it I purchased the DC power cable. Can anyone tell me where and especially how to splice / hook up the power cable?
I'm somewhat electricity challenged but can usually figure things out with good instructions.
Thanks in advance for the help.

Check out my post http://www.bmwlt.com/forums/showthread.php?t=30476, 12/9/2007. I mixed up the model number but it is the same unit on my '05 LT. I ran power direct from the battery. I'm sure there is a switched accessory circuit available also. I chose my connection to enable keeping the unit powered up with the ignition off. This, of course, has the risk of running the battery down if it is accidently left on for more than a day.

All other cables run through on hole under the bracket and under the stingray. The cable from the hockey puck XM antenna is routed under the handlebar tupperware and stingray to the Street Pilot. I opted for the standard mount on the stingray since it is made for the bike and doesn't have a lot of cobbled together homemade parts. The mount would also work on a BMR shelf if that is your preference. I run the audio cable into a Baehr unit for automatic switching between GPS, radio, phone, etc. up to helmet headphones. It looks like the Autocom works much in the same way. I cannot speak to the BMW audio unit since I do not have that on my bike.