Ignition Trigger Wire Identified

[Funbobby]

I have located an ignition power source trigger wire that is easily accessible and verified 12 volt power is available when placing the ignition to "on" position. I installed a Neutrino Element (www.neutrinoblackbox.com) power distribution unit (fuseblock) on my 2017 VFR 1200XD to power a Garmin 660 and Gerbing heated gear. Eventually I'll install Clearwater Sevena auxiliary lights.

The trigger wire was identified with a VFR1200X service manual wire schematic. It is the taillight power wire and is identified as the black wire with a brown stripe that is among other wires routed together. The taillight trigger wire is located under the seat on the left side as sitting on the VFR in the wire bundle that routes along the frame rail. The black plastic covering over the wire bundle requires cutting in order to access the taillight trigger wire. The yellow wire in the photos is part of the Neutrino Element and is spliced into the taillight wire for Neutrino Element power.

Installing the Garmin 660 is the subject of another thread. I hope the photos help.

Rob, 2017 VFR1200XD
Navarre, FL
IBA 606

[VFR1200XDH]

That's good info. The tail light is often used as the trigger for relays as it's always on and close to where accessory busses are placed or as you did, using a power distribution kit.

I'm getting ready to add an accessory bus myself so this comes at a perfect time.

Thanks

[Funbobby]

@VFR1200XDH, I’m glad my trigger wire post is useful. I have been running the setup for over a month on and off road with no issues. What fuze block are you planning to install?

Rob, 2017 VFR12XD
Navarre, FL
IBA 606

[VFR1200XDH]

I use Anderson Power Pole for any accessories I add. I've been using them for quite a while on other bikes and they make adding/changing/removing ultra simple. The flexibility is wonderful and you're not tied into a one way to do something.

https://powerwerx.com/powerpole-power-distribution

I ran a #8AWG cable from the rear to up front for the impending driving lamps, heated grips etc. While that can carry far more current than I'll ever need I had some laying around so why not use it? The ground for up front accessories goes into the stock ground point under the left fairing cover and is #10 AWG which can carry the overload requirement. Being much shorter than the source cable it matches up nicely.

I've ordered a lithium battery isolator that will go in the rear tail. Its a little less capacity than the lithium for the starter but it will run all added accessories. It will have a low voltage shutoff so no matter what the mains will not have any increased loads in the wiring. Since it's isolated from the main battery I can run accessories even with engine off and not have to worry about a no-start condition. I can then charge the phone or tablet, plug in a camping lamp, turn on the driving lamps if I need to. The isolator takes care of managing when the accessory battery charges and always defers to the main. If the main is charged only then does the accessory battery draw.

If the main fails for some reason I can also switch to the accessory and use it to start and even run the bike, its only slightly less capacity than the main.

I'll eventually add the Corbin Heated seat option (my ride-in next month) so that accessory battery will mean no extra load on the main battery. Its not that the main battery and charging can't handle the load but it keeps everything less complicated with only one extra connection to the main battery. Any time I do maintenance where the main battery needs to be disconnected I'm not faced with multiple battery connection wires.

[Ernest_T_Bass]

Thanks very much for this post and photos, Rob. I used your info this evening to install a Fuze Blocks FZ1, providing switched power for my GPS and some soon-to-be-purchased Skene lighting. I wouldn't have the confidence to locate the right wire on my own, but thanks to your help, had no problem. Much appreciated!

[Funbobby]

@Ernest_T_Bass, I’m happy to hear the install went well and there were no issues with the instructions and supporting photos. Glad to give back some helpful information to the forum as I have used suggestions from other members.

Rob, 2017 VFR 12XD
Navarre, FL
IBA 606

[mzflorida]

Rob...Are you happy with the Neutrino?  Did you consider the Aurora?  If so, why did you choose the element over the Aurora?  Sorry for all of the questions.  I have laundry list of items to do on my wife's CTX and my VFR.  I'm adding a few minor accessories and want to add a terminal block to both bikes.  Her bike was bought used.  The wiring for the existing accessories is serviceable but not very neat.  It is pricey so before I take teh plunge, I'd love to hear your thoughts.   I do like the decelerometer function of the Auurora.

Mike

[Funbobby]

@Mike. The Neutrino Black Box is one of the best products I have bought in years! I’m an extremely satisfied customer that has no affiliation with the company. I agree it’s more expensive then other similar products, but it works perfectly. I have one installed on my K1600GT and it has performed flawlessly for tens of thousands of miles. I returned yesterday from riding the Mid-Atlantic Backcountry Discovery Route (2752 total miles) and it worked flawlessly even after 100-200 miles of being vibrated in rough off roads and a day of soaking rain. The Bluetooth interface to configure circuits and display environmental and voltage data is great. When I have emailed or phoned the company to ask an installation or software question, the owner answers the phone or responds to my email within a couple hours.

As for why I purchased the Element over the Aurora, I didn’t feel I needed the additional software features the Aurora offered. Simple as that. If I change my mind and decide I want the additional Aurora features, I can send my Element to the company and have it upgraded for $100. If you wear heated gear in the winter months, the Aurora will automatically activated the gear based on the temperature to the heat percentage you programmed - a nice feature. However, with the Element, you can manually set the heat percentage you want with a slide bar on the Bluetooth interface as a work around.

You won’t regret a Neutrino Blackbox purchase.

Rob, 2017 VFR12XD
Navarre, FL