• Welcome to the BMW R18 Forums. Member registration disables ads and allows you to post and share. Register Here.

TC or B switched power?

  • <i class="fa--xf fal fa-check "><svg xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg" role="img" aria-hidden="true" ><use href="/data/local/icons/light.svg?v=1789222567#check"></use></svg></i> Discussion starter Discussion starter Rambler358
  • Start date Start date

Rambler358

Active member
Joined
Sep 12, 2021
Messages
340
Location
Torrance, CA
Visit site
Bike
2023 R18 Transcontinental
I’m looking for a switched power wire on the TC/B that I can easily tap into. Something under the seat and easily accessible would be great.
 
Sorry I can't exactly answer your question about the power wire. I recently discovered the Thunderbox by HealTech which eliminates the need to look for such a power wire.

 
Sorry I can't exactly answer your question about the power wire. I recently discovered the Thunderbox by HealTech which eliminates the need to look for such a power wire.

[/URL]
Thanks for the link. Do you have this installed on your B? If so, what was involved in connecting the + and - terminals to the battery? I ask because I took the seat off and the battery terminals didn't seem easy to get to.
 
I'm going to install it the same way my dealer pre-installed a charging pigtail before I even bought my R18 Bagger. One end to the bolt under the seat mount. One end to the jump starter point.

This(1).webp

From page 193 of the manual, 1 is the positive battery connection on the right side of the bike for jump starting. It's easy to see without removing any panel.
Screenshot 2024-08-14 194627.webp
 
Nice. Just out of curiosity, did you try and see if you could use the battery’s + and - terminals? Do you know if you’re able to get to the battery terminals without having to remove the battery?

Just ordered the Thunderbox - thanks for the tip on this.
 
Last edited:
I didn't try to get to the battery itself. The manual shows it is buried deep. See page 195. I'm more of a motorcycle rider and not interested in wrenching or fiddling with electronics. I figured the techs at the dealership who installed the charging pigtail were ok footsteps to follow. Page 200 of the manual shows Fuse 3 can be used for optional accessories but I chose to use the Thunder Box for its extra protections.
 
Hi, I ́ve install thunderbox on my r18 bagger and there is noise in back speaker when I stop engine during 30 seconds.
Did you encounter same issue?
 
I had that issue when I installed it on mine, turns out the switched power I thought I chose was not a switched power. Double check the polarity of that cable with a voltmeter.
 
Cant remember what wire I had chose before but both came from the same non connected harness that was under the seat for the rear case on the T/C.
 
I followed this Post to get powered wire.
I will check it.

The wire I used is switched off 30s after engine is stopped.
The noise stops when wire is switched off.
So I guess I have to find another powered wire which is switched off when engine is stopped.
 
Last edited:
Mine was doing the same thing for about a month. I did not realize it until I connected the charger to the bike and was getting a ground fault error from both sockets. Then I started researching why and found the issue was the Thunderbox. It seemed to be operating correctly, but the wire connected was a switched ground if I remember correctly.
 
The Thunderbox is meant to be wired directly to the battery. But, since that was too hard for me, I chose the jump start point because the dealer made the same choice for the battery charger wire.

My installation.
 
The wire causing the issue is the white wire that can be wired to a switched power or not used. My power and ground are going to the battery.
 
In fact, the noise remains whatever white wiring connected or not (I connected white wire to a switched wire or to a ground, or to nothing).
But I have the charger connected to the bike, I will try without tomorrow.
 
I had a similar quest a while ago, was discussed here: https://www.r18forums.com/threads/looking-for-a-swithched-hot-lead.2799/page-2

I wanted to use the connector under the tank for simplicity/to keep the wires shorter but the 2 wire connector never worked (mine is the FE edition..) - most likely explanation was that I was using the switched power for the auxiliary lights.. Was never able to turn on power via the left combo switch under the Mode button - even took it to the dealer and they weren't able to switch that on..?

Now I took off the tank again to disconnect it and on the opposite side I found this connector:

Imagepipe_1.jpg

Not sure what this is intended for but it's got a third, green (and thinner) wire- however I only used the main two for a phone charger and it seems to be working fine?
Anyone know what this is for and given the third wire?
 
Back
Top