Sometimes, a picture is worth 1000 words

The Graphs are the Most Important Item to develop understanding

View attachment 414324

Great job!
Agree 100%.....I have everything electrical I added going through an isolator.
On the 2018+ Goldwing CSC Trike conversions, CSC ran all the Trike electrical through an isolator also.

 

With the possibility of $1000 damage on either end of the bike when adding electrical components, the cost of isolators pales in comparison.... I have seen where a local Honda shop "jumped" into the wiring harness to add a light. I added quite a few more items to a friend's bike but went through isolators to do so. I can't remember where the issue was but there was an additional light down range that was acting funny which made me notice it!

 

I was able to explain this to my friend who is adding 8 Goldstrike Lights, Muth Mirrors, and Pathfinder Fog Light Surrounds. Based on Goldstrikes recommend input he was going to use two Goldstrike 48000 units in series with NO ISOLATION. I advised about the risks and the options that Electrical Connection has to implement these lights with protection. He sent the 48000s back and ordered all the necessary Plug and Play items from Lewis at EC.

Thanks for your input on the other thread, he has no other loads such as Heated Gear so the EC will work fine.

 

Wow more amazing info. I have a 2018 bagger manual I have ec plug and play fog lights and an OEM Honda 12v outlet in the park brake filler panel, a Garmin zumo 2 direct to battery and a trickle charger pigtail. I don't like adding leads to the battery like the garmin and want to add a flasher to my brake lights, a center light to connect the brake lights and a second dual USB port near the handlebars. Is one of these isolators the right product to connect these and avoid direct battery connections?

 

OUTSTANDING NAVY GATOR!!!!!!! That's some serious explanation of how things work. I'm about to add some roundell lights when they come in and I was wondering where I needed to go to tie them in. Then I remembered I have the Pathfinder Isolation Distribution hub on board, duh!!! Anyway, thanks very much for that.
Scott

 

Excellent, thank you. It explains Pathfinder's theory on the limited amount of add on from 18-20 without isolator and 21 - current, a must isolator. I am looking to add roundel too and isolator will be needed.

 

Thanks!
Pathfinder lights use a bit more power than other brands...that is why they typically are brighter.
Depending on which lights you choose, you can get away with one light without an isolator on a 2021+, maybe two if they are the same brand.

The sensors in the V1 isolator also pulled more power than the V2 sensors. All V1 sensors were just over the unused capacity of a 2021+ and just under on the 18-20s.

Lots of folks don't realize or forget that the Add On turn signals also pull a little more power than the Honda turn signals. It can matter when getting near the FCU capacity limit.

Good luck with your EC rondel light installs. I thought about them and like them but don't want to deal with wires when taking the middle cowls off for maintenance or other work.

 

Oops! I misread- just realized you don’t have an isolator - thought you had one

I agree that you are very likely at the limit with those three sets of lights

 

Hello, sorry to revive an older post, but I would like to know from the smarter than me members on this forum if I definitely should add a power distribution box. I am replacing the air filter and will have the bike all apart anyway.

I have Show Chrome fog lights that are wired into the factory wiring harness, a Kury trunk light strip with run, brake and turn LED's added to the rear harness with factory style connectors and flashers, a Garmin XT power supply, a little volt meter and occasionally use a heated jacket. I have attached the last three items to the accessory terminals in the fuse box. '19 Tour DCT Airbag. I do not plan to add anymore lights, trailer etc.

Have I been merely lucky, or can I leave things the way they are without an isolator block? Your advice is greatly appreciated.

BTW, the Garmin may very well come off the bike soon. I like the Scenic app, especially since it doesn't need an extra screen and wiring.

Andreas

 

IMO, you probably ok the way it is, but considering the Can-Bus system we all have on this expensive machine, which controls almost everything on it, it would be wise to isolate the distribution of the power for just safety of your system. I would recommend PF block. I am, also looking to do it. I am at my limit now. If you are going to naked the bike , might as well. Run everything via the block.

 

Hi Andreas

Fog lights are not a factor- their circuits are not part of the other lighting and power circuits. They are at a power level that show chrome confirmed was working well on the fog light circuit. No aftermarket fog lights plugged into the bike’s fog light circuit use an isolator.

trunk light - this is the only light added to the various lighting circuits (run, brake, left turn, right turn, and ground/return). By itself, it is likely below the threshold where problems occur.
Because the trunk light is plugged directly into the bike If the trunk light fails, it could induce a failure that causes the Honda lights to stop working because it damages one of the computers onboard. A computer repair will likely be over $1000 USD
An isolator would allow the trunk light to suffer a failure while enabling the bike to keep running with the Honda lights working


Garmin, Voltmeter, and Heated Gear on ACC
While this is likely fine if nothing goes wrong, if any one of them has a problem, you could loose the fuse box and shut down whole bike till the fuse is replaced.
An isolator would allow any or all of them to suffer a failure while enabling the bike to keep running normally.

In my opinion, Your current set up is likely fine but it does carry a small risk that an isolator would reduce.

On thought on the voltmeter - it would be slightly more accurate connected to the battery than the fuse box. There is a tiny voltage drop at the fuse box.

 

Thank you for the thorough advice! That's what I was looking for before spending CAD$250 on the Pathfinder isolator. One last question, would the Show Chrome one suffice? TIA

 

The Show Chrome isolator can support both ACC and Always Hot as well as signal lights
It should be able to support your configuration - need to verify it can handle your heated gear and Garmin at the same time if o. The same circuit (about 13 amps max would be my guess)
You could put Garmin on ACC and Heated Gear on Always Hot
I don’t have the Show Chrime Isolator details in front of me - I’m traveling

it’s drawback is that it requires removal of the seat and removal tiny screws to access its fuses

 

The Show Chrome isolator can support both ACC and Always Hot as well as signal lights
It should be able to support your configuration - need to verify it can handle your heated gear and Garmin at the same time if o. The same circuit (about 13 amps max would be my guess)
You could put Garmin on ACC and Heated Gear on Always Hot
I don’t have the Show Chrime Isolator details in front of me - I’m traveling

it’s drawback is that it requires removal of the seat and removal tiny screws to access its fuses

Thank you very much! It's cost is far less and free shipping. I am not overly worried about access. There are inexpensive ways to add water proofing as well like in the earlier post. LOL.

 

Does anyone has the available power budget for a 2023 Tour DCT when tapping into the saddlebag connectors like most of the isolator blocks do?

I am planning to install the Show Chrome isolator block, but I just measured the power draw of the relays in the isolator block as follows. This is the power that the unit will add to the circuit when installed.

Yellow - keyed power 76mA,
Blue / Orange - turn signals 36-38mA
Red - Brake lights 38.4mA
Brown - Running lights 37.6mA

Are those added power draws within the available power on a 2023 Tour DCT - especially since the 2021+ has a lower power budget available than the older models.

Regards, Harold

 

Does anyone has the available power budget for a 2023 Tour DCT when tapping into the saddlebag connectors like most of the isolator blocks do?

I am planning to install the Show Chrome isolator block, but I just measured the power draw of the relays in the isolator block as follows. This is the power that the unit will add to the circuit when installed.

Yellow - keyed power 76mA,
Blue / Orange - turn signals 36-38mA
Red - Brake lights 38.4mA
Brown - Running lights 37.6mA

Are those added power draws within the available power on a 2023 Tour DCT - especially since the 2021+ has a lower power budget available than the older models.

Regards, Harold

Harold, those current values are very very low and should be well within and Isolator block capability and also direct connected.

 

Harold
You are fine to use any isolator - including the Show Chrome isolator - on your 2023 Wing.
All are well within the “power budget “ even for 2021+ Wings

All the isolators come with plug and play sub-harnesses that connect into Wing on the same set of saddlebag sub-harness connectors.

Cheers

 

Updated FEB 2023.

Sometimes, a picture is worth a 1000 words

The Graphs are the Most Important Item to develop understanding

View attachment 414427

View attachment 414429



Of note: Honda changed 2021+ bikes, either reducing the capacity, or the new rear lights use more power, or both. The result is that the amount of power available between the lights and FCU max capacity is smaller than the 2018 to 2020 bikes.
This change caused some aftermarket light and isolator companies to change their products in order for them to work properly on 2021+ bikes as well as 2018 to 2020 bikes.

Isolators and Distribution Blocks
All come with plug and play sub-harness to interface with the bike.

All can connect a 5 wire trailer harness to all of them. 4 wire trailers will require a converter.

Show Chrome is a combined isolator and distribution system. It is for lights and accessories.

• It supports Run, Brake, Left Turn, Right Turn, Accessory (ACC) and Always Hot.
• It has manual fuses for each output. You have to access the box to replace them.
• It is not watertight
• It is not plug and play. It uses screw down crimps on the output blocks.
• Depending on the number of items connected, you likely will have to use output wires on the block and then wegos on the output wires.
• It is the cheapest.

Rivco TWC004 is an isolator with output wires. It is for lights only.

• Must buy the sub-harness for 2018+ Wings separately
• It supports run brake, right turn and left turn.
• It is not plug and play. It will require using Wego's or other connectors to connect the lights and accessories to the output wires.
• It has one manual fuse for the entire system
• It is watertight.
• It is more expensive than Show Chrome and less expensive than Pathfinder and Electrical Connections and Goldstrike.

Pathfinder is an isolator with output wires. It is for lights and accessories.

• It has output wires for Run, Brake, Left Turn, Right Turn, Accessory (ACC) and Always Hot.
• It uses an electronic circuit breaker for the enter block. It resets by turning the bike on and off. You do not have to access the system.
• It has the highest capacity of all the systems.
• It is watertight.
• It is not plug and play. It will require using Wego's or other connectors to connect the lights and accessories to the output wires.
• Due to use of electronic circuit breakers, it will require trickle charging the battery if the bike is not being ridden for a week or more. Battery condition can make the time to start trickle charging shorter.
• It is more expensive than Show Chrome and Rivco but cheaper than Electrical Connection and Goldstrike.

Electrical Connection has an isolator and a separate distribution system It is for lights only.

• It supports run brake, right turn and left turn.
• Some connections will be plug and play, some will be screw down crimps.
• It has manual fuses for each output. You have to access the box to replace them.
• It is not watertight.
• It is more expensive than Show Chrome, Rivco, and Pathfinder but cheaper than Gold Strike..

Goldstrike Lighting Distribution and Isolator System It is for lights only.

• It supports run brake, right turn and left turn.
• It is water resistant.
• Is plug and play for Goldstrike lights. Adapters for Pathfinder, Kury, and lights without connectors are available.
• Single fuse for the entire system, not individual circuits.
• It is the most expensive.

delete

 

I have used the Show Chrome on two G6 GW without any trouble, and I used EC flower heads because I have different brands of lights and used EC adaptor for each brand of lights to make them plug and play, I have Pathfinder, Show Chrome, Muth, Gold Strike, Kuryakyn made them all plug and play, no connectors cut off wires.

 

I also have the EC flower heads and the adaptors and i must say, it is a nice solution for different lights from several manufacturers. And i do have Goldstrike, Pathfinder, Show Chrome.

 

Another option to consider is the TUSK fuse block. It allows for an additional three more fused circuits (15 amps total). Power drawn directly from the battery and positive Accessory terminal at the bikes fuse block. The unit allows the ability to select "constant on" or "switched on" for each of the three individual circuits. It is small and as you can see in the attached photo can be "tucked in" and not interfere with seat install. I have my phone cradle/charger, Blind Spot Detection system and camera system powered through unit. Tusk Compact Power Harness | Parts & Accessories | Rocky Mountain ATV/MC

 

Thanks for pointing out the Tusk Compact Power Harness.

I have added to the list of Power Distribution Modules on the "Comprehensive list of accessories for 2018+..." under "Power Only"

Tusk won't work for his lights because it is a fuse box/power distribution module (PDM) vice an isolator. It works well for accessories that need constant power like you mentioned but it does not take inputs from the bike for control of "run, brake, left turn, and right turn" that are needed for lights.

 

This is a very informative thread. Special thanks to Navy Gator for his expertise in the interaction of thoughts/comments of the forum members in dealing with the complex electronics on the 6th generation GWs. What a wonderful thing we have with the broad knowledge base found here! I must say we are a very fortunate group with those who freely give their time and share their knowledge with all who care to listen and learn. JMHO.

 

Because of this post, I am seriously looking for a house in Gator's community. No other way about it. Zillow, here I come.

 

Updated FEB 2025.

Sometimes, a picture is worth a 1000 words

The Graphs are the Most Important Item to develop understanding

View attachment 414427

View attachment 414429



Of note: Honda changed 2021+ bikes, either reducing the capacity, or the new rear lights use more power, or both. The result is that the amount of power available between the lights and FCU max capacity is smaller than the 2018 to 2020 bikes.
This change caused some aftermarket light and isolator companies to change their products in order for them to work properly on 2021+ bikes as well as 2018 to 2020 bikes.

Isolators and Distribution Blocks
All come with plug and play sub-harness to interface with the bike.

All can connect a 5 wire trailer harness to all of them. 4 wire trailers will require a converter.

Show Chrome is a combined isolator and distribution system. It is for lights and accessories.

• It supports Run, Brake, Left Turn, Right Turn, Accessory (ACC) and Always Hot.
• It has manual fuses for each output. You have to access the box to replace them.
• It is not watertight
• It is not plug and play. It uses screw down crimps on the output blocks.
• Depending on the number of items connected, you likely will have to use output wires on the block and then wegos on the output wires.
• It is the cheapest.

Rivco TWC004 is an isolator with output wires. It is for lights only.

• Must buy the sub-harness for 2018+ Wings separately
• It supports run brake, right turn and left turn.
• It is not plug and play. It will require using Wego's or other connectors to connect the lights and accessories to the output wires.
• It has one manual fuse for the entire system
• It is watertight.
• It is more expensive than Show Chrome and less expensive than Pathfinder and Electrical Connections and Goldstrike.

Pathfinder is an isolator with output wires. It is for lights and accessories.

• It has output wires for Run, Brake, Left Turn, Right Turn, Accessory (ACC) and Always Hot.
• It uses an electronic circuit breaker for the enter block. It resets by turning the bike on and off. You do not have to access the system.
• It has the highest capacity of all the systems.
• It is watertight.
• It is not plug and play. It will require using Wego's or other connectors to connect the lights and accessories to the output wires.
• Due to use of electronic circuit breakers, it will require trickle charging the battery if the bike is not being ridden for a week or more. Battery condition can make the time to start trickle charging shorter.
• It is more expensive than Show Chrome and Rivco but cheaper than Electrical Connection and Goldstrike.

Electrical Connection has an isolator and a separate distribution system It is for lights only.

• It supports run brake, right turn and left turn.
• Some connections will be plug and play, some will be screw down crimps.
• It has manual fuses for each output. You have to access the box to replace them.
• It is not watertight.
• It is more expensive than Show Chrome, Rivco, and Pathfinder but cheaper than Gold Strike..

Goldstrike Lighting Distribution and Isolator System It is for lights only.

• It supports run brake, right turn and left turn.
• It is water resistant.
• Is plug and play for Goldstrike lights. Adapters for Pathfinder, Kury, and lights without connectors are available.
• Single fuse for the entire system, not individual circuits.
• It is the most expensive.

Isolator vs Power Distribution Module vs Fuse Block...what is the difference?

Fantastic post NG, good on you.👍

 

Thanks for your kind sentiment.

In enjoyed my visit to Cairns back in 1992. Hope to get back some day

 

Give us a call if you do, there will be free accomodation and can take you up to the Daintree etc.👍

 

Indeed Navy Gator’s knowledge is extremely helpful! Thank you.

I too decided to move closer and found some row houses listed at a bargain in the San Diego area for only $1.5 million each. It’s a steal! I’m thinking of making an offer on the yellow one.