"Hard Wiring" a GPS Unit, Any Experience?

[mjmelancon]

Wow, I hadn't looked at this post in a couple of days until now and just saw all this awesome information. There are a LOT of options for this setup it seems. I'm not 100% sure which way I'm going to tackle this yet, but hopefully my dad and I can knock it out this weekend (he's pretty knowledgeable about things like this). Looks like I'll be making a trip or two to the store to get everything we'll need.

Thank you everybody for all you help on this topic! I can't wait to take some longer distance weekend trips!!! :thumbup:

 

[chimneydoc]

I didn't read all the posts but I have Garmin Zumo 550. The instructions say to wire it to the battery. The GPS is a 12 volt system, it was pretty easy to do. I used zip ties to clean the wiring up. Good Luck

Doc

 

[Cloggy]

I didn't read all the posts but I have Garmin Zumo 550. The instructions say to wire it to the battery. The GPS is a 12 volt system, it was pretty easy to do. I used zip ties to clean the wiring up. Good Luck

Doc

I also have the Zumo 550 and it is connected to a switched 12v source.

Most other GPS's (especially car ones) require less voltage, and so also require a seperate converter to be directly wired, or you can use your 12v (cigarette lighter) plug cable supplied with your GPS as this contains the converter in the plug end.

Check your GPS required voltage before wiring it up.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I didn't read all the posts but I have Garmin Zumo 550. The instructions say to wire it to the battery. The GPS is a 12 volt system, it was pretty easy to do. I used zip ties to clean the wiring up. Good Luck

Doc

My Garmin SPIII is also 12 volts direct.

As stated above, the newer car specific ones, are mostly 5 volts and have a converter (usually the cigarette plug brings down the voltage but isn't waterproof).

The MC specific GPS' are made for 12 volts and are waterproof (or at least water resistant).

 

[TeacherJoe]

I tried that. The funny thing is when I connect the Garmin cable to the 12V/to USB adapter on one end and to the mini USB port on the nuvi, the nuvi doesn't power up in operating mode. Instead it goes into 'connected' mode as if I were connecting it to my computer. Any suggestions?

Joe

I just direct wired a car outlet to the battery and mounted it to the fairing. Went to Radio Shack and get a car to USB. It's got two USB ports, so I can run the GPS and charge my phone or iPod at the same time.

 

[TownsendsFJR1300]

I tried that. The funny thing is when I connect the Garmin cable to the 12V/to USB adapter on one end and to the mini USB port on the nuvi, the nuvi doesn't power up in operating mode. Instead it goes into 'connected' mode as if I were connecting it to my computer. Any suggestions?

Joe

I believe there are different mini usb cables that will deliver POWER OR DATA OR BOTH.. You may have a Data only cord. I saw on Amazon and mini USB power cord for under $3.00 delivered. I know Walmart also sells Power mini usb cords.

From what you say, you have a data cord only. On mine, when its plugged into the bike, on the second screen, the GPS shows a "lightning bolt" indicating its CHARGING. If you don't have that, again its likely, its a data cord only (for updates, etc)..



Amazon power cords:

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Supply-Cable-Charger-Garmin/dp/B00513ZHC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339844381&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+usb+power+cord+garmin"]Amazon.com: Power Supply Mini USB - Cable Charger Cord Lead Wire for Garmin GPS (5 Feet Black) - 200, 205, 250, 255, 260, 270, 300, 310, 350, 360, 370, 500, 510, 550, 600, 610, 650, 660, 670, 680, 710, 750, 760, 770, 780, 850, 855, 860, 880, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 5000, 1260T, 1350T, 1370T, 1390T, 1490T, 200W, 205W, 215T, 250W, 255W, 260W, 265T, 265W, 265WT, 275T, 285W, 285WT, 465T, 755T, 765T, 775T, 785T, 885T GPS Cable: Camera & Photo




This link is a Garmin DATA cord only, NO POWER- its in the spec's:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-10723-01-USB-Cable/dp/B000BM8RFM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1339844465&sr=8-4&keywords=mini+usb+power+cord+garmin"]Amazon.com: Garmin USB Cable: GPS & Navigation



The Powerlet cord I used:

The 015 cord is what I had Powerlet modify for me (it came with the rt angle cord, the 12 volt to 5 volts adapter, NO COIL, I ahd them put heavier wire where I would be working, (the stock wire is too thin) and at the 12 volt end, I had them leave it bare ( I put on my own fuse conector and tapped into the ft running light): http://www.powerlet.com/product/mini-usb-short-powerlet-cable/259

It was a bit cheaper(about $35.00) as it didn't thave the fuse nor the 12 volt plug (you can see my pic's how I hooked up the 12 volt end)

 

[TeacherJoe]

:thumbup: That's why I love this board. Thanks.

Joe

I believe there are different mini usb cables that will deliver POWER OR DATA OR BOTH.. You may have a Data only cord. I saw on Amazon and mini USB power cord for under $3.00 delivered. I know Walmart also sells Power mini usb cords.

From what you say, you have a data cord only. On mine, when its plugged into the bike, on the second screen, the GPS shows a "lightning bolt" indicating its CHARGING. If you don't have that, again its likely, its a data cord only (for updates, etc)..



Amazon power cords:

http://www.amazon.com/Power-Supply-Cable-Charger-Garmin/dp/B00513ZHC2/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1339844381&sr=8-1&keywords=mini+usb+power+cord+garmin"]Amazon.com: Power Supply Mini USB - Cable Charger Cord Lead Wire for Garmin GPS (5 Feet Black) - 200, 205, 250, 255, 260, 270, 300, 310, 350, 360, 370, 500, 510, 550, 600, 610, 650, 660, 670, 680, 710, 750, 760, 770, 780, 850, 855, 860, 880, 1200, 1250, 1300, 1350, 5000, 1260T, 1350T, 1370T, 1390T, 1490T, 200W, 205W, 215T, 250W, 255W, 260W, 265T, 265W, 265WT, 275T, 285W, 285WT, 465T, 755T, 765T, 775T, 785T, 885T GPS Cable: Camera & Photo




This link is a Garmin DATA cord only, NO POWER- its in the spec's:

http://www.amazon.com/Garmin-010-10723-01-USB-Cable/dp/B000BM8RFM/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1339844465&sr=8-4&keywords=mini+usb+power+cord+garmin"]Amazon.com: Garmin USB Cable: GPS & Navigation



The Powerlet cord I used:

The 015 cord is what I had Powerlet modify for me (it came with the rt angle cord, the 12 volt to 5 volts adapter, NO COIL, I ahd them put heavier wire where I would be working, (the stock wire is too thin) and at the 12 volt end, I had them leave it bare ( I put on my own fuse conector and tapped into the ft running light): Mini USB Short Powerlet Cable - Powerlet Products

It was a bit cheaper(about $35.00) as it didn't thave the fuse nor the 12 volt plug (you can see my pic's how I hooked up the 12 volt end)

 

[Pope Mobile]

I tried that. The funny thing is when I connect the Garmin cable to the 12V/to USB adapter on one end and to the mini USB port on the nuvi, the nuvi doesn't power up in operating mode. Instead it goes into 'connected' mode as if I were connecting it to my computer. Any suggestions?

Joe

Mine does this too. Just let it sit and it'll eventually load up. Same thing happens in my car.

 

[texcollect]

I believe that Garmin uses a special pin out on the mini USB end of their cables to tell it that its not connected to a PC.

Here's a link. I bought a Garmin cable from 3brPowersports and it works just fine.