How to power GPS? I would like to ditch the CL adaptor.

[marku8a]

I searched here and Goggle but didn't find a solution I liked.

Have you figured out a way to power your GPS unit without having to use the cigaret lighter plug? I was thinking about breaking into one and re-packaging the internals into a smaller box with wiring to a plug that mates to my Battery Tender connector which is in the 09 gas tank storage box.

Your thoughts?

Mark

[stevewfl]

I use a Fuzeblock. Great product, and depending on which way you have each fuse mounted determines if its switched or unswitched 12 volts.  Zero power failures with this since I've had it, almost 60,000 miles ago.

These pics show my way around the cigarette lighter for a phone with the fuzeblock.  With GPS you can hot wire straight to a 12V source such as fuzeblock (even though on this install it shows my smart phone power).

I use my phone for GPS, MP3, Pandora internet radio, TV, text messaging, internet, gmail, work mail, apps, on and on.

Ok, we've all seen people take expensive cigarette lighter cords for phones and then buy an extra 12V outlet on top of it or use the crappy factory outlet, then mate it and hardwire to bike.  Then one ends up with a "twisty" cord for onboard power.

Gibberish.  9 minutes and a couple of dollars.

$2 plus 6 dollars shipping an Amazon and you're done.  Matter of fact, I bought a few because shipping was the same.

Order this little part from Amazon, its a 12v cigarette receptacle to usb adapter. Soldier 2 wires to it.  Insure you use a hot gun and tin metal first.  Then tin the ends of the wires for the other end as they will hardwire into bike:


Use two tie straps and without stressing the wires, secure them to the base of the adapter:


Find an extra USB to phone cable laying around to plug in:


Secure and weatherproof with sealant and tape:


Don't settle for the wires NOT going opposit directions:


You're done!


Disclaimer:  you want to be fused.  Persoanlly I installed the FUZEBLOCK product, it allows switched or unswitched power on each outlet, depending on which slot you place the fuse.  My phone is going "unswitched" so it will continue on bike pow-ah even with ignition off.


Of course an inline tiny 5-7.5 amp fuse will more than suffice



Have fun watching MotoGP racing on the bike (with it parked), or google maps or anything.  GPS was up on this pic and the flash blew it out.  I didn't feel like getting the tripod set up in the garage for a balanced exposure -)

[stevewfl]

FYI I use this type cable to go directly from my Garmin to that Fuzeblock:  http://www.mountguys.com/product_p/010-11143-07.htm

[stevewfl]

Here is an old thread I found on the other forum where I installed the fuzeblock:

I'm really please with my FUZEblock brand fuse block. Depending on how one installs the fuse for each item makes it immediate "ignition switched" or "unswitched" power.

I wanted a solution to cleanly fuse items such as GPS, phone chargers, Satellite Radio, heated jacket, heated gloves, radar detector, etc etc.

 Talked with a guy at Kawasaki about options where to mount, he said "where are your accessories going to be" and then noted on the left side of the bike is a bracket with electrical space and on the right side is a bracket with free space.  Also I found and option to mount on the right fairing bracket which would've been fine, but every time I took the plastics off I'd have to deal with the FUZEblock so opted against it.

Made a simple bracket from scrap aluminum that was just strong enough to be bent with channel locks. originally made a brack perfect size, but then opted to go bigger. (cut with dremel "cut-off" tool, drilled 6 holes with drill press)


Here one can see moving the fuse to the right will result in "switched" power, when the key is on it will be juiced, in current state of fuses it is constant power. I put the bolts where the extra part goes to the inside of the FUZEblock rather than hang out the bottom of the mount. I used the short bolts in the set.




Came out fairly nice

[ZG]

I searched here and Goggle but didn't find a solution I liked.

Have you figured out a way to power your GPS unit without having to use the cigaret lighter plug? I was thinking about breaking into one and re-packaging the internals into a smaller box with wiring to a plug that mates to my Battery Tender connector which is in the 09 gas tank storage box.

Your thoughts?

Mark

Not sure what brand radar detector you have but I believe all of them offer the hard wire option to power.
 
Here's the one for Escorts as an example...
https://www.escortradar.com/store/direct-wire-cord.html
 

[stevewfl]

Not sure what brand radar detector you have but I believe all of them offer the hard wire option to power.
 
Here's the one for Escorts as an example...
https://www.escortradar.com/store/direct-wire-cord.html

+1 I believe so too.  Thats Why I posted link to mountguys.com above, they seem to have a truckload of cheat stuff such as that garmin cable i bought from them

[Conrad]

Not sure what brand radar detector you have but I believe all of them offer the hard wire option to power.
 
Here's the one for Escorts as an example...
https://www.escortradar.com/store/direct-wire-cord.html

He wants to power his GPS not his radar detector, duh!   

Mark,

If you just want to power your GPS then the Fuzeblock is overkill. There are some easily accessible switched power leads under the left front side panel. See these pics for the location, scroll on down to the bottom set.

http://www.pbase.com/fredharmon/accleads

[ZG]

He wants to power his GPS not his radar detector, duh!   

Doh! 
 
My bad, that's what I get for drinking and posting... 

[stevewfl]

Doh! 
 
My bad, that's what I get for drinking and posting... 

[galaxieman]

Fuzeblock under the seat.


Wire forward to extra cigarette lighter in the tank-top glovebox:


All buttoned back up:


Extra connector cost $6.99 at Radio Shack, and took some trimming, but fit in the glove box fine.  This frees up the in-dash connector to run a line to a cell-phone charging inside a tankbag, or to power the radar detector. 

[marku8a]

Stevewfl - Thanks for the suggestions on the power cord and fuze block. I have seen your FB install before and am impressed but as mentioned more capability than I am looking for.

Conrad - Found the power leads. I am using that for heated grips & Power Commander.

I think I found what I am looking for here...

http://www.amazon.com/Direct-Hardwire-Charger-StreetPilot-Vehicle/dp/B007WN4RL6/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1342821915&sr=8-4&keywords=garmin+hardwire+kit

Mark

[Elfmaze]

I judt use a pig tail battery tender lead hanging out of the battery compartment.  GPS is mounted on my electrified tank bag.  When I get on the bike,  Unplug the battery tender,  plug in the tank bag and we are off.   I'll try to get a pic for you if interested.  very simple and cheap setup!

[marku8a]

I judt use a pig tail battery tender lead hanging out of the battery compartment.  GPS is mounted on my electrified tank bag.  When I get on the bike,  Unplug the battery tender,  plug in the tank bag and we are off.   I'll try to get a pic for you if interested.  very simple and cheap setup!

That's what I plan to do but need to get from the Battery Tender lead, voltage drop to 5v and mini USB connection. I found another option...

http://www.amazon.com/Gilsson-Direct-Garmin-Magellan-TomTom/dp/tech-data/B001A4HAQ2/ref=de_a_smtd

Mark

[Elfmaze]

Inside my tank bag I have a power distribution unit made by Bell i got at walmart for like 9 bux.   it has three 12v car adaptor plugs and two 5v usb plugs we use for charging the cell phones or ipod.

[accbiker]

I use a Fuzeblock. Great product, and depending on which way you have each fuse mounted determines if its switched or unswitched 12 volts.  Zero power failures with this since I've had it, almost 60,000 miles ago.

+1 on the Fuzeblock.  In my opinion, it is the only way to go, I have my GPS, heated gear, spare powerlet out on "always on" mode through the block and then have a switched SAE outlet inside my tank bag that I use for a variety of on the go charging needs. I still have a couple of spare spaces on the fuzeblock for future farkles.

-David
Athens, GA

[Elfmaze]

Found a few pics from my tank bag earlie with my GPS setup.  I'll post one of the pig tail later.