| Author | Message | ||
     Trevd |
So I want to hard-wire my new-to-me Streetpilot. I'm debating whether to wire it up to the 12 volt socket in the dash (so that it's live when the ignition is on, not live when the ignition is off), or wire it directly to the battery. Any thoughts? | ||
| Dr_greg |
I wired my GPS directly to the battery (er, through a terminal strip). I'm not actually using either 12V receptacle for anything; all of my gizmos are wired directly. Oops, except air compressor; that plugs in when needed. --Doc | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
When I installed my Centech auxiliary fuse block, I rewired both accessory jacks to the fuse block so they'll be hot all the time. I want to be able to charge my phone, etc while I'm camping. That said, my GPS is also hardwired directly to the Centech. I much prefer to be able to power the unit while grabbing lunch or fueling, etc without the need for the key to be on. Some units have an internal battery but my trusty 2610 does not. Tipsy | ||
| Dynasport |
Hey Trev, as you saw from the other thread, my GPS is hardwired to the battery as well. Since my Streetpilot does not have a battery, I didn't want it to have to go through the start up routine every time I stopped for gas or whatever. It was also the easiest way to do it. I may add a fuse block, as others have mentioned doing, as I add more accessories, but I haven't even started looking into that yet. The funny to me is I really liked the fact the Uly has the lighter plugs built in, but I have never used them. Yet anyway. | ||
| Trevd |
So I take it that a GPS (Streetpilot 2720) wouldn't use too much juice from the battery if left on with the bike off? I don't know much about electrical stuff, but how long would one assume that the GPS could be left on powered by the bike's battery without draining the battery? | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
The GPS draws less than one amp. You could leave it switched on overnight and not deplete your battery. I routinely plug my Blackberry and iPod into the Uly's power outlets and go to sleep when camping. Never a problem. Tipsy | ||
| Two_buells |
DO NOT WIRE TO BATTERY UNTIL YOU READ THIS. Does your power cord reduce the volts from 12v to 5v. Or is it 12volts to 12volts. Most GPS units are 5 volts, my Garmin Zumo is 5 volts. If you wire a power cord to your battery with out a way of reducing the volts from 12 to 5 you will fry your GPS. Quickest way of finding out what voltage your GPS needs in look at the label on the power cord and note what the output voltage is. or just put a meter or the GPS side of the cord and measure the output voltage. | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
Or simply use the Garmin harness. Tipsy | ||
| Froggy |
Yep you need to use the Garmin harness, it reduces the voltage. Tipsy, did you rig your outlet to be hot all the time? | ||
| Two_buells |
Garmin harness, thats the was to go. I just didn't want the guy to just cut off the power plug and wire it to the battery. I just got my GXM 30 antenna in the mail today and hooked it up. Great price on ebay. $135.00. Now I have XM w/the best of Sirius coming through the Zumo. very cool set-up! | ||
| Tipsymcstagger |
Foggy, my Garmin GPS harness runs directly to the Centech, which is hot all the time. I also rewired both accessory jacks directly to the Centech. These are also hot all the time. I'm using the leads which originally powered the accessory jacks to power the LEDs in my turn signal housings so they are illuminated whenever the key is on and the kill switch is set to run. They function as full time running lights (amber front, red rear) and flash when the turn signal is selected. Tipsy | ||
| Kmb |
I have one similar to this that works perfect: Arkon GPS-NHWC Mini-USB Hard-Wire GPS Cable $15 at Amazon  |
