connecting gps to battery

[travelHK]

I am wiring the GPS to my battery and was wondering if I need to add anything between the unit and the power source ( fuse , relay..) its a 76csx and I use a wire coming from an old cigarette lighter so I was wondering if 12V coming directly to a unit using normally 2X1,5V will fry it.
Thanks

[Walkabout]

Originally Posted by HendiKaf

I am wiring the GPS to my battery and was wondering if I need to add anything between the unit and the power source ( fuse , relay..) its a 76csx and I use a wire coming from an old cigarette lighter so I was wondering if 12V coming directly to a unit using normally 2X1,5V will fry it.
Thanks

Yes, it should nicely fry it.
Any GPS I have used is powered with 5 volts which is the same standard voltage as used for charging phones, usually via USB connections.

I have done the same as you intend a few times, with various phone/GPS "chargers" connected direct to the bike battery and I have always included a 12-5 volt conversion, an in-line fuse and a switch of some sort.
There are lots of this type of thing, pre-wired, for sale on ebay for instance; the latest one I have fitted includes a battery voltage meter as a display on the handlebars.

[travelHK]

Thanks Dave
You saved me two GPS , I was a bit worry so lucky I didn't try the GPS on it

[IanJ]

Greetings Hendikaf

According to the 76CSX owners manual you can power it from 12V as well as from the USB connector

http://static.garmin.com/pumac/GPSMA...nersManual.pdf

From the manual page 49

Power
Source:
Two 1.5 volt AA batteries, USB power, 12 V Adapter
Cable, or up to 36 VDC external power


If you have a look at the bottom of page 50 it shows a picture of a 4 pin adaptor cable. If you do power it this way you should wire it directly to the battery and put in a fuse close to the battery in case the cable gets damaged and shorts out the battery. Burning cable looms are not fun.

Are you mounting the GPS in a cradle or putting it in the top of the tank bag?

The 12V adaptor cable has several advantages over the USB connector

- It's weather resistant,
- more rugged
- It has a right angle cable connector so the GPS will sit flat (You can get right angle USB cables but I don't know how well they would fit into your GPS

The disadvantage is that it takes more effort to install

I powered my 60CSX this way and it worked well but I think Garmin are going away from this type of connector (it's not on the 64 series) which is a pity

Regards

IanJ

[travelHK]

Hi
I do use a cradle on the bikes but when I called touratech they were not having any more connector directly on the battery ( touratech FR), they only carry the one with cigarette lighter ( that s where the problem came from with 4 electrical wire. ) on the other bike I have in he state I had the good one but I am leaving France in 10 days so no time to ship from the US and Ebay is way longer in shipping.

[Tim Cullis]

If you are planning the leave the GPS mount permanently connected you might want to put a switch or a relay in the wiring. Otherwise the mount is permanently powered and certainly with some Garmin mounts this introduces problems with the terminals.

[Toyark]

Hendi
I'm just going to my garage as I think I may still have one of those in my 'bits-'n'-bobs' box.

Yes- thought so- you have a p.m

[travelHK]

I just replied in PM . Thanks so Much