mobile phone charger

**Trichelia** · #1 6 Jul 2010

I want to convert a mobile charger from an old blackberry phone to be able to power my gps on the bike. My problem is I dont know which is the positive wire for the fuse attachemnt.

The power cable on the charger is a single cable with insulation. Inside the insulating sheath there is wire (obviously), this wire surrounds an inner insulated wire (Insulation white in colour, no stripes or any other colours).

Of those 2 wires, is the inner or outer wire the positive ?

Anyone ? - thanks

**bobthebiker** · #2 6 Jul 2010

You're immensely overcomplicating this. wire a 12V cigarette lighter up directly to your battery with an inline fuse, and install the lighter plug wherever you feel like it will be most useful. two wires, probably 45 minutes or so depending on the bike, and BAM DONE. plus you then have a power supply to produce electric for additional items as well, like a heated vest, or perhaps an air compressor if need be.

**Trichelia** · #3 7 Jul 2010

I fitted a power socket a few weeks back and, fingers crossed, all appears ok on that front.

I bought a cigarette socket charger for the GPS with the intention of powering it through this socket, however the adaptor is a bit of a clumsy shape and this causes the connection to vibrate on and off as I ride.

I was hoping to have a permanent power supply directly from the battery to the GPS and leave the power socket for other things.

**TravellingStrom** · #4 8 Jul 2010

For a start I would make absolutely sure that the GPS is using 12V. In my experience, the car chargers convert the 12V down to around 4.5V or something like that, depending on brand. That is not universal and maybe yours does accept straight 12V.

So, if I am correct, that means you will not be able to use the phone charger without a converter or it will blow up the power supply inside the GPS.

The other thing to think about is what actual voltage AND current the Blackberry charger can supply. I had to make up a charger for my TomTom and although I had the correct voltage, the current supplied by the convertor was only 400mA and this was not enough to keep it charged, I needed a minimum of 800mA before it started to charge.

Cheers
TravellingStrom

**dave ett** · #5 8 Jul 2010

Which GPS?

**Trichelia** · #6 8 Jul 2010

Ive got the Garmin Oregon 400t - use it for hiking, mountain biking and the motorcycle....fairly diverse unit, got some good functions.

Really didnt think it was going to be so complicated.....hmmmm

**danward79** · #7 8 Jul 2010

Hi,

If it will charge of usb and you have a cigarete lighter 12v socket. just get a usb adapter that fits in the socket. They are a few pounds on ebay and sit flush in the socket. Then use a usb lead between there and the gps.

Here is an example

http://www.uxsight.com/product/image...059091121c.jpg

Looking at the device I would avoid 12v as it looks usb spec to me i.e. 5v

**KTMmartin** · #8 8 Jul 2010

Don't be cheap on the adapters either. I went through 4 Chinese nokia chargers before buying the real deal - no more problems. Vibes wind rain etc not kind to cheap Pcb construction...

**Redboots** · #9 8 Jul 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trichelia

Really didnt think it was going to be so complicated.....hmmmm

Check your owners manual, most Garmins will take from 6 to 40 volts DC.

You can get a Power/NMEA Data cable for the Oregon here
but it aint cheap at £36. All you need in one cable

with an in-line fuse.

This will also allow you to connect it to an Autocom or similar (bluetooth?) if you want.

John

**Trichelia** · #10 8 Jul 2010

Thanks guys.....

Ive gone ahead and bought a cigarette socket/ USB adaptor, not a cheap one, so hopefully I wont need to be buying any more of these

. I could not find an all-weather model, I will need to house it in some waterproof/ dustproof casing - all good. Awesome for saving space as most my toys come with USB power cables !

In addition I have bought a 2nd cigarette power cable and socket. I was planning on attaching this near the GPS mount to reduce the distance and amount of lose cables, will keep the other power socket available for charging batteries etc..
John....that is EXACTLY what I want to build myself. I suppose my issue, assuming my garmin will handle 12v input is then still to determine which wire to attach the in-line fuse to ? Would give a great sence of satisfaction building it myself....would also make use of the redundant mobile chargers stored in the shoe box in the top cupboard

.

If all goes bellies up....that Garmin hardware could be the next purchase.

Question.....what would happen if I reversed the polarity across the gps unit by mistake ?

.....

**Redboots** · #11 9 Jul 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trichelia

Question.....what would happen if I reversed the polarity across the gps unit by mistake ?.....

You could talk to these guys and see if the have a cable for your unit in the pipline or maybe they can tell you which wire is which.

pfranc.com: Cables and connectors for Garmin GPS, and more!

John

**Redboots** · #12 9 Jul 2010

Trichelia, if you just want power, look at this: USB Power Socket Weatherproof - ::. UKGSer.com .::

Also, Cig lighter sockets are NOT the way to go, impo. They are just not designed for the rigours of motorcycle use. Get the DIN standard sockets like these. 12-Volt/24-Volt Plugs, Sockets & ConnectorsThey wont fall apart on the road.

John

**TravellingStrom** · #13 10 Jul 2010

You need to be real careful on what you spend your money on. In my post above I specifically mentioned the current draw of the unit you have, which you never mentiond by the way.

If you bought a12V to USB adaptoor that is fine, BUT, will it power the unit, it will need to supply at least 2 Amps to be able to run my TomTom GPS(without overheating and blowing fuses)

Make sure you can take it back if it cannot handle the job, but I guess it is too late now

**Trichelia** · #14 13 Jul 2010

Travellingstrom, I have a cig socket power cable with a 10A in-line fuse, the USB adaptor has a 12v input and 4.5v/ 1A output (It doesn’t appear to have a built in fuse)

I looked through my Garmin documents and could not find any details on voltage nor amp. I called Garmin and they were not prepared to tell me as “if it is not in the manual, then it is not for public consumption” – I don’t think their Client Service Dept knew, which is why they made that excuse. After looking on a few forums I saw it mentioned that the Oregon 400 will accept 0.8A and 4.5v….this sounds as if the UBS adaptor should work without any damage to the device ? - How does this sound ?

I am still not convinced that the USB adaptor will not vibrate and be sufficiently robust (as John mentioned). The weatherproof USB power cable and socket that looks to me the best of my current options.
From past experience…..what is the best way to charge or power items ? – using a USB socket or Cig socket or a combo depending on the device ? – Are DIN sockets necessary ?......I havent really looked into these at all.

Thanks again…

**Redboots** · #15 13 Jul 2010

Quote:

Originally Posted by Trichelia

I called Garmin and they were not prepared to tell me as “if it is not in the manual, then it is not for public consumption” – I don’t think their Client Service Dept knew, which is why they made that excuse. After looking on a few forums I saw it mentioned that the Oregon 400 will accept 0.8A and 4.5v….this sounds as if the UBS adaptor should work without any damage to the device ? - How does this sound ?

Ahh, the old, you cant blame us 'cos we didn't tell you.

Well, from their own web site: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=26668 This cable will take from 8 to 36volts. They normally do this so you can use them in cars, trucks and boats without concerning yourself about the voltage source.
I still think this would be your best bet, hard-wired to the bike.

Good luck with it

John

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