GPS on your bike. Any of you use one with a mini-usb cable?

Post by **chibbert** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 11:27 am

Purchased a new GPS for handheld use as well as to replace my 2610 on my bike. This one requires a mini-usb cable for power/data. I'm just curious if any of you use a gps which requires cable from mini-usb and if so, have you figured out how to hardwire your gps?

Thanks,

Chris

mbauman · Post by **mbauman** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 12:52 pm

I would be inclinded to get something like this from Garmin and lop off the cigarette lighter plug end.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1148

mad1150 · Post by **mad1150** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 1:58 pm

Caution!

Don't just cut off the cigarette-lighter plug! Chances are if it has a mini-USB power connection, like my Nuvi 360, it uses 5 Volts DC, not 12. The lighter plug is also a 12 to 5 DC volt regulator.

1) Buy another Auto-Power Adapter and wire in a female cigarette-lighter socket under the seat.

2) A 12V to 5V DC converter and fused 5V DC distribution center would be nice. I'm looking for plans or a pre-made.

I am going to start this year using the battery, more out of curiosity than anything, and then figure out a way to get 5V up there later.

Also, if you buy the Nuvi RAM mount, it has a tab to keep the 90 degree Mini USB connector locked in. So you will want a 90 degree angled mini USB cable like the one that came with it, if you have Nuvi.

Post by **towerworker** » Sun Dec 30, 2007 2:13 pm

Mad1150 has made a very good point. Most electronics these days that use the mini-usb power cable are in fact 5vdc devices.

I have a Navigon GPS and a mp3 player that both use the mini-usb power cable and for that matter so does my Razr cell phone. All of which share the same power requirements. They all have a similar cigarette lighter cable that provides 5vdc out instead of 12v.

Wayne

chris · Post by **chris** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 9:04 am

What mad1150 said, I use a Nuvi and have a female cigarette socket under the seat connected direct to the battery via my charger connector which is fused. Here it is on the bars using the cigarette lighter cable from Garmin. Cable just tucks under the tank edge and is tie-wrapped to the bars using removable ties.

tor1150r · Post by **tor1150r** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:13 pm

mbauman wrote:I would be inclinded to get something like this from Garmin and lop off the cigarette lighter plug end.

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=1148

+1 on this set-up. Not hard-wired, but effective and flexible. I ran the cable under my tank bag and the seat. Nothing was dangling around or became a nuisance.

mad1150 · Post by **mad1150** » Wed Jan 02, 2008 8:35 pm

So far the only "up-angled" Mini USB cables with bare wires (for a home-made 5V dist box or regulator) I've found on the internet are in the $20-25 range. I found the Garmin Auto adapter for $17.95 on Amazon!

Does anyone know why USB cables are so expensive?

So now I guess I add the extra Garmin Auto Adapter and the female Auto accessory jack to my list.

mnnden · Post by **mnnden** » Thu Jan 03, 2008 12:40 pm

Chris, This is what I do I have this GPS

and I use this adapter (they can be easly found)This will accept the plug that came with the GPS

Post by **12bar1** » Fri Jan 04, 2008 5:31 am

+1 on the adaptor I have the same one and it works like a charm when I need to plug in my 276C. I get about 5 hours out of this unit with the back light on all the time before I have to recharge.