Question for guys who know electrical/GPS stuff

[upthemaiden]

I've looked around and looked at a ton of threads for guys who put accessory outlets on their bikes for their phones and GPS. I need to get one on before I go visit my sister in DC next month. I have a Garmin Nuvi GPS and I'd also like the option to plug my phone in sometimes incase I was out and wanted to use the GPS on it.

My question: Can I buy one of these and just plug my phone or GPS straight into it(already have my battery tender cable hooked to the battery) and not fry either my GPS/phone or the bikes electrical system? It doesn't look like it has a fuse in it, but I would like to assume that any accessory outlet like that would already by reduced to where it needs to be for electronics??

http://www.motorcyclecloseouts.com/extras/motorcycle+tools/deltran_female+power+port

I originally planned to wire up something straight to the bike, but I like the option of just using the connector because then it won't always need to be on the bike, plus I could move it from bike to bike as long as they had the tender hookup.

 

[konarider94]

That should work without any problems. A fuse is nice in case there is a short in the wiring somewhere, but those components will not draw that much current to worry about otherwise.

 

[Baal]

You might look into Powerlet. They have better weather sealing, and IIRC are all fused. Also smaller.

 

[Bossanova]

There should be a fuse on the batt. tender plug part that is attached to your battery. That should work fine. I've often wondered why people don't use those anyway for a powerport.

 

[ct1200]

Better yet... how about a USB port on ur bike?
www.burnsmoto.com
Check it...
I had them put the 2 prong SAE on it so it plugs right into the battery tender.
Zip tied near the key on my r so now I can charge on the go.
And what doesn't charge off of USB these days?

 

[RDuncan]

Like the USB idea. Smaller and everything i have is compatable. Thanks ct1200.

 

[J_Undisputed]

You might want to check on your version of the GPS. I have a Garmin Nuvi 255w. I usually charge it and run it off the battery. Been looking for a power solution and found out that many female USB port attachment that connect to the battery sends some models of Nuvi's into "Data Mode" and you wont be able to use the navigation features.
In a case like that, I would gamble more on your first solution and use the charger wire that cig lighter connector at the end. Just a thought.

 

[iman501]

Addapters are made for everything now a days!, id do your original idea, and just get a usb addaptor for it. I have a cig. Charger for my ccar that has a usb addapter in it, so i can charge anything with it!

 

[ct1200]

On using the usb, as long as it doesn't have a data pin it will only charge.
I'll test with my nuvi 255 and etrex tonight to see what happens.
I know with my 255 in the car plugged into a usb charger it starts up in "connected to PC" mode but after about a min works as normal.

 

[Ronin1]

I'm not sure I would trust a USB plug under vibration. I use the Powerlet syle plugs as even the car types don't like vibration.

Jim

 

[upthemaiden]

Thanks guys, I did end up ordering a USB port...

now I just need to pick up a battery tender power port with the fuse and cut it up and solder it to the usb port. i thoguht about it, and would be fine with the cigarette charger but I don't think I have room for the cigarette adaptor under my lightning seat. At least with the USB I can fit both cables under my seat in case I want to use it someday unexpectedly. I'll take the gamble with it going into charging mode, especially because I already bought it before I read that, haha. If it doesn't work I'll just buy one of the cigarette adaptors and call it a day. Either way I'll still be able to use my phone with it. Too bad I didn't notice that one site has the option to build it with the battery tender adapter already built in. Either way I bought my charger isn't a battery tender brand so it doesn't have a fuse in it.

I'm pretty sure I have the same gps as you, the 255w. Quick question, is there any way to plot our a route on google maps or mapquest and load it onto the gps?? it's nice being able to put in a destination and have it tell em how to get there, but it would be super nice if I could just program in exactly where I wanted to go, and just have the gps spit the directions back at me later. I haven't found a way yet though.

 

[J_Undisputed]

As far as I can tell from the manual, theres no way to do it. You can transfer pics and stuff from an sd card, or create a route then add way points to it(add a new destination and choose via) but not determine how it gets from one to the other except by deliberately disobeying the voice going your way and having it recalculate. I also don't think you can save a route, Just an address. One thing I liked about the magellan I had. The female voice was more pleasant too...

Its time to update, but the car/bike hybrid GPS that bluetooth's directions into the helmet and comes with the battery hookups cost more than I can spare right now.

 

[upthemaiden]

I'm not too worried about the voice, I'll never be able to hear it when I'm riding anyway. I wish I had the ability to bluetooth my gps to a helmet. Even a simple headphone jack would've been a huge upgrade. It was a christmas present though so no complaints. I can understand it not being set up for headphones if you were only going to use it in a car, but it even has a 'pedestrian' setting in case you want to use it when you're walking somewhere, and I would think headphones would be a good feature for people who don't want the whole world around them to know they're a stupid tourist that has no idea where they are. I feel like I'll end up using the gps on my phone more than the actual gps just because I can use the headphones.

 

[Jobe Zeebuh]

cool usb thingy. Were did you get that? ^^^

 

[thunderstormgrowl]

thanks for asking this maiden, I was just thinking about the same thing.

 

[upthemaiden]

cool usb thingy. Were did you get that? ^^^

http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=55192.0

Someone is selling them on the gs500 forum, sv650 forum too. After buying that and a tender cable the price comes out pretty much the same as burnsmoto.com, only a few dollars cheaper and mine will have the fuse in it.

 

[nativeXb12Rbuell]

you can buy a charger from Garmin that plugs into a cigarette lighter type plugin at https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?cID=132 .
and they have the manuals and new maps and updates for maps, most the nuvi Gps have lifetime maps(all the new ones have it). here http://www.garmin.com/garmin/cms/site/us/support/ .

side note I just bought Garmin Oregan 550T i can buy and download the City Navigate US northAmerica and according to it i can punch in any address or point of interest for turn by turn directions on it and use it in the woods and rivers/lakes and more to , i just need to find a mount for it on my buell. I plan on running it the nimh or lithium battery as it has 16hr battery time.

 

[upthemaiden]

i just need to find a mount for it on my buell.

I can't find a link to the one I have because I'm at work, but I bought a handlebar mount on ebay for about $1.48 shipped. Seems like it'll work fine. Someday I may get one of those ones that looks like it's a case you zip the gps into, not sure if it will cut down on vibrations, but I'll see how it goes. When I'm road tripping I might just stick it in the map pocket in my tank bag anyway.

 

[ct1200]

Tested my 255w this am, it goes into the connected mode for about a min, then right into full op mode.

In order to upload a predetermined map to a Garmin you need to load the City Nav CD that should have come with the gps.
Then you plot it through the software, works just like google maps, and then you can email or share it with a group.
Comes in handy with a large group if someone gets separated.

As for mounts, I like the RAM stem mount, have one on the way should be in on the 28th.
I've had one zip tied to the clutch bar for a while now but its a little out of place.
The RAM mounts come in very handy, I have a set on my sporty too.
They are solid and the make adapters to fit just about anything.

 

[Paniller]

All that matters is the voltage is within spec of the device you're plugging in, and it can supply enough current so the device won't run out.

The battery is 12v, anything 12v will run off it. It actually measures 13-14v, but all devices rated for 12v should handle that as well. USB is 5v, and is just a simple voltage regulator dropping the 12v to 5v.

Personally, I'd do the powerlet. That gives you 12v. They make adaptor plugs for powerlet to USB for $1 or so.