Poppop1 Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 My question involves hooking up my GPSmap 60 CS unit to my motorcycle. I'm trying to use my 12v cigarette adapter, which I have connected directly to the battery, with a 15amp inline blade-type fuse . This setup has worked with other accessories such as lights, cell phone charger, etc., but will not power up my Garmin. I have bought two different 12v cords for the GPS unit. Both of these cords worked perfectly in my car, but would not work on the bike. I tried other accessories in the bike's cigarette lighter socket, and they all worked perfectly. I have even tried three different 12v sockets on the bike. All of these worked perfectly with other accessories but not with the GPS. When I plug the GPS unit in, it will run only on battery power, not the 12v power. Is this possibly because there's not enough voltage? I've only tried this when the bike was standing still, cold, not driving on the road. I know that there's sometimes a vibration problem with motorcycles, but this is not the case here. I wonder if I should use a hard-wire hookup instead of the cigarette adapter? Thanks for any advice anyone can give me. Quote Link to comment
+NOV8TR Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Cigarette lighter adapters are notoriously "fussy" on a motorcycle. The one I had worked ok most of the time, but when the electrical connection intermittently broke (vibration, temperature, moisture, ????), it freaked out my GPS. I eventually hard wired the adapter (12v to the USB standard 5V) directly into a circuit that was only "hot" when the key was on. Also, a word of caution about the "mini USB" connector (I assume that is what power source the GPSmap 60 series uses). They were not designed with the motorcycle environment in mind. I only use mine when I have to because I do not want to get water (dirt dust corrosion, etc,,,) on the connection pins. Most of the time I keep my connector caped and tucked out of the way. Quote Link to comment
+Trucker Lee Posted October 1, 2009 Share Posted October 1, 2009 Pardon the obvious, but did you accidentally knock the fuse out of the lighter plug adapter? It happens. Quote Link to comment
Bob Morphew Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 The 60/76 series work with approx 8 - 35V DC so there usually isn't a problem running them from a motorcycle battery, even when the motor isn't running. However, if your battery is in poor shape and your bike has high wattage headlights that are ON when the engine isn't running (Canadian bikes do this, not sure if USA models do also) then the voltage at the 12V outlet may drop too low. If you have a voltmeter, measure the voltage at the 12V outlet - just before I replaced the battery last week, mine was down to 9V. I've had lots of problems with cigarette lighter type outlets on bikes. I modify the Garmin 12V cable to use a 2-pin flat connector like the type used on trailer light connectors. I splice a wire into the "hot" outlet on the ignition switch and run it to the "female" half of the 2 pin plug/socket. Never had connection problems since then. Bob Quote Link to comment
+Gator5713 Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 I have noticed over the years that many 12v adapters seem to be 'short' where the (male) plugs are long (keep it clean, not trying to make a joke here) and don't always properly ground out. I have had this happen on many devices over the years on both motorcycles and in trucks as well as AC to DC adapters in homes... The 'trailer type' plug sounds like a GREAT option! Thats how most bike battery 'maintainers' attach! Quote Link to comment
+Red90 Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 I assume you are using a 4 pin connector and not a USB connector?? USB does not power those units. Quote Link to comment
Poppop1 Posted October 2, 2009 Author Share Posted October 2, 2009 I modify the Garmin 12V cable to use a 2-pin flat connector like the type used on trailer light connectors. I splice a wire into the "hot" outlet on the ignition switch and run it to the "female" half of the 2 pin plug/socket. Never had connection problems since then. Bob Thanks for the tip! I like the 2-pin flat connection idea. Do you put a fuse anywhere in this setup? Or is there already a fuse built in to the 2-pin connector? I'll check at Wally World. I'm about ready to give up on this whole idea and just buy more batteries. I've already wasted enough money on 12-volt adapters to buy several years worth of batteries! Quote Link to comment
+Timpat Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 Poppop1, as Red90 pointed out, what you need is This Cable. Quote Link to comment
Bob Morphew Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 ... I like the 2-pin flat connection idea. Do you put a fuse anywhere in this setup? Or is there already a fuse built in to the 2-pin connector? ... The flat 2-pin plug I use is unfused, but as I wire it into the bike's ignition switch it's using the bike fuse (which I think is OK). Here's the plug. Bob Quote Link to comment
+GPS Derek Posted October 2, 2009 Share Posted October 2, 2009 I assume you are using a 4 pin connector and not a USB connector?? USB does not power those units. Actually it does at least it does on my 60Cx but is not the ideal solution in a weather enviroment. one of my pins just broke off from the back of my 60cx preventing the round 4 pin garmin plug from providing power. Used the mini USB cable this I have to charge my cell to save the batteries on my GPS while traveling (and keep the back light on). On my mortorcycle, I don't bother with the charge cable, battery life is pretty good, my butt dies long before the batteries will. Quote Link to comment
+SparkyInCali Posted October 3, 2009 Share Posted October 3, 2009 Yes but if he has the 60cs as stated and not the 60cx or 60csx it will not power from the mini usb adapter.you have to buy the Garmin power cable for the 60c or 60cs that plugs into the 4 pin connector on the unit. Quote Link to comment
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