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General Category => General Discussion => Topic started by: Gliderjohn on March 24, 2026, 09:22:28 PM

Title: Electronics are vodoo
Post by: Gliderjohn on March 24, 2026, 09:22:28 PM
This last year on my T-3 did a new wiring harness through Greg Bender and had it installed by a very experienced person and all is great.Bought a later model Tom Tom 5" basic GPS unit and it worked for three rides and then would no longer power up. Plugged into my PU and it powered right up. Tried again on the bike and no luck. The same bike outlet would power up my phone or hearing aid charger just fine along with a previous generation Tom Tom with it's old cord which is not compatible to the newer unit. Bought a new power cord and same result so WTF? Any thoughts out there?
Title: Re: Electronics are vodoo
Post by: PJPR01 on March 24, 2026, 10:45:08 PM
Does the cable have an inline fuse?  May be blown.
Title: Re: Electronics are vodoo
Post by: wirespokes on March 27, 2026, 03:10:46 PM
Only two things are needed - +12 Volts and Ground. Somewhere one of them got lost. It's your job to figure out which and where.

Hate sounding smart-ass, but that's the heart of the issue.

If you don't have a multi meter, one of those probe pencils would do it.
Title: Re: Electronics are vodoo
Post by: guzzisteve on March 27, 2026, 04:15:12 PM
I would buy a different lead, one made better than one you got. It is most likely in the cheap connector.
Title: Re: Electronics are vodoo
Post by: ridingron on March 27, 2026, 05:58:27 PM
I would buy a different lead, one made better than one you got. It is most likely in the cheap connector.

Was the new lead made by Tom Tom? Usually the cables from the device manufacturer are superior in quality.
Title: Re: Electronics are vodoo
Post by: Gliderjohn on March 27, 2026, 09:22:56 PM
Have it figured out. I didn't know and apparently neither did the installer that a USB port needs to put out about 5.1 V instead of 12. My GPSs were apparently shutting down to due to the voltage. Have a reducer ordered. Still learn something new most days.
GliderJohn
Title: Re: Electronics are vodoo
Post by: ridingron on March 28, 2026, 03:29:24 AM
I think all USB ports are 5 vdc.

Did the installer not know this or did he think the GPS needed only 5 vdc? To me, a very important question.

Title: Re: Electronics are vodoo
Post by: BMCMOTO on March 28, 2026, 09:02:49 AM
12v to usb ports are readily available. From multiple sources. I've been using some from 3BR Powersports. Like so.

https://www.3brpowersports.com/collections/tapp-all-weather-usb-power-ports

Not cheap but mount and work well for me.

Brian