12v accessory wiring question

[rdbandkab]

I just purchased a Garmin GPS that comes with a "bare wire" cable that attaches at one end to the cradle and the other end, the red/black bare wires.  There is not an inline fuse on the cable.
Not wanting to direct wire the Garmin power cord to the bike's accessory cables (probably lurking under a piece of fairing). I'm wondering if I could just buy a 12v adapter plug (cigar lighter style) and splice/solder/or heat shrink its pos/neg wires to the pos/neg wires at the business end of the Garmin cord.   I'm hoping to power it with this set up so I could move it from bike to bike utilizing the 12v sockets in the dashboards.
The 12v accessory adapter contains a fuse in the central tip..
Here's the Garmin power cable.

Thanks in advance,

richy

[pyoungbl]

Yes, you can attach a cigar lighter plug to the Garmin red/black wires.  Don't cut out the wire lump (yours looks like a square one, most are round).  One issue I have had with this setup is that the cigar plug does not have any kind of retaining system and will tend to back out with vibration.  I have had much more success with the BMW style plug and socket. 

[Kiwi_Roy]

I usually attach my GPS to the park light inside the headlight bucket, that way it's not accidentally left on.
Alternately put a male / female bullet connector and attach it to the battery charging cable.
I wouldn't use a 3rd party USB charger on your Garmin, some of those are pretty dubious.

As for aa mounting bracket I folded up a sheetmetal bracket that goes in the gap between the handlebar clamps, there's enough gap to slip it in one side with just one clamp removed.

https://ibb.co/iv4KRH
Not a good picture but it might give you an idea.

[rdbandkab]

Yes, you can attach a cigar lighter plug to the Garmin red/black wires.  Don't cut out the wire lump (yours looks like a square one, most are round).  One issue I have had with this setup is that the cigar plug does not have any kind of retaining system and will tend to back out with vibration.  I have had much more success with the BMW style plug and socket.

Is the "lump" a ferrite bead?   I believe I've seen a few of the round (or barrel) shaped chokes before.  I thought the square lump was something more in the way of a container of circuitry.
Yep... I'll need to keep an eye on the vibes concerning the adapter.   Not only will they work their way out, but the less expensive models will self destruct by vibration if not looked after.  My wife had a flat tire on the car about a month ago.   I go to the trunk and find the small compressor kit we have that runs off the 12v.   I go to plug it in and parts go everywhere!!  The little fuse retaining ring shot off and rolled to middle earth.  Thank goodness for old fashioned bicycle pumps.

I thought about attaching to the bikes wiring, but I'll be moving the Garmin between bikes.  And it appears that the 12v socket recieves power only when the bike is running, or the key is in accessory mode.

** This Garmin is actually motorcycle oriented and is waterproof, made for glove usage, and contains an option for real-time weather radar and traffic (yeah!)  It also has lifetime map updates (I believe).   
I must have gotten behind the times with gps tech.   This model has more options than I'll ever use!  Although I do like to spot "lesser traveled" roads on them...

Thanks!

richy

[DougG]

Hi rdb,
The only thing I can add is that the weakest link in the wiring set up you are considering is the 12v outlet.  If that is your decision, it might be a good idea to make it marine and with a waterproof spring loaded cover.  Also, angle it downward, to keep H2O out of the harness.  Just say'n.

Be well,
DougG

[Kiwi Dave]

I'm a big fan of the SAE connector.  Never disconnects, small and secure.  Here's a couple of samples from Amazon.

[Knuckle Dragger]

Whatever power outlet you choose to hardwire on the bike, it should be fused.  BMW type sockets seem to be reliable, as previously mentioned. This can be also be used for numerous alternative devices too.  Micro air pumps, emergency lights, camping floods, USB chargers, GPS, communication devices, battery chargers etc.

With the possibility of both high & low current devices being fitted or connected, maybe a hardwired connection direct to the bike's battery may be useful, with a simple inline fused link incorporated into the positive conductor.

[rdbandkab]

The bike currently has a 12v with rubber cover.  BUT it would probably be a good idea to rotate the cover to always want to close...

Thanks all!

[guzziart]

Hi,

I've had success with Eastern Beaver for some of my accessory wiring projects.

https://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/main.html

[sign216]

Hi,

I've had success with Eastern Beaver for some of my accessory wiring projects.

https://www.easternbeaver.com/Main/main.html

I've liked Eastern Beaver too.  (there's a joke in there, but I'll leave that for the next guy)

But really, I've used their products and been happy w them.

[pehayes]

I have Garmin cradles hardwired on some bikes and use a cigarette socket on others.
For the hardwired version, you can use the headlamp's 'parking light' wire as a power source.  Or you can tap off of the existing fuse panel with one of these 'piggy back' fuses.
https://www.amazon.com/Pixnor-Circuit-Piggy-Standard-Holder/dp/B011I9QZX2/ref=asc_df_B011I9QZX2/?tag=hyprod-20&linkCode=df0&hvadid=167140365824&hvpos=1o1&hvnetw=g&hvrand=16095375097359171234&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=c&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9032008&hvtargid=pla-307234676336&psc=1

If you use a cigarette socket, you can then use a USB plug and a special USB wire.  A lot less bulky than the Garmin cigarette plug.  Either way, a rubber band goes a long way to keep the plug into the socket even on very rough roads.

BTW, most people do not know.  If you use a Garmin supplied USB cable, there are connections inside which make the device think it is trying to connect to a computer for data transfer.  When you turn it on,  it may take five minutes to time out and revert to its core GPS function.  There is a company selling USB wires which do NOT provide for this data transfer function and only provide hot and ground to operate the GPS.  That is the USB cable you need if you go the cigarette socket route.

https://www.amazon.com/Red-Band-Charging-Garmin-Length/dp/B01F7VU010/ref=sr_1_2_sspa?ie=UTF8&qid=1541653185&sr=8-2-spons&keywords=red+band+garmin+power+cable&psc=1

Patrick Hayes
Fremont CA