GPS mounting options to get power

[Waltr]

I finally installed my auto GPS to my 2012 Norge and routed the cable to the cigarette plug under the seat only to find that that plug is on all the time and not powered on with the key. I have a SWMotech case that can be padlocked so I either have to unlock the case and shut off the GPS or remove the seat to unplug. I want to do neither, just want the gps to shut down in 15 seconds as it does when power is disrupted.

I understand there is a connector somewhere to use with the TomTom that I assume is keyed power but before I take apart everything to look I thought I would ask here for location of the plug or suggestion on finding a source of keyed power. There may be a way to change the cig lighter to keyed power.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Walt

[Kiwi_Roy]

How about picking it up off the headlight, there's power there for sure and room to stow the 5 Volt adapter

[Kiwi Dave]

The Tom tom connector is usually located just behind the alternator, around where the heated grips are plugged in.  It is a green connector, and is often cable tied under the frame components, so can be a little hard to find.

Here's a pix of the connector.

[nikwax]

I understand there is a connector somewhere to use with the TomTom that I assume is keyed power but before I take apart everything to look I thought I would ask here for location of the plug or suggestion on finding a source of keyed power. There may be a way to change the cig lighter to keyed power.  Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Walt

The Tom Tom connector is hot all the time, so it is not what you are looking for.


You could tap into the license plate light and use that to control a relay.


I like to run my GPS units on always-on power. The draw very little power, and I can consult them when the bike is not running. Plus it's fairly easy to run a USB harness from the battery to the the handlebars.

[rodekyll]

Or you could install a switch in the gps power cord and switch it off manually.

[rocketcaptain]

Or you could install a switch in the gps power cord and switch it off manually.

Do what he says, that way you're all versatile.

[sib]

On my V7 Stone, the "Tom Tom" connector is switched on/off with the ignition key.  I cut off the connector and wired in a 2-Amp USB adapter, which I use to power my iPhone (I know the iPhone needs much less than 2 Amps, but I might switch to an iPad in the future).  Of course, the phone continues to work with the power off.  I use a RAM Mount to mount the phone, works great.  I'm not totally satisfied with any of the navigation apps I've tried (Apple Maps, Google Maps, Waze, MotionX) because the street/highway lettering/numbering is too small, so I'd be happy to receive any suggestions or advice here.

The Tom Tom connector is hot all the time, so it is not what you are looking for.


You could tap into the license plate light and use that to control a relay.


I like to run my GPS units on always-on power. The draw very little power, and I can consult them when the bike is not running. Plus it's fairly easy to run a USB harness from the battery to the the handlebars.

[Mad Mac]

In another life, I installed an MSD male plug conveniently mounted to the handlebars.  With MSD female connectors wired into my battery tender, air pump and Garmin Zumo, I was able to run any of them off that one plug.  It also allowed me to quickly remove my Zumo as well as its carrier from the Ram mount for security.    It's always hot and can not be keyed off, so it's not exactly what you were looking for, but you could simply unplug the handy MSD connector to kill the power to the GPS.

It is somewhat nerve wracking to cut the wires to your devices for the MSD plugs, but you can put male MSD plugs on the connectors you cut off in case you want to go back to the cigar lighter or whatever.  Here is an article I wrote about the idea with a couple of pictures here.  I installed a similar set up on my 2001 California EV, but I don't have a picture of that one. 

Also, if you plan on using the plug for more than one device, be consistent with the hot and neutral plug.  The MSD plugs are marked A and B.  And you might want to put the fuse in the wiring to the battery so that whatever you plug in has a fuse.

Below, my 2002 BMW F650 GS with MSD connector zip tied to cross brace on handlebar.

[Edo]

I will have to go to the MDS connectors as well, but for a different reason. The cigarette plug on the 2013 Norge is too big for my devices (iPhone, GPS). They will not stay plugged in. Am I the only one with this problem?

[guzzi ride]

This is what I did for GPS and heated gear. Both are wired to the battery with a y splitter under dash.

[Zoom Zoom]

The Tom Tom connector is hot all the time, so it is not what you are looking

No it is not.

I located the connector on my Norge and replaced the end with an SAE polarized plug. I ran my GPS off that. Same with the Stelvio I have.

The connector is under the front of the tank. You will probably need to take the tank loose and move it back to get to it in the first place. I cut off just enough to be able to solder the original connector to an SAE end if I ever wanted, and as I said, soldered a connector onto the wire on the bike.

John Henry

[Cam3512]

Are TomTom devices that bad?

[Waltr]

Thanks Zoom Zoom.  I will pull the tank back when I get a chance and have a look. 

[Sheepdog]

I used a fused power cord from Cycoactive:
http://www.cycoactive.com/Store/2473/GPS-Cables-Cases

[dee g]

.

Below, my 2002 BMW F650 GS with MSD connector zip tied to cross brace on handlebar.

I like that.  I just have an SAE velcro'd to the the bars on my GS.  That looks much cleaner and secure.

[Mad Mac]

I like that.  I just have an SAE velcro'd to the the bars on my GS.  That looks much cleaner and secure.

Thanks.  The thing I like about the MSD plugs was that it allowed me to standardize three different devices.  The Garmin came with no connector and required hard wiring the costly cradle to the battery, leaving it and the Garmin vulnerable to snatching simply by loosening the RAM mount and cutting the wire.  The air pump used a cigar lighter.  The battery tender used a two pin flat connector.  None of these were compatible until I changed them all to MSD plugs.  And the MSD plugs can be assembled with pliers.  Soldering is not required.

[raul]

I googled msd plug and all I got was sparkplug wires.  Please explain what you're using.   A link would be helpful.

[Mad Mac]

I googled msd plug and all I got was sparkplug wires.  Please explain what you're using.   A link would be helpful.

Oops.  Words matter.  I should have written connector instead of plug.  Here are the MSD 2-Pin Weathertight Connectors I used.  Here are installation instructions.

I ordered mine from Summit Racing, but many local auto parts stores may have them hanging on their display racks.

[nikwax]

Sorry for the misinformation. I messed with mine several years ago and my recollection was that it was wired to the battery. Looking at the wiring diagram, it's wired to the alternator so as Zoom Zoom said that's what you want. And it's there so you may as well test it out.

[Bradkap]

The GPS connector is referred to as a tomtom connector. But all of the tomtom rider products I see do not have a reciprocal plug to snap into it ? Am I missing something. ?

[Chuck in Indiana]

The GPS connector is referred to as a tomtom connector. But all of the tomtom rider products I see do not have a reciprocal plug to snap into it ? Am I missing something. ?

From fading memory  that was a Europe only thing.

[canuguzzi]

The connector is under the tank and stick forward just a bit near the steering stem.

You do not need to take anything apart, no tools needed.

The power wire is there, no need to start splicing wires and all that.

Walter, put a power adapter up front, stick a flush mount USB thingy into that and you have power. When you stop and remove the GPS, it is no different that what is under the seat. Otherwise you can out a switch there, what I did.

I use the GPS power wire for the TPS.

A nice long pair of forceps will make it easier to pill the GPS wire to where you can get at it. The connector is for the TomTom GPS so for anything else just tap into that leaving the OEM connector in place.