So, I am looking for a reasonable car-GPS, like a Garmin Nuvi for use on my new bike. No way I am paying the money they want for a motorcycle dedicated unit, just for occasional use. I can pick up one new for around $100. The only thing is that I have read it will only hold a battery charge for around an hour. So, looks like I may need to somehow wire it into the bike's electrical system. The GPS comes with a cigarette lighter type of car charger. Anyone know how to modify that so I may tap into the bike's power? Pretty nervous about doing that. I owned a 72 Trident that I used to carry a handful of fuses in my jacket, and my other British vehicle was a TVR. Also had wiring nightmares over that too. Of course those were old school, old technology. Maybe I can modify the cigarette lighter charger, place it on a fuse and tap into some wire under the seat?????????? p.s. I really don't want to use my phone's GPS Navigation and subject it to the vibration and the weather. Thus, the GPS.
Try cutting the wire on the charger cable and wiring it to your horn, that’ll give you a switched power supply. Positive to horn live using a piggyback spade connector and negative to earth. FYI, I don’t think car gps work with helmet bluetooth sets
Most bikes can wire in a cigarette or bmwtype charger port, with many having a wire under the tank or seat ready to connect. Check your model and Assessories on World of Triumph.
I went a bit further you may intend. I've recycled my M/C Garmin Zumo and fog lights - now on the 3rd bike! Basically, I tapped into a switched live from the rear light to hook up a relay switch for the GPS and the fog lights - everything is ON/OFF with the ignition key. I use the USB port to go inside the left saddlebag. The pics show the under-seat wiring (I know, it could be a little neater) and the Garmin unit with the fog light switch just below it. On other bikes I've mounted a cigarette power socket and run a switched power to it, then use the cigarette power plug from the GPS. Before, I've used a combined fuse block with relay - then you can simply hook up to this device. One problem is that there isn't much room on a Bonnie to hide things but the wiring is fairly simple. I did read somewhere that there is an O.E. accessory socket under the gas tank. I think I found it but I didn't try to use it. BTW, the Triumph electrical connectors are diabolical to separate! Steve T.
This may sound like it's coming from way out in left field, but how are your eyes? I have to depend on reading glasses for close-up vision, which I don't need while riding. I use a Garmin on my T100 and I can't read its' instructions without my glasses. So, to make a long story short (maybe) I have a Garmin with Bluetooth capability, an inexpensive Sena communicator, and I've paired the 2 together so that the GPS can "tell" me where to turn, and I don't have to rely on seeing it's instructions. You can get a Ram mount to attach a Garmin to your handlebar. Most Garmins have a USB-Micro connector, so you could get a 3 or 4 foot charging cable, attach it to your GPS, then run it under your tank to the USB connector under your seat. Here's a pic of my arrangement
Never thought of using the USB directly for the GPS. That could really clean up my rats nest of wiring! Thanks, I may look at doing that. Steve T.
Thank you for taking the time to explain all this and post the diagrams and photos. Very much helpful....
In my car, I have to briefly glance above or below my glasses that I wear for distance. Assume I would need to do the same briefly on the bike.
I hope this can help some others. I believe I have found my solution. The dealer pointed out to me a slightly dangling wire outside of the seat, on the left side. He told me that was the charger port should I want to hook up a battery maintenance tender for the winter months. So.......while at the cycle gear store, I mentioned my dilemma and they pointed me to this adapter for the cigarette power source on the Garmin GPS. It should work perfectly although I have not hooked it up yet. Has female cigarette port, inline fuse, and the other port matches the battery tender port dangling outside the seat. Hopefully all I will need to do is zip-tie the wiring all the way up to the handlebars under the tank and my connection will mount there. It even includes a handlebar mount. All for $20. Hope this helps anyone else. Picture attached.
