Garmin voltage question

9232 Views 13 Replies 7 Participants Last post by copjr, Apr 2, 2009

ericf

Discussion Starter · Mar 31, 2009

Just placed an order for a Garmin Nuvi 255w for the wing. I'd like to hard wire it directly to the system for power via a mini USB cable spliced right in, and not have to puchase a female adapter for a lighter.
My question, Is the Garmin actually 12v? Or does the cigarette lighter plug drop the voltage to the unit. I don't have it yet, So I can't measure it. But I'd like to be prepared for a smooth install. And have all necessary supplies.
Thanks

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All Boots No Saddle

· #2 · Mar 31, 2009

Well, mine is a 760, but I believe the operation is the same...

As you may know USB power is 5.0v (4.75v - 5.25v), but the USB port is only used to transfer data between the GPS and your computer.

The power cable connector is quite unique and you will need to use the +12v power plug on the end of that cable. However, you can plug into your bike's power receptacle, or buy an in-line power receptacle and hide that under the cowling. The receptacle should be wired to the keyswitch acc terminal for best automatic operation on the bike. The unit will also run on its internal battery for portable operation.

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ericf

Discussion Starter · #3 · Mar 31, 2009

voltage

Yes, my children have the 700 series gps and it is a larger plug. The 250 series is a mini USB in the back of the unit. Both computer and power from that receptacle. MY idea was to take a mini usb and cut to length I need and hardwire directly in. I'd like to keep the cig adapter for use in the truck.
But wanted to be sure the cig adapter allowed 12v, or whether it dropped to some other voltage.

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All Boots No Saddle

· #4 · Mar 31, 2009

ericf said:
.... MY idea was to take a mini usb and cut to length I need and hardwire directly in. ....

Like I said, it's not going to work. The USB port is only used to transfer data between the GPS and your computer. In other words, the GPS powers up in the data transfer mode, not the GPS mode.

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ericf

Discussion Starter · #5 · Apr 1, 2009

voltage

The statement of them NOT being 12v is what I was wondering. The the cig adapter has to have diodes or something inside to drop the voltage.
That makes things more difficult, but still easily done.
I won't ask how you found out...........I can already imagine your disappointment when you DID find out.

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Kidwinger

· #6 · Apr 1, 2009

power

Radio shack has a gps adapter kit that will allow you to use the mini usb port but you still have to plug into the lighter plug. I have the garmin nuvi 660 and its hard wired to the bike with this plug. Cost around 24 dollars I think.It has about 5 differant ends that comes with the kit and one of them fits the mini usb plug on the garmin.

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DIESEL-DAWG

· #7 · Apr 1, 2009

All Boots No Saddle said:
Well, mine is a 760, but I believe the operation is the same...

As you may know USB power is 5.5v, but the USB port is only used to transfer data between the GPS and your computer.

The power cable connector is quite unique and you will need to use the +12v power plug on the end of that cable. However, you can plug into your bike's power receptacle, or buy an in-line power receptacle and hide that under the cowling. The receptacle should be wired to the keyswitch acc terminal for best automatic operation on the bike. The unit will also run on its internal battery for portable operation.

All Boots, the USB port also charges the 760 in addition to dowloading to it. Also, the USB port on the 760, can also be used for power connection, if you get the proper connection. I just did that for my 760 using the Radio Shack IGO wiring harness and connector. Just a thought.

Ken

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All Boots No Saddle

· #8 · Apr 1, 2009

DIESEL-DAWG said:
All Boots, the USB port also charges the 760 in addition to dowloading to it. ....

True.

DIESEL-DAWG said:
... the USB port on the 760, can also be used for power connection, if you get the proper connection. I just did that for my 760 using the Radio Shack IGO wiring harness and connector. ....

I tried powering mine with an adapter that provided USB power only to the USB port and it would only come up in the data transfer mode. I'll have to look into the RS IGO harness to see what that is about, but at this point I don't see how it would work with the USB port.

Thanks for the info.

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All Boots No Saddle

· #9 · Apr 1, 2009

DIESEL-DAWG said:
All Boots, the USB port also charges the 760 in addition to dowloading to it. Also, the USB port on the 760, can also be used for power connection, if you get the proper connection. I just did that for my 760 using the Radio Shack IGO wiring harness and connector. Just a thought.

I've been thinking about what you said. If all you want to do is to recharge the internal GPS batteries between uses, then using the USB port to do that works fine.

However, I believe that ericf wants to power the GPS from the bike using the USB port while using the unit as a GPS. That's what I've already tried and could not make it work: because when the unit is getting power at the USB port it comes up in the data transfer mode, not GPS mode.

At least that's what happened with mine... :shrug:

However, for just recharging the internal battery between uses as a GPS, your USB power hookup will work just fine.

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meridien

· #10 · Apr 1, 2009

OK, there's clearly some confusion here with the Nuvi voltage requirements.

The mini-usb connector is used for charging and data transfer, and expects NO MORE THAN 5vdc. Any more than that and you just made a brick.

The cradle connector, however is 12vdc. You can purchase a 12v cable on ebay if you want to hardwire the nuvi to the electrical system. The downside to this is that the only audio out is the jack on the left side, and it would be much cleaner to use the audio out pins in the cradle mount. I have ordered some plugs so that I can wire them up to provide 12vdc power and to extract left, right, and ground for audio. This way I've got one plug to connect the nuvi into the goldwing system.

Here's a link that provides a great deal of information, and even tells you how to charge through the usb connector without going into data mode.

http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=91718&whichpage=1

When I have the plugs in hand, I'll make them available at my cost if anyone's interested, along with the necessary pinouts so you can solder your own connections.

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ericf

Discussion Starter · #11 · Apr 1, 2009

voltage

Thanks to all for replies,
The confusion here is that I'm referring to a garmin 200 series while others are referring to the 700 series. Although they basically do the same thing, the cradles and power attachments are totally different.
The 700 series is powered by a plug that attaches to the cradle and has a USB port for computer connections.
The 200 series uses a basic cradle for holding the unit only (no wires) and the USB is for both power connection as well as computer.
The power is supplied through the mini USB port,, and the 12v cig adapter to mini USB is supplied. The only other opening in the 200 series is a slot for CF card.
This is why I was contimplating using a Mini usb hardwired directly to the wing. That way the connection could always be there. without any problems.
But, since the units operate on 3.7- 4.5v, I find the need to purchase an extra Garmin Cable and install a female cigarette adapter behind the dash to be able to connect the power cable.
No large deal, a little extra cost and extra bulk, and an area for potential problems.
But I can still leave the wiring there and be able to move the Garmin to the truck or the Wing.
In researching these Garmin units, There are several types of power connections and cradles that vary depending on series number.

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JPOURT

· #12 · Apr 1, 2009

Gilsson makes a cable that you can wire to 12Volt. Drops the voltage at the USB plug to 5 V. SKU # GUSB5VB.
I just bought one from Buy.com.
James

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All Boots No Saddle

· #13 · Apr 1, 2009

ericf-

Sorry for the confusion!

Do you have copies of the users manuals?

If not, go here (free)...

https://buy.garmin.com/shop/store/manual.jsp?product=010-00718-20&cID=137&pID=13431

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copjr

· #14 · Apr 2, 2009

I bought my daughter a Garmin C330 a year ago for Christmas. Since I used the OEM power cord for her Wing, I had to come up with something else.

I picked up a Motorola Razor 12v power cord from the local US Cellular store. It works fine in her car! Recharges the onboard battery too!

My brother has the same unit, and he found that solution on some bbs for the 330.

:thumbup:

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