Power Source for GPS & Radar Detector

[nathanmargolis]

I had been pulling power from the battery, but the Garmin GPS cord had a continual light indicator that was draining the battery if bike sat for few weeks.

In research of previous postings, it was suggested to splice into the low beam headlight (yellow as the yellow/white is high beam and browns are ground).
Hated to splice into any wiring, especially since it is tight to use one of the blue clips that splices into a wire.

I made a jumper wire by using a fuse tap that has a hot pig tail (find them at most auto supplies for about $6) and connected jumper wires between the bulb tab and the added fuse tap using the two fuse tabs. Very clean installation and when bike is sold, can reconnect factory wiring without a splice. For a ground, used the front shock bolt.

All works fine and blends in with other wiring.

Nathan

[tm1100s]

Which bike do you have?

[Effjay]

Originally Posted by tm1100s

Which bike do you have?

Also, which Garmin model/power cord do you have that has "continual light indicator"? I have my Zumo 550 direct wired to the battery using Garmin's furnished power cable (as described here) and there is no such light. I realize there is a slight parasitic drain on the moto battery to keep the GPS battery charged but suspect its minimal and negated with a battery tender in play...

[WandererR11S]

Nathan,

Im trying to picture what a fuze tap is and looks like, do you have a pic you could share, Im going to need to do much the same soon...

Cheers Jeremy

[nathanmargolis]

See below for fuse tap exact description and I hope the link works for the picture as picture would not "cut and paste"

Cooper Bussmann/ATC fuse tap converts one into two fusible circuits - 10 Amps maximum on added circuit

Search: fuse tap | Fuse and Accessories | AutoZone.com

You want the standard sized style and not the mini as you will use solderless terminal connections on the two tabs that one would plug into the fuse box. If you have any questions, feel free to call me at 713 831-6163.

Nathan

[tm1100s]

I'd need to take a closer look at mine because it's been a while since I did this, but I think if you have a non-ABS bike, fuse #10 is unused and switched so tapping that wire at the fuse box was a good solution.

[nathanmargolis]

I can only speak about 2004, but one can find power with ignition off on the fuse box but the issue there is it is an unorthodox style of fuse box (or my opinion) and the use of "baby" fuses making it difficult to stuff any kind of sufficient guage wiring into the slot with a fuse in place.

They Bussman does make a "baby" fuse tap that can be used but then you can't replace the cover on the fuse box to keep everything water sealed. Guess you could modify the cover and make it fit but probably not be water tight like it is now.

The cleanest installation really is the low headlight wire like most all people said in this Forum a few years ago when I did the original installation of hot wire to the battery. I did not do that way because of the fear of butchering the headlight wire if the first solderless wire splice clip failed.

The fuse tap, jumper wire, and a few solderless clips really work nicely and can easily be removed.

Just my thoughts on what I did and wanted to share with others as I never saw this being done.

Nathan

[WandererR11S]

Nathan,

Ok that link worked, an i now know what they look like, surprised, having been around the auto trades for most of my life, i have never seen these, shall go look in our auto stores, and yes, a great way to tap into power while not making any permanent changes or damage to stock...
Thanks for sharing... Jeremy

[bikerfish1100]

I installed a Centech unit under my saddle (in space dedicated for the flat repair kit), wired sraight to the battery. It allows both direct and ignition based wiring of accessories. I'm running my HIDs, driving lights and radar detector off of it, and still have space for more. Nice unit.