Hardwiring Garmin Nuvi GPS

[positivecarry]

Hey Guys, I bought a Garmin Nuvi 550 and this cable to hardwire it to my bike for power:
http://www.gpscity.com/gilsson-bare-wire-power-cable.html

I want the GPS to charge only when the bike's power is turned on.  Do I just splice the two ends into the power line for the rear light?  Any other issues to look out for?

[DarkStaR]

Should be fine.

[positivecarry]

Mission Accomplished...thought I'd add some notes for people searching for this in the future:

1) On the tail light, there are three connections:
Red: powered only when brakes engaged
Yellow: powered all the time when key turned on (use this one for GPS power)
Black: on the side (the red and yellow are below), this is ground

2) I looped everything on the right side, using zip-ties to put the gps power cord alongside other cable routes.

Pics below:

[uglyducky]

nice.  i need to do that.

[DarkStaR]

It would look nicer if you could run the wire between the triples and up with the handlebar wires.

[positivecarry]

It would look nicer if you could run the wire between the triples and up with the handlebar wires.

Agreed...wish I thought of that from the beginning.  Now fixed (and much cleaner)

[DarkStaR]

...Now fixed (and much cleaner): ...

 

[herm]

i have the same cord, and mount. i spliced a 2 flat plug onto mine, and connect it to my battery tender connection when i am using the gps. I do have to remember to unplug it, but other than that it works great!

[gr1976]

What mount are you using? Where did you get it?

[positivecarry]

What mount are you using? Where did you get it?

GPSCity, ships out of Las Vegas, usually same day you order it.

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-cradle-plate-zinc-u-bolt-rail-mount-1.0-inch-ball.html

and

http://www.gpscity.com/ram-mount-garmin-nuvi-500-series-cradle-ram-hol-ga32u.html

[positivecarry]

Hey Guys, I bought a Garmin Nuvi 550 and this cable to hardwire it to my bike for power:
http://www.gpscity.com/gilsson-bare-wire-power-cable.html

I want the GPS to charge only when the bike's power is turned on.  Do I just splice the two ends into the power line for the rear light?  Any other issues to look out for?

UPDATE: This cable kept losing the power connection so I got the Garmin branded cable:
http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-power-and-data-cable-for-nuvi-5xx-zumo-220.html

Reviews for the Gilsson cable on GPSCity's website indicate that it's not a widespread issue, but does happen in some of the cables.  Just something to keep in mind.

[xsephirot]

Good write up! Could you reup the pics again as they seem dead? I'm also trying to exactly like what you do but electrical crap scare and confuse me which I'm hoping your pics will help.

[positivecarry]

Good write up! Could you reup the pics again as they seem dead? I'm also trying to exactly like what you do but electrical crap scare and confuse me which I'm hoping your pics will help.

Just updated the links.  Good luck!

[xsephirot]

Much thanks! Did you need to solder the lines to the yellow positive line or did you just heat crimp it?

[positivecarry]

I soldered them.  But to be honest, I think wrapping the wires tight and wrapping electrical tape would have worked fine.