5V USB Power from bike battery for Garmin i3

Chipstix · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 13, 2006 Posts: 39

Hi All,

A quick question for my 1st post. I've bought a Garmin i3, very pleased with the little unit, and have managed an excellent mounting solution through a friend in my motorbike forum. I'm aware that there is a mod to fit a headphone jack but I'm not keen on voiding the warranty just yet, so I'd like to provide onboard power from the motorcycle battery (as this will boost the volume - at the moment I can't hear much above 25-30mph).

Does anyone know where I can find/make a lead that will attach onto my bike battery (12V), then step down to 5V for the i3, and terminate in the appropriate 'miniUSB' connector (preferably 90degree connector for better wire routing)??

Any help appreciated, cheers!

Chris.

mikealder · Posted: Tue May 02, 2006 3:39 pm Post subject:

Why not use the car charger lead the unit was supplied with? this contains the regulator, all you need to fit to the bike is a cig lighter socket to plug it into DO NOT CUT THE CIG LIGHTER PLUG OFF this is the all important regulator - Mike

Chipstix · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 13, 2006 Posts: 39

This is one possible approach, although I would quite like to 'hardwire' the bike with a lead standing by for use once on the mount, and retain the Cigarette lighter adaptor for use in my car. Guess I could buy another Cigarette lighter adaptor....

Still would prefer, bike batt to regulator to 5V to miniUSB solution if there is one, and cut out the cigarette lighter, though I guess this could be useful e.g. for charging up mobile phone while on tour.

C.

V2RJO · Occasional Visitor Joined: Dec 27, 2005 Posts: 8

I have a cigarette lighter adaptor made by BELKIN that is in effect a standard 12v plug with a USB socket in the back end, allows you to plug in anything with a USB plug to charge. I think BELKIN and a few others have decided that using the normal USB sync cable is possible with these devices. You could simply hard wire one of these in to obtain a standard USB socket.

Hope this helps

Roger.
_________________
KTM950 Adventure & BMW R1200GSA
Merc E Class Sport
various Garmin & TOMTOMs

TrumpetST · Occasional Visitor Joined: May 03, 2006 Posts: 2

Hi Chipstix

Noticed in your post you mention you had mounted the i3 on your motorbike.

This is just what I'm trying to do, any chance you can give me more info as to how you did this?? i.e. what kind of mount?, where on the bike?? etc.

Any help/info would be great.

Regards

	PocketGPS
	Web