Fitting a 12v socket on Handlebars For Sat Nav

[Scoot65]

I'm looking to fit a 21v socket (cigarette lighter type) to the bike's handlebars so that I can power my sat nav

I've seen the ones where you attach the socket the bars and run the wires to the battery, theres a fuse included. Are these generally OK?

I'll only be using the socket to charge the sat nav when I'm riding, not for charging phones etc when parked up.

I've read that some guys earth the -ve wire to the bike's frame rather than attach it to the -ve post of the battery ……What do you think of this technique?

Cheers!

[Stu]

Straight to the battery is fine unless the port has an led light on it of some sort you will have to go for a switched live

Some will argue that you must use a relay to stop the battery going flat if you leave that sat nav on while parked up but you would have to be stupid to leave it unattended for long enough to flatten your battery

[Guest]

Some will argue that you must use a relay to stop the battery going flat if you leave that sat nav on while parked up but you would have to be stupid to leave it unattended for long enough to flatten your battery

 

Ive done that, though the bike was at home. it had no appreciable effect on the battery. though this was a dedicated sat nav. left 'on' overnight.

[Stu]

Silly man

[Chrissb6]

Some will argue that you must use a relay to stop the battery going flat if you leave that sat nav on while parked up but you would have to be stupid to leave it unattended for long enough to flatten your battery

 

Ive done that, though the bike was at home. it had no appreciable effect on the battery. though this was a dedicated sat nav. left 'on' overnight.

Most Sat nav's will go into a sleep mode after a while if no movement is detected.

[Guest]

Some will argue that you must use a relay to stop the battery going flat if you leave that sat nav on while parked up but you would have to be stupid to leave it unattended for long enough to flatten your battery

 

Ive done that, though the bike was at home. it had no appreciable effect on the battery. though this was a dedicated sat nav. left 'on' overnight.

Most Sat nav's will go into a sleep mode after a while if no movement is detected.

 

most 'car' ones maybe. but not Zumos. and I'm not sure about Tom Toms never having had one.

[Stu]

My tomtom stays active until switched off

[Scoot65]

Thanks for the replies, much appreciated.

[dave_d]

I have pretty much just been doing exactly the same job! I have mounted a 12v socket on the 'dash' of the bike fairing and then mounted all of the wiring on the underside out of the way. I am using the LHS side light as a switching voltage for a relay (which I am still waiting for... never buy cheap relays from amazon to save a few quid... GRRR!). Figured fitting with a relay was safest option 'just in case'. For the extra cost (about £2.50) and a few more mins wiring, its worth doing properly.

[Glorian]

Mine is slaved into my horn, Only turns on when ignition is on.

[Scoot65]

Thanks for the replies.

Since initially posting, I've found out my bike, a Triumph, has a factory fitted plug connection in the electrical loom to which a DIN / Hella type socket can be attached (via a bracket already part of the frame). So, I'm going to order a DIN / Hella socket and a suitable lead/kit to charge a sat nav.

Until a couple pof days ago, I'd not heard of DIN sockets, they look like a smaller version of cigarette lighter sockets. Apparently, a few manufacturers ie Triumph, BMW have these sockets alreaday on the bikes or at least a connection plug which accommodates them...............

[Guest]

Din plugs are very similar to cigarette plugs.. in fact many Din plugs sold come with an adapter so the plug will work in a cigarette socket. the reverse isn't usually true though.

just as an example.. here is a Din plug (for an optimate) the red piece you can see is what converts it to a cigarette. it simply twists on and off.

http://i.imgur.com/RmIpr6Zm.jpg

so don't be surprised if the plug arrives with something like this already fitted. you wont need it.

[Scoot65]

Thanks Shorty, I bear that in mind.

Cheers!

[Elgreco]

I fitted one of these and used the live feed to number plate light for my power take off (through supplied fuse)..Works a treat and power goes off when ignition is switched off.