A few questions about this. I want to wire this thing to the fuse box (i have searched this and only found one link with ok info) but need better information to how to do it. So, do i use an Add-A-Circuit mini (what voltage)? Can i use a regular garmin power cable as opposed to the bare wire cord? I would just strip the basic one (it's cheaper). what fuses do i use, where does it connect to the fuse box, and will i have to worry about searges damaging the unit?
Every Garmin I've ever used will take 12v input through the power cord, they are designed that way.
I'm not exactly clear on what you are referring to by "bare wire cord" but if you are using 12v you need to use the 4-pin plug in the back of the unit.
Can i use a regular garmin power cable as opposed to the bare wire cord? I would just strip the basic one (it's cheaper). what fuses do i use, where does it connect to the fuse box, and will i have to worry about searges damaging the unit?
Ok so you're asking if you can just take an existing Garmin power cable say - this
or this
and clip the end off.
If the red and black wires are there and you can put a fast acting 2 amp fuse in then I don't see why not. The fuse will protect from any surges but if you are asking if you can expect surges from the tap-a-circuit in the fuse panel than I would have to say no. The vehicles voltage regulator will maintain nominal voltage. If you do get a surge you have other issues not normally present.
Last edited by KD7NAC_07FJ : 09-05-2007 at 09:57 AM.
Garmin makes a 12v cable for hardwiring that has a bare wire end. It's probably designed for the marine or airplane install, but it's priced higher than a AC adapter charger.
So the OP sounds like he wants to snip the adapter plug off the cable to expose the bare wires. Now he just wants to know if this is as safe as using the 12v cig adapter plug. I guess if he put an inline fuse somewhere in the circuit he'd be OK.
OOPs, looks like someone got the answer out before me.
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Garmin makes a 12v cable for hardwiring that has a bare wire end. It's probably designed for the marine or airplane install, but it's priced higher than a AC adapter charger.
So the OP sounds like he wants to snip the adapter plug off the cable to expose the bare wires. Now he just wants to know if this is as safe as using the 12v cig adapter plug. I guess if he put an inline fuse somewhere in the circuit he'd be OK.
OOPs, looks like someone got the answer out before me.
Great minds
Actually if he is looking to just put a 12v plug on the end West Marine has an add-on plug with a fuse in it. But I think he's looking to snip the end off an existing one and hard wire it. I had the "bare wire" adapter I salvaged when I sold my boat so I just put it back in service in my FJ.
here is what i mean: I would like to take the below plug, either the regular or bare wire cable and connect to my Garmin and then to the fuse box. any steps or guidance to doing this?
here is what i mean: I would like to take the below plug, either the regular or bare wire cable and connect to my Garmin and then to the fuse box. any steps or guidance to doing this?
If you are using the Bare Wire: https://buy.garmin.com/shop/shop.do?pID=519 option you would just connect the red wire to the tap-a-ciruit and the back wire to a convenient grounding point. It can be any bolt in the metal of the body or the frame. I would recommend verifying you have good ground by checking with a multi-meter. The hard part will be finding a 2 amp ATO/ATC fuse. otherwise keep the glass fuse that comes with the bare wire lead and put the smallest fuse you can find in the tap-a-circuit.
Note: you need to make sure there is a fuse in both positions in the tap-a-circuit. Here is a pic showing the two fuse box positions you will be interested in.
Obviously if you want to be able to run your GPS with the key off you would use the 12v+ constant other wise the keyed fuse position.
If you are using the other plug then you can just plug it into the power port. If you really want to clip of the 12v plug and hard wire it to the tap-a-circuit then you will need to make sure to get the right fuse.
Last edited by KD7NAC_07FJ : 09-06-2007 at 06:15 AM.
would a 3amp fuse work? the only add-a-circuits i can find around here are for 3,5,7 amps. I havent found any stand alone 2amp fuses either? dont want to fry the unit.
would a 3amp fuse work? the only add-a-circuits i can find around here are for 3,5,7 amps. I havent found any stand alone 2amp fuses either? dont want to fry the unit.
I would have to say no for a number of reasons including safety of your equipement.
If you were talking about something that is native 12v then you could probably get away with the extra Amp because 12v systems are relatively robust. The 60CSx is designed to work with 2 AAA batteries for about 3v and only miliamps of current. There is a step down transformer built into the unit to reduce the voltage from 12v to 3v but I don't have the specs on how much current the ciruit will take.
On the other hand current is "by demand" in other words a circuit only draws as much current as it requires, the battery is not pushing current. So will it work with a 3 amp fuse - yes but your protection level goes way down.
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