Sat Nav Power Adapter

[4eyes2wheels]

I have a power cable adapter on my bike (fitted by the previous owner) that was used to run heated gloves or waist coats. I really want to power a Tom Tom 910 from this adapter but have no idea where to get the right lead or converter. Any ideas anyone? :confused:

Thanks :cool:

[joshmac]

I have a power cable adapter on my bike (fitted by the previous owner) that was used to run heated gloves or waist coats. I really want to power a Tom Tom 910 from this adapter but have no idea where to get the right lead or converter. Any ideas anyone? :confused:

Thanks :cool:
If you've got a car cigarette socket power lead with your Tomtom, then one of these (http://images.google.co.uk/imgres?imgurl=http://www.motorcyclepowersockets.com/images/socket.jpg&imgrefurl=http://www.motorcyclepowersockets.com/&usg=__CD9g4bQEinq7V3NHobLLZJivmvg=&h=320&w=257&sz=39&hl=en&start=3&um=1&tbnid=1PSDi-fJP_mOTM:&tbnh=118&tbnw=95&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dmotorcycle%2Bcigarette%2Bsocket%26hl% 3Den%26rlz%3D1T4GFRC_enGB203GB203%26sa%3DN%26um%3D 1) is what you're after. Just connect the red and black wires to +ve and -ve terminals on the battery respectively et voila! :cool:
You won't need any converters as the bike battery is 12v too.

HTH

[4eyes2wheels]

Sounds like a plan - thanks!

[Mark_h]

Check the voltage range the tomtom adapter will accept. The SV chucks out about 15v which is enough to fry some 12v devices. I got hold of a 12v regualted power supply so I could provide a relatively stable 12 feed to my powered kit with sensitive needs.

[joshmac]

Check the voltage range the tomtom adapter will accept. The SV chucks out about 15v which is enough to fry some 12v devices. I got hold of a 12v regualted power supply so I could provide a relatively stable 12 feed to my powered kit with sensitive needs.
Hadn't thought of that. Although surely if you use a 12V fuse, it'd prevent that from happening.

[Mark_h]

Hadn't thought of that. Although surely if you use a 12V fuse that'll prevent that from happening.

Nope.

That will stop it going over current, not over voltage. Actually before the pedants jump in it will stop it going over power, but either way it will not stop it going over voltage.

[joshmac]

I thought the tomtom chargers had a power regualtor circtuit in them to stop that happening anyway. Meh, I'm probably wrong

[Mark_h]

I thought the tomtom chargers had a power regualtor circtuit in them to stop that happening anyway. Meh, I'm probably wrong

It probably will, but you'll have to check the acceptable input range. Most for cars are limited to 13.8v peak. Suzuki bike are somewhat notorious for high charging voltages. Accumen had to modify their over-voltage sensors for Suziki as they kept alarming.

[ophic]

Nope.

That will stop it going over current, not over voltage. Actually before the pedants jump in it will stop it going over power, but either way it will not stop it going over voltage.
Pedant: over current, not over power. Current provides the heating effect, which is what makes fuses blow. Irrelevant i know ;)

[thefallenangel]

Hadn't thought of that. Although surely if you use a 12V fuse, it'd prevent that from happening.

1. Fuses are current not voltage rated

2. If you put an in-line fuse it won't stop the slightly higher voltage. I.e if you get 15v out of the battery and it's 12v +/- 10% you'll mess the socket up. But if you put a meter across the terminals first it'll tell you for definite.

[Kilted Ginger]

bump in a little regulating transformer, cheap as chips, 12 fixed output.

[Barrypz]

I decided to not power my tom-tom from the bike, so I got a small 12v battery (1.5AH), maybe a pound (or 400 grams) and toss it in my tank bag. I made an adapter to a cig lighter socket and power the tom-tom that way. Good for many hours, recharge from the tender.
Barry

[4eyes2wheels]

Blimey - all a bit complicated - ohms amps volts transformers etc.
Perhaps the "easy option" is to flog my tom tom and buy a tom tom RIDER instead. Then not only will the power issue go away but so will the secure mounting issue! Thanks everyone!