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Can you help me with hard wiring my gps?
I like how you have yours setup so that you can run the gps or the battery tender. Can you elaborate on what you used?
I have a Garmin 60CX.
What do I need?
Thanks!

Battery tender makes an extender cord that makes the process really easy. I have found these cords at OReilly (auto parts) so they are readily available.

http://batterytender.com/product_info.p ... 74fc99af44
[Ring Terminal Harness $6.95 Ring Terminal Harness Accessory for use with multiple batteries. Black Quick Disconnect. For 12 volt models only. Contains a 3 amp fuse. 2 ft. long.]

If 2' isn't long enough, buy this:

http://batterytender.com/product_info.p ... 74fc99af44
[25 ft. Extension Lead $9.95 25 ft. Extension Lead for use to extend the length of the charger's reach from input to battery. Use the 25 foot long lead extension with the Battery Tender Junior, Plus, 4, 5, or 10 Bank units. (Not for use with the 6 Volt Battery Tender Plus or any other Battery Tender product with white disconnect plugs.)]

Cut this one to length (battery to handlebars, with a bit extra tucked somewhere ... just in case) and crimp on the connectors for the battery. Offer up the other half to some other rider, or put it on another bike.


As to GPS cable, go to any auto parts store and buy a SAE 2-prong connector in the trailer wiring section. Solder this onto the end of a Garmin cable that you have snipped the cig lighter off of. Use heat shrink tubing (slide it on BEFORE you solder). Be sure to keep polarity correct.
OR
Go to WalMart auto section and buy a 2-prong / cig lighter converter for 3 or 4 $. Use the cig lighter Garmin cable. This option will be bulkier but not as involved.


Let me know if you need any more help or info.

Thanks!

I have a 2 prong end on my 12v tire pump that I can easily connect when I need it.

I should mention ... the two prong connectors come in a "two pack" with two of them wired together. Thus the colors (red and white for pos and neg) only match on one of the connectors. Don't go by color, go by plug end type .. male or female.


2-prong:
The positive lead on the bike side (not the device side) should be the female (insulated, rubber covered) side.

The positive lead on the device side (GPS, pump... not the bike side) should be the male.


IIRC, the center contact on a cig lighter is the positive.


IIRC, the wires in a Garmin cable are color coded (red = pos, black = neg).

I finally got around to doing this.
Thanks Mike!
Works great! Excellent idea!

Glad to read that all is working (as advertised)!

I have been on a week-long canoe trip on the Current River in MO. Already missing the river and gravel bar camping.