Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS?

hacc81 · 02-09-2011, 11:28 PM

Hello all, I just joined a couple of days ago...
A week ago I bought my first bike, a 2008 Suzuki Marauder 250 (Canada model)... So far, a great choice for me!!
I'm back to school and I have to commute everyday (about 60 kms/day) so mainly I'll try to use it as much as I can.

Anyway, I have a big screen GPS (Garmin 1490T) and I bought a RAM Mount for it that works perfectly!!
But last weekend my wife and I went to Vancouver and the GPS run out of battery fairly quick.
So I'd like to know if any of you have installed a 12V Power Outlet on your GZ250? If so, where do you got it from? So far, I've only found these options:
http://www.cycleblind.com/servlet/the-%3E-ELECTRONICS--fdsh--POWER/Categories
And honestly, both look kind of cheap (sorry to the guys of cycleblind.com)

So, if anyone can tell me if these options are any good? or if you know of some better option, please let me know...
Also, if anyone know an easy way to install it, it'll be welcome too...

[attachment=1:3p8wgupi]IMG00164-20110209-1837.jpg[/attachment:3p8wgupi]
[attachment=0:3p8wgupi]IMG00165-20110209-1838.jpg[/attachment:3p8wgupi]

alantf · 02-10-2011, 09:39 AM

Hi there,
No need to post the same thing in two different sections. Even if you think you've put it in the wrong one, we're sure to pick it up, & we're not so pedantic as to expect everyone to get it right every time. :2tup:

dentheman · 02-10-2011, 03:02 PM

If you are talking about a cigarette lighter plug, you should be able to find one at any auto parts store. You might have to fashion some sort of mount for it, and I would make sure there is a fuse in the wire.

But then, if you want one with a cover to keep weather out, check on-line. I think that most on-line motorcycle parts vendors offer them, and mounts as well. I have a catalog from Aerostitch that has them. Items #4654, 4655, 4956 and 4957 at http://www.aerostitch.com

hacc81 · 02-10-2011, 05:29 PM

Hi Alantf... After I posted the first one here, I thought that it could be more suitable in the How to's... But anyway, now I know better! Thanks...

Hi Dentheman, I think I'll use it only for the GPS or cellphone... Thanks for the link, I'll try to find any of those models around here... Thanks a lot!

dentheman · 02-10-2011, 11:47 PM

hacc81, I guess you read my post before I deleted the part about installing a relay for higher current draw devices. I deleted it because I couldn't think of anything that would have that kind of current draw. A heated riding suit might qualify, but I don't know. Even then, if it was hardwired to the battery...I'll stop my babbling now, since I don't know what I am talking about when it comes to motorcycle electrics.

**jonathan180iq** · 02-11-2011, 10:17 AM

Wal-Mart carries accessory 12V cigarette lighters in the electronics section beside automotive.
Look around the same area where they sell the volt meters.

Just two wires; one hot and one ground. Run the wires under the tank, which is only 2 bolts and 5 minutes to remove. You may have to extend the length of the wires. I'm not sure. But it shouldn't be a problem.

(Snip off the battery clamps and splice in your own prong connector directly to the battery. Your ground can go anywhere, really.) They even make little plastic covers, or lids, so junk doesn't get inside your outlet if you have it outside. Might have to buy that separate. Good luck!

Rig it up and splash some photos up in here!

mrlmd1 · 02-11-2011, 11:23 AM

You should also splice a fuse in the hot lead close to the battery with the above setup and that socket's not very waterproof. You can also find a weatherproof socket in a boating store if there's one nearby.

Water Warrior 2 · 02-11-2011, 03:18 PM

Or just go to Canadian Tire and buy a waterproof 12 volt power point.

mole2 · 02-11-2011, 07:18 PM

Another alternative is a boat store for a water proof and corrosion resistant 12v cigarette outlet with a mounting plate such as that below.

SeaFit Stainless Steel 12v Recepticle

alanmcorcoran · 02-11-2011, 09:11 PM

Hey Jonathan,

My IQ is at least 35 points lower than yours so can you 'splain me about what happens to the gas if I remove the tank? Do you need to run the engine dry, do you drain it, does it stay in there... Sorry for stupid question... I think I'd like to do one of these on the Strat to charge my phone.

02-09-2011, 11:28 PM	#1
hacc81 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Abbotsford, BC Posts: 29	Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? Hello all, I just joined a couple of days ago... A week ago I bought my first bike, a 2008 Suzuki Marauder 250 (Canada model)... So far, a great choice for me!! I'm back to school and I have to commute everyday (about 60 kms/day) so mainly I'll try to use it as much as I can. Anyway, I have a big screen GPS (Garmin 1490T) and I bought a RAM Mount for it that works perfectly!! But last weekend my wife and I went to Vancouver and the GPS run out of battery fairly quick. So I'd like to know if any of you have installed a 12V Power Outlet on your GZ250? If so, where do you got it from? So far, I've only found these options: http://www.cycleblind.com/servlet/the-%3E-ELECTRONICS--fdsh--POWER/Categories And honestly, both look kind of cheap (sorry to the guys of cycleblind.com) So, if anyone can tell me if these options are any good? or if you know of some better option, please let me know... Also, if anyone know an easy way to install it, it'll be welcome too... [attachment=1:3p8wgupi]IMG00164-20110209-1837.jpg[/attachment:3p8wgupi] [attachment=0:3p8wgupi]IMG00165-20110209-1838.jpg[/attachment:3p8wgupi] __________________ _____________________ 08' Marauder 250 (Gray) 98' VW Jetta GT Login or Register to Remove Ads
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02-10-2011, 09:39 AM	#2
alantf Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Tenerife (Spain) Posts: 3,719	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? Hi there, No need to post the same thing in two different sections. Even if you think you've put it in the wrong one, we're sure to pick it up, & we're not so pedantic as to expect everyone to get it right every time. :2tup: __________________ By birth an Englishman, by the grace of God a Yorkshireman.
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02-10-2011, 03:02 PM	#3
dentheman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 629	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? If you are talking about a cigarette lighter plug, you should be able to find one at any auto parts store. You might have to fashion some sort of mount for it, and I would make sure there is a fuse in the wire. But then, if you want one with a cover to keep weather out, check on-line. I think that most on-line motorcycle parts vendors offer them, and mounts as well. I have a catalog from Aerostitch that has them. Items #4654, 4655, 4956 and 4957 at http://www.aerostitch.com __________________ 2007 Shadow Spirit 750 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-10-2011, 11:47 PM	#5
dentheman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Lubbock, TX Posts: 629	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? hacc81, I guess you read my post before I deleted the part about installing a relay for higher current draw devices. I deleted it because I couldn't think of anything that would have that kind of current draw. A heated riding suit might qualify, but I don't know. Even then, if it was hardwired to the battery...I'll stop my babbling now, since I don't know what I am talking about when it comes to motorcycle electrics. __________________ 2007 Shadow Spirit 750 Login or Register to Remove Ads
	0

02-11-2011, 10:17 AM	#6
jonathan180iq Super Moderator Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Dalton, GA Posts: 3,996	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? Wal-Mart carries accessory 12V cigarette lighters in the electronics section beside automotive. Look around the same area where they sell the volt meters. Just two wires; one hot and one ground. Run the wires under the tank, which is only 2 bolts and 5 minutes to remove. You may have to extend the length of the wires. I'm not sure. But it shouldn't be a problem. (Snip off the battery clamps and splice in your own prong connector directly to the battery. Your ground can go anywhere, really.) They even make little plastic covers, or lids, so junk doesn't get inside your outlet if you have it outside. Might have to buy that separate. Good luck! Rig it up and splash some photos up in here!
	0

02-10-2011, 05:29 PM	#4
hacc81 Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Abbotsford, BC Posts: 29	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? Hi Alantf... After I posted the first one here, I thought that it could be more suitable in the How to's... But anyway, now I know better! Thanks... Hi Dentheman, I think I'll use it only for the GPS or cellphone... Thanks for the link, I'll try to find any of those models around here... Thanks a lot! __________________ _____________________ 08' Marauder 250 (Gray) 98' VW Jetta GT
	0

02-11-2011, 11:23 AM	#7
mrlmd1 Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Crawfordville, Florida Posts: 2,853	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? You should also splice a fuse in the hot lead close to the battery with the above setup and that socket's not very waterproof. You can also find a weatherproof socket in a boating store if there's one nearby.
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02-11-2011, 03:18 PM	#8
Water Warrior 2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Squamish B.C Canada Posts: 11,409	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? Or just go to Canadian Tire and buy a waterproof 12 volt power point.
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02-11-2011, 07:18 PM	#9
mole2 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: Longs, SC Posts: 1,469	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? Another alternative is a boat store for a water proof and corrosion resistant 12v cigarette outlet with a mounting plate such as that below. SeaFit Stainless Steel 12v Recepticle __________________ 2009 V-Star 650 Silverado Pearl White 2007 Suzuki GZ250 Black (sold)
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02-11-2011, 09:11 PM	#10
alanmcorcoran Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Anaheim, CA Posts: 2,926	Re: Any ideas of a good 12V Power Outlet to connect my GPS? Hey Jonathan, My IQ is at least 35 points lower than yours so can you 'splain me about what happens to the gas if I remove the tank? Do you need to run the engine dry, do you drain it, does it stay in there... Sorry for stupid question... I think I'd like to do one of these on the Strat to charge my phone. __________________ [hr:5yt6ldkq][/hr:5yt6ldkq] http://alanmarkcorcoran.com Motorcycles, Music, Musings and More…
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