Ducati Monster Forum

Moto Board => Tech => Topic started by: muzz on August 28, 2008, 01:39:12 AM

Title: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: muzz on August 28, 2008, 01:39:12 AM
hello !!
I need some tips, i am thinking of hooking my gps to electricity on my Motorbike using a Cig.lighter socket..
Any tips on the how to do it, i dont want to destroy the Gps while experimenting.....
My first idea is, my plugs for the light for the number plate, Can i use them???

Then i was told that the best way is to connect it directly to the Battery,,, using a fuse bridge on the + and connect the - directly,,,
if i do that how big does the fuse need to be??? What is the risk
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: ducpainter on August 28, 2008, 04:13:36 AM
I don't know how many amps your gps draws. It should say in the manual or on the unit.

The danger of using a connection to the battery is the unit won't shut off when you turn the key off.

That could lead to a dead battery if you forget to turn the unit off.

I'd use the lighting circuit.
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: muzz on August 28, 2008, 05:01:59 AM
True ,, but is it suficcient
Quote from: ducpainter on August 28, 2008, 04:13:36 AM
I don't know how many amps your gps draws. It should say in the manual or on the unit.

The danger of using a connection to the battery is the unit won't shut off when you turn the key off.

That could lead to a dead battery if you forget to turn the unit off.

I'd use the lighting circuit.
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: CDawg on August 28, 2008, 06:51:12 AM
Quote from: ducpainter on August 28, 2008, 04:13:36 AM
I'd use the lighting circuit.

+1 that's what I did.  Not sure what GPS you have, but my Zumo sips very little power and tapping into the "Park" light circuit gives me the option to keep the GPS powered while not moving.  If you use a cig lighter, make sure you get a rubber plug to cover it up when you are not using it.
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: scooby on August 28, 2008, 06:53:56 AM
Check out www.powerlet.com - all the the info and parts you'll ever need...
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: Takster on October 11, 2008, 10:48:31 PM
Quote from: scooby on August 28, 2008, 06:53:56 AM
Check out www.powerlet.com - all the the info and parts you'll ever need...

Yeah, but what if I can't read Korean?
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: bazz20 on October 12, 2008, 02:48:54 AM
Quote from: muzz on August 28, 2008, 01:39:12 AM
hello !!
I need some tips, i am thinking of hooking my gps to electricity on my Motorbike using a Cig.lighter socket..
Any tips on the how to do it, i dont want to destroy the Gps while experimenting.....
My first idea is, my plugs for the light for the number plate, Can i use them???

Then i was told that the best way is to connect it directly to the Battery,,, using a fuse bridge on the + and connect the - directly,,,
if i do that how big does the fuse need to be??? What is the risk
your right on the money, if your gps came with plug and lead for the cig lighter socket that has a  inbuilt fuse and resistor so all you need to do is hook the socket up to your battery but it allways pays to put another fuse on the + side right at the battery incase you short out a wire , as for leaving the gps on most models draw only 5 volts -and .3 to .8 amps so if left on it would take more than a year to flatten your battery , i dought weather youll leave it on the bike that long , and yes gps,s dont like interuped  power so hook up to the battery, ive spent a life time working with gps,s cheers bazz
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: scooby on October 12, 2008, 05:48:19 AM
Quote from: Takster on October 11, 2008, 10:48:31 PM
Yeah, but what if I can't read Korean?

www.powerletproducts.com (http://www.powerletproducts.com)  [laugh]
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: Howie on October 12, 2008, 05:52:41 AM
Quote from: Takster on October 11, 2008, 10:48:31 PM
Yeah, but what if I can't read Korean?

I think scooby meant here:  Scooby beat me to it.
http://www.techbiker.com/Power_Let.html (http://www.techbiker.com/Power_Let.html)
These are made for motorcycle use.

You can share a circuit if you want it to go off with the key, but, to avoid noise, go directly from the fuse box. 
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: Langanobob on October 12, 2008, 06:44:49 AM
Here's what I'm using on my XT225:

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=4484 (http://www.whitehorsepress.com/product_info.php?products_id=4484)

It connects onto the fused Battery Tender SAE plug that I already have installed on the battery.  It's not switched and on all the time, which may or may not be good.

I don't use a GPS on my street bikes,  for me it was a distraction, like driving a cage and talking on a phone.
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: bazz20 on October 12, 2008, 04:50:22 PM
another bonus of  hooking up to the battery is in winter you can plug a trickle charger in  [thumbsup]
Title: Re: installing GPS / CIGLIGHTER SOCKET to my Ducati Monster 750 dark
Post by: dlearl476 on October 13, 2008, 09:50:46 AM
Quote from: scooby on October 12, 2008, 05:48:19 AM
www.powerletproducts.com (http://www.powerletproducts.com)  [laugh]

They have an application for monsters, I bought one.  It's designed to mount on one of the rearset bolts, IIRC.  I went another route and mounted it to the frame up by my left knee (for better access for radar detector, GPS, etc.) using a cable clamp.  But I'm going to re-route it because it's covered by the new CF 'Vents' I bought.

FWIW, using one of these powerlet sockets means you'll need a BMW-Cig lighter adapter, too, in order to use the car adaptor.  IMO, a better route, if you use your GPS a lot, is to get a specific hard-wire adaptor.  Less clutter and opportunity for failure.  Like mentioned above, I have mine wired to the parking light line, so it turns off, but I can keep it powered without the bike running if I want.