12 volt outlet to power GPS

[skidoodoug]

Just got a Garmin GPS unit and was wondering how you guys have the power source set up. I am thinking a real easy way would be to have a 12v outlet plug right into my electric shield outlet. Then plug in the GPS power cord into the 12v outlet. Is that possible? Do they make a cord like this? Has anyone heard of this? Am I missing a easier way?

Thanks

P.S...What is a tag that I can add 5 to this thread and "separate with a comma"

 

[maximumpsi]

12 Plug

Shadetreepowersports.com has a plug like you are describing for $7, part # 01-202. I bought one to also use to charge cell phones, but I haven't tried it yet. Does anyone know if a heated shield outlet draws enough power to run a GPS?

 

[jimfsr]

The heated shield output should supply plenty of amps for a GPS. They don't draw nearly as much as a heating element. Make shure the shield outlet is fused though, some are not, hate to burn up a gps by grounding the wrong wire. Also, make sure the polarity is correct.

 

[lofsfire]

Just got a Garmin GPS unit and was wondering how you guys have the power source set up. I am thinking a real easy way would be to have a 12v outlet plug right into my electric shield outlet. Then plug in the GPS power cord into the 12v outlet. Is that possible? Do they make a cord like this? Has anyone heard of this? Am I missing a easier way?

Thanks

P.S...What is a tag that I can add 5 to this thread and "separate with a comma"

It is just a male or female RCA plug normally the + is center and - is the out side. But the real question is the output AC or DC power. If do not have a battery on the sled most likely it is AC. At least that is what my 2000 MXZ is. So if you have AC then you will need a rectifier to change to DC power.

 

[skidoodoug]

Thanks maximumpsi...did not even know they made such a thing.

Lofsfire...I am alittle confused. The sled with the heated shield plug in is a 2001 MXZ, no battery. I just connected the 2 wires provided with shield to the assy wire under the hood. Did not add a rectifier. Is there already one installed? or is the heated shield AC powered.

 

[nytro]

GPS power

You must use the dc power cord intended for your GPS (mine is a garmim) it has a DC step down in it that reduces the 12v to 5vdc. Your shield requires the full 12 volts that is provided at the accessory plug. I would hate to see you burn-up your GPS

 

[lofsfire]

Thanks maximumpsi...did not even know they made such a thing.

Lofsfire...I am alittle confused. The sled with the heated shield plug in is a 2001 MXZ, no battery. I just connected the 2 wires provided with shield to the assy wire under the hood. Did not add a rectifier. Is there already one installed? or is the heated shield AC powered.

I did the same thing years ago with my heated shield, I never thought twice about the sled being AC, I just assumed it was DC. But this pasted summer I bought a Garmin and want to know for sure. So I started asking around and I was told if it did not have a battery it was most likely AC. I grab the multi-meter and checked sure enough when it was set to read DC the voltage was all over the place. Then I set it to AC and it showed a consistent 12V AC. Again That is my sled which is a 2000 MXZ 700 w/ DPM and MPEM. I would guess yours is the same grab a meter and check it out, GPS systems are not cheep.

 

[skidoodoug]

This is what maximumpsi found. (1st time attaching a picture, hope it works) I will verify if my sled's heated shield outlet is AC or DC. Do I understand that if the power output is AC, I will not be able to use this without a rectifier?

I would also be using the power cord that came with the GPS unit.

 

[lofsfire]

So I was talking to a sled mechanic friend of mine the other day and he gave me some conflicting information. You MAY not need a rectifier. But yes the current is AC. I call my uncle who is and retired electrical engineer and asked him to look in to it, I sent him wire diagrams of my sled I should hear back from him in a couple of days.

 

[stevis]

All snowmobiles produce both AC and DC power. The heated shield plugs that the manufactures install the factory can be wired with either AC or DC power. If your factory plug is wired AC and you want to power your GPS with this plug you will need an AC to DC power converter. Of course, If it is wired DC you will not need a converter, just the voltage step down will be required. If you do not want to use a converter to supply this power all you need to do is find the DC power on you sled. A good source for DC power on a non battery sled is the head light dimmer switch. All lights on a snowmobile run on 12V DC. Just need to make sure you tie into the constant power wire. If you tie into the High or low beam wires it will only work (depending on which wire you tied into) if the switch is on high or low beam.

 

[yamadooed]

Buy the adapter cable it will work fine if you have the doo factory installed visor plug its DC powered...

 

[jimfsr]

I dont believe that all snowmobiles produce AC and DC power. The stator plate produces AC current only, You must have a rectifier (converts ac to dc) and a voltage regulator (which most sleds, if not all, have) to get 12-14 volts DC. If a sled has a battery, it has a rectifier, or the battery would not charge. Do not assume because a sled has a battery that all power outlets are DC though. Best to hook to the battery w/ a fused line for 12v DC.

 

[jimfsr]

And just to clarify, light bulbs can be AC or DC, the bulb doesnt know the difference. snowmibile lights on a non-battery sled are not DC. Most all sled light are AC powered, battery or not. Thats why they dont come on with the key, only if it is running.

 

[bedgar7]

I heard that some people have connected their gps to the AC current with no issues. I was not as bold as to try this so I made up a little rectifier/regulator to go from the 13vAC to 5vDC. I did not want to take a chance on frying my gps, especially since you can make a rectifier/regulator for like $20 from radio shack.

 

[stevis]

I stand corrected. After some research I found that not all sleds have both AC and DC circuits. I made a generalization on my experience with the sleds that I have owned (which all have had both types). Sorry about that and thanks for correcting me. Just remember a volt meter is your friend when it comes to these issues.

 

[lofsfire]

See why I'm was getting conflicting info? I'm still look into as I said above, once I receive some that is concrete I will let everyone know.

I have also heard that you can connected your gps to the AC, but before stating that I want to check with some that designed electric systems. (My Uncle)

 

[lofsfire]

Still checking....

 

[lofsfire]

Ok, so this has taken me forever to get an answer and I was hopping to have one a little better that this, but here it is;

Most "pull start" sleds will be AC, If you have electric start your good to go and can just stat wiring your GPS up. I would check any wire that you plan on using with a volt meter just to be safe.

Here is some info on Ski-Doo's I found over on Dootalk:

All 2003 & up liquid cooled models are DC

For pre 03 liquid cooled sleds...

Electric start or models with RER are DC

Manual start without RER are AC

Biggest giveaway is to look at your headlight wiring.... if the ground wire is plain black it's DC... if it's yellow/black it's AC.



So if your sled is AC you WILL NEED a Rectifier.

Here are a few for sale but priced high:

[SIZE=-1]AC/DC Converter[/SIZE][SIZE=-1](Reference #908-125)[/SIZE] [SIZE=-1] $37.95[/SIZE]
http://www.hiperf.com/cgi-bin/sh000...P= &PN=Koso_Gauges.html#a908_2d125#a908_2d125

this one is really by Redline Gauges (look at the picture)
http://www.bikemanperformance.com/p...d=891&osCsid=e51c09681a27b926a90943bd6e89ff57

I'm planing on making my own when I have time it should not be more then $10-15 maybe less. Will let you know....

 

[polarisrider1]

I am totally confused now. Maybe I just lucked out and the wires I taped into are dc. GPS charges and works fine. whew! I did find out that I do have a battery but I can't locate it. Jim can you help? 06 RMK 755 crossfire injection. is this like a lithium 1.5v. installed inline some where to keep the clock and fuel pump or what ever working? How often does this need to be changed? Battery gauge shows 2 bars out of 4 when running. I suspect it needs to be replaced, if I could locate it.

 

[jimfsr]

Like previously stated most sleds are now DC rectified, mostly for commonality among the units. (equip all the units the same) I don't know where the battery for the clock etc. is located, But I would guess in the dash module.