Garmin Nuvi Battery Cable

[Senor Ramon]

So I went the cheap route and purchased a used Garmin Nuvi 1490. While waiting on the Ram mount to be delivered, I realized I do not want to use the bulky Cigarette lighter cable supplied, and I'm not really concerned with the GPS traffic capabilities. So I decided to purchase a Garmin battery cable (pictured). Wiring it up is straight forward as it connects directly to the battery. The only question I have is what size battery cable ends do I need in order to terminate them? At some point I may just use a EB PC8 and wire everything through that, but for now, what say you? TIA.

I'm not sure if I am permitted to post any links (admin if this is wrong, I apologize): Links:

Garmin Battery Cable

Battery Cable Ends

 

[EricV]

A simple crimp on ring terminal from the auto parts store will do the job. You don't need the terminals you show, those are for battery cables, not accessory connections. The battery bolts are 6mm as I recall. You want connectors for 18-22 gauge wires. The higher the number, the smaller the wire. The ones you show are for 6 gauge wire, which is much too large for your Garmin power connection. The ones you want will have red plastic on the crimp area. (red=small gauge, blue=med gauge, yellow=large gauge for auto connectors of this type)

Do be aware that your GPS will always be powered if you connect it directly to the battery. It's a very low power draw, but will kill the battery over time if left on. With the tiny power draw of the GPS, it would be better to wire it to the existing 12V accessory plug in the dash, connecting the Garmin power cable to the existing wires under the dash that go to the cig style power port. This way, it's powered up when the bike is on, but off when the bike is off. That fuse is 3 amps, which is very appropriate for a GPS. I've done this myself in the past. Posi-Taps or just crimp on slave connectors will work. You don't need to cut the OEM wires.

 

[Senor Ramon]

A simple crimp on ring terminal from the auto parts store will do the job. You don't need the terminals you show, those are for battery cables, not accessory connections. The battery bolts are 6mm as I recall. You want connectors for 18-22 gauge wires. The higher the number, the smaller the wire. The ones you show are for 6 gauge wire, which is much too large for your Garmin power connection. The ones you want will have red plastic on the crimp area. (red=small gauge, blue=med gauge, yellow=large gauge for auto connectors of this type)

Do be aware that your GPS will always be powered if you connect it directly to the battery. It's a very low power draw, but will kill the battery over time if left on. With the tiny power draw of the GPS, it would be better to wire it to the existing 12V accessory plug in the dash, connecting the Garmin power cable to the existing wires under the dash that go to the cig style power port. This way, it's powered up when the bike is on, but off when the bike is off. That fuse is 3 amps, which is very appropriate for a GPS. I've done this myself in the past. Posi-Taps or just crimp on slave connectors will work. You don't need to cut the OEM wires.

Today something happened that is making me rethink this. I rode the bike today and got a small scare. It usually fires up after 1 - 1 1/2 cranks like a top. Runs great.

However today I was using the cigarette lighter socket to power my Google Pixel phone. The USB socket charger was plugged in for maybe 3 minute before I started the bike up. The bike was not left in ACC mode, it was off. It took 3-4 cranks to start the bike. I removed the charging socket from the outlet, and everything was fine from there on.

Maybe I should just buy a PC-8 with a relay a Rowe PDM 60? I don't want to drain the battery or get stranded.

 

[EricV]

It's probably just a random event unrelated to the phone being plugged in. Was your USB socket charger plugged into the factory cig port, or directly wired to the battery?

 

[Senor Ramon]

It's probably just a random event unrelated to the phone being plugged in. Was your USB socket charger plugged into the factory cig port, or directly wired to the battery?

It was plugged directly into the factory cig port. But I figured it shouldn't be an issue since the factory cig port does not draw power until the main ACC switch is turned on., right? Hence your recommendation that I posi-tap into the factory cig port for my Garmin GPS.

 

[EricV]

Like I said, random event, not related to the phone being plugged in.

 

[lund]

Personally i would never hookup a device directly to the battery as mentioned, if you accidentally leave the device on it will drain the battery. At minimum it is best to hook in to the "key on/off" wire. This way your sure that the device will never drain the battery.