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Portable GPS hard wire.

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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 10:37 PM
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Default Portable GPS hard wire.

I want to hard wire my portable Tom Tom GPS into my C5. I can't imagine this would be to difficult. I plan on using the original power cord that came with the unit and removing the cigarette lighter adapter and splicing it into a power source.

Just wondering if anyone has done this before and where would be a good place to tap into for power.
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 11:20 PM
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make sure, that the unit uses 12V, I know my Garmin uses 5v, and you might need to use the Cig plug because there is a chip inside that lets the unit know its a charger and not a computer.

If all above is checked off then just find a switched wire, or tap into the cig plug wires in the console cubby or the one next to the ashtray.
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Old Oct 17, 2011 | 11:25 PM
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So do you think I would just be better off wiring in another cigarette plug?
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Old Oct 19, 2011 | 07:07 PM
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I wired this Garmin 2610 to the cig power wire. When you splice the Garmin cable, red is +12V and black is ground. Works like a champ, but is ALWAYS hot (that's what the red button is for)

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Old Oct 19, 2011 | 07:40 PM
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not all garmins run on 12 volts... alot of them run on 5 volts so be careful
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 01:14 PM
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The power plug should have the power info on it, it is likely also a transformer. Check the manual or online as well ...
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Thrash
The power plug should have the power info on it, it is likely also a transformer. Check the manual or online as well ...
Mine is a Tom Tom and its probably 12 volt since I have used a regular phone charger to power it before.

I'm gonna have to check when I get home from work today.
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 02:18 PM
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Originally Posted by Sinister-Z
Mine is a Tom Tom and its probably 12 volt since I have used a regular phone charger to power it before.

I'm gonna have to check when I get home from work today.
5 bucks says its 5 volts
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Old Oct 21, 2011 | 02:22 PM
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Originally Posted by pentavolvo
5 bucks says its 5 volts
It could be. But I have used a 12 volt standard phone charger to power it for years. I don't know if that makes a difference or not.
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Old Oct 25, 2011 | 10:14 PM
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So I finally checked the power cord to my Tom Tom device. As said in previous post...it does have a 5 volt output.

I'm going to wire in another AC power outlet and use the original power cord. I'll do this behind the dash so none of it is visable.
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Old Oct 25, 2011 | 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Sinister-Z
So I finally checked the power cord to my Tom Tom device. As said in previous post...it does have a 5 volt output.

I'm going to wire in another AC power outlet and use the original power cord. I'll do this behind the dash so none of it is visable.
thats the easiest way to do it or buy a hardwire kit
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Old Oct 25, 2011 | 10:34 PM
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Originally Posted by pentavolvo
thats the easiest way to do it or buy a hardwire kit
Where would I get a hardwire kit?
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Old Oct 26, 2011 | 12:55 PM
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Originally Posted by Sinister-Z
Where would I get a hardwire kit?
Did the unit come with a car charger? If so, just remove the cig plug end and wire it to a 12v source--If you leave the circuitry intact it should take care of the voltage change.
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Old Oct 27, 2011 | 10:00 PM
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Originally Posted by jcgunn
Did the unit come with a car charger? If so, just remove the cig plug end and wire it to a 12v source--If you leave the circuitry intact it should take care of the voltage change.
I would if it was 12v but it's not. The plug end steps it down to 5v as said in a previous post. That would fry my GPS if I wirded it directly.

however...I found a GPS harwire kit that steps it down like the original power cord does. It was only $15 and gives me a 6 foot cord to mount it wherever I want.
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Old Nov 2, 2011 | 05:52 PM
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If you do go that route, I would hook the power lead wire to one that is controlled by the ignition so that the GPS shuts off when you turn off the ignition.
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