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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.
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.
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)
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.
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.
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.