Where to mount a Cigarette Lighter Outlet

[Nathan Daube]

Got a question for you savvy mechanics out there. I have an 81 GS850GL, without a faring or windshield. I recently purchased a GPS and need to mount a Cigarette Lighter outlet on the bike somhere to plug it in. I also have added a battery tender for the winter months and have the 2 prong plug I could use to wire in the socket. I want to mount the socket somehere that it wont be unsightly or prone to dirt and moisture. Anyone have any suggestions?

 

[Bizcocho]

I replaced my cigarette lighter connections with DC plugs - like you find on wall warts (transformers). They're smaller and easier to place on your bike.

 

[Steve]

Where is your 2-prong charger plug? Why not re-wire the GPS plug with a matching plug. Chances are that you will not be using the GPS and the charger at the same time, so they should be able to share the same plug on the bike.

If you also use that power cord for the cage, consider getting another power cord so you can dedicate one to the bike.

By the way, which GPS did you get? :-s


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[darkbane]

I've been thinking about this as well, and as much as I would like to have a cigarette lighter on my bike, I don't think I could hide it good enough. But what if I wired in a female usb connection into the harness. Both my GPS and Phone run off of USB. Would there be something else needed for this kind of setup. Would I need some sort of regulator or something?

 

[Steve]

Yes, you would need a well-regulated 5-volt power supply. That is what powers USB devices.


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[salty_monk]

TOM MLC has cigarette lighter sockets on his... I don't remember them being intrusive..

Dan

 

[Steve]

On my wife's bike, we have handlebar set-backs, and I have installed a 1/4" stereo headphone jack there. Why stereo? We have a couple different items that might plug in there, some are better if powered all the time, others don't mind going on and off with the key, so I have constant and switched power in the jack.


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[Zooks]

...............We have a couple different items that might plug in there.......

Enough said. But how do you get the bike into the bedroom??????????:-s

 

[bakalorz]

Since everyone is mentioning their favorite connectors to use instead of a cigarette lighter plug, let me recomend one; anderson power pole connectors, also known as sermos connectors.

They are shown on the very top of page 754 in the mcmaster carr catolog at http://www.mcmaster.com/.

You can get them at most model airplane or car hobby shops too.

 

[jpaul]

Go with Powerlet connectors. They are available at Whitehorse Press and probably some other outlets. I added a cigarette lighter plug to my bike to power a small 12v compressor, and placed it under the seat. There's usually enough room to lay one there without interfering with anything. I plan on upgrading to the powerlet connectors when adding a power outlet for GPS. I tried the lighter plug, and it doesn't always maintain a reliable connection. Check the second link for a quick course on connectors.

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/index.php?cPath=9

http://www.whitehorsepress.com/workbench.php?workbench_id=1&products_id=5750

 

[Dave8338]

Enough said. But how do you get the bike into the bedroom??????????:-s

GAD-ZOOKS :shock: :-D

 

[Steve]

Enough said. But how do you get the bike into the bedroom??????????:-s

Big doors. :shock:


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[maclariz]

Cigarette lighter attachment

Cigarette lighter attachment

Suggestion from the wife:
Mount cigarette at end of exhaust, run bike for a few minutes, should light quite nicely....:-D

 

[dennis roy]

I'm curious what kind of GPS you have also. I bought an IWAY 250c made by Lowrance and love it. It runs off 12 volts and has a battery that lasts about 6 hours on a charge if I don't plug it in. I wired it in directly and just leave the little plug near the handle bar mount where the GPS mount is.

 

[darkbane]

Dennis Roy>>>>I don't know if you were asking me or another about which GPS unit I use, but I use the Navman F20. I probably would've choosen something else if I was paying full price, but I couldn't pass this up for the price. I am starting to like this unit the more I use it.

 

[Nathan Daube]

Still looking for a good place to mount the Cigarette Socket.

Still looking for a good place to mount the Cigarette Socket.

Thanks for all the replys. I bought a Magellan Roadmate 2000, on ebay last year right before the Blue Ridge Parkway trip (see other posts). I tried using velcro to attach it to the tank (didnt work) and have since gotten a Ram mount for it. It only hold a 3 hour charge and I dont listen to it most of the time so the battery drains because of constant recalculation. Enough on that. I cant just hook up the GPS as the plug on the Lighter end has a transformer in it. I did have an idea today that I could use a broom clip (like you use to hang a broom on the wall) and attach it to the socket and then just clip it to a tube, handlebar or seat rail on the bike for use. If anyone has a better place on the bike to mount the socket let me know.

Nate

 

[Guest]

I would install the plug somewhere under the seat, and then run your power cord up the frame and to your handlebars.

 

[Nathan Daube]

Found location for Socket!!

Found location for Socket!!

Thanks for all the info gang. I ended up mounting the socket on an L bracket I made tucked behind the speedo/headlight bucket. There was just enough room and with it mounted there its not prone to water either.