ciggarette lighter fuse
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Cruiser
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 173
Likes: 1
From: Italy
ciggarette lighter fuse
So I have read that I shouldn't use my cigarette lighter to power my Garmin... well it finally bit me in the *** as the fuse popped at the end of my 900 mile trip this weekend.
HOW are yall getting around this issue? Really want to use my GPS!!!!
HOW are yall getting around this issue? Really want to use my GPS!!!!
I have been looking into other options. basically it comes down to simply opening the fairing and replacing that crappy plug with an actual power port. That will take care of it.
My devices are items like ipod and phone that will work with USB and there are options out there that are USB power ports as well.
https://www.waytekwire.com/products/...-Power-Points/
From what I have read the HD one is made slightly larger so that your stuff doesn't get a proper fit and will wiggle which causes improper connection leading to the fuse pop. Haven't compared measurements so I am not 100% sure on that though.
My devices are items like ipod and phone that will work with USB and there are options out there that are USB power ports as well.
https://www.waytekwire.com/products/...-Power-Points/
From what I have read the HD one is made slightly larger so that your stuff doesn't get a proper fit and will wiggle which causes improper connection leading to the fuse pop. Haven't compared measurements so I am not 100% sure on that though.
Road Master
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 867
Likes: 79
From: Bridgewater, NJ
I didn't like the big charger plug and knew at some point it would hit the tank. What I did was get an add on cigarette lighter from WallyWorld and put it under the fairing. Tyraped it to the fairing support, plugged the GPS in and then wrapped it up so the plug can't come out or get loose. Ran the wires out past the handle bars. Been working for 55k now.
Ultimate HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 5,331
Likes: 56
From: north of Daytona
I have not done the math, but have ridden thousands f mile using the 12 volt port to power a gps (garmin). How many amps does a cigarette
lighter pull VS a Garmin gps? Although a lighter may only pull the amps for 60 seconds, I think that the pull is far greater than a GPS.
That said, I would replace the fuse and carry on. I may be wrong though, and need to carry more fuses for my GPS.
lighter pull VS a Garmin gps? Although a lighter may only pull the amps for 60 seconds, I think that the pull is far greater than a GPS.
That said, I would replace the fuse and carry on. I may be wrong though, and need to carry more fuses for my GPS.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 7
From: Minnesota
I have ridden 1,000s of miles with two different Garmins with no fuse problems. You have to make sure it is powered down before plugging it in or unplugging it.
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Road Master
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 932
Likes: 14
From: CENTRAL IL
Believe the reason they say not to use the gpss in the lighter port is interference from the plug on the gps when you turn the bars. As previous poster said the lighter pull a lot more power than a gps or cell phone charger.
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Tourer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 368
Likes: 3
From: pennsylvania
What i did to solve thid problem cause i hooked up a satelite radio to mine and after hookin up and gettin ready to go for a ride it bumped the tank and blew the fuse. So what i did was got a tbags 3 pocket windshield bag. In each side pocket out "water proof" cigarette lighter plugs in them. I glued the plug itself to the outer plastic shell that comes on the plug cause they just slid in and out of. Wired them together. Then i had a battery tender that went bad so i cut the wires from that to make it disconnectable. Wired 1 end to the wires for the plugs and ran the other half in the fairing and tied it into the wires for the cigarette lighter plug there. I use 1 side for the satelite radio and the other side to charge my phone when usin it for gps. Hopefully that gives you an idea to run with
Grand HDF Member
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 3,613
Likes: 1,606
From: Eastern Ohio
What I have noticed is that a cigarette lighter socket is made for the burner to clip into the positive connection in the middle. There are two "fingers" that stuck out of the bottom. Most 12v plugs are rounded at the end. Those "fingers" tend to pinch against the rounded end of the plug and push it out of the socket. Usually enough to lose or barely make connection with the center pin on the plug. If it's just barely touching that can cause that connection to build heat, heat causes resistance, resistance increases amperage, increased amperage blows fuses. If you look at your blown fuse, it will probably just look melted in the middle. It may show signs of heat. That means you pulled too much amperage for too long. I would change the socket out to a newer style socket. I've had issues in my vehicles too, because they're all old enough to still have CIG lighters and ashtrays, not power ports and cupholders.
Last edited by Buelligan666; May 20, 2015 at 12:21 AM.