Touring Models Road King, Road King Custom, Road King Classic, Road Glide, Street Glide, Electra Glide, Electra Glide Classic, and Electra Glide Ultra Classic bikes.
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 11:05 AM
  #1  
carlosgtn's Avatar
carlosgtn
Thread Starter
|
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From:
Default Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

I got the Garmin Zumo 450, but dont think I want to hot wire the power to the bike. Has any body run a GPS unit just but connecting it to the lighter socket? Any probles with vibration or water getting to it? And what would bethe best lighter plug to use ? I was thinking Radio Shack.
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 11:10 AM
  #2  
SilverDawg's Avatar
SilverDawg
Road Captain
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 528
Likes: 0
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

Carlos,

I run my Zumo 550 through the lighter outlet, and have it mounted with a Techmount system. No vibrations or issues at all.
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 11:22 AM
  #3  
captsam54's Avatar
captsam54
Road Master
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,226
Likes: 0
From: SW Florida
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

Me too... Funny, mine won't get hot to light a cigar but powers the GPS...
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 11:26 AM
  #4  
capt42a's Avatar
capt42a
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 762
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

I used a male cigarette lighter from Radio Shack and it works great with my Zumo 450. I bought the lighter plug with the rocker switch so I could turn the power off without unplugging it from the cigarette lighter power outlet. I soldered and shrink wrapped my connections to the Radio Shack cigarette lighter power power plug. I have some pictures of my set up on my home computerbut don't know how to post them on the forum and I'm at my work computer. I'd be glad to e-mail you the pictures tonight after work if you'll e-mail me at truck5c@aeneas.net
capt42a
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 11:48 AM
  #5  
rahall's Avatar
rahall
Tourer
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 474
Likes: 2
From:
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

I just went through this.

Get the cheap one at Radio Shack.

You push the positive and negative buttons on the outside, slide the bare end of the wires in the 12v plug, and let the button go.

There are no screws and I had no problems at all while using the Radio Shack 12v plug.

However, this past weekend I hardwired it to the Ultra.

This was also a snap and I like it alot better.

Right where your headlight plugs in are factory plug points for positive (orange/white) and negative (black).

I tied my Zumo 550in there.

I also bought a 6' audio cable with 90 degree male ends on eBay for $1.99.

While I had the fairing off, I ran the audio in the left side, through the fairing, and out the right side to the aux on the CD/radio.

It looks real good and it was cheap/easy to do.

Either way you will like the Zumo.

I have explored new roads and routes because of the Zumo with no fear of getting lost.

It's great.
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 12:01 PM
  #6  
easyonmenow's Avatar
easyonmenow
Cruiser
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

I changed my cig lighter to power point. I don't use the cig lighter and the power point comes with a cover. I'm thinking of adding another outlet for the cell phone as well. Works for me.
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 12:08 PM
  #7  
ctmedic's Avatar
ctmedic
Road Captain
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 588
Likes: 2
From: Naugatuck, CT
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

I use my Magellan 2200T with the cig outlet in the fairing. Since I only use the GPS on long runs, I didnt want the cord just hanging outside of the fairing. I have a rammount on the bars with a short 3" extension. Works well and a nice clean look. Best part I can remove the rammount (except) the mounting ball in a snap.
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 12:10 PM
  #8  
stro1965's Avatar
stro1965
Seasoned HDF Member
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 10,602
Likes: 721
From: Bellevue, NE
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

Iadded a second outlet ($5.00 from NAPA) on the inside of the fairing. Spliced into the existing lighter wires so it would work with power on or accessory on.
 
Reply
HD Forum Stories

The Best of Harley-Davidson for Lifelong Riders

story-0

7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

 Verdad Gallardo
story-2

8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-3

10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 12:49 PM
  #9  
TampaJim's Avatar
TampaJim
Road Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,034
Likes: 1
From:
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

ORIGINAL: stro1965

Iadded a second outlet ($5.00 from NAPA) on the inside of the fairing. Spliced into the existing lighter wires so it would work with power on or accessory on.
I did this also but got mine from a marine store thinking it would stand up to the elements better.The original lighter isswitched to the ignitionswitch so it's turns off with the bike.Use one for the Garmin, the other for my Sirius receiver.

I rub a little electric grease in mine about once a year to fight corrosion.
 
Reply
Old Mar 31, 2008 | 12:54 PM
  #10  
DvlDog's Avatar
DvlDog
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From:
Default RE: Any one using gps from lighter socket ?

I've been using the Radio Shack lighter adapter with my Ram Mount and Garmin GPS for two years with no problems. I too like the fact that I can take everything except the ball mount off when not using my GPS. A three foot audio cable connects the GPS to the aux port on the radio and a couple of short pieces of velcro keep the cables under control.
 
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:54 AM.

story-0
7 Times Harley-Davidson Chucked Tradition Out the Window

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson built its reputation on nostalgia, but every so often, the company took a hard left turn into the future.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-20 11:18:19


VIEW MORE
story-1
7 Surprising Harley-Davidson Products that Are Not Motorcycles

Slideshow: The bar-and-shield logo shows up on far more than motorcycles, some of the company's most unexpected products have nothing to do with riding.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-29 16:50:35


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Best Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: Not every Harley gets it right, but these are the ones that genuinely earned their reputation.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-15 14:23:21


VIEW MORE
story-3
10 Worst Harley-Davidson Motorcycles Ever

Slideshow: From the troubled AMF years to modern misfires, these bikes earned reputations for reliability issues, questionable engineering, or disappointing performance.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-01 20:01:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Killer Custom's Jail Break Is The Breakout That Refused to Blend In

Slideshow: Killer Custom's "Jail Breaker" build focuses more on stance and visual aggression than mechanical overhaul.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-18 19:20:32


VIEW MORE
story-5
Crazy Bunderbike Build Looks Amazing, But Is It Impossible to Ride?

Slideshow: The Swiss custom shop has taken a Harley Softail and stretched it into something so long and low that it looks closer to a rolling sculpture than a conventional motorcycle.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-07 16:15:30


VIEW MORE
story-6
Harley-Davidson Reveals Super Cool Cafe Racer Concept

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's new RMCR concept revives the café racer formula with modern hardware-and it may be exactly the reset the company needs.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-04 12:23:37


VIEW MORE
story-7
Engraved Rebellion: Inside Bundnerbike's Glam Rock II

Slideshow: A standard cruiser becomes an intricate metal canvas in the hands of a Swiss custom house known for pushing Harley-Davidson platforms far beyond their factory brief.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-02-24 18:19:44


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Motorcycles You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There is no shortage of great motorcycles to buy, but we would avoid these ten.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-02-19 14:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 Things Harley-Davidson Needs to Fix in 2026

Slideshow: Harley-Davidson's challenges aren't abstract; they show up in dropping shipments, shrinking dealer traffic, and strategic decisions that aren't yet translating into growth.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-13 18:33:17


VIEW MORE