Hardwire Garmin Nuvi

[mikechm3]

1. Hey guys, I just bought this hardwire cable off eBay for my new Garmin. I installed and wired it direct to the battery. After getting it all tied in and clean I noticed that there is a little red LED always on inside the voltage regulator. Just wondering if it would be wise to splice in a switch between the regulator and the battery or will it make little difference. From what I have read the voltage regulator needs to stay in there to drop it down to like 5v or something to avoid cooking the Garmin. Any suggestions?

 

[super1c]

You can always just hard wire it into a key'd source. I use rocks power supply for my Garmin. But to better answer your question on my last sled I used some bullet connectors and just unplugged the hot if I wouldn't be riding for a while. That light shouldn't drain a battery but it is a drain.

 

[mikechm3]

I hear ya, I bought this acc. splitter in the kimpex catalogue but wasn't sure about running off a keyed source. My heated seat takes up the acc. plug. Pretty cheap at $12. Ill give it a try then.

 

[Grimm]

I had used a cigarette lighter adapter mounted for several years with an LED always on and I never had an issue killing my battery. During the off season, I would disconnect the battery though.

I never liked hooking up a GPS to a keyed source, as it would have to cycle on and off all the time, causing issues with creating tracks and more than likely, shortening the unit's lifespan. I prefer my GPS to be on at all times. When I'm done sledding for the day, I remove the GPS and bring it inside.