I want to bring a auto type Garmin GPS to Thailand, but purchase Thai maps for it in Thailand. I would like to attach it to a small motorcycle, but the connections that come with the GPS are the kind that plug into a cigarette lighter. Small Motorbikes don't have cigarette lighters. Does anyone here know if there are proper connections that would do the job?. Is it possible to just cut the wire and connect it directly to the 12 volt battery? If not, is there a connection that attaches to the battery and provides a cigarette lighter connection?

I understand that the auto type GPS units are not built with motorcycles in mind, but I would have no problem building a case for it to fit on a bike's handlebars, but only if I can attach the wiring to a 12 volt battery.

I already have a hand held Magellan GPS, but for some strange reason, the company who makes the Magellan GPS units do not provide maps of Asia, and Thailand in particular. They have them for Europe, but not Thailand.

Edited October 19, 201015 yr by IanForbes

Garmin nuvi GPS units use 5.0 VDC. I rather suspect that 12 VDC direct from the bike battery would fry the GPS.

Garmin nuvi GPS units use 5.0 VDC. I rather suspect that 12 VDC direct from the bike battery would fry the GPS.

Thanks. I thought as much. I'll check with a few motorcycle shops here before I go. Maybe I can get a female adaptor for the cigarette lighter and a reducer that goes to the battery.

powerLet company make a waterproof outlet for bikes - the same one used on BMWs. I put one one my Ninja to run my Garmin.

Don't know where to get one in Thailand - I got mine form white horse gear out of New Hampshire in the US - great folks to deal with.

I don't do electricals - but my dealer put it on with a minimum of effort. If you're handy at all (I'm not), you can do it yourself.

Oh, and RAM mounts are available there too, to secure the GPS to the handlebar.

Cheers

Garmin nuvi GPS units use 5.0 VDC. I rather suspect that 12 VDC direct from the bike battery would fry the GPS.

Thanks. I thought as much. I'll check with a few motorcycle shops here before I go. Maybe I can get a female adaptor for the cigarette lighter and a reducer that goes to the battery.

The so called "reducer" (12 VDC to 5 VDC) is already built into the Garmin supplied Vehicle Power Cable.

The so called "reducer" (12 VDC to 5 VDC) is already built into the Garmin supplied Vehicle Power Cable.

Thanks guys. I can make a case to carry the GPS no problem and it's unlikely I'll need anything too waterproof. I never saw any rain last year for 5 months. If it looks like rain I won't be riding. I'll check some bike shops tomorrow. I'll be taking the GPS off the bike each night anyway.

as already mentioned you must use the supplied power adapter with the ciggy lighter plug on the end as it converts the supply to the required voltage, so what you need is a ciggy socket which you can buy in any good motor shop, it will come with the socket and a length of cable to connect to your 12v supply, you can simply place it under your seat and then plug the garmin adapter in as you would in a car.....................

Hey guys, Hi to all seems a great place and I'm hoping you all can help me out! Just got to Thailand, and bought a small bike (Kawi Boss) and trying to set up my GPS to it but having a hell of a time finding the receptacle to put on the battery I've stopped at a dozen bike shops but no luck even thought I had a photo of what I am looking for.

Any ideas as to where to buy the part here in Thailand?

Any help is greatly appreciated it!

I don't know the language AT ALL and I cringe thinking what will happen when the battery in the GPS goes dead before I get home!

Thanks again

Hey guys, Hi to all seems a great place and I'm hoping you all can help me out! Just got to Thailand, and bought a small bike (Kawi Boss) and trying to set up my GPS to it but having a hell of a time finding the receptacle to put on the battery I've stopped at a dozen bike shops but no luck even thought I had a photo of what I am looking for.

Any ideas as to where to buy the part here in Thailand?

Any help is greatly appreciated it!

I don't know the language AT ALL and I cringe thinking what will happen when the battery in the GPS goes dead before I get home!

Thanks again

I see that you did search but just not quite enough;

as already mentioned you must use the supplied power adapter with the ciggy lighter plug on the end as it converts the supply to the required voltage, so what you need is a ciggy socket which you can buy in any good motor shop, it will come with the socket and a length of cable to connect to your 12v supply, you can simply place it under your seat and then plug the garmin adapter in as you would in a car.....................

Well I mounted 4 gps units on my scooter and there all connected to the battery, never had any problem. Battery is 4 amp. I used cigaret lighter plugs, but be careful to use the right plug for the right unit (in the middle is a Samsung Galaxi tab with several maps) an be carefull about the proper + and - connection.

Ben de Beer

There are bike ones and there are bike ones here in Thailand that are easy to use in English

Why go to all the trouble ?