Member Since: 27 Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUS
Posts: 26
fitting aftermarket gps - power question
Hi all,
I have a fairly new SE without factory GPS but I have a TomTom unit. I would like to fit this unit snuggly where the factory screen goes and not have an ugly wire hanging down. Ideally there would be a 12v cigarette lighter power point right at the back of the cubby hole, that way I could stick the unit in there and power it from behind.
Does anyone have any advice on how I could go about this? I am not hugely confident on fiddling with the wiring but if I had good enough instructions then I would give it a go.
As I have an iPOD cradle kit I also have the USB connection socket in the glovebox, so I checked and found that even if the iPod kit is switched to the cradle the USB socket provides power, so I've used this to power my new version RDS/TMC receiver with a very short USB to mini-USB lead and then the ran the RDS/TMC lead out the side of the cubby hole to the mount - shimple If you have no USB port, just use lead that comes with the TomTom, cut the 12V cigarette light end off and connect it to a "switched" 12V+ (with an in-line fuse) you should find one at the back of the radio head set.
Click image to enlarge
Below is the TomTom 730 in place. (Must remember to put a new screen protector on )
Click image to enlarge
LRs are a fond memory, apart from the maintenance.
6th Apr 2009 8:40 am
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
Quote:
If you have no USB port, just use lead that comes with the TomTom, cut the 12V cigarette light end off and connect it to a "switched" 12V+ (with an in-line fuse)
Just a quick word of caution. The Fag lighter plug contains a 5 volt regulator for the supply to the TomTom, if you chop the whole plug off and connect the remaining wire directly to 12 volts it will most likely destroy the TomTom.
Better to open the plug unit up and connect to the 12v input side, then wrap it in tape to insulate it and stuff it in a corner somewhere.Clive
6th Apr 2009 9:16 am
richyrich
Member Since: 27 Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUS
Posts: 26
Thanks for the advice guys - two really useful posts!
I will think this over and decide what/how to proceed. I'll post to show the result if I don't destroy something
cheers
rich
6th Apr 2009 11:35 am
richyrich
Member Since: 27 Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUS
Posts: 26
MrH, I also have the TomTom 730, nice device!
I want to try connecting to a cable at the back, but I'm a real n00bie how do I know which cable? how do I connect? Hmmm...maybe I shouldn't be attempting this
Sorry Richy I can't really help there as it depends on the Headunit (Radio) and vehicle spec as to what loom is in it. I'll take a look tonight to see if I have any wiring diagrams to hand which should help.LRs are a fond memory, apart from the maintenance.
6th Apr 2009 2:05 pm
crwoody
Member Since: 09 Mar 2009
Location: Littleborough
Posts: 2109
As MrH says, it depends what spec head-unit you have as to whether you can pick up a switched 12v feed from it, however you could always tap off power from the back of the ciggie lighter / aux socket beneath the radio, that is switched with the ignition and has more than ample current capacity.
They can be a bit of a PITA to get to though, I know, I used the same feed for my Parrot handsfree kit.Clive
That actually makes alot more sense. For one thing that feed will already be a fuse protected circuitLRs are a fond memory, apart from the maintenance.
6th Apr 2009 6:16 pm
richyrich
Member Since: 27 Mar 2009
Location: Sydney, AUS
Posts: 26
the ciggie lighter beneath the radio, that sounds like a good bet. I'll need to try and get behind there and find out how hard it is to access.
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If you have no USB port, just use lead that comes with the TomTom, cut the 12V cigarette light end off and connect it to a "switched" 12V+ (with an in-line fuse) you should find one at the back of the radio head set.
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