I use a eTrex gps mounted on the handle bars of my Baja. I been having some problems with the gps shutting off when the rpms are high which creates a lot of vibration. Some people on other boards said they have the same problem and attributed it to the batteries vibrating loose. Solution is to hard wire it using a 12v power cord. Where is the best place to jump power from? I want the power to be on all the time, not just when the ignition is on. I was thinking the easiest would be to just get power directly from the battery terminals. I would run an inline fuse and use a quick disconnect plug. Any suggestions?

 

Damn is that what is happening I thought I got it full of dust or the heat was kicking it off! Good question though! You could probably splice in right at the ignition switch and usea 1 or 2 amp fuse andy more than that and you will fry your GPS. I think I have to send mine in before that because I think I fryed my charging circuit. Good Luck and let me know. Maybe by the time I get mine back someone will have posted a good solution.

 

I installed an outlet (marine store) and hard wired it to the battery with an in-line fuse. I use cigarette adapter cord to plug it in. and keep a spare set of batteries in case I have give the gps to someone to go get help. The batteries get hammered and fial if you leave them in the gps.

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Thanks for the suggestions. I can't really picture a clean place to mount an outlet like the one on the raptor. If I hardwire it to the battery with a fuse and don't disconnect it when I am not using the gps will there be any chance of the battery self draining because of the cable?

AngryBajaBoy: If your gps is a garmin, I have had great success with there customer service. I called them at 913-397-8200 and got a RMA # and shipped it to them. I received a brand new etrex in the mail 4 days latter. They even transferred all my waypoints. They didn't ask for any proof of purchase or other crap.

I sure hope its the batteries that are failing and not the gps. Would hate to think that I fried two gps. Once I get it hard wired, I will be able to use the back light with out it draining the batteries. Is there a way to get the back light to stay on more then 30 seconds?

 

Sandaholic, I have the GPS III but it has the same symptoms. What I do is wrap a little scotch tape around the batteries and that cures the vibrating problem. It helps if your mount isn't any more solid than it needs to be to reduce transferred vibrations too.

 

I put wetsuit material on my base to absorb some of the vibration. Also, the ends of the batteries get hammered so I keep them in my pack instead.

 

I have the E-Trek Vista and you can get the backlight to stay on longer. I think the max is 2 minutes. It is in the applications screen I think under setup or something like that I will check it out tommorow and let you know for sure.

 

I've also thought about how to power the GPS when I'm on my Banshee without using the batteries and it's even more difficult since the Banshee has no DC voltage - it's AC. I considerred getting a small 12 volt nicad pack and strapping it on somehwere inconspicuous, run a poere cable from there to where my GPS is mounted and fabricate the proper connector on the end of that power cable. I think isntalling a regular sized 12v power outlet on a sport quad is overkill and wouldn't look too nice.

 

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<< a regular sized 12v power outlet on a sport quad is overkill and wouldn't look too nice. >>



I installed an outlet on my left fender (like the reverse **** on the right) and I can keep my Garmin gps III+ backlit for entire night rides at Glamis. It is nice to be able to see (on the gps) where you are. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

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I had the same problem, so I emailed Garmin, and they sent me this website, which explains what is happening with the batteries, and it's not the batteries or the GPS which is failing:

http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/GPS_ba...2and3plus.html

You've already spotted the best solution, which is hardwired to the battery in one way or another. I added a cigarette lighter outlet in a fairly hidden/protected spot on my DS, now I just have to buy the adapter cable to power the whole deal.

BlueLeader- your mount looks excellent!