Mods for GPS

[dadorfman]

I thought I would start a separate thread because I have been receiving questions about my mod to protect a GPS from rain. If anyone has more questions, post them here and I will answer.

1. Power: I checked with Garmin, and you need to use their plug-in converter for power, without cutting off the part that sticks in the outlet. That part converts the voltage down from 12 to the voltage needed by the GPS. You can buy a Garmin part that can be wired directly, but that will change the display because of the voltage difference. I have installed an auxiliary fuse block, and wired another outlet to fit inside the fairing. Be careful if you do that because the wrong polarity can fry your adapter. The wiring now goes from the outlet within the fairing, out the wiring hole in the fairing, along the handlebars, to the GPS. The power is on only when the bike is on.

2. Mount: I am using a RAM mount on the handlebars to hold the GPS. It is a RAM mount for a Garmin GPS, not a generic mount. The mount has a universal, diamond mount and a Garmin-specific holder. That moves the GPS away from the fairing. The mount is not rigid, having some vertical and horizontal play, but the GPS is held the way I want it.

3. Rain protection: I bought a large, plastic, index card box at a Dollar store and cut off the4 top and part of the bottom.

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The generic diamond is outside the box and connects to the Garmin-specific mount inside the box.

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These other pictures show the wiring runs and the rider's viewpoint:

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I hope this helps someone.

[alwrmcusn]

Arrgggggg!!! Went to Dollar General, Family Dollar, WalMart, Big Lots....no one has index file boxes (drat). Went online to Staples, aha!! Will have to drive out to Crossville or Oak Ridge in a day or so.

[dadorfman]

I should have added that the box does keep some sunlight and glare off the GPS screen.

As for where to find a box in a store, who uses file cards these days, even schoolkids or recipe hoarders? Get 'em while you can still find 'em.

[Ozarkryder]

I have a Garmin 1450LMT (highly recommend the lifetime maps upgrade) also mounted with RAM Mounts on the clutch clamp. It is good in direct sunlight, easy to read.
There is a speaker on the back along with the power plug, so it is not waterproof. My solution is a zip lock bag. We have ridden all the way from the Minnesota/Iowa border to just south of Joplin in the rain with no problems with the GPS.

[alwrmcusn]

I use a zip lock bag also, but I'm looking for something a bit more elegant (smile).
Staples has a 4 x 6 inch box that should be just about perfect for my Garmin GPS.

[0pini0nated]

Nice install and clear pictures from every angle. Nice post.

[bikerbillone]

Yes, good post. My big problem is reading the thing in sun light, this little tip seems to solve that as well.

[msocko3]

Nice mod.

[Oldmsocko]

Looks good. Thanks for the information.

[dadorfman]

I wish I could take full credit for this. The index card box as a sunscreen was mentioned years ago on another forum. Glad to pass this along.

[alwrmcusn]

Completed my build of the GPS mod, mounted it on the trike this morning and it does look good. My Garmin 755 is my MP3 player of choice so I drilled a hole in the end of the mount to put the audio cable through. Then throwing caution to the wind I then CAREFULLY marked and drilled a hole through the cassette deck door. That allows the cassette door to remain closed when I'm using the MP3 player cable and not get water inside during rain.
Edit: I will find a rubber grommet/plug to put in the hole when I'm not using the GPS/MP3 player.

[dadorfman]

Looks great, and for little more than the cost of a ziplock baggie!

[Texan]

GREAT idea and mod.

Ran by OfficeMax and the several different styles and colors. Picked up what looks like the one you have.

I have a Garmin 665 and had to configure my modification a little differently but worked out fine.

Thanks for the idea.

o~\o

[Texan]

Picture of my labors and $5.00 investment. $1.65 for the file box and 3.35 for extreme Velcro to affix it to the GPS.

o~\o

[dadorfman]

I wouldn't rely just on the new velco. I used it on the back of an E-Z Pass and almost lost it due to handlebar shake going 70 down a state highway in good shape.

[Rosy]

Want a nice looking GPS holder which is water resistant, get it at Walt Mart,
Arkon. Look it up in Google to see what is available.
I have one for my XM Radio with the power cord, antenna, and speaker wires running into my left pocket.
Good luck.

Rosy
From NH

[Texan]

I wouldn't rely just on the new velco. I used it on the back of an E-Z Pass and almost lost it due to handlebar shake going 70 down a state highway in good shape.

The Velcro I bought, "Extreme" (titanium strips) indicates it's for rough surfaces, requiring 24 hrs for the adhesive to cure and is waterproof.

Now it's just holding the cover on. My RoadTech 665 is hard mounted in the normal way to the bike. Had to cut the back out of the box to get it to fit basically around the unit.

Am going to test it's durability this weekend.

Again, thanks for the great idea !!

o~\o

[dadorfman]

My first post on this thread was a first draft. It usually takes me five or six drafts to get it right. Here is some more:

4. The box has to be for large index cards, not standard index cards.

5. Connecting the GPS and the USB cable: The GPS needs to be in the RAM-mount before the USB cable is attached. There isn't much room to get the cable into the socket. I enlarged the opening, as you can see on the left side of this photo. I just used a pliers to do it.

[IMG][/IMG]

Depending on your models of GPS and the RAM-mount bracket, you might not need to enlarge the hole.

At first, I tried inserting the plug in the socket by reaching around the mount. Royal PIA. I finally figured out that I should turn the mount over to get better access to the socket.

[IMG][/IMG]

Now I can get to the socket from above. Still a PIA, but no longer royal.

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Flip the mount back over and you are good to go.