I am putting a GPS on the Sportster, where did you guys hook the power lead? Is there something in the headlight housing I can tap into? I want it on a switched circuit not running directly off the battery.

 

Most GPS units do not operate on 12 volts. You must use their dedicated power cord which drops the voltage. A practical method is to wire directly to the battery (through a fuse) a Powerlet-type outlet or SAE 2-wire connector which can be used to power GPS or connect a Battery Tender. Unplug it when not in use.

It would be nice to have a common plug/socket for all 12 volt accessories. But heated gear has its own co-axial connector; Battery Tender uses the trailer-type, 2-pin, rubber connector; Most GPS's require a cigarette lighter-style receptacle. On my Dyna I fitted an SAE pigtail onto a Powerlet outlet and simply unplugged the cable where it entered the GPS. When stored, the bike was plugged into a Tender.

 

The connector for my battery tender thingy on the bike has attachments, one of which is a cigarette lighter socket, I just pop my car charger for the GPS into that - it works.

http://www.tecmate.com/

 

What I did was wire in a simple auto light relay. This takes power direct from the battery to the gps, but is switched from the ignition switch (or headlight is an alternative). The relay can go where you want to put it. If you buy a relay it should come with instructions for installation (of a light) and be simple to work out.

 

A GPS draws very little power and there is no need to run a separate power wire from the battery. You can simply tap into the power wire that feeds the instrument lights, that way you'll have power whenever the key is in the ACC or ON position.

Note: If you're using an automotive type GPS, you'll need to convert the 12 volts down to the 5 volts that the GPS expects from the USB plug. You can do this using a GPS power cable made for this "hard wire" purpose or you can install a cigarette lighter (power port) receptacle wired to the instrument lights circuit and then plug your regular automotive cigarette lighter cord into it.

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I have the plug that is made for the GPS to hard wire, I just want to know where is the best place to tap in. I like the idea of the instrument lights.

 

Nevermind.

 

I guess I'll toss my sextant and compass.

John

 

Sorry, I don't have the Service Manual handy, but you can get the wire color from the wiring diagrams (schematics) in the back of it. The wire was pretty easy to find once I got the color from the schematic and located it in the wire bundle at the neck of the bike.

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Brilliant