hardwiring a satnav

[Phil_D]

i've just hard wired a sat nav to my bike via an 12 volt cigarette type power outlet connected to the battery. The socket itself is waterproof but the likely hood is the charger isn't so would it be safe to wrap the charger and power socket in a freezer bag for extra waterproofing?

also as the charger is wired directly to the battery it always has power going to it. There is a small red light on the charger that shows it has power which is constantly on, is this going to drain the bikes battery?

EDIT: forgot to mention i intend to leave the charger plugged in all the time but just remove the satnav

[Speedy3]

I think you should have wired a switch into the circuit so you can turn it on/off as you may find with power running all time taht you do indeed drain your battery
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Current bike: 2005 Triumph Speed Triple 1050 :: Previous Bikes: 2001 Kawasaki ZZR-600 E9 (Sold) 1996 Yamaha Diversion 600s (Sold),1997 Honda CB250 Nighthawk (Sold), 1988 Honda VFR 400 NC24 (Written Off), 1987 Honda CB350 S-G (Sold), Yamaha DT125 (Sold), Honda X8R-S 50cc (Stolen)

[The Shaggy D.A.]

I'd be more tempted to wire a relay in so it's only live when the ignition is.
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Chances are quite high you are not in my Monkeysphere, and I don't care about you. Don't take it personally.
Currently : Royal Enfield 350 Meteor
Previously : CB100N > CB250RS > XJ900F > GT550 > GPZ750R/1000RX > AJS M16 > R100RT > Bullet 500 > CB500 > LS650P > Bullet Electra X & YBR125 > Bullet 350 "Superstar" & YBR125 Custom > Royal Enfield Classic 500 Despatch Limited Edition (28 of 200) & CB Two-Fifty Nighthawk > ER5

[Phil_D]

how do you wire in a relay?

[deanoet]

You could wire it in from your lighting circuit
Then it is only on with ignition
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CBT Passed 18th July 2007 : Previous Bikes> CG125 : Current Bike> Hornet 600 : PASSED DAS 30th Oct 2007
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[Phil_D]

[Finglonga]

Depends how hot it gets when charging as if you can put a plastic bag around it. Either way it shouldn't be put anywhere it may get wet.

To do it properly do as Shaggy says and use a relay and fuse.

https://www.weendoggy.com/images/relay_wiring.jpg
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Andy Sez....
F.Y.Y.F.F.

[kawakid]

[map]

Agree with all the abover about using a relay. Slightly more wires but worth it.
Recommend the site that stinkwheel and other have suggested for bits,
Vehicle Wiring Products

[G]

[Peter3hg]

I wired mine with a relay to the side light circuit. This means it is normally only on with the ignition, but I can leave something charging by leaving the parking lights on.

[Phil_D]

im in the middle of wiring up the relay, would it be ok to splice the ignition sensor into one of the three yellow cables coming off the alternator?? or would this mean that there would only be power when the engine is running not just when the ignition is on??

by the way its a cbr600fy

[Phil_D]

well i spliced the ignition sensor to the alternator wire and as expected the charger only works when the engine is running so i need to find somewhere else to splice it to.....? whats more of a problem is the relay makes a loud buzzing noise when the engines running, loud enough to hear over a revving engine. what could be causing this? everything must be wired right as the charger is working.... hmmm


also the charger i got is one from halfords which i think is for car fog lights

[Whosthedaddy]

Would the lights been a better circuit to use?
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Current : MSX 125 Past : CBR 900RR Monkeybike : c50 LAC : ZXR750 H2 : FZR600 : ZX7R P3 : YW100 : TRX850: Trophy 900 T309 : GSXR 600 L0: Monkeybike : XJ6S Whosthedaddy

[Phil_D]

my lights dont come on with the ignition, therefore if i wanted my satnav to charge id have to drive round with my lights
on

[Phil_D]

anyone?? id like to get this finished today if poss

[G]

In answer to your two original questions - I'd wire in a switch to be sure and I'd put the charger somewhere fairly 'safe' - ie behind an enduro fairing has always been fine for me, or under the tank, etc.

[truslack]