Go Back   Horizons Unlimited - The HUBB > Equipment, Travel > Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS
TIP: Strengthen power supply TIP: Strengthen power supply
Register FAQ Calendar Today's Posts
Navigation - Maps, Compass, GPS How to find your way - traditional map, compass and road signs, or GPS and more
Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland




Reply
 
LinkBack Thread Tools Display Modes
  #1  
Old 29 May 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: Arnhem, Netherlands
Posts: 34
TIP: Strengthen power supply

I've met a few travellers which had problems with components on the inside of factory and home-made power supplies to come loose on longer motorcycle trips off-road.

I've solved this by generously applying hot-glue to the inside of the power supply.

Definately a should-do!

Happy Travels, Roger
__________________
The best planning is to go!
Reply With Quote
  #2  
Old 29 May 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
I’ve heard that before, but what about escaping heat? Do you apply it on heat sinks as well?

------------------
A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #3  
Old 10 Jun 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 9
What I've done is purchase a 12v Cigarette lighter adapter for my Garmin, the cut it open. I then filled the entire unit with epoxy, efectivly enasing everything. The I harwired the leads to a power source that is switched with the ignition, and mounted the unit under the seat. It has held up great. Bridge rectifiers, and volage regulators used on enduro bikes often have their electronics encased in epoxy.
Reply With Quote
  #4  
Old 12 Jun 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
Off to the hardware store I go ......

------------------
A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #5  
Old 12 Jun 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 11
Is all this needed? I've just wired my Garmin power lead straight into the loom
Reply With Quote
  #6  
Old 13 Jun 2002
Registered Users
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: Cairo, Egypt
Posts: 456
Kurt, sometimes it is when you do a lot of off-roading. I've had a laptop power supply fail on me once in the Sahara. Back home I found that an IC inside the unit was dislodged by the vibration. It's an attempt to make your equipment last longer with little down time, that's all.

A.B.

------------------
A.B.
www.ShortWheelbase.com
__________________
A.B.
OasisPhoto.com – Images from the Magical Sahara.
Reply With Quote
  #7  
Old 13 Jun 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 11
I get what your saying - My question was is there a need to have anything more than just a cable running from the battery to the unit - In other words is a power supply needed.
It was more of a Gramin specific question. Sorry if I caused confusion
Reply With Quote
  #8  
Old 23 Jun 2002
Stephano's Avatar
Gold Member
Veteran HUBBer
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Abu Dhabi
Posts: 887
Both my Garmin GPS V and my friend's GPS III are directly wired into our Honda XRs power sources. It's all you need to do to maintain the power source. Both bikes get a good work out every weekend over high dunes and bumpy camel grass and the wiring has never been a problem.

We mount them on Touratech mounts which are good except for the stupid perspex U-support for the antenna. One got broken and both have now been replaced by aluminium pieces. Much better.

If you want to protect the internal batteries from vibration use electrical tape to hold them together. See this link, it works:
http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/GPS_ba...2and3plus.html

Stephano
Reply With Quote
  #9  
Old 24 Jun 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: Ontario, Canada
Posts: 9
Be carful. Some Garmin units like the GPSIII+ have a variable input internal power supply, and they can be wired directly providing your bike isn't AC (ex. Honda XR's). My Garmin Etrex Vista, requires a 3 volt input, so an external power supply is required.
Reply With Quote
  #10  
Old 19 Jul 2002
Registered Users
New on the HUBB
  
Join Date: Apr 2002
Location: Vienna, Austria
Posts: 12
I´ve been running my Street Pilot with a Garmin lead to the fuse box for some time with no problems, but when I tried to run it from rechargable batteries, it became very sensitive to movement (not vibration). For example, the unit will sometimes cut out when it´s held in both hands and slowly turned screen face down. I can´t reproduce this problem with Duracell or other normal batteries... Whats going on???

Cheers, Baldrick.

PS. I think the Touratech mounts are the dogs bollocks, but I´ll be binning the perspex and putting the anntenna elsewhere ASAP.
Reply With Quote
  #11  
Old 20 Jul 2002
Registered Users
HUBB regular
  
Join Date: Nov 2001
Location: New Zealand
Posts: 95
You will find that rechargeable ( Nicads anyways) batteries are a tiny bit shorter than alkalines . This could be your problem .

Try stretching the battery contact springs , or soldering a shim to the battery .
Reply With Quote
Reply

« Previous Thread | Next Thread »

Currently Active Users Viewing This Thread: 1 (0 Registered Users and/or Members and 1 guests)
 

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are On
Pingbacks are On
Refbacks are On

 
 

Announcements

Thinking about traveling? Not sure about the whole thing? Watch the HU Achievable Dream Video Trailers and then get ALL the information you need to get inspired and learn how to travel anywhere in the world!

Have YOU ever wondered who has ridden around the world? We did too - and now here's the list of Circumnavigators!
Check it out now, and add your information if we didn't find you.

Next HU Eventscalendar

ALL Dates subject to change.

2025 Confirmed Events:

  • Virginia: April 24-27 2025
  • Queensland is back! May 2-4 2025
  • Germany Summer: May 29-June 1 2025
  • CanWest: July 10-13 2025
  • Switzerland: Date TBC
  • Ecuador: Date TBC
  • Romania: Date TBC
  • Austria: Sept. 11-14
  • California: September 18-21
  • France: September 19-21 2025
  • Germany Autumn: Oct 30-Nov 2 2025

Add yourself to the Updates List for each event!

Questions about an event? Ask here

See all event details

 
World's most listened to Adventure Motorbike Show!
Check the RAW segments; Grant, your HU host is on every month!
Episodes below to listen to while you, err, pretend to do something or other...

Adventurous Bikers – We've got all your Hygiene & Protection needs SORTED! Powdered Hair & Body Wash, Moisturising Cream Insect Repellent, and Moisturising Cream Sunscreen SPF50. ESSENTIAL | CONVENIENT | FUNCTIONAL.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

2020 Edition of Chris Scott's Adventure Motorcycling Handbook.

"Ultimate global guide for red-blooded bikers planning overseas exploration. Covers choice & preparation of best bike, shipping overseas, baggage design, riding techniques, travel health, visas, documentation, safety and useful addresses." Recommended. (Grant)



Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance.

Ripcord Rescue Travel Insurance™ combines into a single integrated program the best evacuation and rescue with the premier travel insurance coverages designed for adventurers.

Led by special operations veterans, Stanford Medicine affiliated physicians, paramedics and other travel experts, Ripcord is perfect for adventure seekers, climbers, skiers, sports enthusiasts, hunters, international travelers, humanitarian efforts, expeditions and more.

Ripcord travel protection is now available for ALL nationalities, and travel is covered on motorcycles of all sizes!


 

What others say about HU...

"This site is the BIBLE for international bike travelers." Greg, Australia

"Thank you! The web site, The travels, The insight, The inspiration, Everything, just thanks." Colin, UK

"My friend and I are planning a trip from Singapore to England... We found (the HU) site invaluable as an aid to planning and have based a lot of our purchases (bikes, riding gear, etc.) on what we have learned from this site." Phil, Australia

"I for one always had an adventurous spirit, but you and Susan lit the fire for my trip and I'll be forever grateful for what you two do to inspire others to just do it." Brent, USA

"Your website is a mecca of valuable information and the (video) series is informative, entertaining, and inspiring!" Jennifer, Canada

"Your worldwide organisation and events are the Go To places to for all serious touring and aspiring touring bikers." Trevor, South Africa

"This is the answer to all my questions." Haydn, Australia

"Keep going the excellent work you are doing for Horizons Unlimited - I love it!" Thomas, Germany

Lots more comments here!



Five books by Graham Field!

Diaries of a compulsive traveller
by Graham Field
Book, eBook, Audiobook

"A compelling, honest, inspiring and entertaining writing style with a built-in feel-good factor" Get them NOW from the authors' website and Amazon.com, Amazon.ca, Amazon.co.uk.



Back Road Map Books and Backroad GPS Maps for all of Canada - a must have!

Your ad could be here, on EVERY page of the HUBB, or the whole website, or as many as you like!

New to Horizons Unlimited?

New to motorcycle travelling? New to the HU site? Confused? Too many options? It's really very simple - just 4 easy steps!

Horizons Unlimited was founded in 1997 by Grant and Susan Johnson following their journey around the world on a BMW R80G/S.

Susan and Grant Johnson Read more about Grant & Susan's story

Membership - help keep us going!

Horizons Unlimited is not a big multi-national company, just two people who love motorcycle travel and have grown what started as a hobby in 1997 into a full time job (usually 8-10 hours per day and 7 days a week) and a labour of love. To keep it going and a roof over our heads, we run events all over the world with the help of volunteers; we sell inspirational and informative DVDs; we have a few selected advertisers; and we make a small amount from memberships.

You don't have to be a Member to come to an HU meeting, access the website, or ask questions on the HUBB. What you get for your membership contribution is our sincere gratitude, good karma and knowing that you're helping to keep the motorcycle travel dream alive. Contributing Members and Gold Members do get additional features on the HUBB. Here's a list of all the Member benefits on the HUBB.



All times are GMT +1. The time now is 23:53.

Contact Us - Horizons Unlimited Motorcycle Travellers Website - Archive - Privacy Statement - Top