The USB device will do the trick, I had two of those in my Tank Bag supplying various devices, the tank bag compensated for road bumps etc. The 12V plug should have no real issues as far as vibration is concerned, but they will get water through them and there will be corrosion issues, even if they are waterproof and are designed for a marine environment. The 10Amp fuse will be too big for what you need. If this socket is only there to supply power to your Garmin GPS, then remove the 10 and replace it with a 2Amp.


In your case above, if you have the items then I would do this test to see if it will actually work the way you need. The Oregon says it will accept 0.8A and 4.5V, well, technically what that means is, that is the minimum it will need to be able to charge properly, so as long as you have 1A of current available, it will be enough.

Fully charge the GPS, plug it into the bike system so it is being charged by the combination of leads you have then turn it on and leave it for 8 hours(which is about a days ride). I am unfamilier with that unit, but put it on the MENU screen so you can see the battery charge at all times and check it once in a while.

Basically, if the GPS is fully charged, when you have finished this test, it should still befully charged. In my case, because the charger could not supply enough POWER(the volts were fine), I could see the battery slowly being discharged over time.

Another test, connect the system the same as above, but make sure the GPS is only half charged or nearly discharged and go for a few hours ride, with once again the battery level meter being displayed, see if it increases with time, mine didn't.

As you have the cables and connectors, this is the sure fire ways of checking

As for the perfect way to charge things, it depends on the bikes setup, what luggage you have and how much gear you have to charge etc. There are many new devices on the market that look to be the bees knees with regard to multi charge etc, but whether they have been robustly tested on a bike where it is useful, it is hard to say. Just because they work in a car, means stuff all to me :)

Cheers
TS

I think you will find with the Garmin units (and TT?), they do NOT charge when in use. If its on and connected to a power source and you then switch the unit off, it will go into charge mode and display a battery on the screen.
Similarly, if you connect a power source to the unit, it will switch it on.
No?

John

Thanks TS, that was a detailed reply. John is correct with the Garmin, my model anyway.....the Oregon 400 can not be charged from the bike, only powered. It takes 2xAA batteries for portable usage, which I will charge seperately.

Thanks for the below, this has given me some confidence.

My acerbis tank is being delivered tomorrow. While the tank is off I will run 2 cig socket power cables from the battery to the handlebars. I will use one with the usb adaptor (1A/ 4.5v) to power the GPS and the other to power any other items (ie: AA batteries, electric pump, etc..) - I may need a 2nd usb adaptor though.

Fingers crossed this has the desired effect.......else Ill be buying the Garmin power lead, direct to the battery.....and moving a cig power socket to my wifes bike (Project B) :thumbup1:

Thanks for all the help, learnt a bunch.
Ill be sure to revert after the test drive.....:scooter:

Cheers

OK, I was unsure of Garmin, my GPS MAP76S won't charge from the bike or from an external source, but this may be different for the bike specific ZUMO range, I am unsure, but my TT Rider 2 does, as it is designed to be on the bike and off.

So, by the sounds of it, the gamin is not so useful, it should be able to charge while turned off, unless the charging system cannot supply enough oompf to do both. That is something to keep in mind, if I decide to swap brands.

Cheers
TS

I have a 276c and that charges from the bike when it is switched off. I use a Power/NMEA Data cable on the bike, but in the car, it will also charge from the ciggy lighter, when in the off position.
I think the data cables are available for most of the Garmin range

I bought an 11 hr battery for it as well... for those long runs:D

John

hey hey.......had a good w/e :D.

fitted the power cable and works pretty sweet with the usb adaptor onto the gps, no vibrations, rattles etc.....The real test will be the off-road jaunt.

fitted the acerbis tank.....the bike burped and back-fired a few times but shaped up pretty quick and is now purring like a big kitten.

LOVING this DIY....not bad for a mechanical twit !!


TS......yip, would be great if it did....its a great unit otherwise although havent had experience with other brands and models.
I take it on day/ week-end cycle trips regularly and it has some great features.....picks up signal quickly, pretty robust (fell of my bicycle at +-20mph.....bounced, opened up, batteries flew all over, I stressed out.......The unit received a few dents but continues to work v. well and remains waterproof, I was amazed).

Thanks for the help guys.