I have a Garmin GPSIII+and want to wire it up to my snowmobile uuummm I mean boat. I bought a power cable on line and it doesnt seem to have a regulator on it (I havent opened the plastic in case I have to return) Who knows the voltage these things run on. Can I wire straight to the battery?

My Garmin 162 is wired direct. Don't know why the III would be any different. I had a cig. lighter adaptor for my Gamrin 12 hand held. Took the adapter apart after the GPS unit was lost off the snowmobile. There was no regulator of any kind. Just a small voltage fuse.

Garmin's website says the unit runs on 4 batteries. If they are connected in series, I would have to assume the unit needs 6v. They say the optional power adapter allows you to run it fom a vehicle's 12v source. Again, I would have to assume there is a regulator somewhere on the adapter cable. To be on the safe side, connect the adapter cable to a 12v source, then use a DVM (Volt meter) to measure the output voltage at the connector that plugs into the GPS unit. Also, check your users manual. Sometimes the regulator is wired inside the cig lighter plug housing, so be careful about cutting it off.

Paul

Here is the link to the web page. http://www.garmin.com/products/gpsIIIp/spec.html

It says they run on 10-32VDC. It uses the same power cable as my 12XL and map76 which have straight through cables with no regulators.

I also hardwired the dash mount for my GPS 12 directly to the battery. So I KNOW they will run on 12 volts.

Thank You
Now I got something to tinker with in the garage this weekend.

Chris,
Make sure you don't need the adapter, the plug in part usually steps down the voltage. Im not sure if they need 12 volts.

Tantrum, do you have a battery in the sled or just a stater? If it is just a stater does anyone know (i'm no electrical genius) if the stater's cause a slight voltage ripple that may effect the electronics of a gps?

Tantrum,

Two things. Chris Hyde (the guy that fixed your trailer) has one wired to his sled. Well, he had one wired to his SRX, not sure about the RX1 Warrior. Call him, he can tell you exactly.

Secondly, SNOWCROSS this weekend in Ballston Spa (just north of Albany). I am going Sunday if you want to take a quick ride up.

Shane

GPS on a snowmobile???
Did you loose your bottle of 151?
I think I put it all over Ottis's house!