TomTom Only needs 5 volts

Post by **Sullivj** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 3:46 pm

So having now ordered my Canbus wire, I was hoping to just join the TomTom power wires to the canbus connector plug.

I THINK the canbus output is 12v, whereas I THINK my TomTom (XXL IQ) only needs 5v.

One option, is to have an inline cigar lighter socket, and then a USB cigar plug inline somewhere, but that's more bulky and subject to water ingress than I would like.

Has anyone managed to overcome this voltage difference with a neater solution?

I know the ultimate solution is to install the BMW Nav, but I don't have a spare gazillion pounds at the moment.

guest3074 · Post by **guest3074** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 3:52 pm

I'm not familiar with Tom Tom so until someone comes along with a better idea 

How about this

guest2360 · Post by **guest2360** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 3:52 pm

If your right you have to wonder why they would produce a unit with a voltage that meets no bike output ever made.

guest3074 · Post by **guest3074** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 3:55 pm

RTman10 wrote: If your right you have to wonder why they would produce a unit with a voltage that meets no bike output ever made.

Maybe it's a car only version?

Post by **exportman** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:03 pm

Hi

The car units only need 5V  when the feed is via the USB MICRO slot.    Most car units work from a cig lighter voltage regulator that steps the voltage down to 5V.

The motorcycle units need a 12v feed to the mount, which contains the step down regulator again output is 5V to the actual Tomtom unit.

I have fitted a 2014 tomtom on my RT  into the same place as the Garmen unit fits.  Power is from a fuse unit  on a switched supply  For the trigger I fave taken a feed from the aux socket at the right hand side of the fairing.

Post by **MacJ** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:06 pm

Have you read the manual where it refers to installation on the bike?
The one I've seen says to connect it to the 12volt vehicle supply which seems obvious enough.
It may charge off a USB charger, when not on the bike, which is a 5 volt supply. That may be the reason for confusion.

guest2360 · Post by **guest2360** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 6:09 pm

How about a photo of the unit mounted on the bike.

Post by **Sullivj** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 7:54 pm

Thanks for all your responses.

Yes, it is a car satnav. I was given it, and I don't want to offend the kind chap that gave it to me, so I'm determined to use it, even if it doesn't last long!

I've not mounted it yet, but it's this one:

This is the bracket I'm going to use:

And this is the connector that I've purchased to plug into the canbus satnav socket:

This is the cradle I intend to mount to the bracket:

I think the suggestion of an inline 12v to 5v converter is the way to go. It adds another join to the cable, but needs must.

I'll report back when I get it all together.

Post by **richardbd** » Mon Oct 31, 2016 8:16 pm

Sullivj wrote:
Yes, it is a car satnav.

Don't use it in the rain then - it'll last about 10 minutes!!

Post by **RTBoy** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 8:09 pm

Sullivj wrote: Thanks for all your responses.

Yes, it is a car satnav. I was given it, and I don't want to offend the kind chap that gave it to me, so I'm determined to use it, even if it doesn't last long!

I've not mounted it yet, but it's this one:

Re: TomTom Only needs 5 volts

This is the bracket I'm going to use:
Re: TomTom Only needs 5 volts

And this is the connector that I've purchased to plug into the canbus satnav socket:
Re: TomTom Only needs 5 volts
This is the cradle I intend to mount to the bracket:
Re: TomTom Only needs 5 volts

I think the suggestion of an inline 12v to 5v converter is the way to go. It adds another join to the cable, but needs must.

I'll report back when I get it all together.

Have you fitted it yet??....I'm interested to see how this looks/works?
Could be a better option than the BMW (mortgage required) version?
Any pics??

Post by **Sullivj** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 9:07 pm

Not yet... BMW Brighton couriered the mounting parts to my local dealer, but they've been lost in transit... They're trying to track them down now.

The ram cradle has arrived and that fits very well.

I am making (slow!) progress though.. I wanted the wire to exit from the rear of the unit, so eventually found a right angle mini USB plug.

It was very slightly too big, so I've sanded down the corners to make it fit.

I will post when I've made progress.

Post by **leonjennings** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 9:24 pm

http://www.miniinthebox.com/waterproof- ... rm=2.3.5.0

this is waterproof!

Post by **Sullivj** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 9:39 pm

I went with this one, because it has the mini USB on it already. I will join the BMW plug to the other end.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/332014621950? ... EBIDX%3AIT

Post by **exportman** » Tue Nov 08, 2016 9:57 pm

Hi

Check the step-down transformer can deliver enough power  many are a max of 1 amp  and the latest tomtom devices need at least 1.5amp

Post by **Sullivj** » Wed Nov 09, 2016 6:22 am

exportman wrote: Hi

Check the step-down transformer can deliver enough power  many are a max of 1 amp  and the latest tomtom devices need at least 1.5amp

Thanks. I'll plug it in and see if it works before I cable it all in.