Anyone install a lighter socket on their bike? Where did you put it. I want to use it for my GPS, occasional phone charging, and for plugging in the trickle charger in the winter.

on the fairing?

I tucked mine underneath the seat just behind the battery. It isn't zip-tied or anything, it just fits snug in there.

Quote from: ragecage23 on August 25, 2010, 07:29:54 AM
I tucked mine underneath the seat just behind the battery. It isn't zip-tied or anything, it just fits snug in there.

Yup what he said. I grounded it to the tank bolt after reading about putting a fuse link in the ground line too. Better safe than a burned up bike. I also canned the #16 wires that were on the plug and soldered # 12 wires to the plug in case I ever need to jump start the bike with the plug. Oh and I made light jumper cables out of #12 wire with a plug on one end and gator clips on the other. I can also jump another bike if need be but I wouldn't have the GS running when I did it.

Quote from: lilwoody on August 25, 2010, 10:57:33 AM
I grounded it to the tank bolt after reading about putting a fuse link in the ground line too.

the fuse is supposed to go on the positive lead, as close to the battery as possible.  also, trying to jump-start the bike isn't likely to work through the lighter socket, as they arent designed to handle the amperage. and the fuse will likely blow

Mines tucked under the seat. I've made a lead long enough to run into the bag on the rack, saddle bags, tank bag or all the way to the top fairing.

Here's where I put mine.  I have a GPS mount for my Garmin Nuvi 255 inside my faring which is why i did it this way.  Also, my 12v is a fully waterproof unit, no complaints works perfect. I was actually on a trip last month and had to ride about 4 hours in the rain...I have a rain case for my Nuvi and everything worked very well...I was quite pleased actually.  Riding in the rain sucked..but atleast I knew where I had to go


http://gstwins.com/gsboard/index.php?topic=52776.0

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Quote from: jeremy_nash on August 25, 2010, 11:57:29 PM

Quote from: lilwoody on August 25, 2010, 10:57:33 AM
I grounded it to the tank bolt after reading about putting a fuse link in the ground line too.

the fuse is supposed to go on the positive lead, as close to the battery as possible.  also, trying to jump-start the bike isn't likely to work through the lighter socket, as they arent designed to handle the amperage. and the fuse will likely blow

Someone on here posted a lengthy explanation for putting fused links in both ground and positive when hooking both to the battery. And yes you can jump a GS with a lighter plug that has 25 amp fuse if you set it up the way I did. The Wal Mart kind just melt.

Quote from: lilwoody on August 26, 2010, 01:28:59 PM
Someone on here posted a lengthy explanation for putting fused links in both ground and positive when hooking both to the battery. And yes you can jump a GS with a lighter plug that has 25 amp fuse if you set it up the way I did. The Wal Mart kind just melt.

accepted, but most cigarette lighters on our bikes either came from walmart, or are of a similar quality, mine was an accessory socket off a power inverter from walmart.  as long as you know the limitations of the lesser "quality" parts such as the cheap lighter sockets, no issues should be had

I wired mine through a fused relay which is switched by the tail light (it was handy in the rear of the bike) so that the 12V lighter socket is powered only when the bike is on.  That way, on trips I can leave chargers and accessories plugged in while I stop for a break (or overnight if the location is secure) and never worry that they'll drain the battery.

I actually ran one of the powered wires up to the steering head and terminated in a polarized quick disconnect.   My tank bag has the opposite connector coming out of it.  Another polarized disconnect is in the back near my saddlebags when they are installed, and tucked under the seat when not installed.