Garmin Charger Keeps Slipping Out of Power Outlet Socket

[Super10East]

I have a Garmin Nuvi that charges with the traditional cigarette socket plug on my Tenere. An older charger that I had failed, so I bought a new one. Well, the new one works great except for one thing: as I ride, the charger slowly loses grip and slides out of the socket (from vibration), with power cutting to the GPS. Has anyone encountered a problem like this? I tried taping the charger down with electric tape, but that didn't work. Maybe if I put some tape inside the socket? Anyone have any ideas?

 

[whisperquiet]

I use expired credit cards cut in 1/4” to 3/8” strips......wedge them between the Garmin plug and the 12v port = no more movement by the plug and subsequent loss of 12v power. Works all the time.

 

[patrickg450]

put a roll of tape on it, i used a toothpick one.

 

[Kyle_E]

Just want to check. Is it pulling out of the 12v socket side or out of the garmin side?

If it is the 12v side, it should have a flat spring on the side of it. If it does, bend that out a bit at a time that's what keeps the tension on the sidewall of the 12v hole. Ive had to make a few go almost into a V rather than a ).

If it is the garmin side. eeeesh..... you can take that small socket, and a very small pair of pliers and a VERY slight bend to the top flat (or bottom whatever is the longer side) I bat about 50/50 at this working again take a VERY small bite at it.

 

[Super10East]

Just want to check. Is it pulling out of the 12v socket side or out of the garmin side?

If it is the 12v side, it should have a flat spring on the side of it. If it does, bend that out a bit at a time that's what keeps the tension on the sidewall of the 12v hole. Ive had to make a few go almost into a V rather than a ).

The 12v side. Will take a look at the bend right now.

 

[whisperquiet]

I just took pics of my S10 and Versys 300......cheap, easy, works, and no damage.

 

[Super10East]

I just took pics of my S10 and Versys 300......cheap, easy, works, and no damage.

I gotcha. Will give it a go.

 

[RCinNC]

If you're using a Nuvi on your bike, I have an additional recommendation. The USB power port on the Nuvi is not a good secure fit with the USB cable, even when brand new, and the cable can vibrate around in the GPS unit when you're riding. The power port is a point of failure for these auto-based GPS units when you use them on a bike. I found a simple way to secure the cable in the GPS power port that keeps it secure and less susceptible to vibration. I've been using the same Nuvi 2455 on my bike for at least four years now and many thousands of miles with no issues.

My Nuvi was in the typical RAM cradle. To secure the USB cable in the unit, I took a small piece of aluminum angle (from the hardware store) and glued a small piece of rubber to it. The then positioned the angle with the rubber pad up against the power cable so it just barely made contact. I then bolted the angle in place to the RAM cradle. Then I used a piece of Velcro tape to secure the USB cable to the aluminum angle and the power port on the Garmin. This secures the cable so it wont vibrate, and it keeps the cable firmly mounted in the power port so there isn't any strain on it. The rubber pad helps to absorb some of the vibration.

I had the same issue you did with the OEM 12 volt outlet and a standard 12 volt plug not staying secure. After a frustrating trip to Missouri and back where the cable kept disconnecting, I decided to dispense with that type of power connection for the Nuvi and just switched to a buck converter and a USB outlet. I put a couple USB outlets on a homemade shelf (made from an ammo can) above the instrument pod, and I plug the GPS in there. The power cable screws into the USB outlet, so the cable is secured at both ends and can't vibrate loose.

 

[Cycledude]

When I was still using a Nuvi I had the same issues. For the end that plugs into the bike outlet I eventually started securing it with a 6 inch plastic covered wire tie sort of like many bread bags use only longer, loop one end around the bottom of the bike outlet and the other end around the top of the plug, it never came disconnected again and was still very easily removable.
for the end that plugs into the Garmin I simply smeared a dab of black silicone around the plug and let it dry overnight and that fixed it.
Eventually I switched to the very expensive Garmin Zumo 595, it does have some very nice advantages over the Nuvi but I’m not convinced it was worth all the extra money.

 

[SHUMBA]

I have a Garmin Nuvi that charges with the traditional cigarette socket plug on my Tenere. An older charger that I had failed, so I bought a new one. Well, the new one works great except for one thing: as I ride, the charger slowly loses grip and slides out of the socket (from vibration), with power cutting to the GPS. Has anyone encountered a problem like this? I tried taping the charger down with electric tape, but that didn't work. Maybe if I put some tape inside the socket? Anyone have any ideas?

I also use a Garmin Nuvi on my Tenere. To prevent the 12 volt plug from becoming disconnected from the socket I use elastic bands, or rubber bands. However there is a better and longer lasting solution, get some tiny bungee cords and secure the plug with a bungee cord.
But, don't cut the plug off of the cable and try to wire into your bike, because I'm sure that you know the plug is a transformer in that it reduces the bike's 12 volt output to a much lower amperage.
If you know of a fix to waterproof the Garmin Nuvi, please let me know, because mine got soaked and died...keep it dry.
SHUMBA


Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[SHUMBA]

When I was still using a Nuvi I had the same issues. For the end that plugs into the bike outlet I eventually started securing it with a 6 inch plastic covered wire tie sort of like many bread bags use only longer, loop one end around the bottom of the bike outlet and the other end around the top of the plug, it never came disconnected again and was still very easily removable.
for the end that plugs into the Garmin I simply smeared a dab of black silicone around the plug and let it dry overnight and that fixed it.
Eventually I switched to the very expensive Garmin Zumo 595, it does have some very nice advantages over the Nuvi but I’m not convinced it was worth all the extra money.

Agree...I will just use my Garmin Drive Smart 61 ...I'm looking for a way to waterproof it????
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[RCinNC]

The silicon is a good idea; the only thing that prevented me from going that route was that I use a hacked data cable to power the Gamin when it's on the bike. I took a data cable and shorted out the data wires so that only power was going to the Garmin. That way, the Garmin doesn't reboot every time you shut off the bike and restart it. But it does make it necessary to be able to remove the power cable and hook up an actual data transfer cable when I want to program the Garmin using MyRoute or Basecamp.

 

[RCinNC]

Agree...I will just use my Garmin Drive Smart 61 ...I'm looking for a way to waterproof it????
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

Try this. It's for a Nuvi, but I imagine the process is the same. I did it quite a while back, and my Nuvi's been in the rain without any additional protection without any issue. I wouldn't rely on it for actual submersion of the unit, but so far, it's done well against rain.

 

[Super10East]

Hot glue gun. The glue is reversible with rubbing alcohol. Should make it water tight. silicon does not like to be reapplied.

I was going to say what would happen if you do at some point want to remove it. I'm looking for a waterproofing fix as well, this sounds like a good solution.

 

[escapefjrtist]

For the cig lighter plug, I use a small cut off zip-tie. Insert the tapered end with the plug and you've got a nice tight fit. Cut off so it's easy to R&R.

~G

 

[SHUMBA]

I was going to say what would happen if you do at some point want to remove it. I'm looking for a waterproofing fix as well, this sounds like a good solution.

Hmmm, interested, but a bead of hot glue would definitely create a waterproof seal.
Come removal time, it might a chore. Go very lightly with the hot glue. On the other hand I may give it a try.
What I really need to waterproof is my Garmin Drive Smart 61 or 6 inch GPS. It works great on my bike, what with a large display that's easy to read in the bright sunlight. I did watch a YouTube video about applying silicone to the perimeter of the screen. But what about the other areas/ports exposed to the elements??
Perhaps some heat shrink clear plastic??
Ideas please.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[SHUMBA]

For the cig lighter plug, I use a small cut off zip-tie. Insert the tapered end with the plug and you've got a nice tight fit. Cut off so it's easy to R&R.

~G

Yes, but no waterproofing.
SHUMBA

Sent from my SM-T380 using Tapatalk

 

[SparrowHawkxx]

... But what about the other areas/ports exposed to the elements??
Perhaps some heat shrink clear plastic??
Ideas please.
SHUMBA

T-Rex 285988 Waterproof Tape - link

 

[Checkswrecks]

T-Rex 285988 Waterproof Tape - link

Same idea as FlexSeal from HD or Lowes. Pretty sure that FlexSeal is a butyl tape so nothing ever gets past it and it retains its pliability forever. Downside is getting the goo off when you want to remove it. The only thing I've found is acetone, which takes a LOT of rubbing and can dissolve plastics.

 

[r1d1]

The reason for all the problems is that the socket on the bike is not a cigarette lighter socket, it is a DIN auto socket.

You do not really want to heat up a coil to red heat on your bike, which is what a lighter socket does. Plug a car cigarette lighter into the bike socket, and watch the socket melt!

They just happen to be of a similar size, but the bike socket does not grip cigarette lighter socket type plugs properly. Just Google 'DIN Auto vs Lighter socket' and you will see the difference between the two plugs.
More here; https://www.lifewire.com/cigarette-lighter-vs-accessory-socket-534783