Zumo User Forums

Hi guys, I dont want to hard wire my zumo to my motorcycle. I am looking for a usb cable that will allow me to connect my zumo to gps so i can run my zumo without hard wiring.
thanks
kev

Search for and use a "USB A mini cable", add your choice of USB sockets or cigarette lighter sockets with a USB adapter that provides 2.1 amps.

It'll work, but the Zumo is not designed to be used this way on a motorcycle. Moisture in the rain may be a problem and the vibrations may cause early failure of the USB mini connector on the Zumo.

lkraus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 4:10 pm the vibrations may cause early failure of the USB mini connector on the Zumo.

That would be my biggest concern. My first XT was replaced under warranty due to a failed USB mini connector.

FWIW, I tried to avoid hard-wiring my XT when I first received it. Had I known then what I know now I would have hard-wired it immediately. The cigarette lighter USB adapter on my Goldwing did not produce enough power to maintain the charge on the XT. I then learned that the cable used must be a power-only cable. I don't know the technical details but know from my experience and that reported by others, charging through a data/power cable is not adequate to maintain the XT when it it functioning as a satnav. I use occasionally use my XT in the car and found that a power only cable works there.

lkraus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 4:10 pm Search for and use a "USB A mini cable"...

I just realized this is not the XT forum and my answer is wrong. A 590/595 uses a micro USB connection, not a mini.

But it may be even more delicate than the mini used on the XT

lkraus wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 10:59 pm I just realized this is not the XT forum and my answer is wrong.

Mea culpa too.

kmabo54@gmail.com wrote: ↑Mon Oct 02, 2023 2:39 pm Hi guys, I dont want to hard wire my zumo to my motorcycle. I am looking for a usb cable that will allow me to connect my zumo to gps so i can run my zumo without hard wiring.
thanks
kev

I connected a DIN/Powerlet plug to the ends of the Garmin 590 wiring harness. The 590 is now connected to the accessory outlet and can be removed from my bike in a few seconds. Any other bike with the same accessory socket could power my Zumo in a few seconds - as long as a RAM base is on the bike and available to hold the rest of the Zumo RAM mount hardware.

MSTOCK27370 wrote: ↑Tue Oct 03, 2023 1:18 pm I connected a DIN/Powerlet plug to the ends of the Garmin 590 wiring harness. The 590 is now connected to the accessory outlet and can be removed from my bike in a few seconds. Any other bike with the same accessory socket could power my Zumo in a few seconds - as long as a RAM base is on the bike and available to hold the rest of the Zumo RAM mount hardware.

Late reply....
Did you trim down the wiring before connecting the DIN plug? I want to do the same and plug the cradle into the bike's accessory socket near the handlebars but don't want the mass of wires hanging around the cockpit area. I want to get rid of1, 4, 5 & 6.

blacktiger wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:55 pm
Late reply....
Did you trim down the wiring before connecting the DIN plug? I want to do the same and plug the cradle into the bike's accessory socket near the handlebars but don't want the mass of wires hanging around the cockpit area. I want to get rid of1, 4, 5 & 6.

No, I didn't, but I am still considering that. I looped the wires up and used zip ties to cinch them out of the way.

MSTOCK27370 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 21, 2024 4:47 am

blacktiger wrote: ↑Tue Feb 20, 2024 8:55 pm
Late reply....
Did you trim down the wiring before connecting the DIN plug? I want to do the same and plug the cradle into the bike's accessory socket near the handlebars but don't want the mass of wires hanging around the cockpit area. I want to get rid of1, 4, 5 & 6.

No, I didn't, but I am still considering that. I looped the wires up and used zip ties to cinch them out of the way.

Update for me. I did decide to cut off the cables that I don't use at the triangular shaped junction point, leaving just the red and black wires. I then trimmed them down at about 6" and put on a DIN plug. All works fine. I sealed the cut off wires with glue from a heated glue gun. There is still a fair length of cable to loose but I wound it side to side across the handlebars and looped it through the barkbusters mounts until it reached the acc socket.