Want to hardwire a TomTom satnav, and want to know if anyone has been successful ?

My TomTom Start 25 requires 5volts at 1.2amps to get charged, so assume that is the input voltage to run normally.

It has a micro USB connection to the unit itself, with the other cable end being a male USB 2.0 that sits in the cigarette charger unit.

The cigarette lighter unit I have to use, sits way back behind the handbrake and having a metre length of cable seems a nuisance.

Besides the slightest touch to the charger that sits in the cigarette lighter is temperamental and a sloppy fit, and can quickly stop working.

So was wondering to connect to battery someway via the charger, on more of an permanent basis ?

Question is, can I leave the charger permanently connected to the battery but disconnected to the TomTom, and not damage the charger.?

All replies gratefully welcomed.

Want to hardwire a TomTom satnav, and want to know if anyone has been successful ?

My TomTom Start 25 requires 5volts at 1.2amps to get charged, so assume that is the input voltage to run normally.

It has a micro USB connection to the unit itself, with the other cable end being a male USB 2.0 that sits in the cigarette charger unit.

The cigarette lighter unit I have to use, sits way back behind the handbrake and having a metre length of cable seems a nuisance.

Besides the slightest touch to the charger that sits in the cigarette lighter is temperamental and a sloppy fit, and can quickly stop working.

So was wondering to connect to battery someway via the charger, on more of an permanent basis ?

Question is, can I leave the charger permanently connected to the battery but disconnected to the TomTom, and not damage the charger.?

All replies gratefully welcomed.

Is something like this a compromize http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Car-Cigar-Lighter-DC-Extension-Lead-Plug-Socket-2m-/330467370961?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item4cf163e7d1 There are numerous others if you put this into Google - car cigatette lighter extension leads

You could route it from the socket back & uneder the seat & carpets & up to attach the socket under the dash, them when you use Tom Tom you can plug it into the extension socket & just plug the other end of the extension lead into the socket or if you dont smoke etc leave it permanently plugged in.

Agreed hardwiring is always better but this is a cheap fix for less than a fiver

Edited 5 September, 201114 yr by Stuart_J

On my estate I run a 5m cable from the 'boot' socket & its poked behind door kick trim etc, pops out in the corner by the drivers screen pillar. Invisible!. Cable just a few pounds from Maplins...

One thing to be aware if here is that even without the Tom Tom plugged in there will be a slight current leakage through the charger (As with all transformer types, ever wondered why the psu is warm when the unit it powers is not connected? Because it still has a small current flow). I only mention this as the cigar lighter socket in my car remains powered even when the car is locked up. Don't want flat batteries in Monday morning!

Do a search, lots have done this already.

My thread: http://briskoda.net/forums/topic/202243-garmin-nuvi-3760t-in-the-dash-top-box/page__p__2397735#entry2397735

I have mounted a desktop charger on the top of the dash, I had to make a bracket that slots into the joint between the door pillar and dash as I didnt want to fix it to the dash permanently. I installed an extra 12v socket under the drivers side dash and routed the cable from the desktop charger up the side of the dash. You can see about 1 to 2 inches of cable which is tucked right into the corner, not really noticable. I wired the 12v socket into the glovebox light to provide the power. As it is a charger it does not need much current so this doesnt cause any problems. Looks neat and tidy and when the tomtom is fitted it looks like a factory fit. I got the idea from a mate, when he bought a seat altea that came with a similar type fitting for a tomtom.

I used a Brodit mounting and a tomtom holder with pass through for charging. Got the centre vent one, ran the cables through the radio opening (a small slot in the Brodit clamp to let the cable through and hide it). The cable fits through the trim surround without causing deformation, then down to behind the ashtray (a couple of screws to remove) and connected to a live/earth. The fittings come with the right charging adaptor. www.mountonus.com for details.

Finally completed job of hardwiring 'Traffic Receiver' cable to battery via toggle switch.

Removed contact button from base of cigarette lighter charger and placed wire soldered to a washer, in it's place,

wired this live wire via a toggle on/off switch to battery.

One of the earth strips on the side of charger was wired to earth side of battery.

Ability now to turn power on/off to TomTom satnav when/if it is used.

Toggle switch illuminates as too is the satnav charger, when power is turned on, which sits together in under-tray in glove compartment, for easy access.

Directed cable from under-tray to open tray compartment (just below radio unit) with just enough to reach satnav sat on sticky backed plastic disc on dash facia.

Bare amount of cable seen on use, and none when not in use, as the cable is tucked to back of open tray compartment.

Have written to TomTom several times to overcome what I needed, and now they have stopped answering, as probably they cannot supply what I wanted. Bless.

So I'm a happy bunny, phew!!

Post some pic's please.

I used a Brodit mounting and a tomtom holder with pass through for charging. Got the centre vent one, ran the cables through the radio opening (a small slot in the Brodit clamp to let the cable through and hide it). The cable fits through the trim surround without causing deformation, then down to behind the ashtray (a couple of screws to remove) and connected to a live/earth. The fittings come with the right charging adaptor. www.mountonus.com for details.

I also have done this with a brodit active charger. The brodit just plugs straight into a spare socket on my Nokia carkit which sits behinnd the glovebox. Took me half an hour to fit, and most of that time was tidying the wires behind the glovebox so it would shut properly

Post some pic's please.

Sorry, but to unwrap the insulation tape surrounding the charger and toggle switch would be too time consuming.

If you have a 'Traffic Receiver' cable the chrome button at the base is held in place by a black plastic threaded nut.

This threaded nut is unscrewed, the chrome button is removed, and replaced with a length of cable and washer in its place.

The threaded nut is then screwed back, the cable & washer butts up against the 2 amp internal fuse sat inside the charger.

One earth strip at side of charger has a wire fed around it , and wrapped up with insulation tape ( to prevent accidental earthing)

The live feed and earth feed wires from charger then connected to the toggle switch.

NOTE:- Toggle switch has 3 separate connections, an earth spade, in-feed live spade, and out-feed live spade, this enables toggle switch illumination, and to connect/ disconnect live feed, to said charger.

Live feed to battery positive side, with earth feed to battery earth.

Sorry if a bit long winded, but tried to explain best way I could think.

OH! I removed tray below radio/cd player drilled and filed a hole in the top back corner, big enough to push the 'Traffic Receiver' cable end through and the little cable oval blob thing,

with just enough length cable to reach the satnav to be placed on a sticky backed plastic disc on facia.

When satnav not used pushed 'Traffic Receiver' cable, to the back of the tray, and out-of-sight.