Hitchcocks Forum

I wish to wire a 12v-5v fused power converter for a sat nav so that it switches off with the ignition (i.e. is not direct wired). Advice would be much appreciated -especially from someone who's actually done it and knows what they're talking about so would armchair generals please stay seated on this one.

Make sure you install a fuse for it (an inline fuse and holder are cheap.)

Hi nigelphoto. Not sure which model of bike you have but we have done this successfully with our new model Bullets and Classics.

If you remove the headlamp by unscrewing the cross-head screw on the chrome lamp surround it will reveal the spade connector on the sidelight bulb holder. (This is switched with the ignition.) We use two piggyback spade connectors on here (+ and -) to provide a power source to our fused USB ports which we mount on the handlebars. Can be used for SatNav and charging phones etc. It's neat and compact and cable runs are very short and mostly not seen. Hope this helps.

I have a stainless steel bracket, Earthed to the frame on a seat locating stud, to hold a cigarette lighter beneath the seat with an in-line fuse to a live wire terminal block underneath (it`s live all the time)like in a car, but you can fit a switch. Just plug in when you want to use it. Re- fit the lighter or close with a wine bottle cork as in the third picture, Simple.
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Not fitted a satnav but have fitted a tacho and much louder horns. If you use the side light (headlamp pilot) then it will only be on with the lamp. The ignition switch is fused and also accessible in the casquette but do test that you have the switched side as on mine they swapped the colours about. There are a lot of wires in the casquette and it gets confusing, beware of sharp metal edges. If you prefer under the seat then you might want to take the feed from one of the fuses. Again I suggest using a meter to find one that becomes live with the ignition rather than the lights. Nigel, I'm guessing your bike is like mine with three fuses, main, lighting and ancillary. Everything runs through main and lights draw a low of power (so we don't want to load that fuse any more) but ancillary has extra capacity. The alternator is probably well up to running a toaster but we don't want to blow the fuses. The IGN switch is on the main fuse, more than enough there to run a satnav and a mobile.

I ran a live which I tapped from the pilot light (I always run with lights on), this powers a relay which I can connect all matter of goodies to including a 12v power socket which I use to plug in my phone if it needs charging, all this is mounted in the nearside tool box.

Why complicate things?
RVI & B the Bullet have the simple straightforawrd response.

Tee into the power lead that feeds the front brake light switch.



Iron barrel bullet, blue (like many others)

EFI brown (also like many others



It powers up with the ignition. Does not depend on the lights. Pop an inline or whatever 5A fuse and off you go!

The feed to the front brake light switch is from the switched side of the ignition switch. It is already fused.

Thack has just provided updated easy to read wiring diagrams in another thread, thanks.

But I'm pretty sure Nigel and I have three fuses which are not where they're shown on Thack's diagram which shows just two.