Where can I get a cable to hardwire a Cheetah C50 in my car?
I looked on amazon and ebay and couldn't find anything.
Where can I get a cable to hardwire a Cheetah C50 in my car?
I looked on amazon and ebay and couldn't find anything.
The problem with hardwiring that thing is that it needs 5 volt USB power. I have been through this problem, and took a cluncky way out.
My first attempt, was to connect a 4 port USB hub to a cigarette to USB adapter. I then connected the C50 and my TomTom to the USB hub for power. This worked for most of a day, and then stopped with that burnt PC board smell. It turns out that the current draw was more than the cigarrette to USB adapter could handle, and it got fried. I think I was lucky not to have a car fire, so don't try that method.
What worked for me was this:
I found an adapter that allows you to plug multiple 12 volt devices into a single cigarette plug. I guess this would be the equivelant of a power strip for a car. This device had a fiarly long cord that plugs into the cigarette lighter socket, and even has a little power button on it. I have fastened the power strip portion of the adapter up under the dash using zip ties and ran the power cord behind the dash, out through the shifter hole in the console, and into the lighter socket.
The power cords for the C50 and GPS are plugged into the power strip under the dash.
Though it was difficult to find room under my little Japanese dash, this works out well. I can use the power switch on the strip to turn my C50 on and off (the TomTom has an internal battery). The only downside is that I now always have the strip lugged into the lighter socket.
Also, My radar and airplane detector, CB and jammers are hard wired, so I don't need cigarette plugs for anything else.
If you've an extra GPS cigarette lighter adapter lying around, you could do something like this.
http://www.gpspassion.com/forumsen/t...OPIC_ID=104260
It makes use of the existing 12v-5v voltage regulator.
I was actually considering that. I had bought an extra adapter at Compusa for that purpose and even had already removed it from the housing. But when I burned up the one that came with the C50, I decided that the extra adapter might also not be strong enough for the USB hub, GPS, and C50. That burning smell made me very nervous about tinkering anymore, so I went with the bulky cigarette adapters instead.
I may try again someday though. It would be nice to have the lighter socket available again for whatever my next toy will be.
Yeah, i'm not sure what current-draw they're rated too. I don't think a GPS receiver uses a lot of power--so they might be for low current applications.
I'm not familiar with the C50--any idea on its power requirements? Could it be the USB hub?
P.S. Linux is awesome! I've no idea how I tolerated Windows for so long.
Just purchase the hardwire kit directly from SpeedCheetahs website. I was able to hardwire mine and tap into the extra lighter socket I have in my car. Starts up and turns off with my car.
How come I can't find this on ebay?
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