Connecting 12v Cigarette Lighter to Shadow Spirit Battery

[ToddSpirit]

Hello. I recently was given a Garmin Nuvi 780 GPS, which I will be using with my 2003 Shadow Spirit VT750DC. This GPS is designed for cars and not bikes, and thus many of its key features are housed in a device that must be plugged into a car's 12v cigarette lighter.

I have read elsewhere that it's possible to connect a cigarette lighter outlet to the motorcycle battery, via the pigtail cords of a battery tender. I've purchased a device that will connect, on one end, to the pigtail cord, and that provides a 12v cigarette lighter outlet on its other end.

Only problem is that I don't have a battery tender, and I know virtually knowing about electrics. The budget battery tender on Amazon (deltran jr. model) is rated at 750mA, or .75 amps. I was wondering if this will provide adequate power for the purposes of sending power to my GPS, or if I'm going to need a battery tender with a higher amp rating.

Thanks,
Todd

[Steve-O]

750 ma is fine. That's what is on my bike. It's a no brainer to connect. Positive to positive. Should screw down on your battery. Just wind the dongle down through the frame on the left side. The BTJ is a trickle charger. It's made to keep the battery charged, not charge a dead battery.

I think you probably got the power adapter from bohemian biker
http://www.bohemianbiker.com/products.htm

That's what I have too. Great little device for adding a power adapter when you need one. I use it to charge my cell phone when I'm on long rides on my bike...as I use my cell phone to listen to music as I ride.

[fish and teach]

Check this thread out.

http://www.hondashadow.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=70539

[wibadgervbfan]

boy, for 7 bucks, I may just have to pick up that connection

[SHADOW 1100T]

Make sure you fuse the hot (red) side if you hook it to the battery.

[Steve-O]

Originally Posted by wibadgervbfan

boy, for 7 bucks, I may just have to pick up that connection

I took a long trip this weekend. Used the bohemian to connect to my battery tender dongle. Used this combo to charge my cell phone with a cigarette style charger. Worked like a charm. Charged my phone in about 30 minutes .... bike started fine too! It's a great extension if you don't want to permenantly install a cigarette power adapter AND if you alread have a battery tender dongle.