Garmin Zumo cradle modification and install

[Scott]

So when you say you "dead headed" the internal connector, does that mean you simply cut all the wires from the connector (nothing more than that)? no soldering or anything? Then at the octopus end, was it basically the same, you figured out how long you wanted the cable to be, cut off everything else longer than this, then peeled back the cable housing to reveal the black and red wires you needed, soldered those to the new 12V plug wires? Where did you find the 12V adaptor you used and has it worked in the rain, or should I consider a "water proof or water resistant" adaptor? I actually have an Africa Twin with a similar "built in" plug, so want to run the same setup you did. Thanks

[UFO]

So when you say you "dead headed" the internal connector, does that mean you simply cut all the wires from the connector (nothing more than that)? no soldering or anything? Then at the octopus end, was it basically the same, you figured out how long you wanted the cable to be, cut off everything else longer than this, then peeled back the cable housing to reveal the black and red wires you needed, soldered those to the new 12V plug wires? Where did you find the 12V adaptor you used and has it worked in the rain, or should I consider a "water proof or water resistant" adaptor? I actually have an Africa Twin with a similar "built in" plug, so want to run the same setup you did. Thanks

Yes, basically just chop off everything and keep 12V and ground (red and black from the small connector inside the base. The Garmin only needs 12V power and everything else is run off Bluetooth audio, so there's no need for all the useless audio wires. Just be conservative when cutting off the cable end for length. Take measurements, put it on the bike, route the cable roughly to the 12V plug location, etc...then chop off all that crap.

I did not solder the Garmin red/black directly wires coming out of the 12V plug that I picked up on Amazon. I actually took the plug apart, desoldered the wires that came with it off the internal contacts, and soldered the red/black wires directly from the Garmin harness into it, then re-assembled the shell. I then superglued and wire tied the Garmin wire harness it at the entrance for strain relief. It's much cleaner looking that way, rather than having Garmin wires soldered to different gauge wires that came on the 12V adapter, then having a bunch of electrical tape wrapped around it.

See this pic...

IMAGE NOT AVAILABLE

Got the 12V off of Amazon, have not tested it in the rain. You could easily waterpoof any 12V adapter when you take it apart, by potting the internals with some kind of non-conductive jelly (etc), after you do any soldering if you choose to modify it by my method. Also, make sure you get a 12V adapter that's fused.

If you have anymore questions just post up and I'll try to help.