Power to garmin gps with USB cable thoughts

[JSS16]

So I have a new gps which came with cigarette lighter plug

But on my 2018 4Runner I have a dual USB adapter in my cigarette socket

Is it safe to to use one of the USB ports from ciggy adapter to charge/run my gps?

I ask because not sure if the factory garmin ciggy plug is some sort of regulator etc


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[J.F. Sebastian]

Your new GPS unit runs on 12v?? I can only imagine this is a 5 volt adapter that plugs into a 12v socket so yes it has a regulator.

Your USB adapter stuck in your 12v port provides 5v.

The 12v plug provides up to 100 watts I think so you're more than fine for small electronics like a GPS unit.

What model of GPS unit do you have? Do you have a Garmin NiMH Battery Pack or is it built in? There should be a miniUSB plug on your unit if it is USB chargeable. Get a USB2 to miniUSB cable running from your USB adapter to your unit directly.

Not sure if I understand completely or if i just got trolled...

I just got a GPSmap 64s and charging through USB is not as straightforward as it should be.

 

[flyrv9]

I have a Garmin GPS and it works fine with the supplied 12v DC plug in the 12v socket in the truck. My complaint is that mine didn't come with an A/C adapter so I can charge it up in the house. It will charge in the car but it's real slow. Also you have to, at least, have the key on for power to be at the 12v plug.

Ordering an A/C adapter from Garmin is kinda pricy, so I got one from a computer store that works ok. The GPS says it won't recognize it, but it charges. I purchased the Garmin at Best Buy; and it came with almost no charge, so I was hosed from the beginning. They don't carry an A/C adapter that will work. Odd they don't carry accessories for the products they sell. Even the Geek Squad guys had no clue.

This was quite disappointing as I have worked with Garmin avionics equipment and thought they had quality - well thought out products. Guess I was wrong!

 

[3wbdriver]

My Garmin cable is long enough I have it run down the passenger side of the center console and plugged into a triple outlet in the lighter socket in the console storage pocket. But you should be fine plugging in to a usb port also. It might be happier using one that has the 2.1A feed instead of the standard 1.0A most phones use, but they are readily available even as dual outputs. I have one for charging a phone and tablet at the same time.

 

[jhguth]

just read the specs for your garmin, it's probably printed on the plug but you should also be able to find them in the manual or by googling the model number. I'd bet it's 5V but there is no reason to guess, it should say exactly what the voltage and amperage is

 

[J.F. Sebastian]

Just to add to what [MENTION=105481]3wbdriver[/MENTION] said, make sure your USB adapter (the one plugged into your 12v port) provides at least 1 amp per plug because my GPSmap 64s requires at least half an amp to actually charge at all, otherwise it just becomes an external device connected to USB and nothing happens. It will not charge when connected to a Macbook for instance. You can get dual 2+ amp per plug USB adapters all over the place.