For those that use a Garmin nuvi car unit and have the traffic receiver cord but hate the fact that it's 4 feet too long for the bike, this thread is for you. I cut out 4 feet in the middle and added on a set of SAE plugs. (These are going to get swapped out eventually, don't want mysel or someone else to accidentally plug it into 12v direct.)
The cigaret lighter end holds the 5v regulator for the power supply and the traffic receiver is the rectangular box at the other end by the USB plug.
Now this applies to the GTM 26, others may vary.
The cord itself has 2 distinct sides. A larger rectangular side and a road side. The round side is holding the coaxial power cable, the rectangle side has an air gap and the antenna wire.
About 6 inches below (or where you feel is good) you can cut the cord. Cutting straight through the power is okay, but cut carefully on the antenna side. You can cut the power half direct, but then carefully cut around the antenna side till you find the white wire. The wire is molded into the rectangle side but the molding process does not get so hot as to fuse the plastics together. Once you have the antenna cable exposed you can just pull it back through from overjacket.
Now with the antenna cable safely out of the cord, you can slice and dice the other end. I cut my cord at about 6 inches from the power end.
Attach your choice of new power connectors. Or just wire the two together if you want a permanently shorter cable.
Now the vast majority of my riding is done in the greater metropolitan area, so I don't really need a 40"+ antenna cable. I cut mine off and added on a small banana connector. I keep it coiled up and sitting in my fairing pocket, attach when needed. (but I have yet to attach)
Now go ride... and avoid the traffic!
The cigaret lighter end holds the 5v regulator for the power supply and the traffic receiver is the rectangular box at the other end by the USB plug.
Now this applies to the GTM 26, others may vary.
The cord itself has 2 distinct sides. A larger rectangular side and a road side. The round side is holding the coaxial power cable, the rectangle side has an air gap and the antenna wire.
About 6 inches below (or where you feel is good) you can cut the cord. Cutting straight through the power is okay, but cut carefully on the antenna side. You can cut the power half direct, but then carefully cut around the antenna side till you find the white wire. The wire is molded into the rectangle side but the molding process does not get so hot as to fuse the plastics together. Once you have the antenna cable exposed you can just pull it back through from overjacket.
Now with the antenna cable safely out of the cord, you can slice and dice the other end. I cut my cord at about 6 inches from the power end.
Attach your choice of new power connectors. Or just wire the two together if you want a permanently shorter cable.
Now the vast majority of my riding is done in the greater metropolitan area, so I don't really need a 40"+ antenna cable. I cut mine off and added on a small banana connector. I keep it coiled up and sitting in my fairing pocket, attach when needed. (but I have yet to attach)
Now go ride... and avoid the traffic!
