It ain't a Heath kit, butt.......

[Dick]

Anybody find fault with this? I gotta Delphi Roady XT unit the other day and wuz looking at the hard-wiring possibilities for mounting on Toad. The unit came with a male cigarette plug that doubles as the 12vdc->5vdc power converter. That is 5vdc!! A Roady 2 requires a 12v-6v converter!! Good grief - can't all XM units work off the same converted power?? :(

I've been surfing more than I wanna admit, trying to find a converter that is both a sealed unit AND converts to a positive 5vdc --- no joy ('cept for an XM model that sells for $89!). Then I ran across this (http://www.autotoys.com/x/catalog/CIGARETTE_LIGHTER_PLUG_LEADS_FEMALE_p_5460.html) and wondered if it'd work. I could mount it under the nose - solder some spade connectors on the leads and use the map light as the power source; then either a large heat shrink wrap to ward off the moisture, or some other means of waterproofing the thang.

Am I thinking right, or am I gonna be sending smoke signals outta Toad's nosecone?? TIA for your thoughts, or if you have a better solution, or you know where I can find a 12v->5v converter (and not the XM one for $89).

[Big_E]

That'll work. You can get them at any auto parts store. Just tape it up & hide under the plastic, that's how my Roady 2 is hooked up.

[Dick]

Hey, thanks Elton - just seemed too dang easy, so I figgered a snag summairs along the way. 'Sides, aren't farkling thangs on an LT 'posed to cost more? Time I finish installing everythang, I'll have $3.95 invested in this one!!

[CarSalesman]

Dick: The link points to a page with a cigarette lighter adapter with leads. I don't see any voltage reducing electronics described. I'm sure that's not what you intended. Am I missing something, or is the link incorrect?

[Dick]

Hi, Don - nah, it's correct. The power converter gizmo is in the male cigarette plug that comes with the Roady XT. Normally, I would just plug that into a cage's lighter receptable, butt since Toad ain't got one of those, I would plug the converter into the female cig receptacle and hard-wire that to the map light. The other lead off the converter jacks into the XT unit.

Hope I'm not cornfusing thangs here, Don.

[mtrevelino]

I have a similiar adapter that I have located under my seat. It has worked well for years.

[Dick]

Thanks, Mike. Wuz discussing this with Gary Droege (who gitz beeg kudos for the Friends-n-Family tip on acquiring the Roady XT for nada --- zip ---- zero bucks, including free shipping!!) and he already had the female lighter thangie idea. So, guess I'm on the right track.

I posted the "q" soz I'd git some knowledge about these electrical tips, cuz I got a friend in the 'hood (Dave Moore) who is an ace 'lektrik injuneer' and we have Friday morning Starbucks every week and I'm gonna show him what I learnt. (Hey, Dave - don't read this forum 'til next Monday, ok? :o !!).

Thanks all.

[bustedknuckles]

Dick, this what I used on the bike.

http://www.myradiostore.us/i/largeimage.php?item=hardwired-car-power-adapter&s=inset

[Dick]

Hi, Stephen --- thanks for the note. We used that item on Doug Turner's Roady2 install and it actually worked out pretty good. Just velcroed/zip-tied it up under the nose cone area and oriented it where it seemed the best to avoid moisture drippage, etc.

I looked at the myradiostore site and only saw the power converter in the 12v->6v configuration. Seems they had a 12v->5v (which is what the Roady XT needs) unit, but the darn thang wuz nearly 90 bones. I dunno why. And the guyz on the XM radio site say that a ->6v converter won't work where 5v is needed. Again, I dunno much 'bout that either. Butt, when you regularly bump into Barrister Murphy like I do, I figger I oughta go by the book.

Anyway, thanks again for lookin' out for me. I'll prolly only order two of those female connecter thangies so's when I fry one, I'll have #2 to fool ole Murphy!!!

[grifscoots]

I have a couple you can have for nada!

[Dick]

Hey, thanks Bud - you da best. If I don't find 'em pretty soon, may take one off your hands in trade for a Cubanerroot!! Actually, I'm having a leetle beet of fun seeing who behind the counter has the best looking *deer in headlights* feature when I ax 'em for one of these thangs. Seems in Boerne, they're a scarcity - course, so are a lotta thangs!! ;)

Axed the guy at Wallyworld -- he said if it ain't made in China, he don't have it!!! :eek: :) He wuz tryin' to joke .... I think!

[Big_E]

Saw them at Wally World today, in the car stuff.

[YumaLT]

For those that have not bought XM, Serius has 12volt receivers. It makes it very easy to wire. Just cut the cigarette lighter adapter off and wire it to the battery or an auxiliary fuse box.