Garmin 550S - Trip planning off the boat

[Brian Dinsley]

Does anyone know if there's a 12 volt adaptor/ tool available that allows you to power up your chart plotter while in the comfort of ones armchair, to facilitate trip planning without having to sit on the boat to do it. I feel a bit of a pratt sitting on my RIB while it's moored on my driveway outside my house, especially when it's pisistantly raining!!

Appreciate any feedback.

Cheers,,,,, Brian

[MikeCC]

Probably easiest way is to get another power cable with the connector for the unit and then wire up to appropriate power source (12V cell or transformer). The cable is available separately.

[Chris]

Brian,

I have a power transformer and lead what sort of plug do you have?

I also have the MapSource software for your PC and a card reader so you can plan your route on the PC then transfer it to the card out of the Garmin.

I now have Lowrance so don't need either if you are interested.

Chris

[BruceB]

I just used to use a spare power cable connected to a 12v gel battery to power up indoors and do all programming.

[Doug Stormforce]

We have spare leads for each set that can be easily removed from its boat and just plug into 12V transformer.

From memory £25 from Maplins for the transformer, £1 each for little banana plus that make it look neater.

The Garmin lead will usually have 6 wires on the end, its red and black you need for power with a fuse on the red (positive).