GPS on a 6 volt system.

[Frank's 49]

Since the speedometer in my truck quit working back in the early 1950's, and also just for navigation purposes, I wanted to have a GPS  on board.  

 

I found a neat little power pack on ebay that is used for portable power for electronics.  It holds 4 AA batteries, which generate 6 volts, but it contains some circuitry which yields a 5 volt output through a standard USB output jack.  This allowed me to just plug in a standard gps and it works fine.  

 

Since this was going in the Dodge all I needed was 6 bolts to work with.  I just opened the case and soldered leads to the battery connections, then connected to power and ground in the truck.  Connect the leads to the two outboard terminals closest to the output jack end ( one spring (negative), and one flat (positive).  You just have to make sure you get your + and - connected correctly to the + and - in the box.  

NOTE: You don't have to worry about the car/truck being positive or negative ground, the unit does not care, as long as you connect + to + and - to - it will work.  The box itself is plastic and so won't be 'grounded' to the vehicle. 

 

I added a simple toggle switch so I can turn the power on/off, but you could just make it 'hot' and turn the gps on and off.  

 

Then you just plug in the electronics with a cable having a standard usb plug on one end and the correct plug for your unit on the other.  

 

The battery packs are on ebay here:

 

http://www.ebay.com/itm/4-AA-Battery-Holder-Box-Case-1PCS-4-8-5-9V-DC-USB-OUTPUT-Switch-with-Buckle-/151381397091?hash=item233f08ce63:m:mDtSYooHEM_AOn3xCbzkNbA

 

 

It works fine.  

Of course I picked up a new speedometer cable today, but the gps will still be handy. 

 

Mike 

 

[TodFitch]

Good thinking! That is a bit cheaper than my solution of putting a 6+ to 12- inverter under the dash and having it power an accessory plug in which I insert a USB adaptor.

[Frank's 49]

Cheap is my middle name.    The battery pack is only $4.00.  

I actually thought about just using the 6 volt system and wiring a usb plug directly, but I have had occasion to look at the wire on a usb cable in the past, and they are hairlike thickness.   This just seemed easier and it still allows me to unplug things and move the usb to another vehicle. 

[greg g]

I just plug mine into my 12v Jumper pack.  They are making some very compact ones these days.

[Jeff Balazs]

I did mine a little differently. I used one of those small 6 to 12 volt power converters to power up a cigarette lighter. The GPS speedo then runs off it.....or anything else like a Go Pro etc... I even have a small tire pump that it can power up. Pretty versatile actually.

 

Jeff

[chrysler1941]

I did it another way. Got hold one of these, a DC-DC converter, hooked it directly to the car's 6 volt you get 5 volt USB output. Has fuse and protection. Works also for 12volts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-DC-Converter-5V-3A-Charger-Non-isolated-Buck-Module-w-Indicator-For-Phone-/181888568212?hash=item2a59674b94:g:qnkAAOSwFnFWC0gu

[Frank's 49]

chrysler 1941,  

that is even cheaper.  I like that and it would be easy to hide in the glove box, or under the dash.  

The internet is just amazing! 

Bravo!

[1950 Special Deluxe]

I did it another way. Got hold one of these, a DC-DC converter, hooked it directly to the car's 6 volt you get 5 volt USB output. Has fuse and protection. Works also for 12volts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-DC-Converter-5V-3A-Charger-Non-isolated-Buck-Module-w-Indicator-For-Phone-/181888568212?hash=item2a59674b94:g:qnkAAOSwFnFWC0gu

I ordered a couple of these.

Would it be possible for you to give me a rundown of how you put this together?

Pictures would be great.

Thanks

Neil