Garmin 276C wiring

[DiscoveryXD]

I've had my 276C for a while, and i was afraid to try wiring the power source into my truck (I have been using the cig. adapter, and forgot about the other power cord )

Can anyone be extremly helpful and tell me what's the best way to run the wires? What power source should I tap into?

I have the unit mounted to the right of the speedo cluster on the dash.

Thanks

 

[RKORES]

Just tap into the cigar lighter. That is what I did on my RRC. That way it will turn off on its own once you turn the vehicle off.

Will

 

[davidz]

Will is on it, i have had my 176c hard wired to 12v for 2years now, no problems.

 

[traxlerd]

Pics?/

I am looking into a nav system for my 98', if you wouldn't mind, could you post some pictures so I might have a better idea of how to go about mounting etc.

thanks

+dt

 

[Golden Oliver]

Just tap into the cigar lighter.

You smokin' them stoggies huh?

 

[DiscoveryXD]

here's a pic

 

[koby]

I like mine wired to a constant hot source so I can monitor my battery voltage with the key out of the ignition.

This is particularly useful when you have an Engel or something else drawing on the battery 24/7

 

[DiscoNomad]

Just remove the instrument cluster and run the wire down to the fuse block. Then use an add a line fuse tap to take power off of your AUX fuse. All you need is a 5 amp fuse and the existing 10 thats there. Works great! I notched my instrument cluster so the cable doesn't get pinched. I also ran the external antenna through here.

Its the highest add a line...if you can make it out.

Good luck,
Nomad

 

[fishguy]

I've been toying with the idea of moving the front overhead light back a little and mounting my 276c in its place. East coast rovers did that to mount some guages in a project vehicle listed on their site, not sure how to fab the extension piece for the light though... anyone got any ideas? it looks like a clean install and if you use an external antenna it looks like it could be done. here is a link http://www.eastcoastrover.com/168.html if the link works scroll down.

Thanks,

Tim

 

[DiscoveryXD]

I like mine wired to a constant hot source so I can monitor my battery voltage with the key out of the ignition.

This is particularly useful when you have an Engel or something else drawing on the battery 24/7

I can use the 276 to monitor my battery if it's wired into a hot source? I hope i'm understanding what you're saying cause that would be nice.

So how did you exactly wire it then, Koby?

 

[koby]

Well, for a long time I wired it directly to the battery.

However, last week I followed Marc Olivares' lead and installed two fuse blocks from West Marine. Both of those are wired directly to the battery so it allowed me to just take the short path and wire to the fuse block.

Here's what my 276C looks like when the key is out of the ignition:

 

[fishguy]

That's nice to know Any pics or other details on the wiring and fuse blocks? I'd like a voltage meter you could check when the ignition is off!

Tim

 

[koby]

No good pics. The fuse blocks are tucked away so they're out of plain view.

The fuse block I used is the same that Marc posted: Fuse block

I wired one with 4ga wire and am powering my Hella 24K and rear worklamp. The other is powered with 10 ga wire and is supplying my switches, GPS and a constant-hot cigarette power socket with power.

 

[dmarchand]

You can pass the wire up through the vent in the center of the dash if you pull the radio first. Makes for a cleaner install.

 

[utahdog2003]

No good pics. The fuse blocks are tucked away so they're out of plain view.

The fuse block I used is the same that Marc posted: Fuse block

I wired one with 4ga wire and am powering my Hella 24K and rear worklamp. The other is powered with 10 ga wire and is supplying my switches, GPS and a constant-hot cigarette power socket with power.

I installed that fuse block in my DII 2 years ago with no problems...it's a nice piece. I use it for constant hot socket and lighting as well. 10ga from the battery and installed in the right cargo box in the back. Power is fused at the battery by a Maxi-fuse, and the ground punches right thru the floor under the cargo box and taps the frame.

As long as my truck is under waranty, I'm not plugging anything into the stock harness that wasn't there in the first place. Boat supply houses are great for quality electrical doo-dads to help out with the instalation of most anything you can dream up.

 

[koby]

As long as my truck is under waranty, I'm not plugging anything into the stock harness that wasn't there in the first place. Boat supply houses are great for quality electrical doo-dads to help out with the instalation of most anything you can dream up.

Sheeit, my truck is long out of warranty and I have not tapped into any factory fuse or wire. For starters, it's not a clean way to wire, and secondly, it's potentially inviting problems of a pandora's box nature. I prefer not to muck with factory wiring at all.

 

[utahdog2003]

it's potentially inviting problems of a pandora's box nature. I prefer not to muck with factory wiring at all.

Roger that!

 

[DiscoveryXD]

Well, for a long time I wired it directly to the battery.
QUOTE]


There's a West Marine a few minutes away from my house, so i'll definitly look into that. Just in case I don't feel comfortable installing the fuse box right now, wiring the unit directly to the battery with the same gauge wire will work just fine?

If I can't right now, I'll install that fuse box and run other gadgets from it like you did this summer when I go back to work at the dealership. That way I know it's done right. Electrical stuff is the only thing I'm not totally comfortable with.

 

[JSQ]

I'm definitely getting that fuse box for the 110 since it has very little wiring and i plan to have the engel, stereo, HAM etc.

 

[sven]

The fuse block I used is the same that Marc posted: Fuse block

Nice find! Ive been looking for something like this for awhile.