Is it possible to wire the 545 into a car using a cigarette lighter type plug with a fuse in order to practice using the unit before the spring when it is installed on the boat? Has anyone tried to do this and any special advice?
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Garmin 545
I think you will gain very little if anything, using your Garmin in the car. The marine units are not intended to be used this way, and even if you could get a decent signal through the metal roof, there isn't much you can do.They are fairly simple to use, and about all you need to do is learn the basic functions of the buttons. I would think you could do just as well by sitting in a chair with the unit and the manual. Other than the basics, the unit is menu driven, and is pretty self explanatory.
I think you will gain very little if anything, using your Garmin in the car. The marine units are not intended to be used this way, and even if you could get a decent signal through the metal roof, there isn't much you can do.They are fairly simple to use, and about all you need to do is learn the basic functions of the buttons. I would think you could do just as well by sitting in a chair with the unit and the manual. Other than the basics, the unit is menu driven, and is pretty self explanatory.
I did it.
it was not a Lowrance globalmap not a Garmin. It worked fine. I too temporarily put antennae on the dash. it worked perfectly. Regards, Big Joe
it was not a Lowrance globalmap not a Garmin. It worked fine. I too temporarily put antennae on the dash. it worked perfectly. Regards, Big Joe
If you want to practice with it , set waypoints
and future routes which you may intend to follow. It will allow you to familiarize with the unit as you do the work of inputing useful information.
and future routes which you may intend to follow. It will allow you to familiarize with the unit as you do the work of inputing useful information.
One caution
Do not set your cars cruise control to follow a route. That can be problematic in traffic.;-)
Do not set your cars cruise control to follow a route. That can be problematic in traffic.;-)
Plug 'N Play
Just set up th cig lighter plug & go with it. Watch the polarity as the other poster noted. But if you wire the plug fine then you will be OK to go. I often use my Magellan H/H in the car and find it only works near the windows only. As any GPS, it MUST have a clear view of the sky to recieve the signal from the satellites.
Just set up th cig lighter plug & go with it. Watch the polarity as the other poster noted. But if you wire the plug fine then you will be OK to go. I often use my Magellan H/H in the car and find it only works near the windows only. As any GPS, it MUST have a clear view of the sky to recieve the signal from the satellites.
GARMIN 545 Practice
The Garmin 545 can be wired into a plug so that the car cigarette lighter powers it. If it needs an external antenna, that will have to be plugged in as well.. I set mine up on the kitchen table (surrounded by windows)and used a little 12 volt power supply to drive mine while I learned how to use it.. it draws about 0.7 amperes (700 ma)at 12V (measured) .. someone crafty with plugs and familiar with Radio Shack pieces could rig a power supply in a few minutes.. For cigarette lighter car plugs, the center is usually positive (+) and that will be red normally. It should connect to the larger red wire on the Garmin harness.. The other side is black (-) and it should connect to the larger diameter black wire on the Garmin harness. Once you get it working, check your software version and see if you need to upgrade the software..I bought one of the very early 545's and the software updates fixed several things that I found annoying.. Good Luck..
The Garmin 545 can be wired into a plug so that the car cigarette lighter powers it. If it needs an external antenna, that will have to be plugged in as well.. I set mine up on the kitchen table (surrounded by windows)and used a little 12 volt power supply to drive mine while I learned how to use it.. it draws about 0.7 amperes (700 ma)at 12V (measured) .. someone crafty with plugs and familiar with Radio Shack pieces could rig a power supply in a few minutes.. For cigarette lighter car plugs, the center is usually positive (+) and that will be red normally. It should connect to the larger red wire on the Garmin harness.. The other side is black (-) and it should connect to the larger diameter black wire on the Garmin harness. Once you get it working, check your software version and see if you need to upgrade the software..I bought one of the very early 545's and the software updates fixed several things that I found annoying.. Good Luck..
12 Volt Battery
When winter comes here I use a 12 volt battery to use in the house,it works great just like out on the boat. Nick
When winter comes here I use a 12 volt battery to use in the house,it works great just like out on the boat. Nick
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