Splicing cables?

 

Hey all,

So I have a Garmin Streetpilot C550 (old reliable) unit that the cable is frayed which also has my traffic receiver which has the lifetime subscription on it. So I looked into pricing for a replacement cable and didn't feel like shelling out the money for it. It's not cheap... But what is cheap is just another power cable without the traffic receiver.

So I bought just the cable and then after receiving the replacement cable the idea dawned on me. What if I splice the two cables together in order to make a working cable with the traffic receiver. Has anyone done this? did it work?

TIA,

James

.

I see no problem with it, as long as you get the connections correct. If at all possible, trace the cables using a continuity tester or volt meter that has the ability to check continuity (ohmmeter). Don't just go by the wire colors as the cable to be spliced may use differing colors from the cable you are splicing onto. Chances are that the colors may indeed be correct but it never hurts to verify 100%.

Regardless of how it's done (heat shrink tubing or otherwise), you WILL have a cable bulge when all is said and done. Take that into consideration when deciding where exactly the splice will be.

--
nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area

I Wonder

I’m wondering If the replacement cable (without traffic) has the same amount of wires as the original with traffic.
I don't know , but it's possible the replacement cable has less.

I believe your C550 Street Pilot has the GTM20 traffic receiver, the one shaped like a cigar.

If you have the GTM20, you can unscrew the top, remove the pronged clip, then you can pry it apart. the wires are connected to the board with a white plastic connector, you can unplug it. This will show how many wires it has as well as checking for continuity easier. The only problem is I don't think the replacement cable has such a connector, most likely soldered in connections.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

ugh...

you're right it's the GTM20 and now I'm nervous about cutting the working non-traffic cable and the GTM20 cable only to find out I may not have enough wires in the cable...

splicing

When you state the cable is frayed, I assume you are talking about a spot not near either the traffic receiver or unit connector. Have you thought of just cutting the cable at the point it is frayed and splicing the two sections together with a little heat shrink to stiffen the cable?

--
Illiterate? Write for free help.

It's A Risk

Have you looked if it's possible to open the replacement cable where it plugs into the lighter socket I'm assuming it's sealed?.

I personally wouldn't risk cutting the new cable just to see how many wires it has.

I'm no fan of FM Traffic. I have it disabled on both my Nuvi's.

You are right, the prices they are asking for a GTM20, even used on Ebay is absurd. I was hoping someone was selling one for parts where the cigar shell was broken but the wire still intact. No luck in finding one.

Edited; After Box Car's response

Box Car wrote:

When you state the cable is frayed, I assume you are talking about a spot not near either the traffic receiver or unit connector. Have you thought of just cutting the cable at the point it is frayed and splicing the two sections together with a little heat shrink to stiffen the cable?

I’m willing to bet that the frayed wires are right at the connector that plugs into the power cradle. They were not made very well and usually stress on the cable causes them to separate from the pins they are soldered to.
If that is the area, you can open the connector with the two tiny Phillips screws to check if any wires dislodged from their connection point. If you can determine the points they separated from you can attempt to solder back on with a very fine soldering iron. You have nothing to lose since you have a replacement cable that still works, although no traffic.

If the wires are frayed a reasonable distance beyond either connections (don't know which end is frayed), then Box Car's suggestion may work for you.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

frayed at the unit

you're right, the cable is broken at the unit end. and for they are charging for a replacement cable, that's why I'm almost tempted to do this...

I was thinking the same

I was thinking the same thing.

I was thinking the same thing

Box Car wrote:

When you state the cable is frayed, I assume you are talking about a spot not near either the traffic receiver or unit connector. Have you thought of just cutting the cable at the point it is frayed and splicing the two sections together with a little heat shrink to stiffen the cable?

Cheap Traffic receiver BRAND NEW $ 34.99

--
Nuvi 2797LMT, DriveSmart 50 LMT-HD, Using Windows 10. DashCam A108C with GPS.

Another link

Melaqueman wrote:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/like/121420897513?clk_rvr_id=68670572...

For Streetpilot c5xx Series

The above link takes you to ebayCanada. Here's the US link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Garmin-GTM-20-FM-TMC-Traffic-Rec...

.

CraigW wrote:
Melaqueman wrote:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/like/121420897513?clk_rvr_id=68670572...

For Streetpilot c5xx Series

The above link takes you to ebayCanada. Here's the US link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Garmin-GTM-20-FM-TMC-Traffic-Receiver-for-use-with-Streetpilot-c5xx-Series-/121420897513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c453fdce9

If buying through eBay, positively verify with the seller that the cable comes with a traffic subscription and that it's for the area you will be in. If it doesn't or the seller cannot verify, look for another seller.

Many times, these "cheap" traffic receiver cable do not include a traffic subscription which will add somewhere around $50 - $60 to the price. You cannot transfer a traffic subscription from one traffic cable to another.

--
nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area

$41.09 is Far Too Expensive For The Cable

CraigW wrote:
Melaqueman wrote:

http://www.ebay.ca/itm/like/121420897513?clk_rvr_id=68670572...

For Streetpilot c5xx Series

The above link takes you to ebayCanada. Here's the US link:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Garmin-GTM-20-FM-TMC-Traffic-Receiver-for-use-with-Streetpilot-c5xx-Series-/121420897513?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item1c453fdce9

Paying 41.09 for an FM Traffic Cable is crazy for an old unit like the Street Pilot.

I may be wrong, but I never heard of Garmin offering a Traffic Cable with a 15 month subscription service. It's either lifetime or no subscription at all and not advertised as a traffic cable

For the record I bought a GTM20 on Ebay 4 years ago with lifetime traffic for 18.00 shipped.

--
Nuvi 2460LMT 2 Units

Easy is the best

Box Car wrote:

When you state the cable is frayed, I assume you are talking about a spot not near either the traffic receiver or unit connector. Have you thought of just cutting the cable at the point it is frayed and splicing the two sections together with a little heat shrink to stiffen the cable?

I would go the easiest route and do what Box car states as long as it away from the ends and the receiver portion. Of course the easiest is to purchase the correct cable, but to save molla.............

--
nuvi 1390 LT, nuvi 1450 LMT, Win 10

Luck :)

excellent price and lucky!

yeah you're right

However this old unit is in my car which gets used maybe one weekend a month if that. I ended up using this as en excuse to my Wife :> to buy a new Nuvi 3597LMTHD. then I bought the plain power cable for litlerally a few bucks.

Once I realized the cost of a new GTM20 i couldn't do it smile I couldn't buy the cable for something I may only use once in a while. However, once I saw the replacement cable, the gears in my head started to turn and hence the question smile