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USB charge-only cables; Garmin compatible

 
Sun, 12/03/2017 - 10:30pm

I like to power all the devices in my car with a USB hub and USB cables. Including my Garmin GPS (I don't need/use the Traffic antenna). Currently I use a Gomadic (an interchangeable-tip system) USB-A cable with a Mini-USB "Charge Only" tip #73. Its different than a standard/Data tip. It works well but is a little expensive as a set: https://www.gomadic.com/buy-more-tips.html

Just wondered if anyone is aware of a similar generic one-piece cable available anywhere that will work for power only : USB-A male to Mini-USB male. Otherwise with other standard cables it jumps right into data transfer mode and is useless. It would also be useful in the house or office when doing housekeeping on my Favorites and working on saved routes - the battery doesn't last real long.

I see some "charge only" cables on Ebay, but how do I know if they are definitely going to work that way with Garmin devices.

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Mon, 12/04/2017 - 9:51am

Try These

There are relatively expensive "power only" USB cables available but difficult to find in the configuration you need.

There are also "configurable" USB cables which let you adjust the pinout to block data. These are also expensive and you need to know the correct Garmin pinout.

You can also make your own cable:

http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-make-a-USB-no-data-ch...

Or:

https://electronics.stackexchange.com/questions/12781/disabl...

I use these data blocker adapters with regular inexpensive USB cables to power my garmin devices. That way, I can take advantage of the wide array of USB cable lengths and plug types available.

https://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Data-Blocker-Adaptor-SmartCh...

These adapters are also great for smartphones while using public charging stations to prevent hacking.

Mon, 12/04/2017 - 11:41am

As noted..

There converter cables are pretty cheap and very common to find online.

Mon, 12/04/2017 - 11:45am

I learned something new.

I learned something new.

Mon, 12/04/2017 - 1:55pm

Not Certain

I am not sure about how well these cables work.

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romanviking
Mon, 12/04/2017 - 6:37pm

Thanks bdhsfz6

bdhsfz6 wrote:

There are relatively expensive "power only" USB cables available but difficult to find in the configuration you need.

I use these data blocker adapters with regular inexpensive USB cables to power my garmin devices. That way, I can take advantage of the wide array of USB cable lengths and plug types available.

https://www.amazon.com/PortaPow-Data-Blocker-Adaptor-SmartCh...

These adapters are also great for smartphones while using public charging stations to prevent hacking.

Interesting thanks for those links. I didn't know if these sort of things were compatible with Garmin, if Garmin has a special pinout. But I see that you use them with your Garmin. The datablockers might be a good way to go, then I can use with any cable like you say. I keep a cable ran to my GPS mount and attached to it so I can hook up quickly.

Too bad GPS's aren't like the Samsung phone I just plugged in - it prompts me do I want a data connection or charge only.

I can't explain why, but I have one wall charger that connects to my Nuvi with a standard cable as charge only. With my automotive USB charger, a standard cable connects as data. Here is the wall charger that works for me (I can still operate the GPS):
https://www.amazon.com/Charger-Upgraded-UROPHYLLA-Blackberry...

Mon, 12/04/2017 - 6:48pm

converter cables

allbizz wrote:

Their converter cables are pretty cheap and very common to find online.

Which converter cables are you referring to that will connect a Garmin charge only, can you post an example link please (ebay / amazon)?