Maximum power input (5V and 12V) allowed

[george.s]

Hello, still a new member I could use a little help with what charger to be used on my brand new Rider 50 (which was sold w/o a charger).
I like to know the power ratings of both charging ports (micro USB and Tomtom specific 12V connection through the ram mount).
A look into the PDF manual downloaded from the Tomtom website has not given these max values.
Why do I ask ? Isn't it obvious ? No it isn't.
a) ram mount connector (12V) : this is probably fused but inside the holder, but I cannot see a fuse or a rating printed on it. And it does not look as if such fuse could easily be replaced.
b) should one better add one's own fuse holder into the pick-tail cable provided ?
c) the micro USB connector : they have their built-in limits, usually 10W at 5V, but with modern chargers (QC03 or QC04) it may be possible to charge faster. If one only knew ???

From this it should be clear that a detailed specification of both inputs is useful.
Have I overlooked the specs somewhere ? always a possibility.
My apology in this case. Just please point me into the right direction.

 

[Willy875]

Hello
It's 5 volts maximum
if you use the rider mount it's 5 volts on the pins where your GPS connects.
If you use your rider without the mount you must connect it to a charger of 5 volts maximum.

 

[george.s]

Hello Willy875,
That is not possible. Let me focus on the mount for now: page 11 of the official manual says this
Important: The red POS (+) contact needs to be connected to the motorcycle's wiring loom at a point between the ignition and the +12V battery supply. The black NEG (-) wire needs to be connected to the motorcycle's wiring loom at a point between the ignition and the -(GND) battery supply. Attach to a 12V point that can be switched off by the ignition such as the light circuit.
And it shows the picture of my mount. So either
the manual is wrong ( I don't think so)
OR it's the wrong manual (it's title is TomTom Rider User Manual 18.2)
OR you must be wrong.

Just to avoid any misunderstanding : even if the mount itself converted the voltage from 12V to 5V, I am not interested in that side, I am interested in the power rating / fuse of the 12 V side. Because this is where the connection needs to be done.

 

[canderson]

I am interested in the power rating / fuse of the 12 V side. Because this is where the connection needs to be done.

Worst case, any device in the family that includes the Rider 550 will consume under 2A of 5VDC (probably more like 1.5A max) to both charge and operate with screen set bright. So we're talking about an approximate max power consumption of 10W. Figure conversion from 12V to 5V at 80% efficiency, and you've got a total of 12.5W consumption, or not much more than 1A at 12V. A 2A fuse on the 12V side will be more than adequate to protect the power wiring and operate the Rider.

 

[Willy875]

Hello Willy875,
That is not possible. Let me focus on the mount for now: page 11 of the official manual says this
Important: The red POS (+) contact needs to be connected to the motorcycle's wiring loom at a point between the ignition and the +12V battery supply. The black NEG (-) wire needs to be connected to the motorcycle's wiring loom at a point between the ignition and the -(GND) battery supply. Attach to a 12V point that can be switched off by the ignition such as the light circuit.
And it shows the picture of my mount. So either
the manual is wrong ( I don't think so)
OR it's the wrong manual (it's title is TomTom Rider User Manual 18.2)
OR you must be wrong.

Just to avoid any misunderstanding : even if the mount itself converted the voltage from 12V to 5V, I am not interested in that side, I am interested in the power rating / fuse of the 12 V side. Because this is where the connection needs to be done.

If you use the support yes you can connect the 2 wires preferably to the 12 volt night light of your motorcycle.

If you use the GPS without the motorcycle support must connect it to a charger of maximum 5 volts.

 

[george.s]

Thanks to both of you. After re-reading your answers, I do entirely agree.
So forgive me for a last question: where does the spec (of "under 2A at 5V") come from ? Is there a public reference ?
I realize you are both moderators, but an official spec wouldn't hurt (whenever the user is assumed to make electrical connections

 

[canderson]

Thanks to both of you. After re-reading your answers, I do entirely agree.
So forgive me for a last question: where does the spec (of "under 2A at 5V") come from ? Is there a public reference ?
I realize you are both moderators, but an official spec wouldn't hurt (whenever the user is assumed to make electrical connections

No public reference, just a LOT of experience with all of the many generations of TomTom devices. I've never seen any of the family to which the Rider 50 itself belongs demand more than 1.3A. Even the most recent 7" offerings don't use more than about 1.5A peak during combination charging/operation/updating. I've often used an inline current meter (serial with the USB) to find out what certain features are causing in the way of power draw -- for certain naughty devices that are supposed to be 'sleeping' but are caught receiving traffic data in the middle of the night!