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Jim
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-- 03-05-2017 @ 12:42 PM
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I would like to install a GPS in my 1936 Ford, running on 12 volts with a negative ground. Does anyone know of a source available that makes a kit to accomplish this? Any tips of getting this installed would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!
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mrtexas
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-- 03-05-2017 @ 6:24 PM
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Plug the GPS into the cigar lighter which is 12v neg ground as you say. Use any GPS.
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40 Coupe
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 4:52 AM
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Is you car 6V and the GPS 12V or is the car 12V?
This message was edited by 40 Coupe on 3-6-17 @ 4:54 AM
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Grant
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 6:25 AM
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Excellent question from 40 Coupe.
If there is an easy way to run a 12 volt GPS unit in my 6 volt '36 Ford, I'd like very much to know what that would be.
Perhaps some kind of step-up voltage transformer which can reverse the ground?
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Old Henry
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 6:49 AM
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An easy fix is to use a 6-12 volt inverter that boosts voltage and reverses polarity here: https://www.amazon.com/Power-Inverter-6v-Positive-Ground/dp/B004P9NX9C/ref=sr_1_3?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1488811645&sr=1-3&keywords=6-12+volt+inverter
That is an easy connection but puts out less amperage than a booster that I use here: https://www.amazon.com/Voltage-Booster-6-8v-to-12v/dp/B004P9IS3I?tag=viglink20872-20. But, the booster has to be connected directly to the battery to avoid the need to reverse polarity. That's what I did.
This message was edited by Old Henry on 3-6-17 @ 6:56 AM
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trjford8
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 7:02 AM
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Go on e-Bay and you can buy GPS brackets that will stick on you windshield. GPS units are getting cheaper as almost all new cars have them as standard equipment. You should be able to buy a Garmin or other brand for about $100-150. Buy the units that have LMT(lifetime maps and travel) as you can update them via your computer for free. The non LMT units require you to buy additional software periodically to update the unit.
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TomO
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 7:40 AM
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You can also use one of the new phone power packs or a jump starter with a usb port to charge the battery on long trips. My Garmin lasts about 4 hours on a fully charged battery.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01MXQCZAP/ref=sxr_pa_click_within_right_3?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_p=2795410502&pf_rd_r=ZV1CZGDJ7ZEXPMAYB091&pd_rd_wg=ks1jV&pf_rd_s=desktop-rhs-carousels&pf_rd_t=301&pd_rd_w=nxEu8&pf_rd_i=12+v+jump+starter&pd_rd_r=D3N90TMD1GRKBX71RCC0&psc=1
Tom
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Jim
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 10:31 AM
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The car is 12 volt negative ground. The battery pack sounds like a good solution. I'll take a look on the internet. Jim
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len47merc
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 12:30 PM
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FWIW - I've had very good success and results with this:
https://www.amazon.com/Portable-RAVPower-External-16750mAh-Technology/dp/B00MQSMEEE/ref=sr_1_11?s=wireless&ie=UTF8&qid=1488831676&sr=1-11&keywords=cell+phone+battery+pack
I only use the GPS on my Samsung phone now anyway. Additionally on longer trips, which is the only time I might need a GPS, I'll typically get a AAA Triptik for the wife - she likes 'navigating' (read into that what you will) as well as finding points of interest along the way.
This battery pack has worked great for us.
Steve
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carcrazy
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 2:45 PM
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When I recently took a long road trip in a 1953 Ford with original 6V positive ground electrical system, I used a Garmin GPS 12V unit that we already had by doing the following:
Used a 12V car battery which I already had set aside for another car project - fully charged before our trip
Bought a power outlet from NAPA - part no. 782-1635
Bought a battery box from Autozone - NOCO part no. HM300BK (for Group 24 battery)
Bought 2 rolls of 12 GA primary wire, one red and one green - used about 8 ft of each for hook-up
Used two alligator clips - soldered one to one end of each wire
The battery was placed in the battery box and placed on the floor behind the front passenger seat, the wires were run under the front seat and front floor mat up to the power outlet which was mounted under the instrument panel.
The total cost of this setup, excluding the cost of the Garmin unit and the 12V battery, was less than $40.
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TomO
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 7:28 PM
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If your car is 12v neg ground, do as Mrtexas said, use the adapter provided with the GPS to plug it into the cigar lighter socket.
Tom
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ford38v8
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-- 03-06-2017 @ 10:17 PM
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Here, use this. It won't care what voltage you run in your 1936 Ford, and it'll never tell you wrong.
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Rand-Mcnally-2017-Road-Atlas-Large-Scale/50722613
Alan
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len47merc
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-- 03-07-2017 @ 5:24 AM
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Ahhh - there you have it Alan!
Steve
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TomO
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-- 03-07-2017 @ 6:47 AM
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Alan, I would miss the "recalculating" every 2 minutes. It keeps me awake.
Tom
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woodiewagon46
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-- 03-07-2017 @ 8:01 AM
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Am I missing something here? Your car is already 12 Volts with a negative ground, just like any modern vehicle. I use a Garmin GPS that simply plugs into any 12V. source. It has an vacuum adapter that fits on the windshield, dash board or any smooth surface and also came with adhesive plastic discs that will adhere to any other surface. Once I'm done, I simply unplug it, undo the vacuum mount and put it away.
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len47merc
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-- 03-07-2017 @ 10:02 AM
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woodiewagon46 - after reading Jim's comments on this I assumed his vehicle does not have a cigar lighter.
Steve
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woodiewagon46
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-- 03-07-2017 @ 4:56 PM
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If the car does not have a cigarette lighter plug, pick one up at a local parts store and hide it behind the dash.
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TomO
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-- 03-08-2017 @ 7:59 AM
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I believe that the cigar lighter was standard equipment on the 35 and 36 Ford cars.
Tom
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Jim
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-- 03-08-2017 @ 9:16 AM
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The car is a cabriolet with a cigar lighter, but I had no idea I could plug it into the old time lighter. But no matter, I decided to go with the battery pack, thus making it portable for my other old cars. Thanks for all the input! Jim
Had to go with the Garmin versus an atlas as the Garmin Lady is the only friend I have 
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len47merc
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-- 03-08-2017 @ 2:33 PM
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Jim - don't forget that also with the Garmin you have more than one 'lady' to choose from each trip! And she'll talk to you in whatever accent that suits your pleasure, so you've far more than just 1 friend!
Ever heard 'Recalculating' with a Romanian accent? Man, to die for!
Steve
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trjford8
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-- 03-09-2017 @ 7:19 AM
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Push 1 for English and 2 for Spanish if you are in California.
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fenbach
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-- 09-29-2017 @ 3:10 PM
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I discovered that my old garmin GPS works fine on just 6 volts. negative ground. anyone know if I can/should experiment with 6 volts, positive ground? and not fry it?? i'd like to use it "straight up" in my '36 with 6 volt pos. gnd.
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JT Ford
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-- 09-30-2017 @ 7:29 AM
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I run my Garmin on 6 volt, pos. ground. You need a cigar lighter made of plastic, mount under the dash, reverse the wire leads. Red wire goes to ground and the black wire goes to hot on the switch. The gps only needs about 4 volts to operate. It will charge some
cell phones also, maybe not all. This method is explaned in detail on the Fordbarn.
Use search for gps on 6 volts.
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supereal
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-- 09-30-2017 @ 1:34 PM
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I use the GPS app on my cell phone. If I am venturing into unfamiliar territory, I call up Mapquest on my computer and print off a copy of the route to take along.
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FrankM-RG5
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-- 10-02-2017 @ 6:29 PM
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I just ran 8100 miles with my gps plugged into 6 volts as described above. The map situated on the left side of the windshield lets me see twists in the road, speed and the direction my vehicle is headed. I shut the voice off years ago because it is annoying and I can read the directions. It will also give you your average speed while moving as well as driving time.
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