Zumo User Forums

This post is about how to power my Zumo 395 Garmin. I bought a Honda Forza scooter which has USB-C socket in the glove compartment. My previous Forza had a 12v power socket. I cannot a cable to connect the Garmin in its cradle. I have soldered a USB-C cable to the Garmin cable but get only 2 volts which will not power it up. The USB-C socket is working and charges a mobile phone. It seems all this USB stuff is not simple wiring and replies on microchips or whatever. So far I cannot find a cable with USB_C to Garmin plug to fit in the cradle holding the Garmin.
I know I can simply connect the Garmin adaptor to the battery but the USB socket is at the front and easy to route the cable. Wiring it from the battery means routing it through the bodywork.
Has anyone solved this problem?

The Garmin cable is designed for a 12 volt feed. It reduces the incoming 12 v to whatever 5 v the Garmin actually requires. By supplying USB voltage, you are providing voltage that is too low and the Garmin is reducing it additionally. You need to provide 12 volt supply to the Garmin cable, wherever you source it.

Thanks for the quick reply. I forgot to say that I when I soldered the USB cable with the Garmin cable I cut out the Garmin adaptor, which steps down the 12v and puts out 5volts, which is what a USB feed is, 5 volts. Seemed simple and obvious but it doesn't work.

I had a Honda 350 ADV (Forza dressed up in "adventure" clothing, and for GPS power I connected a Healtec Thunderbox to the battery and then threaded the cable forward. On the 350 ADV there were two channels either side of the battery that I could thread the cable through. To do this I used tow long tie wraps to locate the channel, and then pulled the cable through using them. Was a PITA as the battery cover didn't give much spare space for the Thunderbox and the cables, but it looked tidy.

Oop North John wrote: Thu Dec 11, 2025 12:31 pm ...and then threaded the cable forward. On the 350 ADV there were two channels either side of the battery that I could thread the cable through. To do this I used tow long tie wraps to locate the channel, and then pulled the cable through using them. Was a PITA as the battery cover didn't give much spare space for the Thunderbox and the cables, but it looked tidy.

Hi
I have decided to run a 12v supply through to the front. I can't source a USB lead with a Garmin cradle plug, and cutting and soldering cables hasn't worked.
The two channels that run either side of the battery box - where do they come out? Which body panel has to come off?

I took off no body panels on my 350 ADV, the hole I used was in the region below the fuse box on the left-hand side of this picture. The exit as far as I can remember was somewhere near to the horn. Hope this helps.



Looking at the parts catalogs the Forza and 350 ADV seem to be similar.

Thanks, I'll get in to the garage this Christmas and have a poke around.