No cajoling needed for me. It just worked and continues to work.

I'm with Jim: everything I need works of a cigarette lighter socket at 6v. I don't smoke so the non-working lighter is irrelevant.

Location: Just north of Cambridge

My TomTom would only need need 1.2A if plugged in with a very flat battery. It very soon charges up while in use. Once the initial charge is complete I imagine it will only draw milliamps while in use. On mine the battery lasts for several hours use on a full charge without being plugged in. The ARM 9 processor is very efficient, screen illumination is LED.

thanks for your input guys, I will purchase a cigarette socket and hot wire it to the 6 volt battery. I have with me a tom tom cigarette lighter plug with usb female connection. I do believe that the motorcycle usb port is of sufficient amperage, but the operation seems dodgy. I'll let you know how it goes.
Seems a big day today we are now in the North York Moors National Park having travelled about 100 miles, I'm in the local pub and I believe they are speaking English but there's nowt I understand! cheers Russell

Location: back in the UK in Primrose, going to guildtown !

We start to head north again on Friday Russell - see you there!

R