Word of advice

It has come to my attention that some members have lost all contact with their GPS device[s] even when the cable is plugged in to the car and the device. What is happening is that the device remains plugged in to the car and when the car is started there is a surge of electricity that "fries" the cable and the device. It may not happen all the time but it only takes one time. So, my advice is to disconnect the GPS device from the car each time, start the car and then attach your GPS.

Chas, good advice, unfortunately this is not a new problem.


The problem stems from the quality of the car adapter (charger) and the GPS unit. What is actually happening is that the charger fails (ignition surge is only one reason that it could fail) and then it supplies the full car battery voltage (12V), instead of the typical regulated 5V output. If the GPS is of a better quality (such as Mio 520/320) they have right at the power input connection a Transient Voltage Suppressor (TVS) which will clamp the input voltage to just above 5V. Typically, this TVS will protect the GPS if the energy is limited by a proper fuse. If the charger is not fused properly and the charger fails, the energy supplied is way too high, the TVS will short out but will still protect the rest of the GPS. In that case, replacing the blown charger and the TVS will revive the GPS.

Plugging in a charger (mains or car) while attached to the gps can do the same thing as well.

I know this advice has been previously discussed but I thought it was a good idea to resurrect it for the new members.

chas521 wrote:I know this advice has been previously discussed but I thought it was a good idea to resurrect it for the new members.

So what is wrong with providing the link with some more details on gpspassion.com?

No links to other GPS forums.

EDIT: http://www.navitotal.com/showthread.php?1517-Forum-rules!