Does keeping the car charger plugged in...

 

I always leave my car charger for the Nuvi plugged in even if the GPS is not being used. Does this still draw power or affect the car in any way? Should I just unplug it? Since I run the cable from my winshield to the center console, I just hate opening the console to plug and unplug it all the time.

Thanks for any info!

--
NUVI 650

Doesn't make any difference..

If the gps isn't attached it isn't going to draw power... Plus on most modern cars when the ignition switch is off the power adapter is also off...

--
It is terrible to speak well and be wrong. -Sophocles snɥɔnıɥdoɐ aka ʎɹɐƃ

I leave mine

plugged into the car's 110v, the GPS automatically comes on, but on occasion when I don't want to listen to it, I turn it off. Hasn't hurt it yet. The off/on button takes care of every thing.

--
Garmin 660

Heat is bad for the battery

A little off topic but it seems appropriate to mention that the Lithium Ion battery in the Nuvi, like most batteries, will have a shorter lifetime if exposed to high temperatures on a regular basis.

I try never to leave my Nuvi in the car during the summer or when the car is parked outside exposed to the sun.

Lithium Ion Batteries

Mike abcd wrote:

A little off topic but it seems appropriate to mention that the Lithium Ion battery in the Nuvi, like most batteries, will have a shorter lifetime if exposed to high temperatures on a regular basis.

I try never to leave my Nuvi in the car during the summer or when the car is parked outside exposed to the sun.

In addition, Li-On batteries are used in laptops and there are all kinds of cautions not to leave those plugged in lest it shorten the battery life. So I'd avoid it.

Nope

It will not draw power.

--
Val - Nuvi 785t and Streetpilot C340

Leaving the GPS in the car

Leaving the GPS in the car will do more than shorten the battery life. It will probably get you a broken window, a thinner wallet and higher insurance rates.

--
nuvi 785 nuvi 350, nuvi 270, GTM 20, jag in dash, mercedes in dash.

Lithiums

gardibolt wrote:

In addition, Li-On batteries are used in laptops and there are all kinds of cautions not to leave those plugged in lest it shorten the battery life. So I'd avoid it.

Although in the case of GPS units there isn't much one can do about it, Lithiums also prefer not to be stored at full or zero charge for longest life. If they have to just sit, they prefer to be around 70%, very roughly. Or at least if one walks and it runs down a little, there's no need to top it off before storing it away (something I read somewhere in an "batteries for dummies" sort of article targeted to device designers w/o battery design experience (meant to make you use the company the writer works for, of course).

Come to think of it, my 770 arrived at about a 50% charge, maybe it wasn't because it self discharged on the shelf from a full charge (at least not entirely).

Does keeping the car charger plugged in...

In a 2005 Buick there is always power at the power sockets even with the engine off. The only power drawn with the Nuvi cord plugged in (the nuvi off) is by the LED in the Plug itself. I have no idea how much current is drawn by this light.

If the sockets do not have power available with the car engine off the LED will not be lit therefore, I presume no current is being drawn.

Check these Threads

Chuck26 wrote:

... The only power drawn with the Nuvi cord plugged in (the nuvi off) is by the LED in the Plug itself. I have no idea how much current is drawn by this light.

.... the typical current draw of the LED is 30ma (.030 amps).
Check these threads:
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/3217
and
http://www.poi-factory.com/node/2376

RT

--
"Internet: As Yogi Berra would say, "Don't believe 90% of what you read, and verify the other half."

30 ma is not going to hurt

30 ma is not going to hurt the car battery, unless its put in storage.

Your car radio probably draws more to keep the memory and clock working, and the Keyless entry (it is waiting for your signal) on most cars draw more than that little LED.

--
“Wouldn't it be much worse if life were fair and all the terrible things that happen to us, come because actually deserve them? So now I take comfort in the general hostility and unfairness of the Universe”

Green Light

My two cents:

I have a NUVI 780. If the green light is on inside the GPS adapter cable it means that that current is on. Sure it does not draw much of the vehicles battery power. However, if the vehicle battery is old or not sufficiently charged every little drain of battery power will run the vehicle battery down. I own a Chevy Avalanche and the cigarette lighter or DC socket used to power the GPS is always on, so if I leave my GPS plug in it will draw power.

Ray

--
No matter where you are "Life is Worth Living".

Like in the above links ...

grampa-2007 wrote:

My two cents:

I have a NUVI 780. If the green light is on inside the GPS adapter cable it means that that current is on. Sure it does not draw much of the vehicles battery power. However, if the vehicle battery is old or not sufficiently charged every little drain of battery power will run the vehicle battery down. I own a Chevy Avalanche and the cigarette lighter or DC socket used to power the GPS is always on, so if I leave my GPS plug in it will draw power.

Ray

Like stated in the above links: Considering the current drain caused by the other 'always on' electronic devices in your car (computer, clock, etc), not to mention the current drain caused by the battery's own internal resistance, the .03 amp drawn by the LED is so insignificant it's absolutely nothing to worry about.

RT

--
"Internet: As Yogi Berra would say, "Don't believe 90% of what you read, and verify the other half."

Switched or not

I always leave the charger plugged in my Toyota, since it has a power outlet that's switched. i.e. It goes off when the ignition is off.

I unplug the charger in my Chevy when I take the nüvi out, since it has a power outlet that's NOT switched. I hate the thought of dangling live power cord touching something and blowing the fuse.

TSKY74's picture looks like a Toyota. The power outlet is switched, so the charger can be safely kept plugged in.

--
nüvi 750 & 760

Thanks for all the feedback!

spider_elliott wrote:

TSKY74's picture looks like a Toyota. The power outlet is switched, so the charger can be safely kept plugged in.

Yes sir, it's a Matrix!

Thanks for all the feed back. I never leave the GPS in the car or docked when the car is off. I'm just too lazy to remove the plug and mount traveling between home and work (unless I'm somewhere I don't know, then the whole unit get put into the center console for storage and windshield circle gets wiped clean.

--
NUVI 650

I leave it plugged in all

I leave it plugged in all the time in the car.
Ya. I have a green power light shining all the time.
The car battery is fine...the draw is tiny tiny..and I'd rather let it draw a drip of power than pulling it in and out all the time and risk breaking the delicate GTM20...

--
Nuvi 350 Born Oct 07 - Nuvi 660 Unit #2 (re)Born Sept 08 - Nuvi 360(Gift to 'the chick' yet maintained by myself) Born July 08

Power cord

I agree that the LED does not draw much power and would take a month or more to drain the battery. However, to thief looking for something to steal, it would be a little flag that there is some electronic device in the vehicle. Even if you removed the GPS, they may still break a window looking for something.

--
NUVI 680, NUVI 5000, MS S&T,

Another reason

jwc3006 wrote:

it would be a little flag that there is some electronic device in the vehicle.

I have another reason for not worrying about leaving the power plug in the Toyota.

The Camry has a pass-through, where the plug is hidden inside a small compartment, and the cord is tucked away when not in use. Nothing is visible from outside.

When I'm ready, I put the mount in the cup holder, plug in the power, mount the GPS, and off I go.

--
nüvi 750 & 760

Yoda, a.k.a. Toyota

TSKY74 wrote:

Yes sir, it's a Matrix!

I'm glad I didn't shoot off my big mouth. I thought it was a Corolla. It's tough to tell from the front.

Now, with the new Corolla, it's getting tough to tell it apart from a "Yoda Cam" (a.k.a. Camry).

--
nüvi 750 & 760

Toyota

spider_elliott wrote:
TSKY74 wrote:

Yes sir, it's a Matrix!

I'm glad I didn't shoot off my big mouth. I thought it was a Corolla. It's tough to tell from the front.

Now, with the new Corolla, it's getting tough to tell it apart from a "Yoda Cam" (a.k.a. Camry).

Yeah, they are very similar. I consider the Corolla the baby Camry.

--
NUVI 650

no it will not use any power

no it will not use any power unless the gps in in the cradle and the socket has power when the car is off .

Usually depends on the car.

Usually depends on the car. In my jeep i have 2 sockets. One that will drain the battery off and one that works only when the car is on. Best bet is to check. Turn of your car and see if it still charges the unit.

cord

jwc3006 wrote:

I agree that the LED does not draw much power and would take a month or more to drain the battery. However, to thief looking for something to steal, it would be a little flag that there is some electronic device in the vehicle. Even if you removed the GPS, they may still break a window looking for something.

For the most part.. I have to agree.
Yet in DA BIRD, the secondary plug is under the parking break. I also cover it with a small microfiber rag. I make it look like its just 'tossed on the console'. Above that, in the normal cig plug, I have the adapter for the Valentine One radar detector. Its a bit more obvious,and I tend to remove that one. I've had it for YEARS and never had any worries about it breaking tho.. wink

--
Nuvi 350 Born Oct 07 - Nuvi 660 Unit #2 (re)Born Sept 08 - Nuvi 360(Gift to 'the chick' yet maintained by myself) Born July 08

110V lead acid battery?

Robert660 wrote:

plugged into the car's 110v,

Wow! That is some car you have there! wink

Cheers,
PT

p.s. officially, household voltage is "120V".

"110V" (as well as "115" and "117") are outdated.

--
Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

Plugged In

I have the Nuvi 660 and leave it plugged in all the time. Unfortunately it interferes with my radio recdeption but only when plugged in. Weird?

--
-Frank Glaush entltd@earthlink.net

Switcher

fglaush wrote:

I have the Nuvi 660 and leave it plugged in all the time. Unfortunately it interferes with my radio recdeption but only when plugged in. Weird?

Most of the newer Garmin chargers use a "switching supply" to change the +12V of your car to the +5V for USB. That switching frequency is what you are hearing on the radio.

PT

--
Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

Maybe not good

fglaush wrote:

I have the Nuvi 660 and leave it plugged in all the time.

Does that mean that you leave it in the car all the time?

If so, that is NOT good for several reasons.
Heat
Theft
Spikes on the power as car starts and stops.

--
Magellan Maestro 4250// MIO C310X

16 Months and no problems

My nüvi 200 has been plugged in for 16 months and I have not had any problems with it.

--
><> Glenn <>< Garmin nüvi 2598

More detail please

ka1167 wrote:
fglaush wrote:

I have the Nuvi 660 and leave it plugged in all the time.

Does that mean that you leave it in the car all the time?

If so, that is NOT good for several reasons.
Heat
Theft
Spikes on the power as car starts and stops.

I keep my charger plugged in when my vehicle is in the garage overnight (same with my cell phone charger).

Could you provide some more information around damage caused from "Spikes on the power as car starts and stops".

You would think the manufacturers would have that detail figured out given the purpose and general use of the charger.

--
Nuvi 3490

"Load Dump"

trevans wrote:

Could you provide some more information around damage caused from "Spikes on the power as car starts and stops".

You can start by looking up "Load Dump" in automotive electrical systems.

PT

--
Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

Ok

I thought maybe it was something you had first hand knowledge of and could enlighten the thread. My mistake.

--
Nuvi 3490

Talk to ka1167, not me...

trevans wrote:

I thought maybe it was something you had first hand knowledge of and could enlighten the thread. My mistake.

I wasn't the one who made the comment you asked for further info. That was "ka1167".

I was just providing an example to your question if you wanted to look for info now before waiting for ka1167 to return and enlighten you.

Love & kisses,
PT

--
Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

Ok again

Thanks for clarifying..I will take a look. BTW...a veteran like you knows you are not supposed to quote the message immediately above your reply. lol..

--
Nuvi 3490

No understando

eh? A veteran like me knows that it is logical to quote exactly what it is you are replying to so there is no confusion.

You made a post with several things, I chose to address ONE of those several things. I quotes the ONE thing and then put in my reply.

Would you prefer I quote several quote levels deep, as you do, and not properly trim down the quoted part as is normally considered good 'netiquette?

Smooch,
PT

--
Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

Actually...

If you look again you quoted my entire and only two sentences ("I thought maybe it was something you had first hand knowledge of and could enlighten the thread. My mistake.") that were posted directly and immediately above your response.

But we digress...

Trust me...no big deal...just having some fun.

--
Nuvi 3490

Oh...

I see what you are saying now. I thought you were referring to my FIRST reply to you and didn't get what you were getting at, get it? smile

I usually make it a habit to quote regardless of where my post might show up for a number of reasons. A few of which include...

1) saves people from having to scroll up to figure out what I am referring to.

2) I may be referencing a single point in a many point post and want to be clear WHICH point I am addressing.

3) Many forums allow you to switch how you view the thread (threaded, by date, by user, etc.) so depending on a user's preference, the order of posts may not be the same for every person.

4) Posts get deleted so it could mess up the order or could erase the post I was replying, so if my post remains and the original is gone, it will still have everything it needs to make sense.

5) Because I can!

Long wet kisses,
PT

--
Garmin nüvi 200 (my first GPS), 780, & 3700 Series. And a Mac user.

OK, rookie.....

trevans wrote:

Thanks for clarifying..I will take a look. BTW...a veteran like you knows you are not supposed to quote the message immediately above your reply. lol..

No, that's not true.
1) Others may slip a post in between while you are typing.
2) A SMALL snip of quote will prevent mis-understandings about whom you are addressing......for others who do not know your rules.

And on the original subject, I meant leaving the whole unit plugged it. I thought the part I quoted made that clear but sometimes you need a flashing neon sign, I guess. mrgreen

--
Magellan Maestro 4250// MIO C310X

Filter?

Do you know of any filter to make it not interfere?

--
-Frank Glaush entltd@earthlink.net

I give up

fglaush wrote:

Do you know of any filter to make it not interfere?

Speaking of quoting........
I just went back about 15 posts and saw nothing about "interference". Would you care to explain the question a bit, please ?? mrgreen

--
Magellan Maestro 4250// MIO C310X

plugged in

I have two plugs in my Dodge Journey, one that always has power at all times and one that powers up when the car is started only. I think most newer cars has this type of setup.

Therefore I always have mine plugged in the socket that only has power with the car ignition on but I don't think it would drain the car in the other plug.

Yuck

Guttermouth wrote:

I see what you are saying now. I thought you were referring to my FIRST reply to you and didn't get what you were getting at, get it? smile

I usually make it a habit to quote regardless of where my post might show up for a number of reasons. A few of which include...

1) saves people from having to scroll up to figure out what I am referring to.

2) I may be referencing a single point in a many point post and want to be clear WHICH point I am addressing.

3) Many forums allow you to switch how you view the thread (threaded, by date, by user, etc.) so depending on a user's preference, the order of posts may not be the same for every person.

4) Posts get deleted so it could mess up the order or could erase the post I was replying, so if my post remains and the original is gone, it will still have everything it needs to make sense.

5) Because I can!

Long wet kisses,
PT

Ewwwwwwwww Don't kiss him. He has a guttermouth,specially a wet one. Yuck! razz

--
Using Android Based GPS.The above post and my sig reflects my own opinions, expressed for the purpose of informing or inspiring, not commanding. Naturally, you are free to reject or embrace whatever you read.