200W battery life
Wed, 11/12/2008 - 3:49pm
|
16 years
|
Would you tell me how much battery life you can get out of a 200W?
My wife uses it as a calculator when shopping and is complaining that it shuts down before she finishes. I told her that she can shut down the GPS when inside, but even so, it should last a few hours. My 350 can get a few hours in the car, so I'm a bit confused.
She rarely lets it discharge. It's plugged into the ignition-only receptacle all the time, and so should be fully charged at all times.
Could it be something like it has no flip-down antenna, and it takes more power to search for weak/missing signals in a building?
I have a 200W...........
Would you tell me how much battery life you can get out of a 200W?
My wife uses it as a calculator when shopping and is complaining that it shuts down before she finishes. I told her that she can shut down the GPS when inside, but even so, it should last a few hours. My 350 can get a few hours in the car, so I'm a bit confused.
She rarely lets it discharge. It's plugged into the ignition-only receptacle all the time, and so should be fully charged at all times.
Could it be something like it has no flip-down antenna, and it takes more power to search for weak/missing signals in a building?
and I get about 4 hrs on battery.
Maybe She has the screen brightness at 100%, which would eat up the battery more quickly. I usually keep mine on 50% during the day and 20% at night.
200W
Could it be something like it has no flip-down antenna, and it takes more power to search for weak/missing signals in a building?
If you put it in simulation mode (tools,settings,system,gps simulator), it shouldn't search for a signal.
If you have the gps plugged in ingnition only, it may not be fully charging between trips. I use an ac-dc converter and charge mine at home. The converters aren't that expensive and can be found in the automotive section at WM. The plug from the gps plugs right into one.
Discharge
Is it possible that the unit is discharging when plugged into the car and the car is off so it is not fully charged when she uses it in the store? It depends on the car but there may be a leakage path through a relay.
Battery
A lithium-ion battery
provides 300-500 discharge/charge cycles.
The battery prefers a partial rather than a full discharge. Frequent full discharges should be avoided when possible. Instead, charge the battery more often.
Batteries with a fuel gauge (GPS's) should be calibrated by applying a deliberate full discharge once every 30 charges. Running the pack down in the equipment does this. If ignored, the fuel gauge will become increasingly less accurate and in some cases cut off the device prematurely.
Keep the lithium-ion battery cool. Avoid a hot car. For prolonged storage, keep the battery at a 40% charge level during storage.
Source
http://tinyurl.com/2ev5x2
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.
Searching for a signal
I agree with MSU70. It will use much more power if it is constantly searching for a signal. I've noticed the same thing with cell phones.
battery last about 4 hours
battery last about 4 hours for me too. But 200W takes long time to search for signal. Also plug it only when you drive is a good idea. I always keep mine at home and take it when I have to go somewhere not familiar.
Also charge my unit with my razor/blackberry phome AC charger at home. That way when I go out my phone is always fully charged and I then plug into car charger. So charge never run out.
This is just a suggestion as it keeps the phone always charged.
Garmin nuvi 200W and 270
I have an 250W and it seems
I have an 250W and it seems to last about 4 hours too, but I keep it charging when we use it. Only usually use it on longer trips.