Garmin Battery Issues
Mon, 02/02/2009 - 10:44am
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![]() ![]() 17 years
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I have two Garmin 750's. Gave one to my son and one for me. They are approximately 8 months old. Both units have battery issues. Has anyone else with 7XX series units had a battery problem?
I wish Garmin would come out
I wish Garmin would come out with a battery charger for the replaceable batteries in the 8xx series. If you are using the unit, then you can't recharge an additional battery. SO, you can't keep the cycle going. After you use the second battery, you're done.
Not yet
I have had my 750 for, I think, about 2 years. No problems with the battery. I mostly use it on the car lighter plug but have used it without the plug and the batteries seem to last about 3 hours.
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)
USB Power
My Dell computers (2) one for work and the other mine only has 2 USB ports out of 4 that will provide enough power to charge things. I have a Verizon wireless card and I need to use the left USB port on the back, (looking at it from the front) or it will not charge or allow the wireless to connect.
I have 2 Garmins and regularly take each one and turn it on and discharge them to what the device says is zero. The battery indicator can lose calibration if it isn't fully discharged once in a while. My 260WT reported after I did this when I first bought it that the baterry indicator was calibrated. I haven't seen that screen again, but it did do it.
How these are charged and what they are connected to is critical.
1. does your vehicle have a constant on power connector?
2. Are you using the right port on your computer? And if your computer goes to sleep or screen saver mode guess what? the power to the ports either stops or is reduced.
3. My ac charger works on both my Garmins, and it doesn't turn the unit on when it gets plugged in.it simply charges them.
4. My cradles turn the device on, after which I
turn it back off and the screen says "Charging" more words than that, but get my drift?
4. Keep them out of the heat. In your windsheild while driving with the air on doesn't really keep the device cool while it sits in the sun on the dash or attached to the windsheild.
My 260 is placed on the windsheild in my Sport Track in the left lower area. This puts it directly over the window side vent that you can not adjust. It gets cool air blown over it most or all of the time
Batteries vary, thats the way it is, how many times have you changed batteries for a flashligh or in house remote and wqondered why it died so fast. Shelf life is a reality. you either get fresh or stale, thats it.
Both my GPS's have good life on them, is it because of what I'm doing? maybe,
Virgo53
Virgo53 Nuvi 780/265W
Battery Life - Geocaching with a 750
I agree that is seems like the 750 doesn't always charge and sometimes drains while driving and connect to the lighter socket. I have a wall plug-in cell phone charger that I use to plug my gps in and let it charge while I'm in the house.
I feel that my battery isn't great for geocaching - perhaps an hour at the most, including some "screen lock" time to reduce the power drain.
What's the average time anybody gets on a new or old fully charged battery in a 750?
Any tricks besides "screen lock" and reduced intensity to strech the battery life?
- Missouri, Garmin 750 &, 255W
batteries and old models
I still use my old I-5 Garmin (believe it or not) that uses 2 AA batteries. When it's plugged into the lighter socket the AAs are not being used. I'd like the new Garmins better if they used replaceable batteries like the I series of Street Pilots.
Garmin Nuvi 1350, Garmin Nuvi 1490T(X2) Garmin Nuvi 1450T
Happy with Replacement Battery
I use my 750 to geocache and my battery wasn’t holding a charge. I bought a battery and toolkit online and watched the youtube video. The work replacing the battery isn’t that hard, and I was trying to go slow and be careful. After a little prying and wiggling I replaced the battery and am very happy with the results. Cost $20 and less than 15 minutes of work.
- Missouri, Garmin 750 &, 255W
The battery is too smart, or not
I have the same problem with NUVI 650 - after "full charge" it works for about 20 seconds, and then shuts down. I opened the box and investigated the battery.
It turns out that the regular Li-Ion cell has some "smart" attachment, two chips and few passives. All is wrapped in a paper-like wrap, and "Garmin" is printed over the top. The cell itself had fully charged voltage level, 4.1V. More, when loading the cell with a 120 mA load, it worked for about half a day, which means that the cell is fully functional with good capacity. Yet the box would shut down in 20 seconds. Therefore, it is apparent that the Garmin electronics is at fault, either their algorithm outsmarted themselves, or some other fault in supporting firmware. I drained the battery full cycle, and recharged it back inside Garmin. Same effect.
The battery itself has only two wires, therefore it is unlikely that it has some dedicated communication link over DC connection. Is this true? Does anyone know a way to reset/re-calibrate Garmin's charger logic? I would hate to throw away a good battery.
[ Edit: I found that it is the issue with battery's electronics. After full charge, the voltage on wires drops to zero after discharging down to only 3.80V, while the cell itself is pretty well charged and still holds a lot charge.]
Hosed protection circuit
I have the same problem with NUVI 650 - after "full charge" it works for about 20 seconds, and then shuts down. I opened the box and investigated the battery.
It turns out that the regular Li-Ion cell has some "smart" attachment, two chips and few passives. All is wrapped in a paper-like wrap, and "Garmin" is printed over the top. The cell itself had fully charged voltage level, 4.1V. More, when loading the cell with a 120 mA load, it worked for about half a day, which means that the cell is fully functional with good capacity. Yet the box would shut down in 20 seconds. Therefore, it is apparent that the Garmin electronics is at fault, either their algorithm outsmarted themselves, or some other fault in supporting firmware. I drained the battery full cycle, and recharged it back inside Garmin. Same effect.
The battery itself has only two wires, therefore it is unlikely that it has some dedicated communication link over DC connection. Is this true? Does anyone know a way to reset/re-calibrate Garmin's charger logic? I would hate to throw away a good battery.
[ Edit: I found that it is the issue with battery's electronics. After full charge, the voltage on wires drops to zero after discharging down to only 3.80V, while the cell itself is pretty well charged and still holds a lot charge.]
It sounds to me like the battery protection electronics have become hosed. I doubt that you can fix it but you can try several charge/discharge cycles. That isn't good for the battery but you can't use it like it is now so what can you hurt. A new battery (with new electronics) is what you will probably need. Good luck.
Re Garmin battery issues
I have a 765T and have not had any battery issues. What type of issues are you having?
Time to get new battery
Thanks, I agree. It also seems that while the battery holds some substantial charge, it's charge curve is screwed. The voltage rises too fast when charging up, so the host electronics brutally miscalculates its capacity, and disconnects prematurely. Pretty complicated design. The device was barely in use, maybe this was the problem. Time to get new battery.
It is likely to be within
It is likely to be within Garmin's firmware. This does not appear to be an isolated case.
Battery Issues
Have you contacted Garmin? I know you should fully charge a battery when new, then let them run down fully until you recharge.
Li-ion batteries.
I know you should fully charge a battery when new, then let them run down fully until you recharge.
According to Battery University, http://www.poi-factory.com/node/12749, this is incorrect for Li-Ion batteries ...
"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 or use a larger battery. There is no concern of memory when applying unscheduled charges."
That said, you may be referring to doing a full charge/discharge one time when the unit is new so the software can calibrate the battery meter. I have seen references to this but don't really know if the nuvi software works that way.
Alan - Android Auto, DriveLuxe 51LMT-S, DriveLuxe 50LMTHD, Nuvi 3597LMTHD, Oregon 550T, Nuvi 855, Nuvi 755T, Lowrance Endura Sierra, Bosch Nyon
Firmware?
It is likely to be within Garmin's firmware. This does not appear to be an isolated case.
I suspect that Garmin's firmware isn't a fault. I don't believe that the GPS has much to do with managing the battery's charge. Several characteristics have to be monitored while charging a lithium-ion battery. Among them are cell/battery temperature, terminal voltage, charge rate, charge time, etc. Since there are only two wires between the battery and the GPS, it is unlikely that the GPS gets any valid info on the battery beyond terminal voltage. The battery has an electronics package internally that does all the necessary monitoring and control.
batteries
I also know someone who sent their Garmin in for battery issues. Something like a 6 -8 week turnaround which is difficult when you need your device for work.
I drive, therefore I am happy. Rodeo, wildlife and nature photography rodeophoto.ca
Battery issues
My 750 suddenly wouldn't hold a charge even after a "hard reset"; screen would flicker at times as well. After opening the unit and reseating the battery connector plug several times things are A-OK! No need for a new battery this time...
I had used this battery as a
I had used this battery as a replacement for my old 760 before I had sold it off. I'm sure there are other deals out there but for $23, it was worth it for me.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000UGPHI4/ref=oss_product
Garmin: GPSIII / StreetPilot / StreetPilot Color Map / StreetPilot III / StreetPilot 2610 / GPSMAP 60CSx / Nuvi 770 / Nuvi 765T / Nuvi 3490LMT / Drivesmart 55 / GPSMAP 66st * Pioneer: AVIC-80 / N3 / X950BH / W8600NEX
Replaced battery on 760 but...
My battery on the 760 finally gave out and wouldn't hold a charge. I ordered a new battery with tools for $16 including shipping. A good deal.
It was simple to replace, plenty of good directions out there. However, after I finished, it would not power up. I put the old battery back...still no luck. SO, at the moment, I have a totally non-functioning 760. I assume there is no "switch" or anything that has to be reset when you replace the battery so an old connection must have given way.
Bummer is 6 months ago I purchased the lifetime maps. (Got 2 updates out of it!)
Anyone with other suggestions on what might have happened, feel free to comment.
In the meantime, a new Garmin in the future.
Dead 760
One thing you might try dkstl is to reinstall the new battery and, if the screen flickers even a little when you turn it on, do a hard reset. Hold the right lower corner of the screen and try to turn the unit on. If that doesn't work, put it on charge over night. Maybe the new battery is dead.
bad & bloated
Just over the weekend, I noticed the case on my GF's early nuvi 750 (Piano Black from Best Buy) was bulged outward slightly at the back of the case while entering a couple of destinations indoors, off the mount. This, along her reporting that the battery would not "last a very long time" prompted me to open and inspect. Just as I had suspected from the case bulge and decreased battery life, the battery was shot. It had bloated up to about 2-3 times it's original thickness. The bloating had pushed the case back outwards as mentioned which also made it more difficult to remove/attach to the cradle mount which I had also noticed. I replaced it with one from eBay and all is well.
Keep your eye on these older units with equally old batteries and that are left in the vehicle, in the heat...
nuvi 760, nuvi 765T, nuvi 855, nuvi 3790LMT, nuvi 3490LMT - SoCal area
Take out of car
Just over the weekend, I noticed the case on my GF's early nuvi 750 (Piano Black from Best Buy) was bulged outward slightly at the back of the case while entering a couple of destinations indoors, off the mount. This, along her reporting that the battery would not "last a very long time" prompted me to open and inspect. Just as I had suspected from the case bulge and decreased battery life, the battery was shot. It had bloated up to about 2-3 times it's original thickness. The bloating had pushed the case back outwards as mentioned which also made it more difficult to remove/attach to the cradle mount which I had also noticed. I replaced it with one from eBay and all is well.
Keep your eye on these older units with equally old batteries and that are left in the vehicle, in the heat...
I have a 750 from BestBuy bought Nov. 2007. I always take it out of the car when I get out, even at home. So far no problem but will keep an eye on it.
Thanks.
Mary, Nuvi 2450, Garmin Viago, Honda Navigation, Nuvi 750 (gave to son)
New Batt>DOA? (@dkstl)
@dkstl
Like Jack said, it might have been a dud that was sent to you. My replacement worked as soon as I put it in but it still required a full charge. See if you can get a replacement.
Garmin: GPSIII / StreetPilot / StreetPilot Color Map / StreetPilot III / StreetPilot 2610 / GPSMAP 60CSx / Nuvi 770 / Nuvi 765T / Nuvi 3490LMT / Drivesmart 55 / GPSMAP 66st * Pioneer: AVIC-80 / N3 / X950BH / W8600NEX
Repair Shop
Bummer is 6 months ago I purchased the lifetime maps. (Got 2 updates out of it!)
Anyone with other suggestions on what might have happened, feel free to comment.
Try contacting http://www.sharc.net/gps_repair.htm
maybe they can revive your 760 so that you can use your map updates.
Garmin Nüvi 650, 255WT
Check all the connections
My battery on the 760 finally gave out and wouldn't hold a charge. I ordered a new battery with tools for $16 including shipping. A good deal.
It was simple to replace, plenty of good directions out there. However, after I finished, it would not power up. I put the old battery back...still no luck. SO, at the moment, I have a totally non-functioning 760. I assume there is no "switch" or anything that has to be reset when you replace the battery so an old connection must have given way.
Bummer is 6 months ago I purchased the lifetime maps. (Got 2 updates out of it!)
Anyone with other suggestions on what might have happened, feel free to comment.
In the meantime, a new Garmin in the future.
There are several small ribbon cables interconnecting the screen with the circuit board, etc. I would say it's reasonably certain that you dislodged one of those ribbon cables. I did that myself with my own 760. There are sort of locking collars where the ribbons plug into their sockets. Pull the locking collars out slightly, wiggle those ribbons and make sure they are perfectly straight and inserted as far as they go and then push the locking collar back.