Stiff Cord

The traffic enabled cable for my 765T is pretty stiff when cold, I don't really use the traffic stuff anyway and purchased a non traffic version and it is much better in stiffness department.

Be careful to make sure you don't break it. It will be very inconvenient if you do.

Do you have any suggestions regarding how to store the power cable in winter so the stiffness is less of an issue?

I took a panel out of the dash and installed the cable permanently.

I use self-adhesive velcro. A one inch piece attached to the side of the console, and then a piece wrapped around the coiled cord. It holds very well, and can be removed easily.

I take that to mean you leave the power cord attached to the side of the console via velcro loops all the time. Is that a clue there is something worth stealing inside the car?

I noticed that too but I never really thought much about it until now. Hopefully someone has some good recommendation of how to keep it from coiling up without permanently altering the vehicle.

I use mine in rental cars a lot so vehicle modifications are out of the question.

Jeff

anyone know what causes rubber to go sticky? is it temperature?

and what causes it to harden/crack??

Simply put, it's the effect of hysteresis. A more complex description would take into account various components of the material. Heat causes stickiness in certain formulations, while cracking denotes more vinyl in the mixture.

I think there are folks out there that beg to differ..

I'm just asking a question.

"Why not just take it from the warm house (where it's pliable) and use it in the vehicle until you get to your destination.. and then remove it and take it inside with you?"

"Once you're through with what you're doing at your destination (where it's warm and pliable), then re-install it into your vehicle for the trip back home?"

It would seem to me that the little time it spent in the cold would be minimal.. and thus the cord stay pliable, but what do I know.

Your mileage may differ from mine.

Nuvi1300WTGPS

Nuvi1300WTGPS@Gmail.com

I usually have to keep mine inside during the winter to keep from the cord getting memory. Depending on the temp., it can be bad for the battery too.

i like that fresh from under the plastic feel when you get it.. as it ages, i hate how flimzy/feel of it. maybe just me.

Try wiping a small amount of WD-40 on the cord.

It's just a way that plastic on cables react to freezing temperatures. If you leaving cord in car for night just don't bend it until it warms up. That usually means after some driving. You will notice that it will be soft again. If you try to bend it when stiff than there is good chance it will break.
It is common problem for many cables. Their plastic cover is just not design to be soft in low temperatures. And usually plastic soft in freezing weather gives feeling as it is "wet ans slimy" when heated in car during summer.
So you have to learn ti live with it and wait for cable to soften up when heating in car is running.

wouldnt that make it more sticky?

I wish Garmin would simply make a power cord using a rubber sheath instead of vinyl. That should make it supple in cold weather so we wouldn't have to wrestle the cord in cold weather.

A favorite in the amateur radio field is coating cables with armor all, both to protect cables from ultraviolet exposure, and to maintain flexibility.

(as an aside, hams in areas where cables attract critters often use a mixture of armor all and a bad tasting concoction such as bitter apple, to protect the cable and make it bad tasting at the same time...)

In any case, wear gloves to keep the stuff off your hands.