quick question about charging nuvi350

"Does the USB port charge the nuvi350, while it is plugged into a computer?"

Hi Kelly,yes the USB port does charge your Nuvi. In fact if you ever drain your Nuvi totally empty this is the only method of charging that will get your Nuvi working again. Pluging it in with the wall adapter or the car adapter will not charge your Nuvi if you drain it. That is why I recommend that people carry a USB cable with them if you go on a long trip.

Gus

is this also true for the c530.

I'm not sure about the c530. I know this is true for all Nuvi series GPS's. My guess is that it is the same for the c300 and c500 series GPS's. Will do some research and post back with an answer, when I find out.

I found no data to suggest that this is true for the c530. This is not to say that it's not though, sorry I can't give you a definite answer.

How would the Nuvi know the difference between electricity coming from a computer vs. a car or an AC wall outlet? Last time I checked, electricity is electricity.

GC

This happened to me the first trip I took with the NUVI 350.
I didn't have the USB cable, but used the reset button in the back to get it powered up again. I was kind of frantic over having a new item fail that I cannot remember the exact steps I took. But I was able to get it powered back up and recharged.

I am sure glad i read these post, I will try to keep at least some charge in the Unit i had just bought. I never dreamed it take a USB to recharge a unit after it had completely drained. Thanks for all the Wonderful Info.

DizzyFox

Indeed, electricity IS electricity, but where it comes into the gps is another matter - I think the streetpilots do the same - charging via usb is the last line of defense for them too.

The batteries are lithium, and multiple cells require balancing; I suspect the usb port has balancing circuitry and safe modes, whereas the power plug is regular, brute force...

If interested in balancing taps, Lipos and battery details, google the lithium polymer radio control world.... or go to a place like maxamps.com etc...

Thats my guess....
Paul

... and I'll do it to see for myself.

I recently stumbled across an overpriced piece of gadgetry, that has multiple adapters to charge various cell phones off an alkaline 9V battery. One of the adapters is for the Razr, which happens to have the same USB like male part to it as the Nuvi. I haven't tried charging a totally depleted Nuvi battery off it yet (rather pricey electricity coming out of the 9V batteries), but it did start charging when I gave it a little jolt for a minute just to make sure the gadget worked.

GC

I would be careful, in that it's not clear what voltage you just plugged in to your not-cheap Garmin.... and that might void the warranty too.... FYI it's a micro USB plug, and PROBABLY, it's at the rated voltage for USB lines, which is 5VDC (and hopefully filtered)...

I would really recommend testing the transformer you got with a voltmeter at the micro usb plug - and be careful not to short pins across one another or fry that adapter... at least read the outputs on the casing or in the paperwork with the adapter - no more than 5vdc if I am not mistaken....

Paul

... and I'm not an electrician.

The gadget's output is specified as 5.3 VDC at 450 mA. The specs on the back of the AC plug that came with the unit offers an output of 5 V @ 1.0 A. Am I 0.3VDC over, or got only half the amps I need? Or, well within the safe limit, and it'll just be a slow charge if I ever need it?

GC