Constant Power To GPS....

**HomersBrain** · 12-28-2004, 08:58 AM

Hi All,

I'm new to the site, but am into Home Automation so doing all this to the car is just a natural extension.

I've got a small matchbox sized cheap GPS receiver (from ebay) in the car that attaches to my palm tungsten. I can't remember the make and model, but it's not one of the ones you all seem to have, and I don't think they make them anymore.

In the instructions it advises you to unplug it (from the ciggy lighter) for 15 mins after every couple of hours use as it gets warm(!). This obviously isn't good if you're going on a long trip!

Do the mouse gps's that you all use have the same recommendation or are they always on when the ignition is on?

Cheers

Mike

**Cris** · 12-28-2004, 09:02 AM

I have a BU 303 GPS module, and no such thing in the user's guide. I have a M10000, and this mobo keeps powering the USB GPS, even when the car is off, so it's running almost non-stop, and no problems here.

**DaRacerz** · 12-28-2004, 10:08 PM

Just get something newer. I use to keep the Earthmate running at time for 8+ hours on road trips and never gettin warm. Now running a Garmin OEM GPS 15H which is setup to be active 24/7 even when the car is off and barely gets warm.

**Bugbyte** · 12-28-2004, 10:22 PM

Royaltek Sapphire with the M1000 mobo and it never heats up.

**SuzukiAerio** · 12-28-2004, 10:25 PM

I got a Rikaline GPS-6010(?)..and it is NEVER unplugged - as it is plugged into the USB port on my ATX mother board - it never looses power - even when the car is off

the good news is

it never gets warm and hasn't failed me ...yet

plus I get around those annoying "cold boot times" ..it constently has sats locked

**cash_Money** · 12-28-2004, 11:22 PM

I have a 'mouse type' gps that is on constantly and never have a problem. It sounds like a shoddy product if it has to cooled off after a few hours. Have you had problems? Can you put ports on it?

**HomersBrain** · 12-29-2004, 04:03 AM

Cheers for the replies guys. I've got off my ar*e and found out that it's a Haicom HI-203E.. I've not had any problems with it, apart from most of the time the cold start is a lot longer than the quoted 50 seconds! I've noticed in the manual from the website there's no warning to unplug it after a couple of hours. I may have to keep it plugged in and see if it does overheat and malfunction.

**August** · 12-29-2004, 04:48 AM

I asked Garmin Tech Support the same question about my Garmin GPS35PC.

The unit is designed for continuous operation, but you should also leave some provision to cycle power. Operation outside the rated temperature range or outside the rated power supply range (including undervoltage) can cause the unit to "freeze up". It's not common for a unit to freeze up, but cycling power to the unit will reset the processor and it will recover.

I leave mine on 24/7 but now I interupt the power every couple of weeks.

**HomersBrain** · 12-30-2004, 05:34 AM

Well, I've had my GPS powered on for 24 hours nonstop, and it hasn't overheated, caught fire and burned out my car. It's working fine without a hitch, so I guess that has answered that question!!

Thanks for the replies.