BU-353 Time to first FIX

**Nomader** · 10-07-2006, 01:36 PM

OK I have been using the BU-353 for a few months no.. it works good the prolific drivers give no trouble at all..it is OK..

now the only problem I have is that it takes some time for it to get tha sats data for tha first time.. as soon as I move the unit outside.(I have it placed near the rear windsheild) it gets the signal in a few seconds, when the unit is inside it might take as long as 5 minutes.. but as soon as it has 5-6 sats then it works ok even if i put it back inside .. has anyone tried to make an antenna for it.. or better try to keep it powered up so it would never loose the sat data??!!

i don't know if it will work but, using batteries (lithium rechargable) along with a diode, would keep it powered for 2-3 days when not starting the car (the unit as far as I know, has built in capacitors so it would keep the data needed, but I don't know how long before they loose their voltage.

any ideas? i don't want to move the unit outside..(stolen, attracts attention, not really watrer proof..etc.)

**JimmyFitz** · 10-07-2006, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Nomader

OK I have been using the BU-353 for a few months no.. it works good the prolific drivers give no trouble at all..it is OK..

now the only problem I have is that it takes some time for it to get tha sats data for tha first time.. as soon as I move the unit outside.(I have it placed near the rear windsheild) it gets the signal in a few seconds, when the unit is inside it might take as long as 5 minutes.. but as soon as it has 5-6 sats then it works ok even if i put it back inside .. has anyone tried to make an antenna for it.. or better try to keep it powered up so it would never loose the sat data??!!

i don't know if it will work but, using batteries (lithium rechargable) along with a diode, would keep it powered for 2-3 days when not starting the car (the unit as far as I know, has built in capacitors so it would keep the data needed, but I don't know how long before they loose their voltage.

any ideas? i don't want to move the unit outside..(stolen, attracts attention, not really watrer proof..etc.)

Mine stays powered up because it is on S3 (suspend to RAM) and the USB 5V remains on when parked. If I park outside, iGuidance usually comes up still running on power up with position fixed. When I park inside my garage, the fix takes 2-3 minutes to acquire after leaving.

**ajscomp372** · 10-07-2006, 03:10 PM

You could probably figure out how much power it takes, and if it wouldn't drain the battery, a 5V power source is easy to build. You could power it directly from the battery.

**Nomader** · 10-07-2006, 05:07 PM

i think it would drain my battery in 10 days or something.. i travel a lot.. and leave the car..

I just want a confirmation that powering it up all the time would solve my problem

**Nomader** · 10-07-2006, 05:09 PM

Mine stays powered up because it is on S3 (suspend to RAM) and the USB 5V remains on when parked. If I park outside, iGuidance usually comes up still running on power up with position fixed. When I park inside my garage, the fix takes 2-3 minutes to acquire after leaving.

how long was your MAX leaving your pc on s3 before buying a new battery ??

**Marvin Hlavac** · 10-07-2006, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by Nomader

I just want a confirmation that powering it up all the time would solve my problem

It would, if the GPS unit is able to keep fix inside your garage. But if it cannot track satellites, keeping it powered would not help you. It could actually make it worse. After prolonged searching, and not finding any satellites for a long time, it could actually never get a fix till you reset it (power it down and then power it up, or cold start).

**JimmyFitz** · 10-07-2006, 05:55 PM

Originally Posted by Nomader

how long was your MAX leaving your pc on s3 before buying a new battery ??

My PC has an M1-ATX shutdown controller. If the battery gets too low it will kill all power to the PC. It has been working that way for nine months now no problems. Still using the car's factory original battery which is over four years old.

**evandude** · 10-07-2006, 06:45 PM

I'm not sure where I saw it, but someone made a simple board with a relay, that would apply power to the GPS unit for a few seconds every so often (maybe every 10 mins or half hour?), just enough to keep the internal cap charged. If you're into electronics, it would be a simple project with a 555 timer or small microcontroller.