Problem with GPS probably voltage

GReeToZ · 10-25-2004, 06:03 PM

Hi, i am having some problems with my GPS its a BU 303 for the record,

well its like this i have a M10000 epia with 512 ram lilliput touchscreen, 40gb notebook hdd, normal dvdrom ps2 keybord wireless using an itps for voltage regulation, and a PW70A as dc-dc power supply

hooked the itps directly to car battery just like the lilliput. used the ciggaret lighter as a switched 12v+ line

everything works fine pc boots up, BUT GPS doesn't work windows detects it, alturion , destinator they al recieve the 'data' but no signal so i though wel lets try my laptop in the car installed installed the GPS works like a charm so i thought wel maybe some settings, whent thru everything could find the problem, finally ripped the whole thing out again, put the stuff on a normal atx supply, hung the gps out of the window, and works :S

so i think that my gps isn't getting enough power through the USB port, when on the car battery. is there a way to solve this or isn't this the problem, i've been frustrated by this a long time because one of the main reasons for the carputer was the navigation.

hope somebody can help and that this is the right section to post this in

and don't just shout buy an opus supply because i just dont have the funds at the moment and there should be a solution for this i think... hope

Michael

bertybassett · 10-25-2004, 06:23 PM

get an extneral power supplied usb hub this should fix the power problems.

edikp · 10-25-2004, 07:48 PM

Is the GPS plugged in to an external USB hub? If yes, how many devices you have plugged in to it? Last, is the usb hub externally powered?

GReeToZ · 10-26-2004, 03:08 AM

It is plugged directly into the motherbord, the only other USB device is the touchscreen interface from the lilliput. but i just rememberd something

it used to work sometimes, so very flaky, now i had to buy a new itps, and now it doesnt work at al so i think this itps doesn't give as much voltage through?

@ bertybassett

where do i get a 12V usb hub from ( i live in the netherlands)

Michael

edikp · 10-26-2004, 11:49 AM

It would be kinda strange if the power problem only affected your GPS. Some other things should be not working properly too.

Have you tried bertybassett's suggestion (post #2)?

GReeToZ · 10-26-2004, 12:27 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by edikp

It would be kinda strange if the power problem only affected your GPS. Some other things should be not working properly too.

Have you tried bertybassett's suggestion (post #2)?

well i think its just on the edge of not enough power to get a fix, because when i use my laptop it works fine with the gps reciever, with the reciever behind the glass. when i put it on the epia it doesnt work behind the glas and has great dificulties when i put it on the roof (outside) i got it to get a signal, but when i put it inside again it looses it and when i put it outside again it cant get a fix (it see's soms sats though)

i just got a usb hub (self powerd) from a friend of mine but it needs 6V 2.1A as input, (it has a 230 adapter but that is of no use) how can i wire it up (i'm a kinda n00b when it comes to that kinda stuf)

Michael

Bobby Digital · 10-26-2004, 12:41 PM

It's most likely not a power issue... it only uses 5 watts. I would think it's a combonation of the placement of the receiver and interference from the other devices in your system (ie. people have complained lilliputs cause interference for some reason). Try putting the receiver on the roof of the car (it acts as a nice metal ground plane and far away from the rest of the system). Try not to put it under glass (or anything for that matter) and have a clear view of the whole sky.

Once you get it working you can prove that it is not a power issue, then you can start looking for a place where it works and is discrete and protected from the elements (it took me a while to find one... have fun

).

GReeToZ · 10-26-2004, 12:54 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by Bobby Digital

It's most likely not a power issue... it only uses 5 watts. I would think it's a combonation of the placement of the receiver and interference from the other devices in your system (ie. people have complained lilliputs cause interference for some reason). Try putting the receiver on the roof of the car (it acts as a nice metal ground plane and far away from the rest of the system). Try not to put it under glass (or anything for that matter) and have a clear view of the whole sky.

Once you get it working you can prove that it is not a power issue, then you can start looking for a place where it works and is discrete and protected from the elements (it took me a while to find one... have fun

).

i put it on the roof, it works then with great difficulty, if it looses thhe signal IE, put it inside the car and then outside again it kant get a signal anymore, when i use my laptop it works fine INSIDE the car under the glass. its not really an option putting it on the outside of the car because of theft. and the BU303 has a indicator that flashes if it has a fix, it flashed inside the car til the windows started up so the cpu needed more power, if it didn;t work with my laptop then i would say it is not a power issue, but works perfect with it. and i used it on the car 12v battery didnt work if i started driving it lost signal, put it on a lead acid battery, not attached to the car it worked ON the roof but NOT inside. so that also indicates that it is a power issue :/

i will do some testing with the location of the gps but i'm almost sure it wont really make any difference, thanks anyways. will keep you posted

edikp · 10-26-2004, 01:05 PM

Actually, GlobalSat's website says that BU-303 consumes only 80mA -> 5V x 0.08A = 0.4W.

The 'try putting the receiver on the roof' idea is worth a try though.

@Greetoz: you need a different adapter then. Make sure it has the same ratings and plug size. Also, do not forget to observe the polarity.

GReeToZ · 10-26-2004, 01:26 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by edikp

Actually, GlobalSat's website says that BU-303 consumes only 80mA -> 5V x 0.08A = 0.4W.

The 'try putting the receiver on the roof' idea is worth a try though.

@Greetoz: you need a different adapter then. Make sure it has the same ratings and plug size. Also, do not forget to observe the polarity.

ok i think its the lilli interfering if i take the power of the lilli gps signal is back gonna try finding a place for the gps :S