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11-20-2003, 03:15 PM
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#1
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Vehicle: 1993 Acura Vigor
Posts: 377
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Keep USB Powered to keep GPS alive
Has anyone else tried this?
I plan on taking my USB cable and splitting it open, and runing the +5v and ground leads to an external regulator, in the hopes that it will keep my NAVMAN locked on position, sometimes it takes 3-4 minutes for the thing to get a lock on my location! and in my eyes, that is not acceptable.
I will let you all know if it works.
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11-20-2003, 04:03 PM
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#2
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Newbie
Join Date: May 2003
Location: Denmark
Vehicle: VW Golf II van 1.6 GTD Intercooler 1991
Posts: 51
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Why donīt use a USB HUB with independent power suply?????, would that not work??
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11-20-2003, 05:19 PM
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#3
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Vehicle: 1993 Acura Vigor
Posts: 377
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That might work, but the only problem is that my goal is for the GPS to stay alive without having the power inverter on. (so my car battery doesn't drain) and I think external hubs are all 120v powered.  |
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11-20-2003, 05:21 PM
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#4
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Mr. Wiggles
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Atlanta GA
Vehicle: 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited
Posts: 1,064
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usb hubs usually have a "pregnant plug" that converts to DC ... just find one that takes 12v in (or something you can convert to easily)
__________________
My JeepPC Install
"there are no stupid questions, just stupid people."
"it's been agreed the whole world stinks so no one's taking showers anymore"
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11-20-2003, 06:21 PM
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#5
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Maximum Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Fremont, CA
Vehicle: 93 Honda Accord SE
Posts: 594
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My USB hub takes 5v in from a wall wart. It also runs unpowered. I think it's a belkin.
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11-23-2003, 02:14 PM
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#6
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Vehicle: 1993 Acura Vigor
Posts: 377
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In case anyone was waiting for my results:
Well, I successfully accomplished my goal. I simply used a 12v to 5v Voltage regulator from Radio Shack, and cut and spliced into the voltage lines running into the gps unit itself.
Now even when the computer is off, the GPS unit stays on, and keeps it's Satellite Fix, so that way when I power up the computer again, my position is immediately displayed in MediaCar, rather than having to wait 5+ minutes for a fix to be established.  |
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11-23-2003, 02:19 PM
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#7
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Maximum Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Fremont, CA
Vehicle: 93 Honda Accord SE
Posts: 594
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Great job man.
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11-23-2003, 02:26 PM
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#8
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Oct 2003
Vehicle: 1997 Honda Civic LX
Posts: 322
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Good job man, I'm going to have to try that when I get my GPS
__________________
New CarPC on the way again I think. I miss my old one!!!
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11-23-2003, 02:41 PM
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#9
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Vehicle: 1993 Acura Vigor
Posts: 377
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oh yeah,, try this at your own risk . |
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11-23-2003, 03:10 PM
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#10
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: SOCAL
Vehicle: 99/Ford/Expedition
Posts: 279
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Quote: Originally Posted by MeanGT
I simply used a 12v to 5v Voltage regulator from Radio Shack, and cut and spliced into the voltage lines running into the gps unit itself. Now even when the computer is off, the GPS unit stays on, and keeps it's Satellite Fix, so that way when I power up the computer again, my position is immediately displayed in MediaCar, rather than having to wait 5+ minutes for a fix to be established
.
That was a great idea. Is your GPS unit usb powered and is there a 5vdc connector right on the GPS unit itself?
__________________
Opus case. MB 899 core duo 2.0ghz
Dual vga out, 400 gb hard drive, Centrefuse front end
zapco 1000.4 for zapco 6.5 componets
zapco 1100.1 for 2 13" W6.
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11-23-2003, 05:31 PM
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#11
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Mr. Wiggles
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: Atlanta GA
Vehicle: 2001 Jeep Cherokee Limited
Posts: 1,064
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you got a heatsink on that regulator? they can disipate a lot of heat, and it they get too hot they blow, and instead of killing power to your GPS it'll simply pass all 12v to it and fry the GPS too 
Quote: Originally Posted by MeanGT
In case anyone was waiting for my results:
Well, I successfully accomplished my goal. I simply used a 12v to 5v Voltage regulator from Radio Shack, and cut and spliced into the voltage lines running into the gps unit itself.
Now even when the computer is off, the GPS unit stays on, and keeps it's Satellite Fix, so that way when I power up the computer again, my position is immediately displayed in MediaCar, rather than having to wait 5+ minutes for a fix to be established.
__________________
My JeepPC Install
"there are no stupid questions, just stupid people."
"it's been agreed the whole world stinks so no one's taking showers anymore"
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11-23-2003, 06:05 PM
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#12
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Raw Wave
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: London UK
Vehicle: 1992 Ford XR2i
Posts: 1,818
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you got a heatsink on that regulator? they can disipate a lot of heat, and it they get too hot they blow, and instead of killing power to your GPS it'll simply pass all 12v to it and fry the GPS too
And set everything on fire...Dont scare him 
GPS unit dont take alot of current, they draw maybe 25-50mA so not much heat is generated.
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11-23-2003, 06:10 PM
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#13
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Vehicle: 1993 Acura Vigor
Posts: 377
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Quote: Originally Posted by shakes
you got a heatsink on that regulator? they can disipate a lot of heat, and it they get too hot they blow, and instead of killing power to your GPS it'll simply pass all 12v to it and fry the GPS too
Heatsink? Whats a heatsink? I coated it with gunpowder and gasoline in order to disipate the heat! .. Yeah, of course it has a heatsink hehe. Thanks for the concern though |
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11-23-2003, 06:12 PM
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#14
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Variable Bitrate
Join Date: Jul 2003
Location: Melbourne, Florida
Vehicle: 1993 Acura Vigor
Posts: 377
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Quote: Originally Posted by Ricky327
you got a heatsink on that regulator? they can disipate a lot of heat, and it they get too hot they blow, and instead of killing power to your GPS it'll simply pass all 12v to it and fry the GPS too
And set everything on fire...Dont scare him
GPS unit dont take alot of current, they draw maybe 25-50mA so not much heat is generated.
It draws 120-135 milliamps depending on what its doing, and the heatsink barely gets warm at that level. |
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11-23-2003, 06:16 PM
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#15
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Raw Wave
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: London UK
Vehicle: 1992 Ford XR2i
Posts: 1,818
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Wow your one eats alot. Well my mistake as mine eat 65mA.
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