BU-303 ! I have found the problem for all! - Page 7

replicant · 08-04-2005, 04:54 PM

The removal of the "supercap" worked like a champ, I get 4-6 out of 9 satellites locked where used to i would get 0.

THanks for the hints.

cyrix^ · 08-05-2005, 12:04 PM

Hmm. I am getting pretty tired of mine BU303.

Is the holux gr-212 a better buy? Because then I think I might change it !

JPuma · 08-30-2005, 03:58 PM

I recently experimented with mine. Not sure if you guys noticed but when the Super"Battery"Cap is disconnected the leads read 2.7. So the device is only regulating 2.7V back into the device. I was reading a similar voltage on the battery and just recently I tested the battery and now it reads .01V. If your going to mess with it and put it back you should test the votage at the larger + - solder points when the unit is not connected to USB so see if you connected it properly. All I think this battery, cap, whatever is doing is helping the unit achive lock based on the units Cold and Warm startup specs. Nothing more and I it seems pretty save to use it without. I would like to know what else they used in there on those larger soldering joints. Maybe a holder of some sort or a different battery device like that blue NiCd.

Taxi49 · 02-26-2006, 07:14 AM

For anyone who reside in USA an ELNA supercap can be found here [ELNA 3.3V .22F]

By the way they don't SHIP their order to AUS so if anyone could send me one over the mail, I will much appreciate.

djmickyg · 02-26-2006, 07:43 AM

mines still working better than ever without the cap

bruha · 04-05-2006, 06:57 PM

My BR-355 rarely gets a lock, but sometimes I get a lock after having the computer on for 30 minutes. Do you think this can still be resolved by removing the capacitor?

EDIT: I think the problem was an external CD drive pulling too much current from the 5V M1-ATX rail. If people are still having this problem they might want to investigate their +5V rail is okay before opening the GPS module.

hoodlum · 07-05-2006, 11:42 PM

I am not sure if I have the same problem... But it works fine sometimes for good 30-40 min.. then it stops. It just acts up on me! sometimes it picks up sats fast, sometimes i give up... Is this the same problem?

brougham · 03-22-2007, 02:34 PM

Quote: Originally Posted by stevieg

That's how I understood it.

I've ripped the battery/supercap thingy out of mine.

Before I did it, I was going maybe an hour without lock at it's worst - it was terrible, and through a city it was useless. I went for a country drive and actually got LOST because it couldn't find a lock.

Since I've taken the battery/cap OUT COMPLETELY I have never had a problem. My GPS lock issues have dissapeared!

Finger crossed, anyway

First post so take it easy please.
I have had this problem with my BU-303. I even had the case open to rip out the cap like everyone else. Then I saw the post from Taxi49 with the specs for a replacement. His link now 404's but I searched and found the spec.

These supercaps are Aluminium Electrolytics. I remembered from years ago troubles with similar caps in a flashgun and that they self heal if you leave them powered up. A quick googling showed I had remembered this right- Outline | Aluminum Electrolytic Capacitor | Products Information - Sanyo Electric Co.,Ltd. Electronic Device Company

So I plugged mine in to a spare USB port a box that's on 24-7, the output locked up after 8 minutes. I left it plugged into the port for another 4 days and after plugging it back in I've had a solid lock for 18 hours.

Brougham