Handheld GPS feedback?

Discussion in 'Functional Gear & Equipment' started by stg58, Jun 16, 2013.


  1. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    Thanks for that. Gonna heat up the plastic. Now the question is whether I'll damage anything with standard batts or if I have to get some rechargeables. Probably should --
     
    Last edited: Jan 14, 2015
  2. Airtime

    Airtime Monkey+++

    Are you talking the AAs that go inside? I have used both regular alkaline of various brands and NiMH of various types with no issues with either.

    Now with the external power, I don't rightly recall if the power is 12 volts or regulated down in the cigarette plugs device to +5 volts or something else. Probably need to find that out. If you buy the vehicle plug adapter (probably good to have and I should order one myself) we could just measure the voltage coming out of it. The other cable which is data/power with pigs tails that you connect to whatever might have some info with it that says.

    Have fun and don't get lost.
    AT
     
  3. ghrit

    ghrit Bad company Administrator Founding Member

    That part number is on order, due here late this week or early next.

    Yes on the AAs, and I'm happy to know you haven't had a problem. And I sure hope there are some directions that come with the unit, otherwise there might be a smoke test. (Unless I get curious about that 12V adaptor.)

    Separate issue, but the AAs put out ~3V, not +5. Maybe there is something on board that boosts the voltage, which is certainly possible. Without a circuit diagram there's no hope of knowing other than a SWAG from measurements on the plug.
     
  4. Airtime

    Airtime Monkey+++

    There will be internal circuit voltage boosters, regulators etc. that deal with the batteries and the external power so don't fret the voltages of the batteries themselves nor the difference between the batteries and the USB input. The only thing to worry about is does the USB thing want 12 volts or 5 volts and who knows, quite possible it can handle both.

    AT
     
  5. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    I use rechargables in just about everything. They will not last quite as long, but they work just fine. They are 1.2vt each rather than 1.5vt, and as your batteries weaken, the volatage naturally drops. There is nothing wrong with using the rechargables, and they will save you quite a bit if money each year. I have about 8 AA or AAA on the charger all the time, and it is a goal to set up a solar panel to cover even that in time. I haven't paid a dime in batteries in several years.
     
  6. Airtime

    Airtime Monkey+++

    Ditto that. I use NiMH most of the time now. Seem to work better and last longer in the cold as well. And you do get what you pay for in NiMHs. The cheap ones sold by Adorama or other camera stores look very reasonable but I find most of those off brands die after a couple years and the better ones with names like Panasonic, Sanyo and Energizer seem to be going strong 4 and 5 years later with no problem. Also a good charger that charges each battery individually and NOT two in series is critical to getting the most out of your batteries. How do you know? If the charger can't charge an odd number of batteries at a time (1, 3, 5, etc.) then it charges two at a time in series. Skip on it. The reason is unless you pair batteries with the same brand and size and then always use them ONLY as a pair and ALWAYS charge them as a pair, then they will ultimately come to have differing states of discharge. Then when recharging, two batteries with differing amounts of needed charging, one will either not get charged fully or it will get overcharged as the second battery is topping off. Over time this compromises the health of the batteries. So, get a charger for which this pairing doesn't mater and the batteries will last longer.

    AT
     
  7. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    I do charge and use them in pairs, simply because most things need two at a time. A charged pair is replaced with a worn pair, and the cycle starts again. If in doubt, use a meter and match up like pairs. As for brands, I don't even bother. Almost all of mine are salvaged from solar yard lights. I have hundreds.
     
  8. kellory

    kellory An unemployed Jester, is nobody's fool. Banned

    Last edited by a moderator: Jan 25, 2015
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