GPS running down the battery

[HCorn]

The short story is that I think my GPS (Garmin Nuvi 500) is running down my battery while the bike is parked even though it is turned off.  The Nuvi has a rechargeable battery, so there's always some draw.  But it seems like it is running down my almost new Odyssey battery in about 2 days.  I have the 12V power cord running down under the tank to the underseat compartment where it plugs into a 12V outlet directly wired to the battery. 

It's not definitive yet (I haven't tested the actual current draw), but it seems to be the culprit.  Anybody know the power draw of the unit or the cable itself (which steps down the voltage to 4v)? 

I suppose I could always just leave it unplugged when it's parked, but that seems like it shouldn't be necessary.

[mystic red]

That does not seem right. A new Odyssey should top off the tiny rechargeable in the GPS and have plenty left over. I think you have another issue.

[HCorn]

That's pretty much my thinking.  The only thing I can think of is either the DC converter is REALLY inefficient or maybe I have a REALLY small short in the harness which isn't enough to blow the fuse but enough to send some level of current to ground.

At this point, it really seems like it is related to the GPS harness.   ???

[frankenduck]

I can see how it would run down a battery in two days. My dad used to leave his cell charger plugged in and it would drain the battery of his Town Car (a much bigger battery) in only a few days.

Tap the GPS into something switched.  There's a white four terminal round unused connector in the relay box.  It's for the OEM alarm system.  I forget which one off the top of my head but one of those wires is switched 12V.  (Hint: It's not the brown one.) That's what I have my GPS power attached to on my bikes.

[HCorn]

I think I'll just go that route.  The Nuvi battery lasts like 8+ hours, so it will be fine running on internal power while I'm stopped.  Then it can be recharged once I get moving. 

[Rick G]

Some of those chargers on things like that are amazingly cheap and crappy and use lots of power weather actually charging or not.
One must remember that corporate profits come first and the extra 3 cents to make it work properly would probably break the bank. ::)

[frankenduck]

Some of those chargers on things like that are amazingly cheap and crappy and use lots of power weather actually charging or not.
One must remember that corporate profits come first and the extra 3 cents to make it work properly would probably break the bank. ::)

And when they design them they don't assume that you're going to be running it 24x7 on a sitting vehicle but on a running vehicle with more than adequate extra power.

Let your K bike sit long enough and that little LCD clock will drain your battery.

[HCorn]

I really think that may be the case:  it's the charger, not the device itself.  I may actually test it for current draw just for grins.  I need to bring home my Fluke from work so I can log it.

[johnny]

greetings rick g....

power weather... you mean like solar flares...

j o

[Rick G]

greetings rick g....

power weather... you mean like solar flares...

j o

Yep somethin like that ;D

[mystic red]

Some of those chargers on things like that are amazingly cheap and crappy and use lots of power weather actually charging or not.
One must remember that corporate profits come first and the extra 3 cents to make it work properly would probably break the bank. ::)

And when they design them they don't assume that you're going to be running it 24x7 on a sitting vehicle but on a running vehicle with more than adequate extra power.

Let your K bike sit long enough and that little LCD clock will drain your battery.

Still don't think it should drain that fast but I think I would put it on a switched circuit just to be safe. Better to have a GPS with a dead battery than a K-Bike. Would be interested to see how much drain there is in that charger tho.
And Rick, you can buy a GPS, with all the maps preloaded for whatever continent you're on, for less than a $100. Can't blame them for skimping somewhere. :)

[Scott_]

I have both of my gps mounts powered from my maplight as I have the mount right next to it.
I haven't had any issue with my bike battery draining that fast. I've left mine setting for 5 days easily with the gps mounted and cradle powered, and not had any bike low battery issue.

[Rick G]

Some of those chargers on things like that are amazingly cheap and crappy and use lots of power weather actually charging or not.
One must remember that corporate profits come first and the extra 3 cents to make it work properly would probably break the bank. ::)

And when they design them they don't assume that you're going to be running it 24x7 on a sitting vehicle but on a running vehicle with more than adequate extra power.

Let your K bike sit long enough and that little LCD clock will drain your battery.

Still don't think it should drain that fast but I think I would put it on a switched circuit just to be safe. Better to have a GPS with a dead battery than a K-Bike. Would be interested to see how much drain there is in that charger tho.
And Rick, you can buy a GPS, with all the maps preloaded for whatever continent you're on, for less than a $100. Can't blame them for skimping somewhere. :)

Actually Scott it amazes me how the things can be made then pass through 2 or 3 sets of hands and still sell for less than $100.
I come from a background of marine engineering and marine electronics where everything must be done to perfection or it only lasts for a few days so it really iritates me when things aren't made properly. I would rather pay twice as much for ten times the life but unfortunately that isn't the way it goes nowdays.

[CRASH]

I have my circuit on a switched relay.  When I turn off the bike, the power drops and my Nuvi asks me if I want to leave it on or not.  If I don't push anything it turns off itself in 30 seconds.  It can be a pain for short stops since it takes a bit for my 760 to reboot .. too many MP3s in it I think.  If I know it is a quick stop I tell it to stay on. I do know my battery is getting tired tho since it does not stay charged very long anymore.

[HCorn]

I have it running off switched power now.  A little more peace of mind.  Actually, I really do think it is the better way to go anyway for the reasons stated by Crash.  I turn on the bike - the GPS comes on.  I turn off the bike, it goes off (unless I tell it not to).  What's not to like?

[Snowy]

My 550 Zumo is wired into the alarm plug which is in the relay box under the tank.  Works perfectly. On the GSA I have it wired into an Eastern Beaver fuse box with switched power and this also works OK. I have previously tried it powered direct from the battery but would sometimes forget to turn it off. Luckily it never drained the bikes battery.