GPS315 power cable
Submitted: Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
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Roller
OK guys, might sound a bit silly but I have just bought a power/data cable for my Magellan GPS315, and would like to know if I am supposed to remove the AA batteries before connecting to the cigarette lighter socket.
Reply By: ExplorOz Team - David - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Roller,I use a Garmin but I am sure they would be the same and in any case it would seem logical to leave the batteries in. When you switch the vehicle off the GPS should know that the main supply has gone and then switch over to battery mode. The Garmin's show a message saying that it will shutdown in 30 secs after the main supply is removed but you can overide with any key on the unit. I would suspect that the Magellan would be the same. So that when you remove it from the vehicle it still works without having to stuff around with batteries.David
AnswerID:
7388
Reply By: Welshmun - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Not such a dumb question; the same thought had occurred to me as I have just ordered a combined data/power cable for my Garmin Etrex (they sold me separate data and power cables before I asked how I could connect both at the same time !)
But, yes, it would seem reasonable to leave the baterries in.
I have a related question, the backlight on my Garmin times out after a period which is adjustable up to 2 minutes. But in the dark, with an external power supply, is there any way to get the backlight to stay on?
It would be a pain while driving to have to keep hitting it to get the light back on.
rgds
Welshmun
AnswerID:
7390
Follow Up By: Exploroz Team - David - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Welshmun,There should be a button with a light symbol on the unit (on the side I think near the power button). This one is used to adjust the contrast of the screen and also the backlight. If you just press it the backlight will come on and stay on, hold this button in for a few second or so a menu option should appear to allow you to adjust the contrast and brightness of the LCD display.David
FollowupID:
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Follow Up By: Welshmun - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
My Etrex Legend uses the power button to switch on the backlight; the only menu options I've found give a 2 minute max switch-on time.
I'll wait till I get it and maybe the menu recognises external power.
Doug
PS interesting comment about the Magellan losing data if no batteries found; Garmin loses nothing (they say)
FollowupID:
3387
Follow Up By: Greg Harewood - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Welsguy - RE memory loss on Magellan Tracker - I was slightly wrong on the time - manual says 30min's - I think I had a flash back to the Nav5000 (2mins)-anyway despite having a lithium battery, this model will lose data after a short period - maybe not an issue with 315. Bottom line - keep good batteries in unit
Cheers
Greg
FollowupID:
3394
Reply By: Greg Harewood - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Roller - I have a Magellan Tracker - batteries can stay in on external power - switches automatically - This model magellan also tells you on one of the screens the current power source - Magellan 315?? It will without doubt switch back to internal
battery power when external power diconnected. If you were to take the batteries out and lose external power for any lenght of time (5 minutes?) you are likely to lose all memory (wpts, tks, etc).
Cheers
Greg
AnswerID:
7393
Reply By: bob - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Hi roller
Ive used a Magellan 315 with power cable for the past 3 years. Never have I taken the bateries out prior to using the cig lighter socket, and I cant see the need. If your still hesitant email magellan through their website.
AnswerID:
7400
Reply By: Roller - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Thanks guys, I thought that would probably be the case, but didn't want to fry anything.
AnswerID:
7401
Reply By: Slunnie - Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Monday, Oct 14, 2002 at 00:00
Hi Roller, I have the 315 with power/data cable setup. I deliberately leave good batteries in the unit, as it vastly increases the speed in which the GPS re"finds" itself on startup. Regards Slunnie
AnswerID:
7409
Reply By: Steve L - Tuesday, Oct 15, 2002 at 00:00
Tuesday, Oct 15, 2002 at 00:00
Roller,
I agree with Slunnie - I leave the batteries in my 315. The unit auto detects external power and switches accordingly.
AnswerID:
7441