How long to charge Garmin GPS with a USB cable connected to PC?

Discussion in 'General GPS Discussion' started by Jack, Dec 6, 2009.

  1. Jack

    Jack Guest

    I have a Garmin Nuvi 255WT. I turned off the GPS and connected it to
    my PC with a USB cable. The screen is dark and says: "Charging
    battery. Slide the power key to turn on". But 24 hours has past. It is
    still the same message.

    Thanks.
     
    Jack, Dec 6, 2009
    #1

  2. Was teh computer on?? The manual for my 200W says it takes about 4
    hours to charge up.
     
    Ashton Crusher, Dec 7, 2009
    #2
  3. Jack

    ps56k Guest

    HUH ? - with the USB cable connected, it usually powers up in "computer
    mode"
    with the screen showing a computer image....

    Your description is normally what I see with the Garmin 12v DC special car
    charger ?
     
    ps56k, Dec 7, 2009
    #3
  4. Jack

    keith Guest

    Are you using the 'right' USB cable? The garmin one had a resistor
    connected between the live and one of the earth lines (which I assume is
    disconnected at the computer end) and the device won't switch to the
    correct mode without this signal voltage.

    Keith
     
    keith, Dec 7, 2009
    #4
  5. Jack

    Retired VIP Guest

    That is normal, my 750 always says it's charging the battery any time
    the unit is turned off while external power is applied. It doesn't
    really keep charging the battery but it does monitor the battery's
    state of charge. I think it will switch back and forth between charge
    and monitor as needed.
     
    Retired VIP, Dec 7, 2009
    #5
  6. Jack

    Jack Guest

    I am using a USB cable for digital camera. My notebook PC is always on
    except that it may be in standby node sometime. But even at standby
    mode, the GPS still shows that the battery is being charged.
    After the battery is full, will it show a message like: "Battery is
    fully charged"?

    Thanks.
     
    Jack, Dec 7, 2009
    #6
  7. Jack

    ps56k Guest

    Very Weird -
    Using all our USB cables laying around from cameras, etc -
    they all work the same way.... on our 255, and 260...
    with the GPS going into "computer connected mode" vs your Car Charger mode

    Do you have any other USB cables to try ?
    I'm guessing that you don't see the GPS as a flash drive on your computer ?

    Lastly - since I only see that message when using the Garmin 12v DC car
    charger,
    have not really seen a "charging complete" - just the dark screen "charging"
    message.
     
    ps56k, Dec 7, 2009
    #7
  8. Jack

    keith Guest

    I can't remember there being any indication that charging is complete - I
    tend to do all my charging while in use in the car. I think the only way
    you can find the state of the battery charge is to disconnect from the
    usb cable, and when the unit starts up the charge indicator is shown on
    one of the first screens.

    Keith
     
    keith, Dec 7, 2009
    #8
  9. Jack

    Sunshine Guest

    On my Nuvi 760, I don't see any battery information during startup,
    but of course there's the 'secret' screen reached by pressing and
    holding the battery icon for several seconds. There you can see the
    battery capacity expressed as a percentage as well as actual voltage.
     
    Sunshine, Dec 7, 2009
    #9
  10. Jack

    ps56k Guest

    I think he meant the Battery Icon up in the corner,
    as on some models, the GPS auto-flips into map mode after a minute or so...
    I think my 255 does, but my 260 doesn't
     
    ps56k, Dec 7, 2009
    #10
  11. Jack

    TheDuck Guest

    First there is no charge complete. Second make sure you have updated to the
    latest firmware as there was some problems with the battery indicator.
     
    TheDuck, Dec 7, 2009
    #11
  12. Jack

    Jack Guest

    Thank you all for the information.
    In general, it is better to discharge a battery completely then charge
    it. This will extend the battery's life. If I connect the GPS to the
    car charger all the time, the battery is being charged all the time.
    Will this shorten the life time of the battery?
     
    Jack, Dec 8, 2009
    #12
  13. That is for NiCads, and is no longer relevant.

    The charging circuitry in modern equipment also is pretty smart about
    treating batteries appropriately.

    Sorry, I can't give any useful details - they've faded from my memory.
     
    Gene E. Bloch, Dec 8, 2009
    #13
  14. Hasn't been true since NiCad batteries went out of style. Most
    contemporary batteries last longest when they're discharged sparingly
    and kept close to fully charged.
     
    Peter H. Coffin, Dec 8, 2009
    #14
  15. "Jack" wrote
    I have a Nuvi 350. It comes with both an AC charger and a USB cable. Both,
    after just a few hours of charging, give me the message "Charging Complete."
     
    Howard Lester, Dec 8, 2009
    #15
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