Alternate way of charging a GPS

[Thump553]

(Please excuse me in advance if this question doesn't belong in The Garage).

I got my student-son a GPS for Christmas, then found out the one cigarette lighter in his car doesn't work. I then bought a cheap third party home charger for it off buy.com but he says that isn't charging it (not worth the cost of shipping the cheapo charger back).

Any ideas on another way to keep his GPS charged? Would hooking it up to his computer via a USB cable charge it?

It's a Garmin if that matters.

 

[DeviousTrap]

To slightly sidestep your question, have you looked at what the problem is with his cigarette lighter? It could be as simple as just a fuse. And even if it's something more complicated than that, all you need to do is attach two wires to any live DC source in the car to attach a new jack.

While I'm sure it's possible to find a way to charge a GPS at home (simplest guess would be an AC to 12DC adapter), I feel it might defeat the purpose of having one in the first place, if you can't rely on your GPS in your car because you'll be worried about it running out of charge.

 

[PricklyPete]

To slightly sidestep your question, have you looked at what the problem is with his cigarette lighter? It could be as simple as just a fuse. And even if it's something more complicated than that, all you need to do is attach two wires to any live DC source in the car to attach a new jack.

My exact thoughts...the cigarette lighter should be a much easier and worthwhile fix. The batteries in GPS rarely last long enough to make them worthwhile...for a trip of any length you are going to want to plug it in.

 

[LTC8K6]

Yes, the USB port will charge it. Just slide the switch to off after you plug it in, and the screen will tell you it's charging. After a bit the screen will go blank, but if you touch it again, you will see the charging message.

When my Garmin is on, there is no indication that it's charging other than the battery display disappearing.

Also agree about the lighter socket. You are going to need that to work to get any real use out of the Garmin.

Garmin sells an ac adapter, also.

My Garmin charges off of any USB port I plug it in to, including the cheap wall adapters.

 

[fuzzybabybunny]

Your only options are thus:

1. Fix the existing cigarette socket (could be very easy).

2. Charge from a laptop that supplies power to the USB even when off or on standby (a pain in the ass, must always have laptop in car, what's going to charge the laptop?).

3. Put an inverter in the car that is hooked up directly to the battery. Good way to put a more or less permanent power solution in your car that can deliver 200+ watts and multiple regular outlets to any electronic devices that you may need. Installation will require running the wires from the battery through the vehicle's firewall (could be difficult) and into the cabin. But worth it IMO.

 

[amdhunter]

Another vote for the "probably just a fuse for the cig lighter." Try that first.

 

[bruceb]

First, I agree with the fix the cigarette lighter jack. Should not be hard to do.
As to charging the a computer USB port, Garmin can be done that way. Magellan can not as they want more current than the USB can supply. A AC to USB charger will not output 12VDC, but it will be at 5VDC, same as the voltage on a computer USB jack.
You can also just get another AC adapter, either on EBAY or thru a place like Amazon.
It should not cost more than $10 or so and shipping. My Magellan charger was more, but it comes with adapters to run on foreign AC power sockets as well as US sockets.

 

[WhoBeDaPlaya]

One thing to note is that using a 'puter to charge the GPS can be slow (since you're limited to <= 500mA).

 

[Vetterin]

Another vote for the "probably just a fuse for the cig lighter." Try that first.

If not the fuse make sure that the wires are connected to the lighter. I don't know why but it seems that lighter wires have a funny tendency to just fall off.

 

[SooperDave]

Here is a battery pack powered usb plug. Something like this may be what you want.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16830993094

 

[RedRooster]

There's those solar panels you can put on your dash and plug into the lighter. A very slow charge, but maybe they can be rigged to plug directly into the GPS via a female/female adapter?
If not, that still sounds hot.

 

[LTC8K6]

One thing to note is that using a 'puter to charge the GPS can be slow (since you're limited to <= 500mA).

IIRC, that's all the Garmin charger does anyway...

 

[Silex]

Maybe the GPS has a defective battery?