GPS connector question

[littlefield]

I was going to use the switched power at the GPS plug to power my Autocom. As described there's a live lead that stays hot for about a minute after shutting the key off. However, it doesn't go completely flat, still has +.25 volt potential. Reckon that will cause a constant, small power draw with the key off?

[NeilS]

That's probably because the circuit is switched by an electronic switch (rather than a relay) and you're measuring it with a high-impedance voltmeter. You're reading the voltage produced by the leakage (off-state) current of the switch. If I'm right, it won't cause a problem. You can check this by repeating your test with a 10 kohm resistor across your test leads--chances are the voltage will now be zero.

[littlefield]

Thanks, Neil. I'll give it a try.

[Dan-A]

GPS's accumulate a track that can be downloaded to a computer, and shared. If the GPS shuts off with the power will the track be saved as a continuous one until manually reset, or a number of smaller tracks beginning with each time it comes back on?

[Caol]

GPS's accumulate a track that can be downloaded to a computer, and shared. If the GPS shuts off with the power will the track be saved as a continuous one until manually reset, or a number of smaller tracks beginning with each time it comes back on?

With my Garmin 60CSx, handheld (with handle bar mount), the track is saved when the power is shut down and a new track started at the next power up. However, they all come as one download to the computer as multiple "ACTIVE LOG x" entries. They can be cleaned up and joined together on the computer.

If you reset the memory of the GPS unit after each download to the computer, then you won't run the risk of over flowing the GPS unit's memory and stacking up an unending list of "ACTIVE LOG x"'s.

I don't know if the larger GPS units (StreetPilot, Zumo etc) operate the same way or not.

Kyle

[Dan-A]

GPS's accumulate a track that can be downloaded to a computer, and shared. If the GPS shuts off with the power will the track be saved as a continuous one until manually reset, or a number of smaller tracks beginning with each time it comes back on?

With my Garmin 60CSx, handheld (with handle bar mount), the track is saved when the power is shut down and a new track started at the next power up. However, they all come as one download to the computer as multiple "ACTIVE LOG x" entries. They can be cleaned up and joined together on the computer.

If you reset the memory of the GPS unit after each download to the computer, then you won't run the risk of over flowing the GPS unit's memory and stacking up an unending list of "ACTIVE LOG x"'s.

I don't know if the larger GPS units (StreetPilot, Zumo etc) operate the same way or not.

Kyle

That clears up something for me, as I use the same unit, 60CSX. On my KLR I powered it from the switched power, and every time I turn on the bike, and forget to turn on the unit, my track was interrupted. I never tried to download it to see that it comes down as a single track, but since I might be following the track back on a dirt road or trail, I wanted it to be continuous.

On the R I am still using the batteries so it stays on (but no backlight). I am planning a Zumo, so it will be interesting to see how the Zumo handles it.

[NeilS]

My Magellan Meridian (which is several generations obsolete) accumulates a single track no matter how many times it's turned on and off. That makes sense to me for any battery powered GPS, because it would be a pain to lose a track when the battery ran down, but I don't know how any others work.

[Dan-A]

My Magellan Meridian (which is several generations obsolete) accumulates a single track no matter how many times it's turned on and off. That makes sense to me for any battery powered GPS, because it would be a pain to lose a track when the battery ran down, but I don't know how any others work.

The Garmin seems to continue to track on the trip meter, but if you ride 10 or 15 miles before remembering to turn it on, it might be harder to follow.

I think the key is to have it not only go off with the bike power but to come on with it too. If the 60CSX can do this, I do not know. What about the Zumo?