What Batteries

[Steve_R]

In my recent bike purchase, I got a Garmin SPIII as part of the deal. It currently has Duracell batteries installed. Since you have to replace these a some $$$ in a very short period of time, I was wondering what folks were using for rechargables, Nickle Metal Hydride or Lithium? Edit: Or I guess the better question, is which would be the better to use?

Thanks in advance.


P.S. I'll upgrade later. I'll just get me feet wet with this for now.

[oknplm]

Steve,

Why not hard wire by altering the following item? Or better yet also buy the BMW power outlet adapter so it can be plugged directly into the m/c power outlet. Cheap solution and no batteries to hassle with.

List Price: $20.95
On Sale: $13.95
You Save: $7.00 (33%)




http://www.gpsgeek.com/products/12v-dc-power-adapter-for-garmin-4-pin-streetpilot-iii-gps-v-gps-iii-60c-60-60cs-72-76-76c-76cs/

Gilsson GPS cables are produced using the highest UL-certified materials and components. Each component is custom manufactured to ensure a perfect fit with Garmin GPS units.
This 12 volt cigarette lighter adapter is everything you need to connect your Garmin GPS unit to the standard 12 volt cigarette lighter receptacle. Comparable to Garmin #010-10085-00.

Additionally, Gilsson cables are manufactured at ISO 9000/9001/9002-certified factories. The cables are fully molded from end to end for DURABILITY and SAFETY.

Unique Features:

Fully compatible with Garmin 4-pin connector GPS units (e.g. Garmin StreetPilot III, GPSMap 60C/CS, GPSMap 76).
Internal fused cigarette lighter with voltage converter
Unique stress relief component that is often not found in other cables
Power-ON LED Light
Molded from end to end for durability
6 ft. molded coil
Professionally manufactured using the toughest UL-certified materials at ISO 9000/9001/9002 certified factories.
Compatible with:

Garmin GPS 12CX (010-00179-00), GPS 12MAP (010-00205-00), GPS 12XL (010-00138-00), GPS 45 (010-00088-00), GPS 48 (010-00144-00), GPS 60 Handheld GPS Navigator (010-00322-00), GPS 72 Handheld GPS Navigator (010-00309-00), GPS 76 (010-00244-00), GPS 89 (010-00094-00), GPS 90 (010-00077-01), GPS 92 (010-00168-01), GPS II (010-00103-00), GPS II Plus (010-00128-00), GPS III (010-00126-00), GPS III Pilot (010-00125-00), GPS III Plus (010-00185-00), GPS V (010-00226-03), GPSMAP 176 (010-00208-00), GPSMAP 176C (010-00214-00), GPSMAP 196 (010-00301-00), GPSMAP 295 (010-00200-00), GPSMAP 60 (010-00322-10), GPSMAP 60C (010-00322-20), GPSMAP 60CS (010-00322-30), GPSMAP 76C (010-00352-00), GPSMAP 76CS (010-00352-00), GPSMAP 76Cx (010-00468-00), GPSMAP 76S (010-00271-00), GPSMAP 96 (010-00383-00), GPSMAP 96C (010-00384-00), GPSMap 60CSx Handheld GPS Navigator (010-00422-00), GPSMap 60Cx Handheld GPS Navigator (010-00421-00), GPSMap 76 Handheld GPS Navigator (010-00249-00), GPSMap 76CSx Handheld GPS Navigator (010-00469-00), StreetPilot ColorMap (010-00175-00), StreetPilot III GPS (010-00232-10)


May we never find the end of the road!

Perry Ridgway

oknplm

[Steve_R]

That's already in place Perry, hardwired by John Rehder when he had the bike. To be programmed off the bike, there need to be batteries installed. I would like to have them be rechargable so that when they get weak they are recharged on the bike while on the road and not a pocket expense everytime they need to be replaced.

As I understand it, and someone can correct me if I'm wrong, to get total time elapsed, running and stopped, the GPS has to be on all the time. I'd just rather not leave it on the bike, Turn On, as an item for someone to come along and pick off.

[dshealey]

I had the same problem on my long trips with the SPIII. I did get a small "Wall Wart" 12 volt DC wall transformer so that I could plug it in in motel rooms etc. You just need one of the aforementioned adapter cables to wire to the transformer. Keeps the batteries out of the loop except for between the bike and room.

Unfortunately, the SPIII has no charge circuitry in it, so it will not charge it's batteries, thus re-chargeables will not help, except for saving money over the long haul if you use battery mode a lot.

Like you, I wanted the full totals (stopped time, total time, etc..) so tried to never turn off the unit on trips.

Anxious to hear what you got Steve!

[oknplm]

Steve,

Then buy this item and the only usage on the batteries will be while you are transferring between the LT and this power adapter. It provides both AC power and when needed computer connection. At least your batteries will last longer. If the SP III is not capable of recharging batteries, a box of 48 count AA Alkaline batteries only cost about 10 dollars at Costco.

Garmin GPSMap 60SCx 60Cx 76CS 76CSx GPS V Combo Cable PC Data w/110V AC Power (Comparable to 010-10277-00) (R110-12C) (http://www.gpsgeek.com/products/pc-adapter-interface-combo-cable-w-110v-a-c-power-for-garmin-4-pin-round-gps-receivers-garmin-comparable-010-10277-00)

The ultimate 110 volt AC, Garmin GPS & GPSMAP 4-pin round connector cable for uploading MapSource data to your or downloading way/data points to your PC for analysis – without burning up your AA batteries.

Our Price: $31.99 (20% off list price!)


May we never find the end of the road!


Perry Ridgway


oknplm

[Steve_R]

Okay, thanks guys. I guess I won't be staying with the SPIII to long. But I'll using it for a leaning tool until I can upgrade.

[jackd]

Steve, I use NiMH. I bought a charger with batteries included in an internet deal. It came with 1800 microAH rating and I bought two others. The whole purchase could not have been more than $15. Buying alkalines on the road in a gas station late at night will easily add up to that.. I never take the charger on trips because I charge it up before any long trip if the battery shows less than half full. It really takes a long time to charge the batteries to get a good charge. I leave the batteries on the charger for 24 hours.

I only use the onboard batteries to transfer changed routes in a hotel or at my desk at home since you need power to be able to do that and the power cord on the bike uses the same plug to connect to the serial cable on my laptop.

If I don't do a lot of route uploads the battery charge is good for a long time.. Usually months. If I used the batteries only the batteries are only good for a few hours. My on the LT power cord is always hot so even when I turn the bike off the timers still run and I don't kill the batteries.

[bob_menton]

Steve, I don't think you'll have a choice of a rechargeable lithium battery - I don't believe they come in the standard AAA-AA-C-D cell sizes or voltages. Go with NiMH - better than NiCad.

- Bob

[lnowell]

I use the Lithium batteries sold at Sam's Club ( $19.99 for 9 I think) because they last a long time. The only thing I don't like about them other than the price is the fact that when they go, they give no warning. Even the regular batteries last a pretty long time so I don't know why you should be having a problem unless your direct 12 volt wiring is messed up or you are using it off the bike a lot without setting it to "inside use".

Enjoy your rides with 'bitchin betty'.