Is it normal to get a UK charger with the GT31 or do I need to ring the shop?, It seems a bit siily if I cant even charge it up

My GT11 also had a UK charger, I bought an adapter from the local electrical shop but only used it once! The GT11 also charges when the usb cable is connected.
I assume the GT31 is the same.

Landy
Yes it is strange but the options are UK or US sockets I think.
You can charge the unit via USB on your PC or via the 12V car socket and USB cable.
Mine [in WA] came with the UK set up too.
You can buy a UK to AUS adaptor from Dick Smith for about $12 if you really want to carge via the mains.
By the time you drive to Coolungup or Noresman the bugger will be well fully charged via the USB car combo.
25

I never thought about using a mains charger, as the battery lasts 12 hours ( I have had 8 hours out of mine and then I turned it off as I had sailed until I had to stop) I have always plugged mine into my PC usb port until it shows it is fully charged.

I think it's switchmode, check to see if it will accept 240 V, if so then a normal adapter you get at Coles will work.


But as others have said, it's easier to just plug it into the USB port on your computer and leave it for an hour. I keep the car charger in the car as well, only used it once though. My normal routine is when I download the tracks I plug the NAVI into my computer and leave it to charge.

just a note on Li-ion batteries. I read that they age and not just from use but from date of manufacture. This aging process accelerates with full charge and temperature. Best to store at 40% charge in cool/cold place. I used to keep my topped up but now don't bother. Leaving them in a hot car I imagine wont do them any favours either.



source.. http://www.batteryuniversity.com/parttwo-34.htm

Typically informative Yoyo
Many thanks!

I'd rather replace the battery after a year, than miss out on recording that one epic session....





Elmo's ears prick up....




Bender's face goes red....

I'm also in the habit of topping up via usb after a days session.
The trouble with storing at 40% charge, is knowing what the charge level is.
Not to mention forgetting to charge it up before a session.

yoyo, any data on storing at less than 40%?

OK followed your link, found this.

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Some lithium-ion batteries fail due to excessive low discharge. If discharged below 2.5 volts per cell, the internal safety circuit opens and the battery appears dead. A charge with the original charger is no longer possible. Some battery analyzers (Cadex) feature a boost function that reactivates the protection circuit of a failed battery and enables a recharge. However, if the cell voltage has fallen below 1.5V/cell and has remained in that state for a few months, a recharge should be avoided because of safety concerns. To prevent failure, never store the battery fully discharged. Apply some charge before storage, and then charge fully before use.

Read the link...

However gps chips are pretty low powered devises and most of us use the USB for charging so the discharge/charge cycle is not harsh. But to answer your question Decrepit.. "Some lithium-ion batteries fail due to excessive low discharge. If discharged below 2.5 volts per cell, the internal safety circuit opens and the battery appears dead. A charge with the original charger is no longer possible"

Basically I'm leaving it as as is after a session. Then charging it when I go for a sail. I guess I've never deep discharged (don't sail long enough!) as it doesn't take too long and I'm thinking by the time you've driven there and finished rigging and got your wetsuit on it should be ready to go.

The 200k guys might find some thing different.

25 how long does it take to charge? Maybe that is why your Navi died. I guess I could check as I still have it but after watching Li-ion battery fires on youtube I'd rather not. :-))

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landyacht said...

Is it normal to get a UK charger with the GT31 or do I need to ring the shop?, It seems a bit siily if I cant even charge it up

Most of the GT-11's delivered around here didn't have a mains charger. We just got the Car Charger and that is fine.

To charge them up at home I either plug them into a computer or use a charger I had made up for less than $20 at the local Tandy that has a 12 volt car power socket attached.
With a 4 way USB hub plugged into that device I can charge 4 GPS at once!

You probably all know this, but if you happen to own an ipod, then you can use the ipod mains charger to charge your GT11 and I assume GT31.
Your USB cable will plug straight into the ipod charger.

A mate gave me an old pnone charger of his which has a plug that fits straight in- works fine.

I guess that pretty much answers that question! thanksheaps. next step is to put in the disc and have a go . I keep getting a feeling that that 21st century is slowly creeping up behind me and making me learn stuff

Not wanting to lose this little unit I whipped this arm band up in the shed. All held in by big lumps of velcro


now all I need to do is go sailing with it. Pity about that little thing called work

If you can find a dealer who has them, you could buy one for $15 specially made for the Navi. OK it's not waterproof but I keep my Navi in a lunch bag anyway to be safe.

I saw a picture on the CD but figured I have to get a Tattoo and some muscles to go with it. My arms would definitely get a DWEEB rating.With the weather finally getting to our area my next session of sailing will involve wearing a big old NATO jacket and woolyjumper , so I needed something to fit over it all.. And of course being a tightarse Landsailor I will spend an hour on a sewing machine rather than spend money
I switched on tonight to enter some settings and was suprised to find that it managed to lock on to 7 satellites ,IN MY BEDROOM
do you ever get the feeling somebody knows everything we do?

Not sure if anyone knows but if you have a Motorola mobile that charger works with the GT-11 (so i would asume with the GT-31 as well). I know this because i have tried it when i had one myself. Works perfectly. I also had a converter lying around the house so i use that as well. I always charge it through the mains before a session but also do it through the computer with USB a bit as well. I've found only some ipod chargers work though.

Bubs

I switched on tonight to enter some settings and was suprised to find that it managed to lock on to 7 satellites ,IN MY BEDROOM

not something that will happen with the 11

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landyacht said...

Not wanting to lose this little unit I whipped this arm band up in the shed. All held in by big lumps of velcro


now all I need to do is go sailing with it. Pity about that little thing called work

Great work BUT, that is not a big hole in the clear plastic I see is it? It is better to keep it as dry as possible. It will resist water that seeps in but not pressure from crashes or prolonged swimming. Best to use a small plastic washer around the joystick to help manipulate it under the plastic.

see here for the word on it:

http://mtbest.net/using-navi-in-aquapack.html

He's a land sailor. Not much chance of it getting wet unless it starts to rain

I dont get so excited about sailing if I see even a thin puddle of water on the lake. . racing across the lake with handfuls of brine hitting me in the face is for newbies and blokart sailors. It one of the reasons we started laying down to sail.
When I put the GT31 on my big yacht I plan to make a plastic bubble and tape the whole thing onto the deck of the yacht. It already has a Garmin72 in the cockpit for a speedo and compass. I dont think I could read the GT31 through a full face helmet and the wind and yacht throwing me around at 130kph, let alone if the yacht really started going fast