My gps cuts off...

[VFRJohn]

My Garmin eTrex is mounted on my XT350 with a RAM mount.

http://www.twtex.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=275&stc=1&d=1141958558

On pavement, it works fine, but when I go on rough stuff, the gps cuts off every so often. I think the batteries are bouncing enough to cause a momentary disconnect.

I feel my gps would be more useful if it stayed on all the time!

Any suggestions?

TIA - John

[kurt]

Power cord to the battery?

[greengoose]

Theres some good advice here

http://www.cycoactive.com/gps/gps_batteries.html

The tape and grease method helped stop the cut outs on my GPS V.

[Photojojo]

You need to hardwire it. Touratech sells a vibration reduction mount for my GPS V. Not sure about yours though.

[bushwhacker]

I put a piece of thin adhesive backed rubber on the inside of the back plate/battery cover. This put enough pressure on the batteries to hold them steady on the bumpy areas.

-

[gocatgo]

I don't have a power outlet on my DR. I permanently attached the SAE connector from a Battery Tender , and ordered an adapter from powerletproducts.com that converts SAE to a cigarrete lighter plug, which is what goes to my Garmin GPS V.
My other bikes have the BMW type outlets which are great, but there's not a good spot on the DR to install one.

[WoodButcher]

I put a piece of thin adhesive backed rubber on the inside of the back plate/battery cover. This put enough pressure on the batteries to hold them steady on the bumpy areas.

-

Yep, thin weather striping is what I have used for years on my Vista. No problems.

If you hardwire, remember that an eTrex takes 3.3volts in, not 12 like the GPS V mentioned above. So you need to modify one of the etrex cigarette adapters (they have a voltage dropdown builtin) to connect to your battery.

[VFRJohn]

Thanks for the helpful replies. Wow, what a great group! :clap:

Sounds like the best option is hardwired power - which on my eTrex will require a 12v to 3v converter.

Second best is to snug the batteries with foam, and maybe use some dielectric grease on the contacts (battery, not lenses :) ).

I'll try Second first... :rider:

Thanks again!

[CycleCat]

You can also put a very thin strip of foam weather stripping underneath each battery clip to firm them up.
I also had good luck lining my AA batteries with a strip of electrical tape down the side that laid in the GPS battery compartment as well as on the side facing the battery door. It gave the molded tabs in the unit something to "bite" into to stop the batteries from vibrating.

[gotdurt]

I made a 'temporary' fix by putting a little piece of folded kleenex between the back and the batteries (centered between the batteries). That solved the problem, and 2 years later, I still haven't gotten around to a 'permanent' fix...

[Desmo]

I have a thermometer/clock/voltmeter mounted on the KLR. Whenever I got in the rough stuff, the digital display would drop out momentarily, just like you noticed. I put a dab of dielectric grease on the batteries (thanks bdolan!) and it has worked perfect ever since.

Steve

[bushwhacker]

I made a 'temporary' fix by putting a little piece of folded kleenex between the back and the batteries (centered between the batteries). That solved the problem, and 2 years later, I still haven't gotten around to a 'permanent' fix...

Before the "permenant" fix I used a piece of Viva paper towel. Worked fine.

-

[VFRJohn]

Update:

Yesterday, before a couple hour ride on gravel roads, I stuck a strip of electrical tape in the slots in the cover for each battery.
(picture goes here... but wife has camera in Kentucky this weekend!)

It worked! The gps stayed on the whole time. :clap:

I noted that 'before tape', the batteries had a tiny bit of play - determined by putting them in place, but sticking up 1/16", then pressing the cover slowly down, then removing cover and pressing batteries down to see how much farther they moved. With the tape, the cover fit more snugly, but tightly.

Thanks, guys!

John

[vfrhugh]

I've got the same problem with my old III+. Where can I find some dielectric grease? Radio Shack didn't have any. I have a permanent power connection on my VFR but hate to go to that much trouble on the KTM.

On a side note, the wife and I went exploring last weekend(car trip) and ended up in Palestine, TX. I’m really impressed with the area. I noticed a lot of potential DS dirt county roads and good VFR roads. Is anybody familiar with the area?
Hugh:rider:

[vfrhugh]

By the way John, is that your VFR on it's side in your photo?

[Cagiva 549]

Get dieletric grease from the auto parts store , it works very good on spark plug wires , remember those , the big black wire that used to go to the spark plugs on engines . Just thinking of my fleet , I have more engines without than with. Dont stop with the GPS , use dielectrick grease on every electrical connection on your bike , it will keep moisture off of electric terminals stopping the power robbing corrision buildup . SEYA

[Cagiva 549]

If you havent already , ride FM 831 south from Oakwood . And lunch at Laffites on US 79 southwest of town . SEYA

[Photojojo]

The last time I bought dieelectric grease I think it was at a NAPA. The power connection was the only thing that worked for me.

[Voltar]

My experience... they all cut off unless they are run from the bike's battery.
I even remove the batteries when the GPS in on the bike.

[VFRJohn]

By the way John, is that your VFR on it's side in your photo?

Oh, yeah... it is. The sign is fake - the photo is not!
Watch out for those low-water crossings. :doh:

[Voltar]

I think VFRJohn's avatar is hilarious!

[vfrhugh]

Ouch!! I hope the only damage was pride. It is a great avatar though.:rider:

[VFRJohn]

Thanks, Voltar. It's definitely funnier now than at the time!

Hugh, surprisingly I didn't have to buy any parts. Had to glue some cracked plastic and touch up some scratches. You can hardly distinguish them from the scratches from previous incidents. ;-)

There was permanent pride damage, though.

[Voltar]

There was permanent pride damage, though.

But it is worth it for a great avatar! :clap: