Garmin GPS 12 memory battery

[kiwitonita]

Hi all, one of the 12's I recently got has a low memory. The Garmin web site FAQ advises that the AA batteries should always be left in the unit in order to keep the lithium memory battery charged. They go on to say that if it becomes discharged, to put fresh AA's in for 5 days or so. This should correct matters - if not it's off to the service agent.

 

Sooo, not being able to help myself, tackled my own 12 with a pocket knife and a few minutes later had it all open with no damage. The case is not plastic welded but simply sealed together with a type of silicone. It would be quite a simple matter to replace the battery for anyone handy with a fine tip soldering iron and common sense.

 

Removing the rubber strip off the back is no help. It’s just a matter of scraping the silicone out of the joint gap and then prising it apart - but be careful not to put nicks in the joint edges. They won’t do any harm, they just look grotty.

 

The memory battery is a Panasonic VL1222. That’s their abbreviation for Vanadium Lithium 12mm diameter 2.2mm thick I guess. The Panasonic info is at:

http://www.panasonic.com/industrial/battery/oem/chem/lith/vana.htm

 

Now, the next thing is, where to buy these cells? Any ideas Neill? I have some photos but don't know how to upload them here.

[kiwitonita]

Oops, corrected battery type to VL1220.

[+BigNick]

I usually talk to South Island Components for things like that (because they are local, and have lots of connections (bad pun ))

Have you tried Farnell or RadioSpares... I have had a quick look through the Farnell catalog, but I don't see exactly what you are looking for - unfortunately I don't have a Radio Spares catalog (they don't give theirs out quite so freely

Cheers

Nick.

[+BigNick]

If you can't find anyone in NZ who sells them DigiKey sell them on-line and they will ship internationally ($4.45US for one battery+shipping)

Cheers

Nick.

[+tgsnoopy]

I've e-mailed a couple of my suppliers for you, should have replies on Monday all going well (including Standard Comms, as I have a radio to send back under warranty)

[kiwitonita]

You guys are amazing! Radio Spares has ordinary lithiums but not the rechargebles from what I could see of their on-line catalogue. SI Components have some good stuff too (& good prices) but not these items. Digi-Key look like the way to go but I'll wait to hear back from Neill first.

 

Thanks - enjoy the sunny weekend

[+BigNick]

Phone or fire off an email to SI Components - just because it is not listed does not mean that they can't get it - went out of their way to track down a supplier for Sun 13W3 monitor connectors for me for a project I was working on (except I did not need 500 (minimum order)) - great guys to deal with, I highly recommend them.

Cheers

Nick.

[+tgsnoopy]

One of my suppliers (Trade Tech) has replied and said they can get the Panasonic VL1220 for me. They wanted an indication of the quantity I wanted so they could price them for me. As I don't think it's urgent at this stage I've opted for a price for a quantity of 5 (I know of 2 geocachers so far who require a replacement) and for the cells to simply be added to their next order (7-10 day lead time, instead of 2 day, but lots cheaper), I should have confirmed pricing later today, and will advise when I know, If they are less than say $7 each I'll order them, but o-one feel obligated to get them off me, If you find a cheaper source feel free to get them there. L8rz

[+tgsnoopy]

Ok, I've ordered 5 of these little batteries. Hopefully will be here in approximately 7-10 days. Cost will be around $6 each. Anyone requiring them sooner, Standard Communications who import Garmin GPS's into NZ have them in stock in Auckland. Contact Peter Jessop on 09-2740955 in the afternoons (he's the technician and only works half days), they charge around $10 I beleive.

[kiwitonita]

That's great thanks Neill! Put one aside for me please.

 

Cheerio - Tony

[+rediguana]

I've discovered what having a faulty memory battery means - it seems it takes sooo much longer to acquire the sats as I believe it to be downloading the almanac again!

 

Cheers Gav

[+tgsnoopy]

That shouldn't be a problem Gav, only if you have changed your AA batteries! Maybe it's all the skyscrapers over there blocking the signals?

 

Dooh, read my retraction further down the postings

 

[This message was edited by tgsnoopy on September 21, 2002 at 04:58 PM.]

[+rediguana]

quote:

---

Originally posted by tgsnoopy:

That shouldn't be a problem Gav, only if you have changed your AA batteries! Maybe it's all the skyscrapers over there blocking the signals?

---

 

In DC, nothing is allowed to be taller than the Capital building. We have very short buildings. And I've left fresh AA batteries in for days, and it still comes up with the message, and takes forever to acquire. Thats why I assume it has to download the whole almanac again

 

Cheers Gav

[+tgsnoopy]

Wow, are you back from the big apple already? That was a short trip.

 

As far as I understand it, the memory is maintained by the lithium battery only whilst the AA batteries are unable to do so, in fact a small current should be flowing from the AA batteries to the lithium cell to keep it charged/charge it. In theory, if your lithium cell failed completely (as in drew so much current from the charging circuit there wasn't enough voltage available to maintain memory) then it is possible that you could be loosing your almanac data. I personally think thats unlikely but it is certainly possible. So I'd better retract my previous statement . Darn, You might like to get it repaired over there?

[+rediguana]

Oh bollucks. Got ready to hook up the GPS in the car on Sunday morning for the drive from Wilmington, Delaware, to Staten Island, NY to visit NYC for the day. I find that my antenna plug is busted, broken. I check out the plug and it has been munted and pushed into the casing somewhat. Bugger bugger bugger. I have no idea how that happened, but it must have taken a fair bit of force. I don't even know when!! So it's now got a few things wrong with it. I'd love to get it serviced here but time is fast running short. Thinking of getting a cable for the etrex so i can use that in the meantime... either that or get a new GPS - perhaps mine is cached out already

 

Cheers Gav

[+tgsnoopy]

I queried those batteries when placing an order this morning. They were apparently out of stock with my suppliers supplier and are expected to arrive mid to late this week. Sorry about the delay guys

[kiwitonita]

Hi Neill, can you make that 2 batteries please for me - I've just had a 12XL turn up with a low memeory battery. Steve & I are comparing the XL with external aerial with the 12 to see how they go in the bush. Mine has a Garmin aerial, Steve's is aftermarket and apparently there's a Trimble brand which is smaller and the best performer of the 3. It's at Mapworld for $200.

 

Will let you know how they go. Cheerio - Tony

[+tgsnoopy]

Not a problem Tony, when they turn up .

 

I read somewhere the best external aerial was called a mighty mouse or something similar, but it required a +5V feed up the coax to power it's internal amplifier, apparently not many GPS units could supply the feed. I also recall people were pairing it with a lowranch GPS100 or similar. It was a while ago that I read it though, and it's just from memory. Did price the GPS at the time though, Ouch is all I'll say (I might buy one after I win 1st division lotto )

[+tgsnoopy]

I enquired about the batteries again whilst placing an order yesterday morning. This time the reply was "They have arrived.". However, they hadn't been entered into the computer yet and will be dispatched as soon as that had been done. I was assured they would be forwarded yesterday. Oddly enough, I don't know why they couldn't simply put them with the equipment I ordered at the same time, as that order arrived by same day courier less the long awaited batteries. In theory they will be here on Monday, and I will forward them on Monday afternoon.

[+tgsnoopy]

Yay, they finally arrived late this morning. I've already forwarded on the two Tony wanted. I'm assuming Gavin will still want one when he arrives back in NZ, and I have a few spare (I got a few spares), if anyone requires one simply give me an e-mail on tgsnoopy at xtra dot co dot nz

[kiwitonita]

Thanks to Neill, the new memory batteries he supplied are now fitted to the 12 & 12XL - and no more "Low Memory" alarms. It's pretty fiddly replacing them and a fine iron is essential. I also find a very strong light and very strong magnifying glass very handy. Now to find some silicone in a syringe type dispenser for a tidy case join.

 

Cheerio - Tony

[+tgsnoopy]

I'm just sorry that my suppliers supllier was out of stock and it took so long. You might have noticed that my supplier fitted a code sticker onto them. They now carry them in stock, and I also have a small stock of them. So next time, no delays all going well I'm pleased it's all worked out ok.

[+Highrod]

Hi tgsnoopy,

can you help me out,.

Im from Australia and noticed an old discussion of yours about garmin 12xL and changing over internal batteries. My question is if I change the battery does it loose any memory when exchanging??

Hope to hear from you.

Cheers

Highrod (Aaron)