+Green Bay Paddlers Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 I have a Meridian Gold and have just started experiencing this problem. I've been using my old cigarette lighter adapter from my M 315 on my new Meridan Gold. This weekend I was using my Gold Unit in the car with the cigarette lighter adapter for power. Whenever I turned on the 2X backlight the whole unit would say "CRITICAL LOW POWER" and then just shut off. It happened every time I tried it. Doesn't it seem strange that that should happen? Has anyone else had this same issue? Quote Link to comment
+JetSkier Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 Next time you think you're on cigarette power, go to the satellite screen to make sure you are. The battery meter should be replaced with "External Power". If you see the battery meter, then you are on battery power. I had this problem with my Meridian Marine. It turned out to be a bad soldered joint that prevented external power. Mine was covered under warranty. JetSkier Quote Link to comment
+Green Bay Paddlers Posted March 15, 2004 Author Share Posted March 15, 2004 Thanks for the quick reply. That was actually something I thought of because sometimes I accidently pull the cord out of the lighter. Just to make sure I took out the batteries and put it back on lighter power again. It would work fine with no light or just 1x backlight. Everytime I go up to 2x backlight it shuts off! Any ideas? Quote Link to comment
+EScout Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 It sounds like the power supply in the cig adapter made for the 315 is not able to supply enough current with the light on 2X on the Meridian. The voltage is probably dropping too low. Its able to supply enough current at 1X light, so the answer is to get an adapter made for the Meridian if you want to use it on 2X. Quote Link to comment
+Green Bay Paddlers Posted March 15, 2004 Author Share Posted March 15, 2004 Thanks Escout... I didn't realize that they were two separate products. I guess I need a new lighter adapter! Thanks! Jeff Quote Link to comment
4x4van Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 Yup, that's exactly the problem. When I bought my SporTrak Pro, I started using my 12vdc cord from my GPS 315 as well, and had the exact same problem. Would work fine with no light or 1X light, but with 2X light, it would slowly but surely drain the batteries. I have since purchased the SporTrak 12vdc cable, and the problem is gone. Seems the 315 cable doesn't provide quite enough current for the ST (or Meridian) if you are using the 2X light. Quote Link to comment
+phantom4099 Posted March 15, 2004 Share Posted March 15, 2004 I had the same probelm when I used my power/data 315 cable for my meridian. It seems some of the older cables don't supply enough power, but it seems some of the newer 315 cables do (I think the newer ones have a gray box). I called magellan and told them what I was doing with the cable, and they sent me a new one free. I don't think I had any more probelms with it, but I eventually quit using it because I got just a plain cig cable for my meridian. Wyatt W. Quote Link to comment
robertlipe Posted March 16, 2004 Share Posted March 16, 2004 Sorry I missed this question the first go-round. This question comes up enough that I added it to my FAQ below. Quote Link to comment
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.