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Cellular forums Home > Archive > Garmin GPS > August 2007 > Lithium cells in Garmin 60CSx?
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| Author |
Lithium cells in Garmin 60CSx?
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| I had no issues installing and running Energizer Lithium AA cells in
Garmin 60CSx with the latest firmware (as of 8/18/07).
The initial voltage of the cells was pretty high, as expected, 1.78V.
The device booted just fine, all seems to be fine.
I selected Alkaline cells instead of NiMH that I usually run.
Has anyone had any issues with Lithium AA cells in a 60CSx?
| |
| Bert Hyman 2007-08-19, 10:33 am |
| In news:1187496979.331054.265930@q4g2000prc.googlegroups.com SQ
<onestatusquo@yahoo.com> wrote:
> I selected Alkaline cells instead of NiMH that I usually run.
Do you mean in the config setting where you select the type of battery
you're using? The latest firmware from Garmin changed the incorrect
"lithium ion" setting to "ithium".
> Has anyone had any issues with Lithium AA cells in a 60CSx?
I don't use my 76CSx on internal batteries very often and usually use
alkaline batteries, but I have a set of lithium cells in my receiver at
the moment because that's all I could find in the kitchen drawer :-).
They've been in there since May without any problems.
--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
| |
| Christian Barmala 2007-08-19, 10:33 am |
| SQ schrieb:
> I selected Alkaline cells instead of NiMH that I usually run.
What's that setting used for? Does the GPSMAP60CSx charge the batteries
based on these settings?
What type of batteries do you recommend? To my experience, simple NiCd
or NiMh batteries charged with simple chargers (even those with
discharging option) don't survive many charges and are always empty when
you need them. Really good chargers cost > 100 $. I recently saw
rechargable alkaline cells with a special charging device (you can't use
the one meant for NiMh) but the manual says they were meant for just 25
recharges.
For the moment I use simple non rechargable Alkaline cells. Do you have
better ideas?
Christian
| |
| Phil Wheeler 2007-08-19, 10:33 am |
| SQ wrote:
> I had no issues installing and running Energizer Lithium AA cells in
> Garmin 60CSx with the latest firmware (as of 8/18/07).
>
> The initial voltage of the cells was pretty high, as expected, 1.78V.
>
> The device booted just fine, all seems to be fine.
>
> I selected Alkaline cells instead of NiMH that I usually run.
>
> Has anyone had any issues with Lithium AA cells in a 60CSx?
>
In my 60Cx, yes .. but I've not installed new
firmware for a while. Maybe there is hope, since
that has always been my preferred battery solution.
Phil
| |
| Bert Hyman 2007-08-19, 10:33 am |
| In news:fa9i76$cri$1@ne
ws.albasani.net Christian Barmala
<christian.barmala@gmx.net> wrote:
> SQ schrieb:
>
> What's that setting used for? Does the GPSMAP60CSx charge the
> batteries based on these settings?
The receiver doesn't charge batteries.
The manual doesn't say, so I'm just assume that changing the battery
type in the config allows the "Battery Power" icon in the status bar to
work correctly with different battery types by taking into account their
voltage at various stages of discharge.
--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
| |
| Phil Wheeler 2007-08-19, 10:33 am |
| SQ wrote:
> I had no issues installing and running Energizer Lithium AA cells in
> Garmin 60CSx with the latest firmware (as of 8/18/07).
>
> The initial voltage of the cells was pretty high, as expected, 1.78V.
>
> The device booted just fine, all seems to be fine.
>
> I selected Alkaline cells instead of NiMH that I usually run.
>
> Has anyone had any issues with Lithium AA cells in a 60CSx?
>
Well here is what the latest (Aug 2) update says:
> Changes made from version 3.30 to 3.50:
>
> * Change number of lines of text in the address field on map feature review page from 4 to 6.
> * Improve robustness when recovering from a partial map load.
> * Limit number of custom POI bitmaps to 64 to ensure enough memory resources.
> * Added better compatibility with Mac computers in USB mass storage mode.
> * Improved pedestrian route calculation for shortest distance method.
> * Added ability to recalculate a direct goto route.
> * Fix issue where MPC maps could potentially cause a shutdown.
> * Address issue where nearest points search would skip some points.
> * Changed datum used in the the SWEREF 99TM grid to GRS80.
> * Changed datum used in the the Estonian grid to GRS80.
> * Fix potential shutdown when using TOPO West 1999.
> * Fix potential shutdown on track setup for data card when track log files have long file names.
> * Corrected French translation for 'Log track points'.
> * Improved promptness of the turn review popup.
> * Improve track log recording for sensor products to continue recording sensor data even when GPS doesn't have a fix.
> * Fix potential shutdown when propagating in a cul-de-sac across a map boundary.
> * Added more time zones.
> * Fix potential shutdown when clearing recent find list when custom POI with custom bitmaps are in the list.
> * Add A905/D900 unlock code communication protocol.
> * Make route recalculation on MPC maps behave like City Navigator maps.
> * Remove lithium ion as a battery choice.
Note that the last line "solves" the problem by
removing Li-ion as a battery option.
Phil
| |
| Bert Hyman 2007-08-19, 10:33 am |
| In news:46c851e5$0$1105
7$4c368faf@roadrunne
r.com Phil Wheeler
<wt6uh-ng7@yahoo.com> wrote:
> SQ wrote:
>
>
> Well here is what the latest (Aug 2) update says:
>
>
> Note that the last line "solves" the problem by
> removing Li-ion as a battery option.
The comment for the same firmware upgrade for the 76CSx more clearly
explains:
* Remove lithium ion as a battery choice. For 76x add lithium battery
choice.
"Lithium ion" batteries aren't the same beast as the lithium batteries
you buy in the drug store.
--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
| |
| Pegleg 2007-08-19, 12:33 pm |
| On Sun, 19 Aug 2007 07:17:31 -0700, Phil Wheeler <wt6uh-ng7@yahoo.com>
wrote:
>
>
>In my 60Cx, yes ..
What were the issues?
| |
| Klatch 2007-08-19, 12:33 pm |
| "Pegleg" <Pegleg@usnavyret.mil> wrote in message
news:2logc3l4digiujl
48iidscul79n1rmqnns@
4ax.com...
> On Sun, 19 Aug 2007 07:17:31 -0700, Phil Wheeler <wt6uh-ng7@yahoo.com>
> wrote:
>
>
>
> What were the issues?
The issue seems to be the initial voltage of the lithium cells was too high
for the 60CSX, causing a shutdown. At least one solution was to put the
cells in a flashlight for about 10 minutes, dropping the voltage
sufficiently to allow the to function in the 60CSX, but removing little of
the cells usable life. A short discussion here:
http://tinyurl.com/2j3nbs
| |
| Jerry M 2007-08-19, 12:33 pm |
| On Aug 19, 9:42 am, Bert Hyman <b...@iphouse.com> wrote:
>
> Do you mean in the config setting where you select the type of battery
> you're using? The latest firmware from Garmin changed the incorrect
> "lithium ion" setting to "ithium".
>
>
> I don't use my 76CSx on internal batteries very often and usually use
> alkaline batteries, but I have a set of lithium cells in my receiver at
> the moment because that's all I could find in the kitchen drawer :-).
>
> They've been in there since May without any problems.
>
> --
> Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN b...@iphouse.com
The only battery options in the 60 CSx after 3.50 firmware is alkaline
and NIMH. The 76x series probably has three battery options but 60x
series only has two now.
Jerry
| |
| Jerry M 2007-08-19, 12:33 pm |
| On Aug 19, 12:20 pm, Jerry M <moorheadb...@aol.com> wrote:
> On Aug 19, 9:42 am, Bert Hyman <b...@iphouse.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
>
>
> The only battery options in the 60 CSx after 3.50 firmware is alkaline
> and NIMH. The 76x series probably has three battery options but 60x
> series only has two now.
> Jerry
You can probably use regular lithium batteries in 60x series now but
only configuration settings are alkaline and NIMH.
Jerry
| |
| Jerry M 2007-08-19, 12:33 pm |
| On Aug 19, 9:56 am, Christian Barmala <christian.barm...@gmx.net>
wrote:
> SQ schrieb:
>
>
> What's that setting used for? Does the GPSMAP60CSx charge the batteries
> based on these settings?
>
> What type of batteries do you recommend? To my experience, simple NiCd
> or NiMh batteries charged with simple chargers (even those with
> discharging option) don't survive many charges and are always empty when
> you need them. Really good chargers cost > 100 $. I recently saw
> rechargable alkaline cells with a special charging device (you can't use
> the one meant for NiMh) but the manual says they were meant for just 25
> recharges.
>
> For the moment I use simple non rechargable Alkaline cells. Do you have
> better ideas?
>
> Christian
I use Sanyo Eneloop NIMH bateeries as they do not lose their charge
like regular NIMH batteries. Works great for me. RadioShack also has
similar NIMH batteries now that do not lose charge even after a year
setting around. I got tired of regular NIMH batteries going dead so
quickly if I didn't use my gps for awhile.
Jerry
| |
| Phil Wheeler 2007-08-19, 3:33 pm |
| Bert Hyman wrote:
> In news:46c851e5$0$1105
7$4c368faf@roadrunne
r.com Phil Wheeler
> <wt6uh-ng7@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> The comment for the same firmware upgrade for the 76CSx more clearly
> explains:
>
> * Remove lithium ion as a battery choice. For 76x add lithium battery
> choice.
>
> "Lithium ion" batteries aren't the same beast as the lithium batteries
> you buy in the drug store.
>
Hmm .. so do the Li AAs work in a 76CSx while not
in the 60Cx (that is, without the need to
pre-condition them in a flashlight or such)?
Phil
| |
| Phil Wheeler 2007-08-19, 3:33 pm |
| Jerry M wrote:
> On Aug 19, 12:20 pm, Jerry M <moorheadb...@aol.com> wrote:
>
> You can probably use regular lithium batteries in 60x series now but
> only configuration settings are alkaline and NIMH.
>
Nope. New, unused Li AAs still do not work in my
v. 3.5 60Cx.
Phil
| |
|
|
On Aug 19, 12:20 pm, Jerry M <moorheadb...@aol.com> wrote:
> The only battery options in the 60 CSx after 3.50 firmware is alkaline
> and NIMH. The 76x series probably has three battery options but 60x
> series only has two now.
Right. Strange, why did they take out the Lithium option?
Anyway, I wanted to make it clear that all 3 types of cells work well
in 60CSx,
at least in my experience.
NiMH are 1.45V fresh off the charger, but drop within hours to about
1.35V even without
use, so that's what they start at.
Duracell Procell Alkalines start at 1.5-1.6V.
Energizer Lithium AA cells are almost 1.8V at their starting point.
I scanning old posts, it looks like there were issues with Lithiums in
the
60cs platform, the device would not power off. I wanted to see if I
had this problem
with 60CSx. I don't. The firmware is the latest 3.5. I just had to
try Lithiums.
Starting from 1.8V and running them for 12 hours, they are now 1.5V. I
did multiple
shutdowns and restarts, using backlight, etc. all seems fine. I cannot
get them
not to work.
It would be scary to find out your equipment doesn't work when you
need it.
Just in case, I have a AA flashlight which can be used to drain the
Lithiums slightly.
FWIW, the regular alkaline cells work really well in the 60 platform
because
the drain is so low, about 50 mAh.
Testing alkalines, I got about 18 hours out of them. Testing 2700 mAh
NiMH cells,
I got a bit more, like 22 hours. I hear that Lithiums should get more
like 40 hours
depending on the usage of the backlight and compass which drain the
cells more
than regular usage.
I also tested the new low self-discharge cells like Sanyo Eneloops.
Not sure of their run time vs. Maha Powerex 2700 mAh, supposedly the
best
2700 mAh cell available. (Surprisingly, Powerex has the lowest self-
discharge
rate among conventional NiMH cells, but certainly nowhere near as good
as the Eneloop).
The bottom line: Lithium AA cells work in 60CSx. If anyone has a
different
experience, I would love to hear this.
| |
| Bert Hyman 2007-08-19, 10:35 pm |
| In news:1187540446.428092.124250@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com Jerry M
<moorheadbigj@aol.com> wrote:
> The only battery options in the 60 CSx after 3.50 firmware is alkaline
> and NIMH. The 76x series probably has three battery options but 60x
> series only has two now.
Wow. That shoots down my assumption that the two receivers were
identical except for packaging.
Why in the world would they do that?
--
Bert Hyman St. Paul, MN bert@iphouse.com
| |
| Ron Schmars 2007-08-19, 10:35 pm |
| Here is part of what Garmin told me when I reported trouble with my
on/off switch.
"Please be sure you are not using Energizer E2
batteries in the unit."
| |
|
| On Aug 19, 8:19 pm, Ron Schmars <ronnos...@schmars.com> wrote:
>
> "Please be sure you are not using Energizer E2
> batteries in the unit."
Interesting. Was that recently? What's their official
position on Energizer E2 Lithiums? As said before,
they work without issues in my unit.
Interestingly enough, I also had issues with the switch
but for a different reason.
I dropped 60CSx and the switch went dead at that point.
Had to try to turn it on about 50 times after which it
did turn on, but couldn't be turned off nor could the
backlight could be accessed.
Garmin fixed it, to their credit - but be careful,
don't drop your unit. FWIW I was using
Maha Powerex 2700 mAh cells which I know
where good.
| |
| Ron Schmars 2007-08-19, 10:35 pm |
| On Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:42:51 -0700, SQ <onestatusquo@yahoo.com> wrote:
>On Aug 19, 8:19 pm, Ron Schmars <ronnos...@schmars.com> wrote:
>
>Interesting. Was that recently? What's their official
>position on Energizer E2 Lithiums? As said before,
>they work without issues in my unit.
>
>Interestingly enough, I also had issues with the switch
>but for a different reason.
>I dropped 60CSx and the switch went dead at that point.
>Had to try to turn it on about 50 times after which it
>did turn on, but couldn't be turned off nor could the
>backlight could be accessed.
>
>Garmin fixed it, to their credit - but be careful,
>don't drop your unit. FWIW I was using
>Maha Powerex 2700 mAh cells which I know
>where good.
>
That was about 2 weeks ago that they told me that. Energizer Lithium
E2 batteries do start off at about 1.8 volts and maybe the extra
voltage can damage the unit. I did use a set of them about 6 months
ago and they lasted 4 whole days of geocaching but at $5 a set they
weren't worth it. My switch also was taking about 50 pushes before it
did anything. I did drop it but it didn't start right after that. It
started off requiring extra pushes and it just got worse and worse.
Garmin did replace it for me under warranty.
| |
|
| On Aug 19, 9:06 pm, Ron Schmars <ronnos...@schmars.com> wrote:
.......
> started off requiring extra pushes and it just got worse and worse.
> Garmin did replace it for me under warranty.
I really think there is an issue pertaining to the switch.
I think the fact I dropped my unit was just a correlation,
not a causation, same thing with lithium batteries.
| |
| TERRY SYSUM 2007-08-20, 10:40 am |
| I had a Garmin 60c after 6 months had same trouble with switch (any battery)
Returned to garmin who admitted I had a switch fault but said they were out
of spares, Eventually replaced unit with brand new (to their credit good
service) all within 2 week s of me returning unit!!<onestatusquo@yahoo.com>
wrote in message
news:1187593782.981089.85520@l22g2000prc.googlegroups.com...
> On Aug 19, 9:06 pm, Ron Schmars <ronnos...@schmars.com> wrote:
> ......
>
> I really think there is an issue pertaining to the switch.
> I think the fact I dropped my unit was just a correlation,
> not a causation, same thing with lithium batteries.
>
| |
| Bert Hyman 2007-08-20, 10:40 am |
| ronnospam@schmars.com (Ron Schmars) wrote in
news:58nhc3ln7su8frl
qv6cpqnqtvi9rq85m22@
4ax.com:
> Here is part of what Garmin told me when I reported trouble with my
> on/off switch.
>
> "Please be sure you are not using Energizer E2
> batteries in the unit."
Just to confuse the matter a little more, there are "Energizer e2
lithium" and "Energizer e2 titanium" batteries.
http://www.energizer.com/products/lithium/default.aspx
http://www.energizer.com/products/titanium/
--
Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN | bert@iphouse.com
| |
| Jerry M 2007-08-20, 12:39 pm |
| On Aug 20, 9:27 am, Bert Hyman <b...@iphouse.com> wrote:
> ronnos...@schmars.com (Ron Schmars) wrote innews:58nhc3ln7su8f
rlqv6cpqnqtvi9rq85m2
2@4ax.com:
>
>
>
> Just to confuse the matter a little more, there are "Energizer e2
> lithium" and "Energizer e2 titanium" batteries.
>
> http://www.energizer.com/products/l...ducts/titanium/
>
> --
> Bert Hyman | St. Paul, MN | b...@iphouse.com
Energizer e2 titanium" batteries are alkaline baterries.
Jerry
| |
|
| On Aug 19, 5:42 pm, SQ <onestatus...@yahoo.com> wrote:
> On Aug 19, 8:19 pm, Ron Schmars <ronnos...@schmars.com> wrote:
>
>
>
>
> Interesting. Was that recently? What's their official
> position on Energizer E2 Lithiums? As said before,
> they work without issues in my unit.
In quite a few units the Energizer Lithium-ironsulfide cells will have
an issue when they're brand new. The initial voltage is seen as too
high by the 60/76/C/S/x models and some will immediately shut down.
Checking the diagnostics later shows a shutdown due to high voltage.
The easy workaround is to first use the cells in some other device for
a minute or so and then the voltage will be low enough to work
properly in the above Garmin models. If no other device is available
it'll generally work ok to just turn on the GPS repeatedly until the
cell voltage drops enough so it'll stay on.
Since you didn't encounter the problem either your cells weren't quite
as high voltage initially as some others (even a change of 0.01 volts
between cells may make the difference), or your 60CSx overvoltage
sensor isn't quite as sensitive.
| |
| Alan Burnstine 2007-08-20, 10:33 pm |
| Phil Wheeler wrote:
> Bert Hyman wrote:
>
> Hmm .. so do the Li AAs work in a 76CSx while not in the 60Cx (that is,
> without the need to pre-condition them in a flashlight or such)?
>
> Phil
I have a brand new 60CSx that has no problems with new Lithiums.
Perhaps Garmin fixed the issue quietly in newer units?
Alan
| |
|
| On Aug 20, 10:03 pm, Alan Burnstine <nos...@thetechguru.net> wrote:
> I have a brand new 60CSx that has no problems with new Lithiums.
> Perhaps Garmin fixed the issue quietly in newer units?
Could it be the newer firmware - I just upgraded mine to 3.5.
Here is a report on Energizer E2 Lithiums -
Starting at 1.8V in 60CSx, I checked them after about 20 hours
and they read 1.5V. Ran them for another 8 hours or so, then
turned the device off for a while and taking a reading,
they measured 1.65V. Somehow they recovered a bit after
sitting overnight.
Amazing cells that far outperform NiMH or Alkalines.
I think they are the best thing to use outdoors,
their weight being an important factor. According
to Energizer, 2 cells weight 1 oz with NiMH and
alkalines weight considerably more.
I don't think they last "7 times longer" but twice or three
times for sure. That's including extensive usage
of the backlight.
(Whether they are cost-effective, that's another question)
| |
| Phil Wheeler 2007-08-23, 3:33 pm |
| Bert Hyman wrote:
> In news:1187540446.428092.124250@22g2000hsm.googlegroups.com Jerry M
> <moorheadbigj@aol.com> wrote:
>
>
> Wow. That shoots down my assumption that the two receivers were
> identical except for packaging.
>
Same here.
Phi
| |
| Phil Wheeler 2007-08-23, 3:33 pm |
| Ron Schmars wrote:
> On Sun, 19 Aug 2007 17:42:51 -0700, SQ <onestatusquo@yahoo.com> wrote:
>
>
> That was about 2 weeks ago that they told me that. Energizer Lithium
> E2 batteries do start off at about 1.8 volts and maybe the extra
> voltage can damage the unit.
My guess is no damage; just won't start.
I've tried Li AAs in my 60Cx with each new update
... hoping .. but no dice. But no damage, either.
Phil
| |
| Phil Wheeler 2007-08-23, 3:33 pm |
| Ron Schmars wrote:
> Here is part of what Garmin told me when I reported trouble with my
> on/off switch.
>
> "Please be sure you are not using Energizer E2
> batteries in the unit."
Yes. If you use new Li AAs it will seem as if the
switch does not work (there will be a very brief
illumination of the screen and then shut down.
Phil
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