Navman Unlocked and Mio Moov Unlocked

garden_herb · New Member

Firstly let me thank all contributors who have given me the confidence to unlock my Navman and install memory map. I have a small 6 volt solar panel which I am trying to link to my 510, so I can go out all day walking using memory map. Has anyone tried this? Is it possible to power throught the usb or would I have to use the dc jack? I have had a go at powering through the jack but after a couple of hours the Navman shuts down. The battery is still showing a 66% charge. This does not happen during normal use. I would be grateful for any suggestions.

dweeb4 · Super Member

Sorry for resurrecting this thread but I thought that this was a neat idea - did it ever work for you arden_herb? (I don't suppose you are still around)?

I put together a charger from an old mobile phone charger (5V DC output) & a USB cable which works well. This was for going on holidays and being able to navigate walking around a city.

So I was keen to hear the experience of running from a solar panel - perhaps the 6V DC output is too high & that's why it stops working after a while - some overvoltage protection mechanism perhaps? This is better than burning out the unit though!

garden_herb · New Member

Hi
Sorry for the delay in replying. Yes it is fairly stable. The car charger has three wires, one is a voltage sensor. I connected the voltage sensor to the live wire, to complete the circuit, as when the panel is connected to the Navman the output drops to between 3 - 5 volts depending upon conditions. It still occassionally shuts down but I think this is due to either voltage going over 5 volts or no current at all. The panel size is 130 X 135mm and the output us only 250mA at 6 volts. I have attached two strips of velcro onto the back of the panel and the top of my rucksack and fix panel there. So far it has not completely let me down, but I still take maps with me, just in case.

dweeb4 · Super Member

Thanks for replying - great to hear it works - does it charge up the battery and allow you to go completely standaslone or do you have to remain connected to the solar panel?

Where did you buy the solar panel?

garden_herb · New Member

You have to stay connected to the panel. This is the link to the site for the panel; http://www.reuk.co.uk. There are various options on the site. Another one is to use 4 rechargeable AA bateries and use the panel to charge them and then use the batteries to keep the Navman charged.

dweeb4 · Super Member

I'm slightly confused? If the solar panel will charge up 4 rechargeable batteries, will it not charge the internal Navman rechargeable battery?

garden_herb · New Member

Sorry to confuse you. Yes it will charge the internal battery. The 4 AA batteries is just another option, so you do not have to be connected to the panel when walking. I have never found it a problem being connected to the panel. It is fixed on the top of the rucksack with the wires running to the Navman.

dweeb4 · Super Member

Thanks Garden_herb,
I had a look at the site you gave for solar panel - interesting products - I've book marked it!