Question about car power adapter for GPS

blown_fuse · 01-08-09, 09:07 AM

Hi, I have an old GPS receiver (for used with PDA) someone gave me as a gift. Its car power adapter (cigarette light charger) has blown, and so I must look for another one. It says on the charger that it is 12V in and 5.4 V out. I can find ones with the right voltage, but the head wouldn't fit into the GPS receiver. The only ones I can find is a universal car adapter which maybe will fit with the GPS receiver, but it can only be adjusted to give output of 4.5-6-7 volt etc., and not 5.4V. So I was wondering if it can be used to power the GPS receiver, because I do not want to fry the whole system. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks

bigtsr · 01-08-09, 10:10 AM

Have you taken the cigar lighter plug apart
to check the internal fuse?Most have them!
While the voltage rating is important current
provided will be determined by the gps rcvr.
If your electrically handy you could put in dropping
resistor fixed/variable in line and resolder old
plug to new supply.

dlweston · 01-08-09, 08:56 PM

Did you check Radio Shack? My Seidio changer for my X50v Seidio vehicle mount went bad on a trip. I used my X50v for GPS navigation, so that was not good. Radio Shack had exactly what I needed. It was 5.0 VDC, but if you are within 10% of the voltage rating and it can supply enough current, you should be fine.

blown_fuse · 01-10-09, 07:58 AM

Thank you for the both of you. The fuse indeed has blown so I was able to find another one at, guess where, Radioshack. Thank you again. I have another question, somebody told me for all devices that plugged into a car, you have to start the car first before plugging it in the cigarette plug. If you plug first and then start the car, it would ruin the device. Is that correct? Thanks.

bigtsr · 01-10-09, 02:49 PM

I have never had any device fail due to starting with it plugged
in or turned on for that matter.Ido it all the time with my ham
radio gear.

dlweston · 01-10-09, 06:19 PM

I agree. I worked in two-way radio for many years before switching to computer networking 12 years ago. Most radios were setup to power on/off with the ignition. I never saw that cause an issue.

I do recommend unpluggin or removing the fuse from devices if you need a jump start. I had seen to many radios destroyed, because they accidentially connected the jumper cables backwards.