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GPS City Q&As » Cables » Gilsson Bare Wire Power Cable Q&As

Gilsson Bare Wire Power Cable: Is the cable causing the GPS to go in and out of USB mode? (11 replies)

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Original Question

Is the cable causing the GPS to go in and out of USB mode?

› Gilsson Bare Wire Power Cable

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Kris
NC

Original question asked on Mar 8, 2010, 6:41am

I am using this cable to power my Nuvi 205W from the fuse box with an add-a-circuit. Everything is wired and grounded correctly. When powered up via this cable the GPS constantly goes in and out of USB/Data mode. The unit itself is fine and runs properly with the original adpater cable and on battery mode. I have swapped out the Gilsson cable for another and even swapped out the add-a-circuit to ensure these are not the problem.

Any thoughts?

Jordan GPS City
Las Vegas, NV

Reply #1 on Mar 8, 2010, 2:23pm

Hello Kris,

I am having the same issue. I find if you plug in a unit lower than the Nuvi 265 it will not work with that cable. I am unsure why because it works fine with all other Garmin Nuvi GPS units. I tested the nuvi 255w with the garmin version of the cable and it works fine. You may want to exchange your current cable for the following.

http://www.gpscity.com/garmin-power-and-data-cable-for-nuvi-5xx-zumo-220.html

Cheers
Jordan

Brian Schilling
Airdrie, AB

Reply #2 on Aug 16, 2010, 3:28pm

Jordan: I'm also having the same problem with a Gilsson bare wire power cable wired into my motorcycle and operating a Nuvi 350. I beleive that the issue is related to output voltage of the Power cable. This doesnot charge the Nuvi correctly and therefore once the internal battery gets below a certain state of charge the Nuvi goes into what looks ike USB mode. At that level of charge even if I connect through a USB cord or cigarette lighter charger I get the same result. Only once the state of charge reachs a certain level will the unit come out of USB mode and allow me to operate the unit. I'm currently trying to figure out how to test the output of the power cable. I will let you know how I make out. If you have any ideas how I can test please drop me aline via email.

Thks
Brian

GPS City
Calgary, AB

Reply #3 on Aug 16, 2010, 3:49pm

Hello Brian,

The output voltage should be the issue. It will be consistently 5V. It may be related to the output current being to low to charge it quickly. We have not had this issue with other Gilson cables so I assume yours may be defective. Its hard to tell with out seeing the problem as it happens.

Cheers

Brian Schilling
Airdrie

Reply #4 on Aug 16, 2010, 6:20pm

GPS City: I did some testing when I got home from work. I opened the Glisson box and tested the input voltage from the battery (13.5 VDC), output voltage to the cable (5.5 VDC). To test the output voltage at the mini USB connector I took apart an old mouse that had a female USB connector. The test showed only 2.2 VDC at the connector. Not sure why there would be that type of loss. Back on the hunt. I'll let you know what I find. Just out of curiousity what is your warranty on this harness?

Brian Schilling
Airdrie

Reply #5 on Aug 16, 2010, 8:30pm

GPS City: I did some more investigation, looks like the issue is in the pin connection at the male end of the power cable. I can move my test connector and vary the voltage between 2.2 VDC and 5.5 VDC. When I use the same test connector on my cigarette charger i do not have any variation in voltage.

Jordan GPS City
Calgary, AB

Reply #6 on Aug 17, 2010, 7:33am

Hello Brian,

Only one of the connections is the power for the unit. Here is a link to the pin out, so you can verify you are measuring the correct line for powering your unit.

http://www.leadsdirect.co.uk/technical/usbwiring.html

The voltage on Pin 1 should not vary but the others may because they are data lines.

* when you are using the cable with the Nuvi 350, are you plugging it into the unit or the cradle?

Cheers

Brian
Airdrie

Reply #7 on Aug 17, 2010, 8:27am

Jordan: Thanks for the link, I had figured that out though through trail and error. In answer to your question I'm connecting direct to the unit when it is mounted to a RAM handle bar mount. Is there a good method to clean the pins or tighten the connection between the male and female? I beleive that part of my issue maybe vibration related as I'm driving down the road. What about using some Di-electric gel to help protect the connection?

Thanks again

Jordan GPS City
Calgary, AB

Reply #8 on Aug 17, 2010, 12:31pm

Hello Brian,

I think if you try connecting the power to the Garmin cradle the issue may stop. Also if anything happens to the connections, the cradle is easier to replace. Also the unit is designed to get its power from the cradle.

The Garmin cradle should fit into the RAM cradle. If you use the RAM holder in combination with the Garmin cradle the power cable will be held in tightly.

Cheers

Brian
Airdrie

Reply #9 on Aug 18, 2010, 7:50am

Jordan: I have connected through the cradle, seems like a much tighter fit. I seem to have a much better connection and am charging the unit. I'm heading out on a ride tommorow and will let you know how it works.

Thanks again for the tips.

GPS City
Calgary, AB

Reply #10 on Aug 18, 2010, 9:27am

Hello Brian,

I hope it works out and does kick into USB mode.

Cheers
Jordan

Jake T
Arizona / Iraq

Reply #11 on Nov 4, 2010, 7:46am

I had the same issues using this cable with the Nuvi255 after several months of on/off usage (I work overseas so the bike is in storage for several months at a time). I found that inside the mini-usb there was a build of a green corrosion. I used plain white vinegar to soak the end for aprx 5 min then used canned air to blow it out. It cleaned up good as new and I didn't have another problem with it while I was home. Hope this helps

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