Intermittent power to Quest

[nick]

An interesting experiment which makes me conclude that it may not be a computer chip running inside the Quest which is getting confused and shuts down or, freezes if the power supply is not smooth or if there is vibration from the bike ...

I switched the Quest OFF while riding and decided to let it simply charge.

After a while the Quest switched itself ON automatically (as it does when it is first connected to a power source).

I repeated this several times.

This implies to me that it is either the power source (BMW accessory socket) or the Garmin 'black box' that is intermittent.

 

[IanC]

Nick, I've done (and concluded) excatly the same. It's almost as annoying when it keeps switching itself on!

I don't think it can be a "chip" problem, because it works fine with no power supply connected.

Still awaiting a reply from Garmin.

 

[BarkinDogs]

That's what happened to mine

The "random on" thing is what my quest does when I move it around in the charging cradle. I really think the problem is that you are not getting a solid electrical connection in the mount.

Try this, with the unit in the mount and the engine off, are you able to wiggle the quest and see if the problem occurs. Mine has a very iffy connection and will flicker on/off as I shift it around in the cradle.

Pete

 

[Springer]

Garmin quest power problems

Mine did the same with in 3 hours use using a new quest and new garmin motorcycle mount. I could clean the contacts but within the hour it would start again. I concluded that it was the sprung contacts at certain frequencys of vibe losing contact. as a small piece of plastic over the contacts allowed the unit to work fine on its internal battery. bit disappointed really but if anyone has perfected a 1150 GS adv set with quest let me know

 

[nick]

I have put a .25" thick piece of rubber between the Ram mount plate and the Garmin mount in an attempt to supress vibration.

I also use a strip of electrical tape to cover the electrical contacts when the bike is parked-up or I am not using the GPS in an attempt to keep the electrical contacts clean.

Seemed to work fine on the way to work this morning, but it was only a 30min test.

 

[gavinbell]

Hi guys...
As anyone had a response from Garmin over this issue. Mine plays up just the same..thought at first it was temperature related. But it still does it here in our temperate climate!

Just bundled it all up and sending it back to Garmin!!

Gavin

 

[IanC]

Not yet! I'll chase 'em.

Tried mine at the weekend, with the option disabled "Turn off when External Power Lost", or something.

Not nearly as annoying , but didn't quite seem to be charging as quick as it was discharging unfortunately. Not really the answer anyway.

 

[skidmarks]

Fridgestar could you contact me? We spoke down at Poole quay a couple of weeks ago. [email protected]

Cheers
Mike

 

[birdseye]

Hi Guys,

I heard about this, which appears US bikers site and they know the GS.
Their comments may interest those with the 'G' mount and give an insight into the problem. I have edited/paraphrased the following..

When using GPS on a bike, the most common problem is 'vibration induced shutdown'. All of this relates to using GPS in a vibrating environment. It is most important on 2-stroke, single, and some twin engines, less on 3, 4, 6 cyl bikes, unless the bike is used at high rpm.

Garmin GPS have a computer chip running inside them which may get confused and shutdown or, freeze if the power supply is not smooth. If you've hardwired the GPS to the bike's 12Vdc supply and are still experiencing shutdown, then consider, to eliminate any possible source of disconnection or shutdown under vibration then No spring-type fuse(s) should be used, only use a blade-type. Note; inside the Garmin power lead, there is a spring-type fuse holder, 'they say' this is a problem.

RAM-man

Is there any possibility that the Quest is simply vibration sensitive? I'm getting the same shutdown / startup issues and I dont use external power at all on the bike.

 

[RAM-man]

Having contributed to this thread - you cannot read on without thinking about the cause.

The vibration induced shutdown related to powered gps devices on bikes from a *respected* US source.

I am still thinking its the cradle, and *may* be the cause for shutdown. This would assume that the Quest is being used in a power operated mode and there is an interruption in the supply of power causes the Quest go into a shutdown. An example would be the din style connector slipping out or working loose due to vibration or its slips from a retained position in the cradle and looses contact with the connector - all this makes sense.

I have yet to learn of any similar reports here in UK, Europe or in US, where the RAM GA15 has had similar experiences where it holds the quest firm in place and with QPAC, we have been unable to replicate this.

Birdseye .. re your comments .. do we assume the setup is still using the garmin mount but its non-powered ?. Is din style connector in place ?.

RAM-man

 

[IanC]

I'm in contact with Garmin again - they've offered to take the Unit and Cradle back to let their engineer test it.

I've agreed providing there's a realistic chance of them resolving the issue. There doesn't seem much point if they're just going to power it up and report back that it works fine!

Just awaiting their response to the above paragraph - will post with what happens.

 

[IanC]

I hardly dare say this (I don't like to tempt fate, again!), but - I think I may have sorted it!

After speaking to Garmin UK, they said they had had a few faulty cradles, and so sent me another. As they didn't ask for the old one back, when it arrived, I thought nothing to lose, so let's split the old cradle.

There are a few contacts which connect the various bits. I cleaned them all with electrical contact cleaner, put it back together, and it's worked ever since! I think the dirty ones may have been on the back of the ones that contact the actual unit, but I'm not sure.

I'd be interested to hear if this works for anyone else.

Anyway I still have a spare brand-new (boxed) cradle, should the old one start playing up again.

 

[neily]

I'm glad I just read this thread, was about to order a Garmin bike mount from Maplins today

 

[shedracer]

Would Just like an update on the Garmin bike powered mount, are they now working OK, or are you guys still having the same problems.

 

[Twotter]

Mine has just been replaced by GPSW. One of the contacts developed a blue coloured powder and then the contact fell off. No idea what it was but I've got a new one now though I haven't yet got round to fitting it.

 

[nick]

Garmin replaced my cradle FOC.

New one seems to be OK, but to be honest I have not done too many long distance journies recently.

 

[IanC]

I'm 99.9% I sorted mine out - see post #32.

As I said before, I don't like to tempt fate(!) but it hasn't faltered once since. In fact, I still have the new one they sent me in the box.

Apart from that niggle, I would highly recommend the Quest and the mount to anyone considering it.

 

[Mouse]

Just read this thread - is anyone with an R1200GS still having problems with the power to their accessories?