darkhorse472

I received a nuvi 750 as a gift. It works great and I'm happy with it except for the fact that it doesn't come with a power adapter. Then, I got thinking, that I could use my cell phone (Motorola RAZR) power adapter...then, I kept thinking...maybe the nuvi would blow up.

I can't find any specs on the power supply on the internet. Does anyone know if you can use a cell phone charger to charge the nuvi? Or, can someone tell me the output specs for the AC power unit so that I can check my cell phone charger?

Thank you in advance

Max

Output 5vdc @ 1amp, that is for the Zumo charger I have which I assume is close to a Nuvi charger.

I've charged my Zumo and Nuvi's with my Moto charger and not had a problem. The only difference is there is an extra pin on the Garmin to tell the unit it's charging. The Moto charger makes it think it's connected to a computer. Not sure if there is a diff or not in the charges each gives?

darkhorse472

Thanks Max...My cell phone charger looks like it'll do 5VDC output and 850mA, so close to the 1A output. I just didn't want the nuvi to do a Mission Impossible and blow up when I plugged it in after 15 seconds.

I appreciate the advice!

Pumba

I am experiencing the exact same problem on my Nuvi 250W. For the greater good, I would like to share additional details with the hope that someone will suggest an economical solution.

My original Garmin car adapter works impeccably, because it will charge and still let me navigate properly.

On e-Bay I purchased a second generic adapter that was labelled OK for Garmin and I did not pay attention to a competitor claiming that those were for cell phones and would not work for Garmin. Paid $8 for the adapter that also included a separate compatible USB data cable, I figured it was worth a try. I was planning to take it apart and integrate the electronics only into my car along with an extended cable to the included micro USB plug. The plan was to keep altered the original Garmin for use in other cars.

Knowing that the Garmin adapter output is 5VDC with 1Amp capacity, I chose to open and test the unidentified specs on the generic adapter before trying it out. It had a complete regulating circuit and a steady 5.19vdc output, with or without load. I can only assume that the amperage capacity is adequate because it did not overheat and its input fuse is rated 2A. All looked good, so I plugged it into my 80% discharged Nuvi. The first 5 or 10 minutes it was working great and acted like the original. Suddenly the USB link icon appeared and there was no longer any way of navigating. This is exactly the same response as when I transfer data from my PC to the Garmin. No resetting procedure worked either, plug in, out, cold re-boot etc. Yet, all goes back to normal when I resort to the original adapter.

The original adapter is sealed and I could not compare its internals with the other one, which I realize now, is obviously meant for a cell phone. I am now thinking that the warning that I was given on e-bay was not just a scare tactic. Live and learn!

The biggest mystery is why did it work the first few minutes only? I am starting to think that there is a correlation between that, and the fact my nuvi was quite discharged at first and that its voltage would surely come up rather fast and somehow this was detected by the nuvi. I plan on discharging it again to see if the generic will work short term again. Is there some sort of interlock meant to insure usage of their own adapters?

I will need a second original adapter, before destroying my first one to investigate further, because I do not care to rely only on my data transfer cable to recharge it. The original might be sending some sort of data along with its power output. There has to be a fix of some sort other than spending $30 for an original+ shipping.

I hope that this kind of helps someone to figure this out, after all this should be kind of basic stuff, I hope!

Good luck to all of us.

Pumba

Max

Thanks for mentioning that Pumba, I forgot...I mentioned it but didn't really specify clearly that the RAZR charger will work for charging only. I believe the wall adapter might actually run the unit as well as charge it. This is because of the pin layout in the mini-usb connection on the Garmins.

We have another thread here that gives a little more insight on the 'pins' issue. Apparently Garmin themselves had a problem with it, stumped us all

NUVI 260 power ID problem

Pumba

After my previous post I read several others and I am now thinking that the true Garmin car adapter might be the only way to charge and simultaneously use the navigation functions. I say this because one post says there is an extra pin in the Garmin plug to tell it that it is charging. An other posting says there is a tiny notch that I am thinking is maybe some sort of keying.

After all, Garmin did need a way of making their units know the difference between USB power and data transfer OR car power and the need to navigate at the same time. All of this without needing 2 seperate plugs. It is starting to make some sort of sense to me.

Has anybody out there ever been successful in charging and navigating simultaneously with a car adapter other than an original Garmin? I suspect not, but would love to be proven wrong.

Pumba

Max

Your reading my mind...I have a near unlimited supply of Razr chargers and some lab equipment. I'll post back what I can figure out, probably won't have time until tomorrow or so

DPBBJC

Hi guys, New member here. I've found a good house power solution for my Nuvi 750, my Cannon digital camera, and my cell phone; It's a 115V to 12V cigarette lighter adapter. Check it out at < Samlex FCP1000 Charger >; very reasonable @ $8.29. Don

Chuckers

I just picked up a 12 volt DC to 5.2 volt DC @ 1amp output that you can plug in your original Usb data cable to and use as a power source for your GPS.
I am using mine for my Magellan Triton 1500 .

I got the one that I have from Staples off the shelf for $20.00
It is a Griffin Power Jolt for charging an iPod ( Griffin P/N 9749-PJBLK )
You can see it here: Griffin Technology: PowerJolt

Nflder

I have had a 750 for a couple years now & wanted a 12V power supply... I have an AC power aadaptor with 12 VDC out at 1 amp so I purchased a female cigar lighter socket and wired it to the PS and using the window suction cup with the cigar plug - it works fine. So don't bother with the USB cable and you avoid any problems.

pauldvds

found the following three solutions to the computer icon showing up when charging.

Operating the GPS in charging mode and GPS mode at the same time

• Using a USB charger

Normally if you plug in the USB Vehicle Power Cable to the nüvi and connect the other end to your computer, your nüvi does not operate as a GPS unit - it goes into some sort of charging mode.


Solution #1 – for computer
Here is how you charge your NUVI with a computer and a usb cable

Step 1: make sure your NUVI is OFF then plug in the usb cable from the computer to the NUVI, after you hear your computer ding from new device connected, and the NUVI displays the computer icon move to step 2

step 2: open MY COMPUTER

step 3: with MY COMPUTER window open hold the NUVI power switch to the ON position and RIGHT CLICK the NUVI device logo (blue triangle) and select EJECT ( don’t hit safely remove)

step 4: when you see GARMIN display on the screen you can letgo of the power button on the NUVI

If you unplug the usb it will display message stating EXTERNAL POWER LOST SWITCHING TO BATTERY POWER***** while it is plugged to the computer the battery meter will disappear


Solution #2
FIRST turn on the nüvi in the battery mode then go into the test mode (press the battery icon for about 8-9 seconds) from the main screen. THEN PLUG in the USB cable, and finally exit the test screen, your nüvi will restart (reboot) and it will operate just like it was plugged into the cradle connection in your vehicle.

Solution #3
To use a cell phone charger or any AC to DC charger and make the GPS operate normal mode

Plug the charger into a power supply. Turn GPS On then plug the charger to GPS it will go into the Data Mode with a picture of a Computer at bottom of screen. NOW turn the power strip off and Right when the Picture of the computer disappears on the GPS screen turn the power strip back on quickly and the GPS will go into normal mode .

danceswithpizza

Pauldvds THANK YOU SO MUCH!

My official Garmin GPS car kit broke and I was gonna go to best buy and buy a new kit, but decided to google alternate methods of charging your gps via cigarette lighter adapter.

I had tried to run in navigation mode via my adapter I use to charge my Ipod with no luck, always went to charge mode.

Thanks to your tips, it works great in navigation mode and I am very appreciative.

I had to register on this forum just to say thank you.

-Jon