Explorist Li-ion Battery Not Charging

1.7k · April 23, 2006

I had a big caching day planned - 16 caches including find #500. With that lofty goal in mind, I wanted to make sure my eXplorist 400 was fully charged. Plugged the GPSr into an outlet for charging overnight. It was hooked up correctly. Just as I was getting ready to leave, I turned it on to make sure it had charged. The thing showed as 1/6 full - exactly where it was 9 hours earlier. Boy was I ticked off. Ended up grabbing my spare eXplorist 100, which got me through the last 7 caches of the day (including #500). Imagine my frustration if I only had the eX400 and missed out on this big number by two caches.

I've had this charging problem happen 3 times now using 2 different outlets. Those outlets have also successfully charged the receiver. So the outlet is not the problem. I know how to connect the cable to the receiver. I even let the battery fully discharge on occasion. I thought I was doing everything right. When I plug my receiver in for recharging, I expect it to charge! Right now I've got the thing plugged in to see if it takes a charge this time. I can no longer blindly trust the GPSr to recharge.

My enthusiasm for the Li-ion battery is diminishing. The battery is no big deal if it charges, but when you plug it in, think it is charging, and find out the next day that it didn't, it is a big problem. I'm very tempted to dump my 400 for an eXplorist 210 that runs off AAs. I like the eXplorist interface, reception, and file management system so I'm not quite ready to switch to a 60Cx or anything like that.

Any ideas of what the problem may be? Not looking forward to the possibility of needing Magellan warranty service.

April 23, 2006

I would suspect a flaky cable.

4.3k · April 23, 2006

Any ideas of what the problem may be? Not looking forward to the possibility of needing Magellan warranty service.

Bad cable, as someone else suggested - or you're not connecting it right (and you're sure that's not the problem).

To be REALLY sure... instead of leaving it off while plugged, I would turn it on, and flip to the screen that shows battery status - make sure it indicates charging.

Edited April 23, 2006 by lee_rimar

5.3k · April 23, 2006

I have heard of one or two cases where people were having data connection problems traced to one or more of the spring-loaded contacts in the cable where it mounts to the GPS. A contact had gotten depressed into the housing and not sprung back out again. This could as well happen with a power contact as a data contact. This might not be your problem, but at least a close examination of your cable contacts can rule it in or out.

April 23, 2006

I do believe that it is your cable causing the problem. I suspect that if you use your cable quite a bit, then the wiring inside may have broken from all the wiggling. Just as likely would be the pins not making full contact. I've already had my cable replaced once due to broken wire. I am now having to replace the cable because the little tab that holds the connector in the flexible mount broke off when removing it during troubleshooting of file transfer issues. My wife has just informed me that our next GPS will NOT be a Magellan.

April 23, 2006

Li-ion batteries can eventually die and no longer recharge. The same thing happened to the batteries for my digital camera. If you have been using the batteries for a year or so, get some new ones and use the same cable and outlet and try charging those. It is an easy troubleshooting method worth trying, unless your rechargeable batteries are fairly new.

1.7k · April 23, 2006

Good points were raised that I will check out. Embra, I will pay attention to the contacts next time. Never had any problems with data transfer, but from what you're saying, it sounds like there are separate data and power contacts on the head. And Lee, I've never had the unit powered on while recharging, but that came to mind for the next time I charge up. In the battery display, it should show that it's receiving external power, correct?

I've only been using the receiver since October, typically 6-10hrs a week. So I can probably rule out battery age or excessive usage.

Further diagnostics will have to wait, because I charged the unit up last night and it now shows a full charge. This makes me wonder if Embra and Trail Buzzards are correct. Maybe the process of jostling and connecting the cable did something to the contacts or internal wiring. If the cable is shot, that's a pretty junky cable because I only use it twice a week.

2.3k · April 23, 2006

If you have an eXplorist 400-600, you really need the craddle. The cable is connected to the craddle and stays there. Then all you need to do is drop in the explorist and it starts charging, and/or you can use the USB. It makes the unit fun and easy to charge. Otherwise, connecting the small connector on the back will get real old/irritating/cumbersome. I just leave the craddle sitting on my computer desk.

1.7k · April 23, 2006

EScout, how well does it charge like that? Say you leave it in the cradle for 2-3 hours. How much of an increase in charge do you get?

2.6k · April 23, 2006

A heavy duty user will probably find that the mounting clips do not hold up very well, I'm on my 2nd cable

so I have one for the house and the other one is glued into the windshield cradle. Both clips broke with in about 3 months

April 24, 2006

I had a similar problem a while back with the eX600. Turned out it was a faulty AC Adapter. Battery charged fine when using a cigarette adapter but wouldn't do a thing with the AC Adapter. I contacted Magellan and eventually got a new adapter.

Edited April 24, 2006 by CondorTrax

4.3k · April 24, 2006

If you have an eXplorist 400-600, you really need the craddle...

As an aside, I'd say that's been true of every Magellan handheld since at least the 315-330 series (the first GPS I owned). Popping it into the cradle is a LOT easier than fiddling with that stupid little screw. Edited April 24, 2006 by lee_rimar

April 24, 2006

What cradle are you referring to and where can I get one?

2.3k · April 24, 2006

The craddle is officially called the : Swivel Mounting Bracket

EScout, how well does it charge like that? Say you leave it in the cradle for 2-3 hours. How much of an increase in charge do you get?

It does not charge quicker, it saves you the aggrevation of attaching the cable.

1.7k · April 24, 2006

The craddle is officially called the : Swivel Mounting Bracket

EScout, how well does it charge like that? Say you leave it in the cradle for 2-3 hours. How much of an increase in charge do you get?

It does not charge quicker, it saves you the aggrevation of attaching the cable.

Oops. My wording was ambiguous. I was wondering if you knew offhand how much the battery meter would go up with 2-3 hrs of charging via USB, like how many percent. I usually don't have that PC on for more than a couple hours, so I'd only be able to charge the GPSr a little bit at a time. Though I could remember to pop the GPSr into the cradle when I know the PC will be on for a while.

April 24, 2006

The craddle is officially called the : Swivel Mounting Bracket

EScout, how well does it charge like that? Say you leave it in the cradle for 2-3 hours. How much of an increase in charge do you get?

It does not charge quicker, it saves you the aggrevation of attaching the cable.

OK...I have the RAM cradle

which includes the capability of attaching the data/power cable to the back, just like the cradle you're referring to. Then, to charge, all I have to do is to pop the eXplorist into the RAM cradle and it will charge and I can do data transfer without actually having to screw the cable to the back of the unit. This is very convenient. Thanks for the idea....I never thought about using it this way. :huh: :huh:

5.3k · April 25, 2006

Oops. My wording was ambiguous. I was wondering if you knew offhand how much the battery meter would go up with 2-3 hrs of charging via USB, like how many percent. I usually don't have that PC on for more than a couple hours, so I'd only be able to charge the GPSr a little bit at a time. Though I could remember to pop the GPSr into the cradle when I know the PC will be on for a while.

Charging via USB is slow...you'd probably have to have it on overnight to put a full charge on it. If you've got the GPS turned on while plugged into USB only, the charge is even slower.

If you've got the wal-wart plugged in, I *think* you can get a full charge in about 3 hours.

4.3k · April 25, 2006

Charging via USB is slow...you'd probably have to have it on overnight to put a full charge on it.

BUT... if you leave the GPS turned off, and plug the USB cable to the GPS "upside down" (that is, the way that gives everybody fits because it won't communicate that way) ... it'll charge just as fast as the wall wart.

I believe that was the thinking behind the otherwise STUPID cable arrangement that lets you plug the cable in two different ways.

Edited April 25, 2006 by lee_rimar

1.7k · May 20, 2006

OK, my GPSr didn't charge again. When I plugged in the wall wort, I turned on the receiver to see if it was getting external power. Just above the battery level indicator, it said "Full Charge." The battery level was fully black, as if it was fully charged. I knew that was bogus, because the receiver only had 1/3 charge before I plugged it in. I turned off the receiver and let it "charge" overnight so it would be ready for my cache run today.

I did my typical battery-level check before leaving and saw it was still sitting at 1/3. Didn't surprise me. I brought my spare eX100 but didn't need it. I had just enough juice to search for all the caches I wanted.

I got home, connected the GPSr to all the cables and plugged it in the outlet. I had "Full Charge" above the battery meter again. With the GPSr still on, I unplugged the adaptor from the outlet. I got a message saying the unit had lost external power, which is correct, and the battery meter went back to the correct near-empty reading.

I know the unit will take a charge when connected via USB, because it went from 1/4 to 1/3 full when I had it plugged into my PC last night for a few hours while I was figuring out today's cache run.

This is screwy. I'm wondering if the receiver thinks it's got a full battery when I connect the AC adapter/charger and won't take a charge. The "Full Charge" note makes me think this. I hope the charger is messed up and not my receiver.

I will be testing Magellan's technical support on Monday morning. Not looking forward to it.

4.3k · May 20, 2006

That is very weird. Will it get a full charge (eventually) from computer's USB connection?

Edited May 20, 2006 by lee_rimar

1.7k · May 21, 2006

That is very weird. Will it get a full charge (eventually) from computer's USB connection?

Yep, quite strange. I've had it achieve a full charge from the USB port in the past. With the battery being pretty low right now, it will take quite a while to completely charge form USB. I'm trying to charge from the wall outlet right now. Even if it has a full charge tomorrow, I'm going to call Magellan on Monday because something is obviously wrong.

4.3k · May 21, 2006

...it will take quite a while to completely charge from USB....

I believe you can speed up USB charging if you flip the cable around where it connects to the GPS (as I mentioned this in a previous post). But in the reversed position, you won't have a data connection to your PC, it will just be suck juice from the USB power line.

1.7k · May 21, 2006

...it will take quite a while to completely charge from USB....
I believe you can speed up USB charging if you flip the cable around where it connects to the GPS (as I mentioned this in a previous post). But in the reversed position, you won't have a data connection to your PC, it will just be suck juice from the USB power line.

As expected, the receiver didn't charge again last night. So now I'm charging via USB with the cable on backwards. Talk about a roundabout solution. I'm pretty sure it will take a charge via USB, but if it doesn't, the receiver is as good as a paperweight because at most it only has 2 hours' worth of power left. You can't say I didn't try to troubleshoot this problem!

5.3k · May 21, 2006

If it seems to charge up adequately in 3-4 hours with the USB-reversed position, I would return to high suspicion of the cable as the culprit. If it doesn't recharge reasonably quick, then it sounds like there's something fishy in the GPS.

Whot a drag.

May 21, 2006

If you have or know anyone with a volt meter, check power cord when plugged in to wall to see if any voltage is at the plug.

1.7k · May 21, 2006

If it seems to charge up adequately in 3-4 hours with the USB-reversed position, I would return to high suspicion of the cable as the culprit. If it doesn't recharge reasonably quick, then it sounds like there's something fishy in the GPS.

Whot a drag.

I let it stay plugged into the USB port with the cable attached "backwards" for about 7 hours. No change in the charge level. No problems with data transfer when connected correctly though. So we know the cable at least works for data. I'm now going to try leaving the receiver plugged in to USB with the cable attached correctly to see if there is any change. Unfortunately, it's looking like something is fishy in the GPS. Edited May 21, 2006 by geognerd

1.7k · May 22, 2006

With the GPSr connected to the USB port for the last 3 hours I was able to get an increase in charge of about 40%. I think I will ask Magellan for a new wall adapter and cable and go from that. It seems the data/power cable with the Y-connector isn't the problem. Though I wonder why I didn't get any charge when I had it connected to the GPSr backward and plugged into USB.

5.3k · May 22, 2006

That is curious. Old Sailor's suggestion to poke around with a voltage meter could be instructive. I'd also be curious about whatever continuity checks you could run on the cable.

PC-Mobile has a little diagram to provide guidance to the cable pin-outs.

2.9k · May 22, 2006

I have seen somewhere on this board, about a wallwart that will work with the eXplorist, and is it the Playstation adaptor? Also can I get this adaptor from a Wallmart or other store?

Does the eXplorist XL use the same adaptor as the smaller eXplorist units?

Edited May 22, 2006 by GOT GPS?

5.3k · May 22, 2006

I bought my Pelican PSP 12v adapter for my 500 from Walmart...it was about $8 or so if I remember right.

I can't recall a confirmation from any XL users about these 12v substitutes. I note that the Magellan page lists one part number for the XL 12v adapter, and another for the 4/5/600. Caution seems warranted.

1.7k · May 22, 2006

I had a knowledgeable co-worker check my adapter and USB/power cable with his multimeter, following Old Sailor's suggestion. I'm not good with electrical stuff. Thanks to embra for the link to the diagram, so we knew which pins to pay attention to.

We found 5V, which is what's listed as the output on the adapter. Knowing the cables and adapter are working correctly, my receiver seems to be at fault. But why can I charge via USB?

Unfortunately, I phoned Magellan earlier and had them send a new charger and set of cables. I'll give those a try when they get here. If I still have a problem, I'll call Magellan back and send the whole receiver in. At least I'll know for sure which piece of hardware is at fault. This blows!

I guess I should've tested the voltage before making the call, but I wanted to make sure I was one of the first callers in line. You know, those Magellan support horror stories. It turned out not to be bad at all.

I was only able to get up to ~50% charge via USB last night before shutting down my PC, but I'll try some more USB charging today to see if I can get the battery full.

The saga continues...

5.3k · May 22, 2006

I let it stay plugged into the USB port with the cable attached "backwards" for about 7 hours. No change in the charge level. No problems with data transfer when connected correctly though. So we know the cable at least works for data. I'm now going to try leaving the receiver plugged in to USB with the cable attached correctly to see if there is any change. Unfortunately, it's looking like something is fishy in the GPS.

I get a little out of my depth on this, too. But it sounds like (if we use the PC-Mobile diagram for reference) that your GPS can take a charge through the "USB power" pinouts on 4 and 5...also demonstrating--as you verified with the voltmeter--that power is coming through the cable on those wires. However, when you flip it around so that 4 and 5 mate with 1 and 2 on the GPS, no charge is happening. I would guess there's a loose connection or something like that in the GPS.

Oh well, I'm glad that your first interactio with Magellan CS went ok...hope the followup goes smoothly, too. It sounds like JohnnyVegas' advice to call early in the day is good to heed.

1.7k · May 30, 2006

Well, I've tried the new charging/data cable Magellan sent me last week. Same result: no charging via the wall adapter. I called technical support again just now, and made it clear that the cable is fine and that I can get the unit to charge via USB. Obviously there is no problem with the battery since it can charge fully and discharge. The rep I spoke to on the phone insisted it's a battery problem (it's not) and is now sending me a new battery. The true fix would be a new receiver because after all the diagnostics we've done here in the forum, it is obvious that there is a circuitry problem. Magellan's trying to take the lowest cost approach to fixing my problem by sending me the $5 cable and now a $5 battery. Next receiver is definitely going to be a Garmin. I'll keep charging via USB...

May 30, 2006

Well, I've tried the new charging/data cable Magellan sent me last week. Same result: no charging via the wall adapter. I called technical support again just now, and made it clear that the cable is fine and that I can get the unit to charge via USB. Obviously there is no problem with the battery since it can charge fully and discharge. The rep I spoke to on the phone insisted it's a battery problem (it's not) and is now sending me a new battery. The true fix would be a new receiver because after all the diagnostics we've done here in the forum, it is obvious that there is a circuitry problem. Magellan's trying to take the lowest cost approach to fixing my problem by sending me the $5 cable and now a $5 battery. Next receiver is definitely going to be a Garmin. I'll keep charging via USB...

If you're giving up on the unit anyhow, open it up and see what the power socket/pcb connection looks like. You may have a bad solder joint, something that is fairly easily fixed by someone handy with an iron. Also look for any evidence of burnt components while you're in there. Did the unit get exposed to a higher than expected voltage somehow? Did a 12v power supply get plugged in by accident?

1.7k · May 30, 2006

If you're giving up on the unit anyhow, open it up and see what the power socket/pcb connection looks like. You may have a bad solder joint, something that is fairly easily fixed by someone handy with an iron. Also look for any evidence of burnt components while you're in there. Did the unit get exposed to a higher than expected voltage somehow? Did a 12v power supply get plugged in by accident?

Not quite ready to open up the unit, since it's still under warranty and only 6 months old. But your suspicions match those of one of my electrically handy co-workers.

June 3, 2006

This sounds like a battery that won't take a charge (high internal impedance): The battery meter reads high or charged when charging power is connected, but reads much lower when charging power is disconnected. (Without reading the full thread again, I don't think you said that the battery ever really was charged fully--sorry if I'm incorrect.)

My 400 will not charge fully via the USB connection--maybe only to about two-thirds. It charges fully in a few hours via the transformer.

I've had my 400 for only about two weeks now and am learning much about it here on these forums--it's great to have so much input from so many people.

June 3, 2006

Actually, I'm surprised that the customer service person has sent you anything. In all cases, I've been required to send the GPS and cable back to them for testing, even when I knew that the cable was at fault.

1.7k · June 4, 2006

This sounds like a battery that won't take a charge (high internal impedance): The battery meter reads high or charged when charging power is connected, but reads much lower when charging power is disconnected. (Without reading the full thread again, I don't think you said that the battery ever really was charged fully--sorry if I'm incorrect.)

My 400 will not charge fully via the USB connection--maybe only to about two-thirds. It charges fully in a few hours via the transformer.

The battery does charge fully via USB. But this all may be a moot point as my GPSr got run over by a truck today after I left it on the roof of my car and drove away. What hurt was actually seeing it get run over as I was crossing the street to pick it up. I now have two solid lines running across the bottom of the screen. Can't read the distance/direction to each POI when viewing the list. It still works but isn't waterproof anymore. If the replacement battery doesn't fix my charging problem, that'll probably be the end of the line. I've heard of Garmin replacing units that have been run over by cars, but doubt Magellan will. Interesting turn of events, huh?

June 4, 2006

I've had good luck charging my battery in the car with a $2 12volt USB plug. With the unit turned off it charges relatively quickly and with the unit turned on the battery level remains stable - I know that doesn't solve the problems with your unit but may help others with similar problems.

At this point I might be happy to see my Explorist run over. After 4 years with a yellow SporTrak I was thrilled to "upgrade" to an Explorist but even my husband has gone back to using "Ol' Yeller" when we need accurate waypoints despite the fact that the LCD screen is barely legible after its swim in Waller Mill Reservoir!

June 4, 2006

This sounds like a battery that won't take a charge (high internal impedance): The battery meter reads high or charged when charging power is connected, but reads much lower when charging power is disconnected. (Without reading the full thread again, I don't think you said that the battery ever really was charged fully--sorry if I'm incorrect.)

My 400 will not charge fully via the USB connection--maybe only to about two-thirds. It charges fully in a few hours via the transformer.

The battery does charge fully via USB. But this all may be a moot point as my GPSr got run over by a truck today after I left it on the roof of my car and drove away. What hurt was actually seeing it get run over as I was crossing the street to pick it up. I now have two solid lines running across the bottom of the screen. Can't read the distance/direction to each POI when viewing the list. It still works but isn't waterproof anymore. If the replacement battery doesn't fix my charging problem, that'll probably be the end of the line. I've heard of Garmin replacing units that have been run over by cars, but doubt Magellan will. Interesting turn of events, huh?

NOW you can open 'er up and see whats going on.

5.3k · June 5, 2006

But this all may be a moot point as my GPSr got run over by a truck today after I left it on the roof of my car and drove away.

Yow! Divine intervention? I'll be interested to see your next step.

1.7k · June 5, 2006

Yow! Divine intervention? I'll be interested to see your next step.

Was tempted to open it up, but the thing's still under warranty, so I thought I'd take a chance getting a replacement from Magellan. The unit looks pretty good considering it was run over by a truck. You'd never know from looking at it. Which is a good thing, because all I told Magellan was that it "fell." And technically, it did fall. From a moving vehicle. Gotta say it, these little eXplorists can take a licking.

Got the RA# and am sending it in for replacement. I was told I should have a replacement about 3 weeks from the date I send it in. I wouldn't have bothered calling Magellan if the thing was smashed, but you can see that it actually looks good for what happened to it. I'm sure there are people out there using units in worse shape.

This topic has sort of devolved from a charging problem to one about Magellan's technical support. But I think it's still an interesting story to tell.

5.3k · June 5, 2006

Yeah, sometimes it's too bad we can't rename the topic after we find out what it really is about.

That's pretty remarkable condition for a truck implant. I'm impressed that the screen wasn't cracked...let alone that the poor thing wasn't flattened.

June 5, 2006

Yeah, sometimes it's too bad we can't rename the topic after we find out what it really is about.

That's pretty remarkable condition for a truck implant. I'm impressed that the screen wasn't cracked...let alone that the poor thing wasn't flattened.

I'll bet it got knocked sideways by the truck tire. If it had been actually run over...that is....the entire distributed weight on one of the truck's tires on it, the GPS would look significantly different. The cases for these things cannot withstand that much force on them...we're talking several thousand pounds. It would be totaled and would probably be less than 1/2" thick.

Edited June 5, 2006 by Guitar4Him

5.7k · June 5, 2006

Bad cable as someone else suggested. That would be my guess.

Edited June 5, 2006 by Team Cotati

1.7k · June 5, 2006

Yeah, sometimes it's too bad we can't rename the topic after we find out what it really is about.

That's pretty remarkable condition for a truck implant. I'm impressed that the screen wasn't cracked...let alone that the poor thing wasn't flattened.

I'll bet it got knocked sideways by the truck tire. If it had been actually run over...that is....the entire distributed weight on one of the truck's tires on it, the GPS would look significantly different. The cases for these things cannot withstand that much force on them...we're talking several thousand pounds. It would be totaled and would probably be less than 1/2" thick.

I was looking right at the thing when I saw the tire go over it. To clarify, it was a Ford Explorer (as a subcompact driver I consider it a truck), so it was maybe 1000lb of weight on that one tire. If it was a tractor-trailer that went by, the eXplorist would be flat as Guitar said.

4.3k · June 5, 2006

To clarify, it was a Ford Explorer ... so it was maybe 1000lb of weight on that one tire

And only some fraction of that was imparted to the GPS. After all, the tire flexes by design and is probably only inflated to something between 30-35 pounds per square inch.

Still impressive that the Explorist came through with so little damage, but these estimates of thousand of pounds and up are a bit misleading. I wouldn't be surprised if the real damage to circuitry and screen came from the impact of hitting the ground before the truck ran it over.

FWIW, that last series of Magellens (the Meridan line) had a thicker rubberized case, and a bit of a "lip" projecting around the screen. Might have come through that incident in even better shape.

1.7k · June 30, 2006

Just an update, and a resolution to my problem. Magellan didn't give me a whole new receiver. They only replaced the display. I was concerned that I would still have the charging problem with the wall adaptor. I decided to give it another try today, after only charging via USB since I got the unit back a few weeks ago. When the unit was powered on, connected to the AC power, I saw the word Charging above the battery meter display. When my unit wasn't charging via AC, the battery meter would show as full and have the words Full Charge above. So my problem appears to be fixed. I am very happy to be able to quickly charge from the wall now.

I wonder if Magellan replaced all the guts in my receiver and only kept the case. Or perhaps some sort of connection inside the receiver got jostled, resulting in the charging problem, and then became reconnected during the repair process.

Edited June 30, 2006 by geognerd

2.6k · June 30, 2006

Here's my maggy gold after an argument with a cement truck, the S.O.B. actually swerved to hit it.

Edited June 30, 2006 by vagabond

Explorist Li-ion Battery Not Charging

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