cigarette lighter cable

[azorat]

Hello cyberpals:

I am new to this forum, I don't even own an IQue yet, and I already have a question to ask (so that I can order my IQue with the proper add-ons).

I was wondering what is in the cigarette lighter plug that is used to power the IQue through the AC pin (the one that apparently is very fragile).

That is: car voltage is 12V, whereas the IQue seems to want a regulated 5V power supply (at least this seems to be the case when power is supplied through the cradle connector).

So: if one comes directly to the AC plug (the round 2.5mm hole on the bottom of the unit), one should go from 12V to 5V.
This should mean that in the cigarette lighter plug there is a DC-DC converter. Correct?

Could some of you do one (or both) of the following:
- check what is the ouput voltage of the AC charger
- measure the voltage at the tip of the jack of the cigarette lighter adaptor.



(I know: the "elegant" alternative would be to purchase the autokit and be done with it).

Thanx in advance.

A.Zorat

[bearcreek]

Yes, there is a 12V>5V convertor built into the plug. I would suggest getting a Palm plug that uses the universal Palm adapter instead. Just had my IQue replaced because the pin broke.

BTW, Garmin was great about the replacement. Took a little over a week, and I ended up with a new unit, new cigrette lighter adapter, etc. - complete new unit. I cut the wires on my old adapter and wired it to a Palm plug in a Otter case. Now I'll have a weatherproof unit for the field with a external power option.

[mmoy]

I have the Auto Nav kit which goes through the connector [not touching the power pin stuff] and it says that the
input is 8 to 40 VDC @ 100 MA with a
regulated 5.0 +/- 5% VDC output.

I also have a 12 volt power supply under
the console though I don't think that I'll
need it.

[sjs]

there was a mention that the ique's internal charge controller might be this:
http://www.linear.com/prod/datasheet.html?datasheet=913

which was referenced from this thread:
http://www.pdastreet.com/forums//showthread.php?s=&threadid=26693&message=105846

now...we are also having this discussion on the differences between a voltage regulator and circuit divider here
http://www.pdastreet.com/forums//showthread.php?s=&postid=107618

if someone knows for sure, what the method used in the garmin auto nav kit, as well as the radio shack kit is, i would like to know.

incidently, if that charge controller is indeed in the ique and is a 500ma controller, that since it takes my ique about 1.5hrs to fully charge, i'd estimate the ique as a 1500mah li-ion battery inside.

facts are most welcome.
:-)