Starting Car with Cigarette Adapter OK??

[aguado]

Just a quick question....searched the boards and didn't find anything:

I intend to use my IQue primarily in my car, powered with a cigarette adapter. Is it necessary to unplug the IQue from the adapter everytime I start my car, or can I leave everything attached without any problems?

[Bobny]

I've always left it attached and never had any problems.

[Moose Man]

If you have a vehicle manufactured after 1995 - probably ok. Before then it depends upon make and model.

My Que is nearly permanently attached to a powered adapter in the car and no issues - never unplugged.

[tusker]

There is quite a bit of correspondence about this subject elsewhere in the iQue forums. In my car I have never had a problem, since R2, whatever sequence I follow when attaching my iQue and starting up.

Paul

[TudorDoc]

I have the update and the latest patch installed. If I flip out the antenna and put the iQue in the car cradle before clicking on the warning about using the iQue when driving, the unit freezes and I have to do a soft reset. Not a major problem - just irritating.

Any ideas out there to cure this????

Boyd

[Moose Man]

Not sure why the soft reset but you can get past the warning screen by hitting the GPS button again after opening the antenna to avoid having to tap on the screen.

I'd suggest that you advise Garmin Tech Support of this issue - or maybe they are already listening?

:)

[Wallace Matsen]

here is the dumbest question ever asked on this forum

does anyone ever worry about the ique running down the car battery when left in there overnight

or the danger of cold temps

i know it is a dumb question ...but i wonder and am brave enough to be dumb :p

[reinbeau]

Originally posted by Wallace Matsen
here is the dumbest question ever asked on this forumNo question is dumb if you are looking to learn! :)

does anyone ever worry about the ique running down the car battery when left in there overnight

or the danger of cold temps

i know it is a dumb question ...but i wonder and am brave enough to be dumb :p I myself would never leave my iQue overnight in my truck, however, if I did, it would be fully charged in the morning, because the power port stays on when I turn off the key (2001 Ford Ranger).

[Moose Man]

Originally posted by Wallace Matsen
here is the dumbest question ever asked on this forum

does anyone ever worry about the ique running down the car battery when left in there overnight

or the danger of cold temps

i know it is a dumb question ...but i wonder and am brave enough to be dumb :p

This was asked long ago so it's probably a good time to readress it:

Most car batteries have about 275 to 350 amps cranking power and 14.2 volts. The Que runs a maximum of 1amp draw against 5 volts and that's if it's running and not just sitting in the cradle with the green light on.

So for it to drain the battery overnight shouldn't happen. Shouldn't drain it over about 7 nights at least. Most cars have some "drain" to them without any assistance such as the GM security radio red light and other such devices.

Cold weather - that would be more of a problem if the Que weren't plugged in and just left sitting. I don't know what the actual spec is but usually they say somewhere around 10 degrees Farenheit or so but I wouldn't leave it below about 40 degrees personnaly. Mine is in my car most of the time but it very very seldom gets to freezing here in this neck of California. It very seldom gets below freezing in most of California since we had so much political rhetoric the last couple of months.

I'd bring it in out of the cold if it gets below freezing.

[jonasolof]

Condensing humidity could be a problem, when days are hot and humid and nights are cool. Beware when you bring it in out from the cold, that's when condensation could occur if it's humid inside.

Actually, I think heat is a greater danger to LCD screens than cold weather. A little strip of LCD screen on my Lexus LS 400 got unreadable after having been exposed to great heat. Been like that since then, since they want what corresponds to 850 USD to replace it and it only shows AC set temperature and time.

So don't let a PDA be exposed to extreme heat and strong sunshine. Extreme cold might make it temporarily unreadable, but I think there is less risk of permanent damage. But the battery won't like to freeze too much I think.

[mmoy]

I'd be concerned that someone would
break into it and steal it.