Charging Problem

[RussB]

I have read this forum for awhile, I can't thank you guys enough for all of your help.
I have a problem, and I have read about it here, but I haven't been able to tell what to do. The pin that is part of the A/C charging portion of the handheld has fallen off. Is this something that should be RMA'd?
I tried removing the pin from the charging apparatus but I cannot remove it.
Please help!

[jonasolof]

RMA

contact Garmin

read about "perilous pin" and "barrel jack"

[RussB]

Thanks for the keywords to look for... I think that I will hold on to my que for now. I will buy a universal charger from ebay. Does Garmin sell replacement power cords?
Thanks for your help

[jonasolof]

You need the charger to power the cradle also, so I would RMA anyhow. You can dilate the hole in the power jack of the charger with a 0.7 mm drill and then put some non-resinating lubricant on it. The whole problem is:

1. The friction in the hole of the plug is too great. It's a square peg in a round hole in fact.

2. The barrell pin is to thin to withstand the mechanical strain

3. The jack can wiggle in the barrel which facilitates breaking off the pin. This can be fixed by increasing the diameter of the upper part of the jack slightly so that it fits tight into the barrell.

[coop]

Does anyone know if garmin has managed to source a better quality (read better fitting) part in the later units?

coop

[jonasolof]

It is possible that the barrell center pin is fixed more securely into the botttom of the barrel. But on examining the parts involved, one comes to the intuitive conclusion that the connector is too small for the mechanical forces involved. In fact, the connector is not rated for 5 V but only for 3 according to the industry standard. The plug is the smallest available, 2.35 mm in outer diameter.

The barrell centerpin is only 0.65 mm wide - and it isn't titan.

Having taken the precautions mentioned, I haven't had any problems.