PDA

View Full Version : Battery Life of a TomTom GPS

Gilly B
28-09-2007, 18:08
You peeps helped us decide which GPS system to go for a couple of months ago and we are grateful for all your comments. If you remember (or even care), we went for the TT Go XL UK one. My hubby is smitten with it. He is a School Bus Driver and occasionally is asked to do trips which are all day jobs. This is why he wanted a GPS system. Now up to now the battery has worked fine for these long trips. However, his boss has changed the stock of large coaches and they do not have a cigarette lighter fitted. :thinking::shrug:

The question is... How does he manage to charge the TT if the journey is more than 2-3 hours? I was thinking of a spare battery like our Dslrs, but they are internal. On the internet, I found spare batteries for the TT but in the specification, it says for use when the battery is at the end of its life and won't hold a charge at all.

What would you guys do in his situation? Thanks
magpieant
28-09-2007, 18:21
I have a Garmin and get about 7-8 hours from the battery. My advice would just be to charge it up wherever possible before long journies.

Is there any other power source available on the bus such as USB, etc.
Anth
RobertP
28-09-2007, 18:34
Tomtom one does about 4 hours on the battery.

Guess you could get a 12V lead acid battery as used in alarm boxes etc and try to find a car socket somewhere to wire to it so you can plug the charging lead into it.
Darryn
28-09-2007, 18:34
Just a thought, and something ive been looking at for my Sat Nav due to my car not currently having a cigarette lighter outlet...

battery booster (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-JUMP-START-BATTERY-AIR-COMPRESSOR-BOOSTER-CHARGER_W0QQitemZ160159889836QQihZ006QQcategoryZ98 95QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)
Gilly B
28-09-2007, 18:36
I have a Garmin and get about 7-8 hours from the battery. My advice would just be to charge it up wherever possible before long journies.

Is there any other power source available on the bus such as USB, etc.
Anth

It is charged fully before journey. We have tested it to see how long it lasts on a trip, and it is 2 and 3/4 hours max! No there are no other power sources on the buses. Thanks for your comments though Anth.
RobertP
28-09-2007, 18:36
DreederUK > That would be easier :)
Gilly B
28-09-2007, 18:38
Just a thought, and something ive been looking at for my Sat Nav due to my car not currently having a cigarette lighter outlet...

battery booster (http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/CAR-JUMP-START-BATTERY-AIR-COMPRESSOR-BOOSTER-CHARGER_W0QQitemZ160159889836QQihZ006QQcategoryZ98 95QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem)

Cor! Dreeder that looks a mean bit of kit. I will show hubby when we have eaten. Thanks for that.
macker
28-09-2007, 19:08
What about a solar charger unit such as below ?

http://www.solartechnology.co.uk/products/Solar_chargers/freeloader.asp

Looks small enough to carry around in his work bag or suchlike .........