PaperClip Rescue... BE PREPARED ?

chas921 · Regular Visitor Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 98

My Tomtom GO 520 has a small 2 amp fuse fitted to the psu which is a pig to extract with fingers, infact I had to resort to using pliers to remove the fuse. I just wanted to examine out of curiosity, and with intention of buying some fuses, should I need one?
Imagine my shock and horror when my satnav died at 4 Hours duration only to discover that the fuse was missing??????

Here I am just entering Glasgow, on a time schedule, and OFF........blank display, Only to then discover, hell, no spare fuses.

Checked the car for 10 mins, surely its here somewhere..............nope. But alas I have a paperclip?
Its slowly bent and shaped and it fits...Bingo, Satnav alive again.

Next day I`m in Halfords at Dumbarton buying some fuses, only to spend the next 15 mins trying to extract the paperclip, that fits so snuggly in between the fuse pin holder ( its the way the pins grip the fuse pins that caused a difficult extraction) that I nearly snapped one off during its removal.

I use Radar and Satnav devices, and I do recall Navman telling me some Years ago, that I could power my iCN610 from 12 or 24 Volt providing the engine was started FIRST in order to reduce surge to the power socket and possible blown fuse.

So just be warned, your satnav is about as much use as a Chocolate Fireguard if you pop a fuse, and the modification of a paper clip could further damage the fuse pins in the holder, and could prevent the unit from shutting down if there was a real power surge or fault present.
So be warned, carry a spare fuse.

The fuse I`d lost was on the driveway, the Mrs saw it and picked it up whilst I was away??????? I`ve also taped over the fuse holder now, as I wont make the same mistake twice.
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Device:TOMTOM START 52 & SNOOPER 3ZERO

Take care, keep your eyes on the road, not the navigator?

chas

Darren · Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject:

Those little fuses are a pig to extract, I had one go on me in Florida on hols a few years back and it was a devil of a job to remove the blown one.
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Darren Griffin

philpugh

mikealder · Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject:

If you need spare fuses of this type they are not too easy to obtain in the correct capacity, for example Halford stock them but to get the 2A rated version you have to purchase the multi pack, unless you can find them in store in smaller packets see Here - Mike

Andy_P

Oldboy

chas921 · Regular Visitor Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 98

MikeAlder.....

It was the Halfords HFS 214 pack that I had to buy(2,3,4,5 & 7.5 fuses included) I`m sure at a push, the 7.5 would be better used as opposed to my temporary paper clip., but the standard 2amp fuse is fitted and its working fine now and works well on the road.

I'm well impressed with the variable speed limits. On my iCN I would set 60MPH and EVERYTIME I exceeded, it would alert me.
On the TTGO520 that warning does not happen if the unit detects that I`m on a Road with an authorised speed limit of 70MPH ie dual and motorways, but then correctly warns again when back to National speed limit restriction. Its great. The lane guidance worked well too, providing adequate warning to be in the right lane at the right time.
The pgpsw Speedcamera data seems more accurate to Tomtom's own, especially my part of the World
I`ve written in another thread about why I needed to upgrade my iCN610 and through being at the right place at the right time and some learned advice, I`m glad I purchased the GO 520. I`d recommend others to have a look at this unit as its available for about £120 now(so I hear, mine was £130)
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Device:TOMTOM START 52 & SNOOPER 3ZERO

Take care, keep your eyes on the road, not the navigator?

chas

Mullet · Frequent Visitor Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 1051

chas921 · Regular Visitor Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 98

peasemore · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:55 am Post subject: Maplins

bit cheaper here, and loose options Rolling Eyes

http://www.maplin.co.uk/Search.aspx?criteria=car%20fuses&source=15

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Gel
Lifetime Member Thames Valley, Berkshire, UK
Mazda CX-5 built in SatNav- not sure if TT or not. Garmin NUVI in reserve.

Mullet · Frequent Visitor Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 1051

chas921, that was in part a memo to myself. Curiosity is indeed hard to resist Very Happy

Calomax · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:04 pm Post subject:

chas921, Thanks for the advice. It could be very helpful if I knew what a psu is and if my 720 has one.
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TT Go Essential

Andy_P · Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject:

PSU = "power supply unit" - which can refer to anything from a plug-in charger for your 'phone, to the big lump with a fan inside your PC.

But in this case, it's the cigarette lighter adapter. Smile

Calomax · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:30 am Post subject:

Thanks Andy. I wasn't even aware that it had a fuse.
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TT Go Essential

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:51 am Post subject:

Tomtom ones use a blade as pictured above, but a lot of cigarette lighter extension leads etc. have a standard 20mm cartridge fuse hidden under the cap that is the centre contact of the plug (or sometimes the end of the fuse *is* the contact!)

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