Holux 236 fails to lock on for 30 miles

raistlin295 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 13, 2005 Posts: 28

Hi

I have my Holux 236 connected into my car so that as soon as the ignition comes on the gps is powered, whether I am going to need it or not so that it always tracks and therfore (in theory) will only ever need a short time eo acquire suffcient satellites to function.

Usually this works fine and achieves a good fix in about 20 to 30 seconds.

However, recently the device has been unable to lock onto satellites for upto 35 miles.

This seems to be random and not related to anything else.

Can anybody advise please?

mikealder · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 8:55 pm Post subject:

There is a small button cell battery that the device uses to maintain the memory of the almanac and ephemeris data it needs to acquire a fast position fix, if this cell has died the device has to download this data in order to calculate its true position, which typically takes 20 mins.

You have a few options, return the device for OEM repair (replace the internal button battery), buy a new GPS unit, or attempt to change the cell yourself - you will need to open the device and using a fine tipped soldering iron (surface mount type will be best for this) locate the component BT1 remove it, obtain a replacement and solder it to the board, if you are not used to using a very fine tipped soldering iron don't try the DIY approach - Mike

raistlin295 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 13, 2005 Posts: 28

Thanks for the reply Mike

That makes perfect sense.

The soldering wouldn't present any difficulty but well...what better excuse to try the 240, or maybe the qstarz q818 ;)

mikealder · Posted: Wed Feb 14, 2007 9:16 pm Post subject:

Very true go for a new unit, but why not try and repair the old one - nothing lost?

Remove the back cover
Remove the main Battery
Use your thumb nail to exert pressure between the silver and black body portions (start near the On/ Off switch - but make sure you don't loose the actual slider it can fly off in any direction).
With the top off remove the on/ off slider (unless its already departed company, in which case find it on the floor somewhere).
Raise the PCB at the mini USB connector end to about 45 deg then slide the PCB out of the case (only the external aerial connector might catch at this point).
Turn the PCB over and you will find the button cell adjacent to the on/ off slider switch - after that I cannot help as I don't know the actual battery type voltage without removing it! - but should you want to take the device appart you now know how - Mike

raistlin295 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 13, 2005 Posts: 28

Thanks Mike

I might well do that anyway as SWMBO would really like GPS in her car and we have a spare tomtom licence around here somewhere.

Then I could STILL have a new toy ;)

Rgds

Paul

dlyall · Posted: Sat Feb 17, 2007 4:08 pm Post subject:

Hi Paul

I'm curious to know how old your 236 is as I'm looking to buy a BT GPS receiver to replace my CF GM 270. I don't really want one that's going to start giving problems after a year.

Thanks
Dave

raistlin295 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 13, 2005 Posts: 28

Dave,

It is about 8 months old and I can also tell you that the replacement button cell battery didn't solve the problem so it has gone in the bin.

I shouldn't think that would be a widespread problem though

dlyall · Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2007 11:37 am Post subject:

8 months? Shouldn't that be a warranty job to fix it?

raistlin295 · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jun 13, 2005 Posts: 28

Adamwest · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jan 04, 2007 Posts: 35

does this explain why it took me about 20 mins to acquire a fix when I flew to italy?

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