Charge a Garmin without it going into PC mode

dkitchin · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 02, 2006 Posts: 19

Apologies if this has been covered before; I can't find it.

I would like to use my Garmin 1490T on my bicycle. Finding a box which charges from my bike dynamo to give 5.2V output to a USB socket is easy, but if I plug a USB to mini USB cable into the 1490 it will go into PC mode.

How can I charge my 1490 using a USB rather than the official ciggy lighter arrangement and still use it?

Thanks in advance.
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Garmin 1490T

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 3:41 pm Post subject:

Ah, now I've seen this somewhere....

You need to have a "personality resistor" between pins 4+5 of the USB (although some people say a "short" between those pins is sufficient.

There's some more info and a link or two in this topic:

Garmin car chargers output voltage and current

See post #3 onwards and there's a (not very easy) workround in the last post too.
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"Settling in nicely" ;-)

Kremmen · Posted: Tue Feb 28, 2012 4:36 pm Post subject:

When I first got my Garmin 2200 I connected it to the car power via one of those ciggy lighter USB socket converters and a short cable I had that fitted both ends.

I ran it this way for a short time but I can't remember whether I needed to tap the screen or whether the GPS detected motion turned on Navigation mode.
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Satnav:
Garmin 2599 LMT-D (Indoor test rig)
DashCam:
Viofo A119 V3
Car Average MPG :

PhilHornby

M8TJT

PhilHornby

M8TJT · Posted: Wed Feb 29, 2012 3:40 pm Post subject:

Sorry Phil Embarassed

I am a b****r for opening mouth before engaging brain and reading properly. And I fully agree with your latest comments. I wonder what the output of the dynamo is, I suppose the bulb rated voltage would give one a clue Very Happy

.

dkitchin · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 02, 2006 Posts: 19

Thanks for the replies; certainly food for thought. The hub dynamo gives a nominal 6 volts AC. I can get a standard regulated power supply from Ebay like this;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/BICYCLE-DYNAMO-POWERED-PDA-USB-CHARGER-6VAC-5-2VDC-/110830554062?pt=UK_sportsleisure_cycling_bikeparts_SR&hash=item19ce040bce

or this;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/USB-Power-Bicycle-Bike-Dynamo-Charger-Cellphone-MP3-/130575385067?pt=AU_Sport_Cycling_Accessories&hash=item1e66e641eb

The issue for me has been answered by referring to the magic resistor in the circuit between pins 4 & 5. I like the idea of cannibalising a 3rd party charger.

I've asked Garmin if I can buy a USB charge lead that doesn't invoke mass storage mode but not heard yet.

I've tried connecting the PC cable when in diagnostic mode but it goes straight to mass storage mode when I press 'exit' so maybe the 1490 has that feature coded out.
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Garmin 1490T

sealion · Regular Visitor Joined: Mar 27, 2005 Posts: 70

Have a look at this page. There are numerous other hints and tips for using Garmins.

http://home.comcast.net/~ghayman3/garmin.gps/page7x5.01.htm#techniques

dkitchin · Occasional Visitor Joined: Apr 02, 2006 Posts: 19

I can't make the 1490 do any of the "hacks" in the link but thanks for posting it. I'm going with the short to pins 4 & 5 and have bought some right-angle USB plugs from Ebay.

Thanks again for all the input.
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Garmin 1490T

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