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chas921 Regular Visitor
Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 98
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:45 pm Post subject: PaperClip Rescue... BE PREPARED ? |
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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. _________________ Device:TOMTOM START 52 & SNOOPER 3ZERO
Take care, keep your eyes on the road, not the navigator?
chas |
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Darren Frequent Visitor
Joined: 11/07/2002 14:36:40 Posts: 23848 Location: Hampshire, UK
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Posted: Wed Mar 25, 2009 1:50 pm Post subject: |
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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. _________________ Darren Griffin |
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philpugh Lifetime Member
Joined: Dec 28, 2005 Posts: 2003 Location: Antrobus, Cheshire
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:48 pm Post subject: Re: PaperClip Rescue... BE PREPARED ? |
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chas921 wrote: |
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.
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The voltage supply you can use to power devices depends upon the adapter used. My original GARMIN GPS units had 12/24 volt operation for car/lorry/marine use. Most modern devices seem to be 12V only. Over voltage (or spikes) have become mostly a thing of the past with new car electronics and reputable manufacturers will have built-in protection from spikes in devices designed for automotive use. That's why it's better to use the original manuf. power unit - the cheap ones are cheap for a reason.
I would not generally recommend replacing a fuse with a paper-clip - if you did develop a wiring fault in the unit there would really be a very good chance of a fire as a paper-clip will take many 10s (even 100s) of Amps at 12V before it fuses - and it will get very hot in the process. _________________ Phil |
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mikealder Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jan 14, 2005 Posts: 19638 Location: Blackpool , Lancs
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 3:57 pm Post subject: |
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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 |
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Andy_P Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005 Posts: 19991 Location: West and Southwest London
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:10 pm Post subject: Re: PaperClip Rescue... BE PREPARED ? |
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philpugh wrote: | .....a paper-clip will take many 10s (even 100s) of Amps at 12V before it fuses |
That's why the silver paper in fag packets was invented, isn't it? |
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Oldboy Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Dec 08, 2004 Posts: 10643 Location: Suffolk, UK
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Posted: Thu Mar 26, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: Re: PaperClip Rescue... BE PREPARED ? |
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Andy_P wrote: | philpugh wrote: | .....a paper-clip will take many 10s (even 100s) of Amps at 12V before it fuses |
That's why the silver paper in fag packets was invented, isn't it? | That was invented to wrap round the 6in nail. _________________ Richard
TT 910 V7.903: Europe Map v1045
TT Via 135 App 12.075: Europe Map v1135 |
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chas921 Regular Visitor
Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 98
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 1:08 pm Post subject: |
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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) _________________ Device:TOMTOM START 52 & SNOOPER 3ZERO
Take care, keep your eyes on the road, not the navigator?
chas |
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Mullet Frequent Visitor
Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 1051
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Posted: Fri Mar 27, 2009 3:19 pm Post subject: Re: PaperClip Rescue... BE PREPARED ? |
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chas921 wrote: | I just wanted to examine out of curiosity |
Killed the cat, killed the sat nav.
If it isn't broke don't fix it. |
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chas921 Regular Visitor
Joined: Nov 05, 2005 Posts: 98
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Posted: Sat Mar 28, 2009 11:32 am Post subject: Re: PaperClip Rescue... BE PREPARED ? |
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Mullet wrote: |
Killed the cat, killed the sat nav.
If it isn't broke don't fix it. |
Mullet.......
Maybe so, but Ive never come across a Mini Blade Fuse before, so the curiosity was with good intent, Its just that the issues above took place, at the wrong time and before I`d bought a spare?
I little warning to others. But thanks _________________ Device:TOMTOM START 52 & SNOOPER 3ZERO
Take care, keep your eyes on the road, not the navigator?
chas |
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peasemore Lifetime Member
Joined: Aug 03, 2007 Posts: 379 Location: Berkshire
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Mullet Frequent Visitor
Joined: Dec 12, 2005 Posts: 1051
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 11:58 am Post subject: |
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chas921, that was in part a memo to myself. Curiosity is indeed hard to resist |
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Calomax Lifetime Member
Joined: Sep 30, 2005 Posts: 988 Location: St Martin's, Guernsey
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:04 pm Post subject: |
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chas921, Thanks for the advice. It could be very helpful if I knew what a psu is and if my 720 has one. _________________ TT Go Essential |
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Andy_P Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005 Posts: 19991 Location: West and Southwest London
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Posted: Sun Mar 29, 2009 10:10 pm Post subject: |
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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. |
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Calomax Lifetime Member
Joined: Sep 30, 2005 Posts: 988 Location: St Martin's, Guernsey
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 9:30 am Post subject: |
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Thanks Andy. I wasn't even aware that it had a fuse. _________________ TT Go Essential |
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Andy_P Pocket GPS Moderator
Joined: Jun 04, 2005 Posts: 19991 Location: West and Southwest London
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Posted: Tue Mar 31, 2009 11:51 am Post subject: |
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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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