GPS apps drain the power

sgould · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2004 Posts: 1320

I'm finding that using CamAlert or the Tomtom app is taking slightly more power than the in-car power supply can provide.

Same whether connected directly to the Griffin power lead or when the iPhone is clipped into the Tomtom GPS holder.

Makes planning a long journey - over three hours - useless as the iPhone runs out of power. I'm off to Hungary and expecting to drive for 8 hours in a day soon Sad

Anyone else not keeping the power?
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TTGO 700 (dead)
iPhone 3GS + TT holder
iPhone 5 (hers!)
Western Europe Map
Eastern Europe Map
Kenwood DNX-4210DAB with Garmin maps

DennisN · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:13 pm Post subject:

I use the TomTom Car Kit and it actually recharges my iPhone (3GS) whilst I'm running CamerAlert. Today, a couple of hours running not on power ran the battery down to 25% and a warning. I switched the Car Kit charger on and by a couple of hours later it was back up to 80%.
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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

MaFt · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:16 pm Post subject:

i've had mixed results. one cheapo car charger i used didn't charge enough to keep it topped up so it still ran down whilst navigating although at a slower rate. a 2nd cheapo car charger does just fine...

MaFt

DennisN · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 10:26 pm Post subject:

The TT Car Kit did cost me 100 smackeroons! Evil or Very Mad

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Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

SSR · Frequent Visitor Joined: May 26, 2005 Posts: 432

I'm using the Griffin PowerJolt with the 3GS, and with either TomTom or CamerAlert it charges the phone. I don't lose power.

sgould · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2004 Posts: 1320

Hmmm! I'll check it more carefully. i'm using a Griffin Power Jolt most days and the TT car kit when I need to see the map. Maybe it's the car socket not connecting correctly.

I charged the phone fully this morning. 100% showing when I set off. Used CamerAlert for an hour and the phone was at 96% at the end of the journey. This was with the Griffin. The plug lights up OK and I haven't noticed it flickering.
_________________
TTGO 700 (dead)
iPhone 3GS + TT holder
iPhone 5 (hers!)
Western Europe Map
Eastern Europe Map
Kenwood DNX-4210DAB with Garmin maps

DennisN · Posted: Wed Apr 21, 2010 10:13 pm Post subject:

If I use CamerAlert on battery, it drops 50% in an hour. On TT Car Kit it will not only power CamerAlert, but also enough extra to recharge the battery (actually quicker than it recharges via the USB port on my PC).
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

Darren · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 8:56 am Post subject:

I've had issues with one Griffin PowerJolt whereas another worked fine. Currently use a Kensington LiquidAux which is also able to supply enough juice.

The iPhone does have a high power requirement when running GPS. We've found the best chargers to be ones that can output 2A whereas most are much less.
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Darren Griffin

mostdom · Posted: Thu Apr 22, 2010 9:44 am Post subject:

Also look at the 12v car lighter usb adapters. Relitivly inexpensive can then also charge other usb devices as well but I have also had mixed results on the iphone. Current cheepo oddball 'Macally usb adapter' works for me!
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Dom

HERE LIES PND May it rest in peace.
Navigon 7310/iPhone Navigon&Copilot

sgould · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2004 Posts: 1320

I used the Power Jolt today. Started off at 84% charge and 45 minutes later after a motorway drive it had crept up to 90%.

It shouldn't be a problem but I have my iPhone charging from the power outlet on the dashboard and on the same circuit I have a Nokia bluetooth phone connected to the rear outlet. The Nokia was fully charged when it went in. On other occasions the Nokia was in need of a charge.

More testing and checking needed.

The last long journey I did with the TT GPS holder, the iPhone started the journey at 20% and went flat after about 30 minutes. But on that journey I had a fridge plugged in to the power outlet in the boot as well.
_________________
TTGO 700 (dead)
iPhone 3GS + TT holder
iPhone 5 (hers!)
Western Europe Map
Eastern Europe Map
Kenwood DNX-4210DAB with Garmin maps

DennisN · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 12:02 am Post subject:

I have an adaptor thing - one plug into the ciggy lighter socket, with a box of four outlets the other end. 1 outlet is the TT Car Kit, 1 TT GO520, 1 TT XL Live, 1 HTC Advantage. (So I can't take the other Go with me now Crying or Very sad

)
_________________
Dennis

If it tastes good - it's fattening.

Two of them are obesiting!!

mostdom · Posted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 7:31 am Post subject:

sgould · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2004 Posts: 1320

Car is a 2007 Saab 9-5 Estate. Power outlet in the dash. Power outlet at the back of the centre console. Power outlet in the boot. All factory fitted.

All three fed through one 30A fuse. So there should be enough current.
_________________
TTGO 700 (dead)
iPhone 3GS + TT holder
iPhone 5 (hers!)
Western Europe Map
Eastern Europe Map
Kenwood DNX-4210DAB with Garmin maps

marmitebcfc · Lifetime Member Joined: Jan 11, 2009 Posts: 27

Try turning the brightness down to about 75% I use tomtom car kit to charge my iphone up whilst using navmii. After every journey my phone is always fully charged Laughing

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sgould · Frequent Visitor Joined: Oct 05, 2004 Posts: 1320

This is getting really weird.

Now on holiday. Ran the app in the holder yesterday for an hour and a half running south from Calais. Started with 49% power. Finished with the same.

The small icon in the top right stayed on showing "charging" all the time.

Today, after a charge and some use, started on 78% power. Everything the same as yesterday. Four hours later at the end of the drive it was fully charged.

Neither time have there been any phone calls. Brightness is on around 60% and has been all the time.

I'm suspecting an internal or software fault, if the phone shows it's charging when sometimes it isn't. But sometimes it runs flat, sometimes it stays level and others it fully charges. Rolling Eyes

_________________
TTGO 700 (dead)
iPhone 3GS + TT holder
iPhone 5 (hers!)
Western Europe Map
Eastern Europe Map
Kenwood DNX-4210DAB with Garmin maps

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