Rider v2 battery problems

willis · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 52

Opinions?

I have a TT Rider v2 with the mount wired into the rear light power on my bike (which comes on when key is on and engine cut off switch set to on), however my TT will not charge on the bike - checked power coming to all four pins. Unit clips on to mount fine, all pins straight and no corrosion or damage can be seen.

I changed the battery in the unit about 8 months ago as the original one just died (after two years). The unit charges from the mains charger fine but loses about 25% of the full battery indicator over 24 hours - when the unit is not even powered up!

What do you reckon - another replacment battery or problem with the charger/mount? I am tempted to buy a new battery first and check to see if working then. If not will butcher unit by drilling a small hole in "SD card door" at base of unit and connect a mains charger adaptor end to the bike power wire.

mikealder · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 8:59 pm Post subject:

Consider moving the connection to the bikes electrics to a different location as connecting to a cable feeding the rear lights is lowish current most of which will flow through the bulbs as they offer the least path of resistance.
There should be another switched "Live" you can get at on the bikes electrics - Mike

Andy_P · Posted: Mon Jan 25, 2010 9:06 pm Post subject:

Does it only work when you put the brakes on? Cool

willis · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 52

exportman · Posted: Tue Jan 26, 2010 10:40 pm Post subject:

Do you have it set to turn off automatically when the power is disconnected?

I had to replace my mount some time ago, it worked fine in the car but not on my bike it kept shutting down and starting up again. I think the vibration may have a detrimental effect on the pins. The volts registered correctly on a meter but did not maintain the connection whilst riding.

thezerocool · Occasional Visitor Joined: Jul 23, 2005 Posts: 24

2 batteries fried in 2 years? Sounds like more than just a battery issue here.

You should be able to run the TomTom happily of a rear running light without any issue. It doesnt draw enough current to effect the light or vice versa.

If you batteries are failing it could be due to leaving the unit on the bike in the extreme cold, or surging from your bikes regulator?

Check the pins are making a strong contact with the Rider as sometimes "drilling" can occur over high mileages.

You shouldnt have power accross all the pins on the dock, only the outer 2, around 4.5 or 5v from memory. The others are a loop so the rider knows its connected.

GL!

willis · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 52

The bike it's on is just over a year old so doubtful if any surging probs, however it is a litre sportsbike so maybe the vibration has done it (9k in first year - I know I'm an addict at the weekends). I do go out in the cold but I think I would fail before the tomtom Wink

and it comes in the house if not being used.

I was out on it again on Saturday and it started charging when I clicked it onto the dock, then it stopped charging when I went over a bump - must be a connection problem. However the contacts on the unit look fine and the pins still stick out from the dock as it did when new.

I'll check the pins are (still) working at the weekend and if they are then a bit of "bodgery" will be the only option left - see if I can get the contacts pushed out a bit further or get a tighter fit on the dock. Failing that I am sure I saw a thread here showing a solution which involves converting the wire feeding the dock into a simple charger plug (chopped off a cheap mains charger) then drilling a hole in the "door" at the base of the unit so it can be plugged through when on the dock.

Not pretty but it'll work - also not so rain proof but better than only having a limited / or no useage. I would definately buy a zumo next time round now.

exportman · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 8:51 pm Post subject:

HI

Dont forget the rider is only 5V not 12v. Sound to me like you have the same problems I had. No drilling on the contacts its just the mount that fails something inernal I think as I had a steady voltage reading until I was on the road then it was off and on every few mins. I replaced the mount and it has been Ok since.

willis · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 52

Ah where did you get a new mount - what's the cost - maybe i'll try that before I start drilling.

Also does the fact that it is 5v not 12v mean that I need a transformer wired in on the wire before it goes into the mains charger socket? Didn't realise the mount had gadgetry, I thought it was just a mount with a wire through it.

exportman · Posted: Mon Feb 22, 2010 10:25 pm Post subject:

Hi

The mains charger reduces the voltage to 5v Your bike mount has a transformer that reduces the voltage from 12 to 5v and stabalises the output.

the mounts are not cheap they only place I could find one was on the tomtom website @ 44.95 here

http://www.tomtom.com/products/accessories/accessory.php?ID=446&Product=481&Category=1

willis · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 52

Cheers thanks - new £45 mount to maintain two year old problematic tom tom with a design flaw or a new zumo.

Hmmmm now how to justify it to the mrs Wink

Andy_P · Posted: Tue Feb 23, 2010 12:44 am Post subject:

Just to add... if you go by the home-made route, you'll need more than a transformer to reduce the voltage from 12V down to 5V.

A transformer can only reduce AC voltage, and won't be of any use for the Bike's DC supply.
The TomTom chargers and mounts have a DC voltage regulator circuit built into them so that's what you'll need to replicate.
Not difficult, but a bit more complicated than a transformer.

willis · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 52

ok thanks. I'll try a new mount first then if that doesn't work it'll be wiring in using a car charger or buying a new zumo - my birthday in April ;-)

exportman · Posted: Wed Feb 24, 2010 9:45 pm Post subject:

Damm

Would you believe it my second bike mount stopped charging this evening on the way home. Not HAPPY Evil or Very Mad

willis · Occasional Visitor Joined: Mar 06, 2006 Posts: 52

S0d's law - I emailed TomTom to see if I can get a replacement mount but I think it's about six months out of the 2 year warranty. At least it'll give me the chance to have a moan about things failing prematurely, maybe will get some goodwill ;-) will keep you posted.

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