Home PageFacebookRSS News Feed
PocketGPS
Web
SatNav,GPS,Navigation
Pocket GPS World - SatNavs | GPS | Speed Cameras: Forums

Pocket GPS World :: View topic - Unpredictable battery usage on 940
 Forum FAQForum FAQ   SearchSearch   UsergroupsUsergroups   ProfileProfile   Log in for private messagesLog in for private messages   Log inLog in 

Unpredictable battery usage on 940

 
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> TomTom Portable Navigation Devices
View previous topic :: View next topic  
Author Message
DaveMatthews
Regular Visitor


Joined: Dec 25, 2004
Posts: 221

PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 9:47 am    Post subject: Unpredictable battery usage on 940 Reply with quote

Hi folks,

Ever since I bought my 940 (almost 18 months ago) its use of its internal battery has been rather unpredictable...

Most commonly I use the 940 for getting to work (primarily so I can keep an eye on any traffic incidents), a journey that takes about an hour. On most occasions I'll leave home with a full-charged battery and by the time I get to work it is around 50% exhausted, which leaves enough power to make the return journey in the evening. Occasionally, however, when I set off for home, I find that the battery has almost completely exhausted...

It's almost as though the screen itself is off but the unit is still operating for some reason.

As far as I'm aware the only procedure for switching the unit off is to hold the power button down for a few seconds until the splash screen appears and then it will close itself down a few seconds later. (I note in the User Guide that there is a chapter headed "Switching the unit on and off" yet it doesn't actually describe the latter operation!)

One thing I did try was to put the unit into Flight Mode before switching off but the battery still ran itself down.

Most of the time, however, the unit does behave predictably. For example this week I used the 940 on Monday for an hour and, having only just switched it on again this morning, the battery level is still showing around 50%.

Am I doing something wrong or could it be that my battery is faulty?

--

Many thanks!,


Dave
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
mikealder
Pocket GPS Moderator
Pocket GPS Moderator


Joined: Jan 14, 2005
Posts: 19638
Location: Blackpool , Lancs

PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 11:07 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Dave what Navcore software version are you using on the 940? as I have seen some issues with battery power when I loaded the Fiat BlueMe navcore to my 940, this isn't an officially supported device for that software so I wasn't too surprised when things didn't quite work as expected!
If its stock software installed then it could be the battery as 18 months isn't unusual to see failure, fortunately the x40/ x50 devices have the battery glued to the inside of the case making swapping it out far easier than the x20/ x30 series have a read of This which details how to swap out the battery - Mike
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message Send e-mail MSN Messenger
DaveMatthews
Regular Visitor


Joined: Dec 25, 2004
Posts: 221

PostPosted: Fri Apr 23, 2010 1:21 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Thanks, Mike.

I've upgraded Navcore a couple of times since I bought the unit but always via "Home", so there isn't anything non-standard on it. I'm presently running version 8.371.

As far as I can think back I've had this problem from time to time since I bought the unit. It's becoming increasingly frequent now. The odd thing, though, is that while the unit is switched on, I do get a good two hours of use out of it, so not only is the battery charging to full capacity, the actual "life" is in line with normal expectations, too. It's switching the unit *off* that seems to be the problem! Hence my reason for wondering whether it was shutting down properly.

Nevertheless as swapping the battery seems to be pretty straightforward - thanks very much for your article - I'll give it a go if we can't think of any other reasons for the mystery discharge.

--

Cheers,

Dave
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
MrT
Frequent Visitor


Joined: Nov 14, 2003
Posts: 2143
Location: Surrounded by A1, M1 & M25

PostPosted: Sun Apr 25, 2010 9:02 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I have had similar issues, the x50 Navcore does not allow the 940 to fully turn off but I have had the battery go flat a few times using 8.37 Navcore and the times it has done that, I have not cleared the route before shutting down, which is something that I normally do. Maybe it is related to that? The power is software controlled, so any lock ups or bugs could affect it.

Also if the in-car power supply you use does not have sufficient power, the LED will show that the unit has power connected and you think it is charging but it does not actually charge. If you touch the satellite bars, you will see the battery icon moving and it should say "charging" underneath it (unless it is fully charged). With a weak supply you see a battery icon but without the words charging.
_________________
Drivelux
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message
DaveMatthews
Regular Visitor


Joined: Dec 25, 2004
Posts: 221

PostPosted: Mon Apr 26, 2010 12:18 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

MrT wrote:
I have had the battery go flat a few times using 8.37 Navcore and the times it has done that, I have not cleared the route before shutting down, which is something that I normally do. Maybe it is related to that?


That dd occur to me but I still get the problem occasionally despite clearing the route.


MrT wrote:

The power is software controlled, so any lock ups or bugs could affect it.


Yes, I wondered about that. Sometimes it takes around ten seconds for my unit to close down and I wonder if that co-incides with subsequent battery strain. I'll do a bit more investigation!


MrT wrote:

Also if the in-car power supply you use does not have sufficient power, the LED will show that the unit has power connected and you think it is charging but it does not actually charge. If you touch the satellite bars, you will see the battery icon moving and it should say "charging" underneath it (unless it is fully charged). With a weak supply you see a battery icon but without the words charging.


OK, thanks for the tip. Very Happy

--

Cheers


Dave
Back to top
View user's profile Send private message







Posted: Today    Post subject: Pocket GPS Advertising

Back to top
Display posts from previous:   
Post new topic   Reply to topic    Pocket GPS World Forum Index -> TomTom Portable Navigation Devices All times are GMT + 1 Hour
Page 1 of 1

 
Jump to:  
You cannot post new topics in this forum
You cannot reply to topics in this forum
You cannot edit your posts in this forum
You cannot delete your posts in this forum
You cannot vote in polls in this forum

Make a Donation



CamerAlert Database

Click here for the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database

Download Speed Camera Database
22.034 (27 Mar 24)



WORLDWIDE SPEED CAMERA SPOTTERS WANTED!

Click here to submit camera positions to the PocketGPSWorld.com Speed Camera Database


12mth Subscriber memberships awarded every week for verified new camera reports!

Submit Speed Camera Locations Now


CamerAlert Apps



iOS QR Code






Android QR Code







© Terms & Privacy


GPS Shopping