Charging the EMTAC

Nobby · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

My apologies if this has been answered elsewhere, but I couldn’t find a definitive response (or if there was I didn’t understand it) regarding the power supply to the EMTAC units.

Can I use my standard iPAQ 3970 mains charger and also the iPAQ 3970 car charger to power/charge the EMTAC receiver ? They appear to have the same plug and output voltage?

If they are not suitable what is the recommended car charger and mains adaptor to use?

Many thanks

Simon

Dave · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Yes you can. Well, atleast Socket say you can, and I believe EMTAC say you can't. There's no difference in the models, just different distributors.

I'm using an old 36xx desk charger and this is working okay.

Buffy Beagle · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

We are not completely sure whether the following is true, but based on our research before we bought our equipment about 4 weeks ago, there seem to be 2 versions of the Emtac and/or Socket Bluetooth receiver on the market. So far as we know, the actual GPS unit is the same. One is generally marketed under the "Emtac" brand and we think it comes with a mains charger. The other is generally marketed under the "Socket" brand. This is what we bought and it comes with a car charger and cables that can power the iPaq and the GPS receiver simultaneously. We bought ours from MobileDataDirect. (Beware, we found one company - I think it was Expansys - that was selling a "Socket Bluetooth GPS" which did NOT come with this car charger.)

We have used the car charger very satisfactorily. We have both units plugged in when we are using them in the car. This means that there are several cables dangling around, but we don't mind that. We have bought an iPaq CF sleeve with supplementary battery, partly to get the longer battery life, and have never yet got close to running the batteries down. I think it's true to say that you could have both the iPaq and Bluetooth GPS running for at least 5 or 6 hours on battery power, if you wanted.

We have not tried using the iPaq mains charger to power the Socket Bluetooth GPS but certainly the plug looks right and I assume the voltage and polarity must be the same, so I imagine there would be no problem. It's just that we have seen no need to do this.

I hope this helps.

Hugh

aero · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Global Positioning Systems sell the Emtac BT CruxII GPS Receiver with the mains charger, but no in-car charger. I bought an ipaq 3600 series charger for the car - but haven't tried it yet.

The price was £212.75 inc VAT and no delivery charge. Good price methinks.

SJTaylor · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Buffy,

"(Beware, we found one company - I think it was Expansys - that was selling a "Socket Bluetooth GPS" which did NOT come with this car charger.)"

I bought the Socket branded version from Expansys and it came with the car charger and Y-adaptor.

The IPAQ mains charger powers the Socket fine. They're all 5 volt DC so you can't really have a problem. Manufacturers nearly always say not to use another manufacturer's unit: a) To make you buy theirs b) To clear them of any blame in case anything goes wrong.

Skeletal · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

I have a Compaq 3970, and the Socket version of the GPS receiver. I use the Socket Y adaptor for both devices in the car and the Compaq's mains power supply for the Socket with no problems (charging the batteries is one thing I have managed to do!!).

I am less certain of using the Y adaptor to enable me to charge the Compaq and Socket, from the mains at the SAME TIME. This is because you would be "forcing" current in the wrong direction into the car charger as you can't separate the "Y" from the charger. It may be OK, but I'm not going to risk it without knowing the Socket charger's circuitry.

Not too much of a hardship, just have to charge one then the other!

Skeletal

Nobby · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Thanks for the views and advice. I now feel a lot happier plugging my iPAQ charger into the EMTAC.

I have to say that I am well pleased with this little unit. Works great in the car and performs well even when chucked into the outer pocket of my rucksack while walking the streets of London.

Thanks

Nobby

Pc-Mobile · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Quote: Originally posted by Dave on 10 April 2003

Yes you can. Well, atleast Socket say you can, and I believe EMTAC say you can't. There's no difference in the models, just different distributors.

I'm using an old 36xx desk charger and this is working okay.

Hi Dave,

Did the y cable we sent you come into play with this?
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Dave · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Hi Ronald, sorry meant to send you an email the other day. I've been using the Y cable with a Comapq clone (PHIHONG) desk charger outputting max 10W, (DC +5V, 2A) and it works a treat. I've been charging my 3870 and the Socket BTGPS at the same time.

Stoneghost · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Quote

(Beware, we found one company - I think it was Expansys - that was selling a "Socket Bluetooth GPS" which did NOT come with this car charger.)

I ordered my Socket BTGPS from Expansys and the car charger WAS included!!! I would also like to say they are one of the best companies I have dealt with over the previous months.

Stoneghost

iPAQ 5450, Socket BTGPS

TimB · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Dear PcMobile

I too would like to have a Y cable that allowed me to simultaneously charge a socket GPS and an Ipaq 3970 using the mains charger that came with the Ipaq.

Is there a reference number so that I can find it on your website? Your comment to Dave suggests it may be a one off tailor made thing!

Yours

TimB

MikeB · Posted: Sun Sep 14, 2003 8:04 am Post subject: Charging the EMTAC

Quote: Originally posted by Dave on 10 April 2003

Yes you can. Well, atleast Socket say you can, and I believe EMTAC say you can't. There's no difference in the models, just different distributors.

I'm using an old 36xx desk charger and this is working okay.

Dont Panic. Some time ago I pu this question to Emtac, and they said any charger that powers the iPaq can also power the BTGPS. I was initially concerned as the documentation implied that you couldn't. But the Emtac guys from the UK told me it was OK.
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