[C320-list] Chartplotter Internal Battery

[Warren Updike]

I had/have the same experience with my Garmin 48.  The first time about 3 
years ago, I sent it back and they replaced the unit copying my data to the 
new unit.  The first time I pulled it out this spring I found the same 
"Memory Battery" message.  I didn't call Garmin but went to their web site 
where I found that the G-48 is no longer serviced.  I bought a Garmin GPSMap 
76Cx on Amazon.

However, being the inveterate tinkerer, I opened the case on the 48: remove 
the antenna, batteries, and the black vinyl/rubber water cap that wraps over 
the top.  Then, g-e-n-t-l-y pry the case apart at the seam that runs all 
around the unit.  It is apparently sealed with some sort of product that 
leaves no residue.  The back cover can be unplugged from the system board 
(remember the orientation of the wires as the plus has no polarity.)  The 
3V, 1.5mAh Panasonic lithium battery is attached to the case in the cavity 
at the top.  The hardest part is prying the contacts off the battery case. 
It seems they are spot welded.  I attached the contacts to the battery with 
small strips of duct tape then wrapped the battery with a single piece of 
duct tape and reassembled.  Worked like a charm.  I will eventually re-seal 
the case and keep it as a backup or give it to a grandkid.

The Garmin GPSMap 76Cx is a nice unit and uses the same external power/data 
connector as the 48.  Plus there is a USB connection for a computer.  There 
are many more features and it is much much faster and more accurate.  The 
only downside relative to the 48 is there is no builtin database of marine 
nav aids.  Garmin owns BlueChart and so if you want graphic charts with 
navaids you can purchase them from Garmin.

The US BlueCharts are by region as defined by Garmin.  The price starts at 
about $100 for a single region on a MicroSD chip and about $165 for the CD 
of all regions with one region unlocked.  I'm going to see how I like the 
unit without navaids.  I mainly use my waypoints, a chart book, and my eyes. 
Haven't felt the need for elec charting on the Chesapeake Bay.

Warren & Pattie Updike
C320, #62, 1994, "Warr De Mar"
Frog Mortar Creek, Middle River
Chesapeake Bay

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Irving Grunes" <igrunes at gmail.com>
To: <C320-List at catalina320.com>
Sent: Thursday, May 08, 2008 1:05 PM
Subject: [C320-list] Chartplotter Internal Battery


> Hi
>
> We got an error message on our chartplotter and one of the boat partners
> sent this message:
> Can anyone help???
>
> "I checked the Garmin manual to find the message from the chartplotter.
> According to the Garmin manual, the message was "Memory Battery Power is
> Low"  This means "The internal battery that stores waypoints, routes, and
> track plots needs to be replaced.  Take your unit to an authorized GARMIN
> service center for installation of a new battery."
>
> That doesn't sound good.  Since the model has been discontinued, service 
> may
> not be available.  As best I can tell from the web site, the Kansas 
> factory
> is the only authorized service center and the 230 chartplotter does not
> appear on their list of repairable devices.  I did find a posting that
> somebody had gotten that message for a while until the unit finally 
> failed.
>
> Irv - maybe somebody on the C320 list has an answer."
>
>