[C320-list] Chartplotter Internal Battery

[Irving Grunes]

Warren,
Thats a solder in battery. Thats why the lugs were spot welded to the + and
- of the battery.
Irv
#851

On Thu, May 22, 2008 at 8:49 PM, Warren Updike <wupdike at hotmail.com> wrote:

> 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."
>>
>>
>>
>