Zumo 550 Cradle Issues
15 September 2008 - 11:33am
The mystery ride was the first ride with my Zumo550...
The cradle seems VERY doggy though :-) Halfway to Arniston it stopped charging the GPS grrr!! Hence fuel data goes skew and the GPS have to run on its own battery.
When I got to Arniston I took the panels on my 650 off to inspect the wiring... all seemed fine and the fuse was okay... Then suddenly it started working again...
On my way back it died on me AGAIN! By this time my GPS also died because the battery was flat..
At home at sprayed some WD40 on the cradle contacts and now it seems to work again... When will it fail again? :-)
These intermittent problems are very frustrating and gives me very little confidence in the Zumo cradle... Do you experience issues with the Zumo cradle or the GPS?
Another question:
Is it okay to leave the GPS in the cradle while the GPS is switched off? I'm aware that the GPS `shouldn't` use power when switched off however
I’ve seen my GPS switch on by itself while ALREADY in the cradle this morning (a certain battery drain) - THIS SHOULDN'T HAPPEN!
I suspect I will have to get a replacement cradle...
15 September 2008 - 1:32pm
#1
My Zumo 500 and cradle have been absolutely fine. It switches on when I plug it into the cradle automatically - If I switch it off - it stays off and will only come on again when I press the power button on the device. I therefore do leave mine in its cradle when powered off.
15 September 2008 - 1:35pm
#2
Corné, mine (Zumo 500, same body, same cradle) have not given me any problems. I have noticed that when the unit is off and I insert it into the cradle, then the unit switches on. I suspect a loose connection on your's if it just swithces on by itself. You will have to do some troubleshooting on the wiring first to make sure that there's power up to the cradle. If that is the case and the cradle connections are not dirty, then there must be a problem in the cradle itself. Just check the power connection to the cradle as well. I did not fasten mine with the supplied screws incase I want to remove the bracked, but as I've said, I had no problems to date.
I remove my unit from the bike in the evening. I'm not sure, but I suspect that while it is connected to the battery, then it will charge.
15 September 2008 - 4:40pm
#3
Corne,
Something definately wrong. Some random thoughts ...
The contacts on the cradle must be dry ... I've blown lots of fuses when they get wet. I'd get rid of the WD40.
I often leave mine on the cradle, but switched off overnight. no way it will drain your bike battery if on standby.
Switching on/off sounds like a loose connection somewhere ... I'd start with the connection to the battery, then check the fuse holder, then check the cable where it joins the cradle.
Check contacts on Zumo and the pins are nice and clean ... a little moisture and they get corrosion on pretty quickly.
Lastly, check that the pins on the cradle are all properly spring loaded and pop out when they are supposed to.
Good luck,
Dale
15 September 2008 - 4:46pm
#4
Lastly, check that the pins on the cradle are all properly spring loaded and pop out when they are supposed to.
I think this could be the problem... there are a few of the pins that feel sticky!
Thanks for all the tips guys :-)
I will phone Chris Boltman and ask him where I could get the cradle replaced..
Corné Kloppers
http://www.bikepics.com/members/pantsula/07f650gs/
0849130391
ckloppers@gmail.com
15 September 2008 - 6:42pm
#5
Hi I also have the same zumo 550 and have not had any problems with the cradle etc..... have only done one long weekend ride so far though.... I have a different problem in that i cant the the bloody fuel gauge to work properly.... cant seem to be able to reset it so continually telling my that i have to find a nearest fuel station.............. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! eugene
15 September 2008 - 7:15pm
#6
Corné my 500 is the same as the others ...into cradle and it switches on and at a stop where I'll leave it on the bike, I switch off on the Zumo to save the bike's battery.
I remove my cradle and only fit it when going on a ride and wish to use the Zumo.
I have fitted an in-line type of jack-plug so as to be able to disconnect and remove the cradle when not in use, as I found any live power point which gets wet starts corroding fast (electrolytic action, the live corrodes away, at least I think it was the L on my last jack -plug.
Having now found a way to keep it dry...no more corrosion.
I also use a little Q 20/ WD 40 on the pins occasionally.
15 September 2008 - 8:29pm
#7
A friend of mine had the same type of problem with his 500. He eventually had to replace it. Combination of cradle and connection points on the GPS. Took it to Avnic Trading (Garmin distributor) in Gauteng and they replaced it under warrantee. See that they have an office in Cape Town – maybe worthwhile a try – check their site on the internet for details.
Mine is approaching its 2nd year of hard living and although it is showing it there are no major problems yet. – Probably not going to stop working tomorrow because of that statement.
16 September 2008 - 9:05am
#8
Avnic in Muizenberg; 0217889015
Johan de Jager
"It's all about the ride, nothing else"
16 September 2008 - 9:06am
#9
Thanks Johan...
How about giving me the GPS cords ;-)
Corné Kloppers
http://www.bikepics.com/members/pantsula/07f650gs/
0849130391
ckloppers@gmail.com
16 September 2008 - 11:44am
#10
Your GPS might die on the way!!!!
16 September 2008 - 1:47pm
#11
Must be the vibration from that 650 single, coupled with the corrogations from the road!!
:o)
Buddy
Out there where we all belong.
16 September 2008 - 4:12pm
#12
Yes the GPS can & will flatten your battery if you leave it in the cradle for any length of time. I doubt overnight though. I learned the hard way!!
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