Charging A Garmin Sat Nav.

[derekpara]

Can I charge my Garmin Drive Smart 50 sat nav from a 13amp USB adapted mains plug instead of using a PC, which is a very slow process ?

Cheers.

D

[sunny-dave]

In principle, yes - just check the rated output (amps) from the plug isn't more than the Garmin can take.

[KARL]

The only certain prerequisite is that the output voltage of the adaptor/charger matches that of the Garmin and as both are USB standard then that should be assured. If the Garmin battery has to have a current limiter on the charger output then that will be stated in the instructions (although they are likely to say you should always use their charger, nothing else) but such a requirement would be unusual. No computer is likely to have a limiter in the USB power output(s) as such but through the circuitry design there will nevertheless be a limitation on how much current can be drawn from the USB socket(s) but that will likely vary from machine to machine.

[derekpara]

Thanks to you both.

D

[Old_Geezer]

I would expect/hope a sat nav would contain it's own current limiting circuitry in order to protect itself.

PC USBs aren't designed as charging points, you are simply taking advantage of it's ability to power up things plugged into it, so are variable in the power it can provide. Properly designed chargers should be better (but in my recent experience, there are some crep chargers being flogged out there - for example I have a third party USB C charger for my tablet, and it often needs replugging into the mains more than once before it actually manages to charge !).

[Alagopus]

Not sure if it would apply; but I used to charge my Garmin with a phone charger (Motorola). Had the same USB connector.

[derekpara]

OG and Ala. Noted with interest and thanks.

D