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GPSIII+ takes H2O into batteryhousing. GPSIII+ takes H2O into batteryhousing.
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Photo by Andy Miller, UK, Taking a rest, Jokulsarlon, Iceland

I haven't been everywhere...
but it's on my list!


Photo by Andy Miller, UK,
Taking a rest,
Jokulsarlon, Iceland




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  #1  
Old 6 Feb 2003
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GPSIII+ takes H2O into batteryhousing.
Made a mistake on my side too, should admit that for a start ;-)
That done here comes the info:

I have my GPSIII+ mounted on my bike with a touratech bracket. It isn't really protected from the weather so it gets wet quite regulary according to Belgian weather.
The GPS has been on the bike non stop for about 6 months.
The mistake I made was to leave batteries in it all the time. Wich wasn't needed because it can take power through the adaptor. Auch...

Well I just took it of to start playing with the software I bought.
As you can guess the whole housing for batterys was wet. :-((( My luck was that the batterys didn't start leaking yet. :-)))

I can imagin the moisture with the batteries is not a good combination. What would be good solutions? I can't see an O-ring or something else. I am considering some sort di-electric grease to secure the powersupply and avoid sparkling, oxidation,....
But that won't keep moisture from entering.

Has anybody else come accros this problem?

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  #2  
Old 6 Feb 2003
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Hi, I've my 3+ on my bike for the last two years and never had any problems with water getting into the battery compartment. I also have the 'Turatech' mount and the unit is exposed, although behind a small screen. I would try to find a suitable replacment 'o'ring or if you don't intend to run the unit on batteries seal it with some silicon....
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  #3  
Old 7 Feb 2003
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Well, can't imagin there is a suitable O-ring since the lit it "8"-shaped.

And I do wonna be able to use the GPS with batteries. So silicon ain't no option either.

Shortly I'll be getting a bigger screen and I am thinking of replacing the GPS-mount then. It will be better protected for rain then. But that still is only half the solution I believe.

I am wondering if there is supposed to be an O-ring inthere originally. I might have lost it wihtout noticing it...?


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  #4  
Old 7 Feb 2003
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Hi, sorry, the suggestion of using the silicon was a dum one. I've just checked the battery compartment on mine. There is a thin rubber seal on the lid, but its not an 'o' ring and its bonded to the lid. I don't think it would just fall off if it became damaged but would more likely split. I don't regularly open the battery compartment as I have the unit hard wired to the bike. I have read a few things regarding 'Garmin' and their service seems excellent with regard to faulty equipment, so it might be worth contacting them...Bob
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  #5  
Old 8 Feb 2003
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Mine has a rubber "8"

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  #6  
Old 8 Feb 2003
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Freek, do you mean a real O-ring but then shaped to fit the lit?
Then I must have lost mine somewhere along the road.... :-(((
How big are the changes I can find one of those is a shop?
Or can you buy replacement parts for Garmin anywhere? Haven't found any info about it on there website. Did drop the tech support a mail though about my problem. Curious what they'll come back with.


Pieter.

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  #7  
Old 21 Mar 2003
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Hi Pieter,

water in the battery-compartment is not a serious problem as the real seal (the industial standard waterproof) is beond the compartment.
If you let it dry out from time to time no harm will be done I guess.

You should be able to get a new seal at garmin, or you can "glue" in a O-ring (or 8-ring ;-) ) of the right size. Or (very rigourus) put a small silicone-trail in the grove (and let it dry before you close the lid ;-)

Take care of your antena.. this might be a water-problem!

Maarten


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  #8  
Old 28 Nov 2003
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Fireboomer:

Like Mmartin said, water within the battery compartment of the III, III+, or StreetPilot III is not a serious problem. I have had a SP III on my moto for 2 years and 70,000 km, it's been wet in the battery compartment occasionally, but that has not caused any problems.

We get water in the battery compartment when the units are mounted on motorcycles with the battery compartment facing forward, and we then ride in rain.

I suggest you just bring the unit inside occasionally and take the battery cover off, and let the unit dry out. The contacts for the batteries on the GPSR itself won't rust, they are stainless steel. Your batteries might rust, just visually inspect them and replace them if needed.

I don't recommend you try to seal the battery compartment up further with silicone or anything like that. Not only is it not needed, but it will prevent the battery compartment from naturally drying out on sunny days, which is what happens now. You probably just looked at your unit a day or two after riding in the rain or washing your bike, and found it wet then.

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