Navman 5500 chartplotter Battery change?

[noswellplease]

The internal battery for my unit appears to be dead as a dodo
as the unit is losing all the settings once the unit is switched off. Plastimo are making a big deal about replacing battery and the unit needing to be sent back to them and you guess it a big fat bill for a battery change!
Anyone change one of these before, and how did difficult was it. I've messed about with printed circuits before and don't believe changing a battery should be such a big deal. That is unless you want to make money out of it like Navman/Plastimo.....Russ

 

[Anonymous]

I didn't know that there was a battery in this unit, I rather assumed that it was non-volatile memory. Mine is Jan 2005 and it does get VERY hot in the sun here in the Med (though I try to put a shade over it when I can).

What price have you been quoted and what details have they given you?

The unit is waterproof so you want to be careful if you take it apart.

I am totally happy with mine, but now I am worried as batteries don't like high temperatures.

 

[noswellplease]

Lemain, I'm afraid Navman couldn't even be sure which type battery was inside as changes in battery type have been made over the last few years. They said it would have to be opened first. And the big deal was that the battery had to be soldered into place. No chance of anything being kept nice and simple. And no they couldn't say how much it would cost before hand. They did say that a battery should last 3 possibly 4 years. If yours is working fine then leave it alone. Thats as much as I know at this time....Russ

 

[stevebirch2002]

Changed a load in Garmin 120, 126 and 128 etc. Not too difficult but entails soldering. YYou need to get teh right battery so will need to take apart. Shouldnt be too much of a problem.

Cheers

 

[noswellplease]

Thanks for the info. Is there any problem maintaining waterproof integrity of the unit after open and close?
Or is it not really an issue? Thanks

 

[Anonymous]

It is certainly an issue, but I have no idea how difficult it will be to ensure that the unit stays waterproof. A major feature of the Navman plotters with integral GPS is the waterproof spec.

Have you tried emailing Navman with your fears, maybe a link to this forum, or a copy of the messages? You won't be the only one feeling less comfortable than they were.

 

[ribbettuk]

volatile memorys support many more writes than a non volatile which is finite everytime you switch off the data for sat's constellation is saved and your track and nav data to make the next start up quicker. pcs have bios batteries. Marine units get shaken about a lot so they solder batteries in. best not play around unsoldering and soldering around a surface mount populated board not worth the risk. Most marine navigators have these batteries.

 

[noswellplease]

Sorry Ribbettuk don't subscribe to your view. I've soldered lots of electronics over the years no big deal. Steve says the waterproof seal is just a rubber seal so I'm happy to go that route specially if it saves me from the clutches of the electronic swindlers. But thanks anyway Russell

 

[Anonymous]

Just one caveat for those who have dabbled a bit with electronics over the years but not done much recently. Surface mount with multi-layer plated through holes can be messed up very easily and it is horribly difficult to repair without the right specialist kit - can be done, but only with good eyesight/magnifier, a good iron, steady hands and quite a bit of experience.

It all depends how they have mounted it....commonsense suggests that they must have made it possible for an ordinary wireman with a standard iron, but it would be nice to know.

Please let us know how you got on and share any details with us...how does the case open, what type of battery, and tips,...etc. Many thanks and good luck!