ChinaVision GPS

DeanR · Jun 26, 2017

I have the ChinaVision Rage. First time GPS user.
During about a 600 mile weekend it repeatedly told me the battery is critically low and to consider charging it. To the point of turning itself off a couple times.
When plugged into 12 V, should the battery condition even matter?
Also, is the battery replaceable?
Already knew that the battery is toast.

v8-7 · Jun 26, 2017

Since it was saying batt low, it probably wasn't connected to power.

Check the connections and also check the 4 pins that connect the unit to the mount. I had some rust that prevented power transfer .

SMSW · Jun 26, 2017

Yup, the GPS turning itself off is a sign that its not getting bike power. My Nuvi does that, and I can restart it by wiggling the cord/plug on the back of the unit.

Mondo · Jun 26, 2017

SMSW said:
Yup, the GPS turning itself off is a sign that its not getting bike power. My Nuvi does that, and I can restart it by wiggling the cord/plug on the back of the unit.

It took me a while to discover that the resistor part of my Nuvi power was so close to the connection that if not supported, it would slightly disconnect and cause said problem. I rerouted it to (wound it around other stuff) support it and absolutely no problems since.

Greg

Uncle Phil · Jun 26, 2017

There should be an indicator on the screen to show if it is charging or not. Upper right corner, IIRC.

mcthorogood · Jun 26, 2017

The insert with the 4 pins on the Chinavision mounting bracket could be flaky which happened to me. Try pushing on the plastic piece around the 4 pins with your finger and see if it pops out the back of the mounting bracket. I had to scrape away plastic from the mounting bracket in order to get the piece with the pins to positively lock into place. If you can push hard on the plastic piece with the pins and not have it pop out of place then it's okay. The pins supplying power to the GPS are spring loaded and need to press tightly against the pads on the back of the GPS.

sirepair · Jun 27, 2017

I had to glue the 4 pin pad into the mount to keep it tight. Also, a coat of dielectric grease to keep the connectors free of water and corrosion may help.

SMSW · Jun 27, 2017

sirepair said:
I had to glue the 4 pin pad into the mount to keep it tight. Also, a coat of dielectric grease to keep the connectors free of water and corrosion may help.

Be careful here. The USB mini connector on my Garmin is not a tight push in connector, i.e. the grease will not be wiped away by mechanical pressure yielding metal to metal contact. Not having seen a Chinavision GPS I'm assuming the same type of connection. Sure, some grease will be cleared from the metal when inserted, but it might exacerbate the problem. If you try the grease, wipe it around the outside rather than smearing it all over the mating pins.

If the problem is looseness, then certainly the grease will not be cleared and the problem will be worse.

DeanR · Jun 27, 2017

When checking in the garage, the connection seems ok. That pad connector is tight. Wiggling stuff around does not seem to affect anything.
Upper right of screen, the indicator alternates between the wired icon and the sequential battery charging icon. Which I think is what it is supposed to do?

From original post:
When plugged into 12 V, should the battery condition even matter? i.e. should it work ok with a bad battery?
Also, is the battery replaceable?

Is this the correct replacement connector for RAM mounting, instead of using the included Chinese smaller ball mount?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O8LF26/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A24X6L8V5U06S5&psc=1
The base has four pre-drilled holes at each corner
Universal 1.5 x 1.188 (hole spacing) AMPS hole pattern

paulcb · Jun 27, 2017

DeanR said:
When checking in the garage, the connection seems ok. That pad connector is tight. Wiggling stuff around does not seem to affect anything.
Upper right of screen, the indicator alternates between the wired icon and the sequential battery charging icon. Which I think is what it is supposed to do.

Sounds like your power supply might be going. Check the voltage at the connection. Should be 5V.

I have the 5" Chinavasion unit and my power supply went bad. I ordered another from them for about $12.

DeanR · Jun 27, 2017

paulcb said:
I have the 5" Chinavasion unit and my power supply went bad. I ordered another from them for about $12.

Power supply? The bike provides the power. and the Rage has a bad battery.
Could you elaborate?

paulcb · Jun 27, 2017

DeanR said:
Power supply? The bike provides the power. and the Rage has a bad battery.
Could you elaborate?

As my 5" Chinavasion unit did (and all GPS devices I've seen), I assume your device came with a power cable that has voltage regulator to step down 12V to 5V. This is what went bad on mine... I had 0V out instead of 5V.

Blrfl · Jun 27, 2017

DeanR said:
Is this the correct replacement connector for RAM mounting, instead of using the included Chinese smaller ball mount?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O8LF26/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A24X6L8V5U06S5&psc=1
The base has four pre-drilled holes at each corner
Universal 1.5 x 1.188 (hole spacing) AMPS hole pattern

The standard diamond mount (RAM-B-238) will span the holes diagonally.

--Mark

DeanR · Jun 27, 2017

On further examination..

4 pin problem has been referred to.
I'm seeing 5 pins in the cradle, with the last one on the right having no 'springiness'. It sits there depressed. Maybe the problem?

MajorTom · Jun 27, 2017

DeanR said:
When checking in the garage, the connection seems ok. That pad connector is tight. Wiggling stuff around does not seem to affect anything.
Upper right of screen, the indicator alternates between the wired icon and the sequential battery charging icon. Which I think is what it is supposed to do?

From original post:
When plugged into 12 V, should the battery condition even matter? i.e. should it work ok with a bad battery?
Also, is the battery replaceable?

Is this the correct replacement connector for RAM mounting, instead of using the included Chinese smaller ball mount?
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B004O8LF26/ref=ox_sc_act_title_4?smid=A24X6L8V5U06S5&psc=1
The base has four pre-drilled holes at each corner
Universal 1.5 x 1.188 (hole spacing) AMPS hole pattern

Here's the list of parts Phil sent me to mount the Rage on top of the clutch reservoir.

Items Qty Price Amount
RAM Mount Rectangular AMPS Plate B-Ball RAM-B-347U
Mfr. P/N: RAM-B-347U 1 $5.91 $5.91
RAM Mount Medium Arm B-Socket RAM-B-201U
Mfr. P/N: RAM-B-201U 1 $12.21 $12.21
RAM Mount Motorcycle Extended Reservoir Cover Base
Mfr. P/N: RAM-B-346U 1 $20.97 $20.97

The AMPS plate replaces the ball mount on the Rage cradle. Just remove the four bolts and the RAM plate will bolt right on. IIRC longer bolts for the reservoir cover and nylon spacers were included with the extended reservoir cover base.

mcthorogood · Jun 27, 2017

DeanR said:
I'm seeing 5 pins in the cradle, with the last one on the right having no 'springiness'. It sits there depressed. Maybe the problem?

How many pads are there on the back of your Chinavision GPS? My GPS has four pads. Two pins on my holder are grounded and the other two are for +5V. When I had my problem I first checked for voltage and then I checked for power with a test lamp.

Gizmo · Jun 27, 2017

I'm somewhat familiar with that particular GPS unit

I do recall getting the occasional message that the power supply was disconnected when I was riding, while it was plugged into my bike. I attributed that to some vibration. Sounds like something has changed and it could be the battery is no longer holding a charge or that it isn't getting a charge to hold. Isn't technology wonderful?!? Good luck!

DeanR · Jun 27, 2017

mcthorogood said:
How many pads are there on the back of your Chinavision GPS? My GPS has four pads. Two pins on my holder are grounded and the other two are for +5V. When I had my problem I first checked for voltage and then I checked for power with a test lamp.

contacts

DeanR · Jun 27, 2017

Gizmo said:
I'm somewhat familiar with that particular GPS unit I do recall getting the occasional message that the power supply was disconnected when I was riding, while it was plugged into my bike. I attributed that to some vibration. Sounds like something has changed and it could be the battery is no longer holding a charge or that it isn't getting a charge to hold. Isn't technology wonderful?!? Good luck!

Yep.
That's a reason I asked if the battery even needs to be any good. As it is plugged into bike power. Or if it is replaceable if necessary.
It isn't saying that it is disconnected, only that it is extremely low and needs recharging.
You certainly know of my love of all things tech !

ST_Jim · Jun 27, 2017

DeanR said:
contacts

That photo of the spring loaded pins in the mount does show the pin on the right stuck down. Try some gentle tugging with tweezers or needle nose pliers to see if it pops up and is still "springy".

I don't know it that pin is actually used, but if it is that will cause you problems.

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