Garmin Edge 305 battery?
 

I tried searching someone on BF had a link to another site that you could make a travel charging system for the 305 using some things purchased from radio shack and a 9v battery does anyone know were the directions are located to build it? TIA

Here's seven ways:

http://www.instructables.com/tag/?li...&q=usb+charger

neither one of these but thanks it was one that fit in a camera film canasiter...

I think this is what you are looking for.

I was looking for a extender charger for my 305 as well but decided the homemade route while a fun project, didn't make sense when there were finished products for less. I picked up one of the Energizer Energi To Go mini-usb chargers off ebay.

http://cgi.ebay.com/Mini-USB-Cell-Ph...QQcmdZViewItem

That's pretty cool. Cheap, simple, effective, reuseable. Can't beat it.

How much of a charge does it give the 305?

Thanks for the link. I was just up at Home Depot and they have tons of these for $19.99, but I couldn't find one with a USB mini prong. I really don't understand why Garmin doesn't come out with one of these specifically designed for use with their product.

The Energizer unit does not comply to USB standards and could damage your unit.

I have one of those in the box but after finding out that they do not put out a constant 5V and can go as high as 6V, its still in the package.

Thanks for that. For that reason, I have chosen not to buy it and take a chance on frying my $350 investment in the Edge. I still don't understand why Garmin won't either make one or offer one that is approved to work with the Edge. I've emailed them twice about this with no response.

Have you ever looked into some of the lithium cell phone charging units?

Just curious as to where you read this. Does it say something about that on the box?

i am NO expert but how can a unit that only holds two batteries generate 6v or even 5v???? two regular AA, which i believe the Energizer takes are rated at 1.5v each. quick math shows me that is 3v. so not only will it NOT fry the unit it will NOT fully charge it either. wouldnt it be the four battery USB chargers that you have to be leary of (1.5v x 4 = 6v). you either need one with a voltage regulator or use those 1.2v rechargeable batteries. like i said, i could be miss understanding this though. later. .

I'm also curious how a retail product from Energizer may not comply with those specifications.. Like said above, 3v max with alkaline or 2.4v with nimh rechargeables.. Am I missing something..

Its been talking about quite a bit over on the Motionbased forum and if you REALLY search Energizer's site, you can find it but its really buried deep. Someone did email Energizer product support, however and was told that apparently the voltage ramps up and down and that's how it charges the phones.

I seem to recall someone on the MB forums particularly mentioning damaging their unit with one of those but I could be mistaken.

Personally, I built a Mintyboost for myself. The above mentioned charger looks pretty cool too and I was actually thinking about building one of those that could be attached on the bike by a velcro strap or something.

Check this thread out for info on chargers.

http://forums.motionbased.com/smf/in...p?topic=5519.0

Read the last post

http://forums.motionbased.com/smf/in...p?topic=4228.0

BTW, New Edge Firmware just posted :)

http://www8.garmin.com/software/Edge305_320.exe

If the changelog is similar to the 205 version then it looks like theyve removed 0 cadence from the cadence average.

i have read all those post and more on this subject. i just want some expert to tell me how the heck two 1.5 volt batteries can produce 5 volts. later.

I went to USB geek and only seem to have 4aa packs.. I would like to be able to use a 2aa pack when needed.

Maybe this will clear it up for you.

http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/process.html

^^^ several riders over in the SoCal forum have the Energizer model and have used it with no issues. also, i remember that one of the racers, the guy who won that LOTJA (?), used one during the race with no issues.

wow, after just reading that i think it was absolutely no help. later.

DC/DC converter. They're everywhere:
http://www.national.com/pf//LM/LM3310.html

It clearly explains how the voltage stepup is done. I guess when you started with "Im not expert" I should have realized it was pointless.

People HAVE damaged their units with the Energizer chargers.. but since 2 AA cant make 5Vs and the SoCal people say the Energizer unit works okay, knock yourself out. Theyre only $249.00 to replace when you blow it up.

+1 for the Minty Boost.
I first tried the extender from Brad Culberson site. It uses a 9v battery with a voltage regulator (<$2 at Radio Shack) and fits in a standard Tube Repair Kit plastic box. You also need a short USB cable. It takes 10 minutes to assemble and works OK. It is supposed to provide you with an extra 3 hours of Edge 305 use. Problem is that 9v batteries are not very efficient and the battery get drained just by sitting inside the box.
On the other hand the Minty Boost ($24.55 shipped + a box of Altoids Gums) uses 2 AA batteries so rechargeables may be used. It has a circuitry that boosts the voltage to 5v. As it has a usb port it works with iPod, some cell phones, as well as with the Edge 305. The system should provide an extra full charge from a set of AAs.
I received my kit yesterday. The project is a bit more complex than the previous one but not difficult as long as you have a soldering iron, stable hands, and good vision (tiny pieces). It took me less than an hour to complete it. I tested it on my iPod and my Edge 305. Works as advertised.
Now I need to figure out a way to attach/tape it under my stem and it will be ready for Sunday's Grizzly Peak Century.

Go to the Minty Boost website, it's all explained there.
http://www.ladyada.net/make/mintyboost/index.html

OK.. Is there a retail product that I can just buy that will work and not kill my new edge 305.. I just want to plug it in, pop in some batteries and be done.

Retail like walk into the store and buy one? No.. you need one with a voltage regulator in it and most of the cheap "off the shelf" units dont have that.

Here's 3 units you can order.

http://forums.motionbased.com/smf/in...35246#msg35246

Well, Motorola makes a unit for the RAZR phones that might work but I dont know it it's USB standard or not. Let me find a link and Ill stick it in this post.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1158316637834

I dont know if its a USB standard device or not so you're on your own there. It was mentioned on the Motionbased forum a few months ago but no one ever bought one to test and reported back.