A Good problem to have

[Mike Whalen]

A few weeks ago I took a friend out on my 25. He had a Garmin 148 (i think, it was handheld). I mentioned it to my SO/co-owner. Today is my birthday! She ran out and bought a Garmin 162! What a woman! I intended to buy myself a handheld. The 162 seems like a lota bang for lake sailing. I explained that we could take it back and get a much smaller unit which would be more than enough. She says, "but this could go with us when we buy a bigger boat." Did I say, What a woman! But really, how much juice does this thing eat. I've charged my battery once since August and it still powers Bonnie Raitt thru the tape deck just fine. It this thing gonna drain the battery everytime I turn it on? I'm gonna have to match the expense for a solar panel aren't I? I alos gotta get around to that reworking of the mess at the battery terminals! Should I push to downgrade?Thanks,Mike

 

[Justin - O'day Owners' Web]

162

Mike -Garmin advertises the 162 with a 4 watt max draw at 13.8 amps. That translates to just under .3 amps. This is max - with the backlight on. I'd expect to have little to no effect on your batter consumption.Justin - O'day Owners' Web

 

[Mike Whalen]

Not yet

HEy she paid for half of this one, until she can pay for all of a biger boat we'll be sailing this one. I really couldn't sail much bigger around here anyway. She couldn't swim when I met her, and had never been on a sailboat. After sailing on the dingy many times she reluctantly agreed to go in with me on this one. Then she started asking, "how big a boat would we need to live on?" Maybe someday . . . Right now I'm having a blast with the 25.Later,Mike

 

[dave]

solar panel

you don't need a battery operated panel. just a solar one in the front hatch like i did

 

[Mike Whalen]

Solar ?

Dave,Is that little round number your panel? What kinda amps does that put out? I'm looking at solar to "trickle charge" my battery. So many options, so little knowledge! Thanks,Mike