Electronics

[pimplepounder]

pimplepounder Can you use a 120ac to 12vdc converter to run a Garmin gps ? I don,t want to bring a battery in the house I want my wife to get used to the Garmin 7608xsv, I talked to Garmin they said it probly won,t work no clear answer. The unit electric specs say 10-32vdc- max power usage@ 10vdc 27w- current draw @12vdc 1.8A- max draw 12vdc 2.3A. The converter is a Garmin 120Ac-12Vdc 6amp

Well here is the real deal, the converter that you mention will probably work, the only problem is that a battery acts as a capacitor to keep voltage produced by magnetic induction from a charging unit, such as your converter, level and smooth. I do not think it will hurt your unit from that standpoint, but it could possibly cause interrference issues. The converter will only put out as much current as your GPS unit will require. Your unit has the same internal resistance/impedance whether it is in your boat with a battery and charging system or if it is on the kitchen table with converter. I have ran some units( Not sonar equip) with just a battery charger, never anything with software though I would not try that (ie use a battery charger). I think you are safe and it looks like you have a good converter.

You will be using simulation mode I presume?

Regards,

Kent