First, I have to say this is a great unit, works exactly as advertised.

My one concern (or more of a question) is what is the life span of this device. It is always on (when the car is on)...and when it is off (say unplugged) the Nav doesn't work.

The build quality is excellent...anyone with internal electronic expertise please chime in.

 

I don't see it always being on to be a problem..........

It just has some eletronics inside.........converts video.....it might get a bit warm/hot but it should be fine for a long long time. The bulb will burn out before the box goes bad probably

 

If wired to a +12V Accessory wire, the Nav will work in ACC mode at least when connected to Dom's unit, right? I just got mine but haven't installed it yet.

Just a little curious after reading your statement.

Thanks.

 

I have mine wired to an accessory fuse. When the car is on, the unit is on, when the car is off the unit is off. Wiring it to an always on fuse would defintely shorten the life IMO.

What I was saying is try unplugging the unit (with the wires hooked into the navigation system, screen doesn't work). Not a big deal if it broke, just unhook the wires going into the navi (or unplug the PnP harness)

 

Low power semiconductor electronics have a lifespan of decades. In all likelyhood the unit will outlive the car. Powering it on permanently would probably improve it's reliability because electronics fails most often from surges when powering on or off.

 

Ok guys, I have a question, now that I have my nav conversion installed.......

I used the piggyback tail add on a circuit from the fuse box, found an open slot, and am running Doms unit and the dvd player from the same power source.........

The problem is, I can't seem to find a power source from the fuse box which will turn off when the key is removed.........so as is now, Doms unit is always on. I didn't want to tap into the navi power source.......so any input?

Or is the piggyback set just pulling power regardless? I tried using the power from the radio, but the radio would turn off, but the power from the add on a circuit was still there.

 

The black plug on the back of the NAV unit has 12V+ constant, 12V switched (ACC), and ground.....Any reason you guys are not using this?

 

DeadLock,

There are two slots in the fuse box labelled OP1 and OP2 which are powered on only when the car is on. I used those to power my Dom, my PS2, my screens, everything... I'd use one of those if I were you.

 

I have so many accessories in my car that are wired into the fuse box (Soundgate AUX3, Soundgate iPod Aux AV cable) that I don't have any place to tap into an ACC port for Dom's unit. The add-a-circuit is too big to use in some of the ACC ports closes to the firewall because of the shallow depth of the fuse box at that end.

So, my Dom's unit is plugged into an open fuse port and it's always on. I don't think it draws enough power to kill the battery. And, it being always on probably isn't going to diminish the life span any more quickly than it being switched on and off all the time.

Any thoughts?

 

HEY VTEC MV,
have you considered tapping into the cigarette lighters in the center console? that's a great source for switched power...preferebly the bottom pocket cig lighter under the radio....how often do you really use that lighter? I don't!

 

Good suggestion. I'll tap there the next time I feel like taking the car apart! Thanks!