I use a Garmin when I go fo bike rides. In above freezing weather, if I start with a fully charged battery, it will last the entire ride that is an hour or less. Lately, the temperatures have been about 18 or 20 degrees Fahrenheit when I ride and battery will go into the battery saver mode before I finish the ride. How do I determine if the battery needs to be replaced or if this is just a result of the cold weather?
How Much Does Colder Weather Reduce My Garmin's Battery Life?
- Thread starter Jim1348
- Start date
MartsEbike
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Dunstable
The answer could be a bit of both, depending on the age of your Garmin and how often you've used it on previous occasions. It may already have a reduced capacity. You can then lose a further 20-50% of your available battery capacity by using it in below-freezing temps.
MartsEbike
Well-Known Member
- Region
- United Kingdom
- City
- Dunstable
Be mindful that it's not advised to charge lithium batteries below freezing. You can damage the battery chemistry, which may reduce the capacity even further.
I'd be tempted to put it in a top-tube case, one with a mobile phone pocket - and then try to insulate it from the cold as best as possible. Perhaps rap a cloth/rag around it or something like that. Anything to keep it warmer will help.
6zfshdb
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
- City
- Northeast Pennsylvania
When temperature related battery depletion is a problem on some cold weather rides, I use these hand warmers:
It requires altering the Garmin handlebar mount to accommodate the extra thickness though and they cost around $1 each. I don't use them often, so the price really isn't an issue for me.
There are also rechargeable warmers such as these:
They are much thicker though and require some creative mounting schemes. I sometimes use a bottle cage mounted on the handlebar with a sock stuffed in to hold the warmer and Garmin in place.
It requires altering the Garmin handlebar mount to accommodate the extra thickness though and they cost around $1 each. I don't use them often, so the price really isn't an issue for me.
There are also rechargeable warmers such as these:
They are much thicker though and require some creative mounting schemes. I sometimes use a bottle cage mounted on the handlebar with a sock stuffed in to hold the warmer and Garmin in place.
mschwett
Well-Known Member
- Region
- USA
what garmin device are you referring to?
Last edited:
fooferdoggie
Well-Known Member
I dont see a huge difference mine iwll last about 1/2 a week. but I noticed when it was around 20 one time it was hard to get the radar going or was giving me errors cant remember for sure.
Mike_V
Well-Known Member
Hi Jim,
"How do I determine if the battery needs to be replaced or if this is just a result of the cold weather?"
I will suggest that you consider that this is the result of the cold weather since that is the only variable you changed.
The cold will also affect greatly the chemical battery powering your ride, as it does mine. I think that possibly:
Warming packs of some various type TBD would be beneficial for battery pack below freezing. However I don't ride far, certainly not in 18*
If it ain't broke...
Good Luck
"How do I determine if the battery needs to be replaced or if this is just a result of the cold weather?"
I will suggest that you consider that this is the result of the cold weather since that is the only variable you changed.
The cold will also affect greatly the chemical battery powering your ride, as it does mine. I think that possibly:
Warming packs of some various type TBD would be beneficial for battery pack below freezing. However I don't ride far, certainly not in 18*
If it ain't broke...
Good Luck
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