GPSMap 396 Power Cable

...to see if I can get it to mate and unmate easier.

I'll report back if I can "improve" this connector.

Mike

Just a thought...it might be stupid...but...does anyone think a little
silicon spray lubricant on the sides of the connector would help...or
graphite powder for that matter.

FWIW, I have the auto power cord with the speaker for car navigation as
dlevy mentioned. I keep this in my flight bag with the bean-bag and cradle.
It way it's always there if I break the aviation one and it's always there
when I need it for the car...but I digress...my point is that I've noticed
that there is a SIGNIFICANT difference in how easy this plug comes out of
the back of the 396 as compared to the plug for the airplane. It seems like
the material is a little different...maybe harder...but whatever...it comes
out MUCH easier then the aviation plug. Anyone else notice this?

Kobra

...to see if I can get it to mate and unmate easier.

I'll report back if I can "improve" this connector.

Mike

Just a thought...it might be stupid...but...does anyone think a little
silicon spray lubricant on the sides of the connector would help...or
graphite powder for that matter.
.stuff snipped

It seems like
the material is a little different...maybe harder...but whatever...it comes
out MUCH easier then the aviation plug. Anyone else notice this?

I noticed that the genuine Garmin replacement cable is MUCH stiffer than
the original I got with the unit. I'm not sure if lubricant will help
the tight fit but I will try it. As I said in another post, the outer
pins that are causing the grief are not used with the aircraft power
cable. I may smash em down or remove them to see what that does to the fit.

Mike

Kobra wrote:
Just a thought...it might be stupid...but...does anyone think a little
silicon spray lubricant on the sides of the connector would help...or
graphite powder for that matter.

Silicone spray should be fairly harmless - the worst it can probably do
is get into the pins and sockets and prevent an electrical connection,
which means you would have to clean things up with electrical contact
cleaner, _NOT_ WD-40. If you spray the silicone onto a piece of plastic
and then use your finger or a small brush to apply it, sparingly, to the
connector, it might help keep it from going where you don't want it.

Graphite conducts electricity, so if it gets into the pins and sockets,
it might make a bunch of connections you don't want, like between power
and ground. Snap, crackle, pop...

Matt Roberds