Thread subject: Whaler Central - Boston Whaler Boat Information and Photos :: How to replace the battery in a Garmin GPSMAP 180?

Posted by kamie on 01/22/08 - 4:47 PM
#1

If your like me, you don't see any reason to go replace the GPS because it no longer saves your settings. You open it up to see how hard the battery is to replace.

On the Garmin GPSMAP 180, the battery is soldered to the circuit board.
Not a bad idea since it gets bounced around on a boat a lot, but not the
easiest for replacing it on a regular basis. I opened up the GPS and measured between the contacts to confirm the size for any new holder. Distance between the contacts on the Garamin 180 is 1.2 inches.

I found a coin cell holder that looks like it should be able to take some bouncing around, the battery locks into place. The holder is available from Mouser Electronics part number 122-2820-GR


Spec Sheet

Once I opened up the case it was easy to unsolder the old battery and solder the new one in place. Don't forget to make note of the positive side so you can orient the new holder correctly.

Original
http://kamie.homelinux.org/whalers/or...iginal.jpg


Solder the new holder into place.
http://kamie.homelinux.org/whalers/ne...ersion.jpg

Add coin cell battery
http://kamie.homelinux.org/whalers/w_...n_cell.jpg

All put back together and ready for spring
http://kamie.homelinux.org/whalers/ga...ap_180.jpg

Of course if you just want a new GPS then go for it.