iPad3 discharges over course of the day

C

Casey

New member
Our iPad3 is working fine and we're using it all day for navigation.

We plug it in while underway with a 12V charging cord, but it still seems to loose charge as the day goes along. Example: we departed at 1030 this morning (iPad was showing 100% charge) but by the time we anchored (1600) it was down to about 35% even though it had been connected to 12V all day.

We also shut down all extra app's thinking maybe unused app's may be robbing charge. (No change.)

Thoughts ?

Clearly the iPad is using slightly more power than is being supplied by the charging cable. Do all USB/12V charging cables provide the same amount of charge through to the iPad?

It's not a big deal since the iPad recharges to 100% overnight - but I'm just curious.

Best,
C&M
 
I would look at the charger and thinking the charger is not supplying enough amperage to charge it.
It might be the charger or plug outlet (poor connection or needs replacing)

Last week I bought a Blue Sea Systems Dual USB Charger Socket
from AMazon to add an outlet in the boat


Does it charge ok using 110V outlet?

Is WifFI and Bluetooth turned off?
 
This is a long shot but Ill write it just in case.

On our boat, we have an inverter located in the under sink cabinet behind the foot pump.

Wife was trying to get her phone charged up connected to this, and it wouldn't charge. There's a little switch that has to be turned on for the inverter to work.

Its embarrassing that it took me a couple years to figure this out, but I'm not an electronic guy at all. Good luck!
 
Most tablets need about 2 amps to charge. Don't know about the iPad but some tablets (and phones) which don't see the right current will disable charging altogether even though it is plugged in (rather than charge at a slower rate). My phone (LG) will also not charge if the supplied current is too high. Some devices are also sensitive to the cord used for charging.

There are USB outlets that are specifically for charging tablets. The one I put in my boat has two USB outlets, a 1 amp output for phones and a 2.1 amp outlet for tablets. You can also get USB outlets the have 2.1 amps on both USB plugs, but some phones may not be happy with the higher current.
 
Often devices can consume copious battery when constantly scanning for a network connection. Does your iPad support AT&T/Verizon? If so try turning it off. Wifi can also be an issue. A simple test would be to put it in Airplane Mode and see if it helps.
 
We also use an I pad, and it does need the 2 amp charging USB power plug--many are only 1 amp. So check it out. Also turn off extra apps, Cell, WI FI, unless you need it, same for bluetooth. We used it all day on the RV today, and still 100% charged.
 
Good points, thanks.

Previously, I had shut down unused app's, and wifi is disabled. Today I think we'll try turning off the roaming data and BlueTooth as well, and see what happens.

One thing is for sure ... at some point I will connect a couple of dedicated charging cords so we can largely get away from the rats nest of 12V cords, splitters, etc. Each of the cords and splitters has a tiny light that shows when it's powered, but after a while they seems to get pretty 'touchy. Each one has to have just-the-right connection, to stay powered-up. ...and when I make those connections we'll be sure to use good cords and connectors, not the cheapo's that don't seem to give good service. Conviently, each of the 12V plugs have a USB port as well as the iPad plug, so we get dual use from each.

Inspiteof all this we LOVE cruising and being 'connected!

Best,
C&M
PS: last night Mary used her new app called "Drag Queen." Works like a charm .... We didn't drag anchor at all!
 
Casey, you do not need a data connection or bluetooth to run most navigation apps, I know that Navionics only needs the GPS (and hence won't work in airplane mode, don't do that!). But if the iPad is constantly searching for a data connection and bluetooth is on, that eats battery fast and would totally account for the discharge you are seeing. Turn them both off, and I'll bet your problem will be gone!
 
I don't know if this is germane, but tried charging my windows phone, a 6 inch phablet:
Standard car 12 volt to USB, phone said very low charging rate
Used a small inverter (150 max watts), going both to the 1 and 2 amp outlet, and the phone still said very low charging rate.

We were in a no wake area going up a river, so motor was only at about 1000 rpm.
 
Hello Casey,

I have noticed the same issue with my iPad.

I have it plugged into the Blue Seas Dual USB receptacle.
1016.png

This (https://www.bluesea.com/products/1016/D ... ger_Socket) is the Blue Seas info page.

I checked the Blue Seas page for specs and it is rated at 2.1A TOTAL which, I guess, means approx 1A/usb port. In any event, though the iPad shows the "charging" icon, it is actually experiencing a net loss of battery power. The Blue Seas USB port does not produce enough amps to adequately charge the iPad.

Even when I turn off the Ipad and let it set overnight on the USB cord, it does not reach normal recharge levels by sunrise like it would plugged into wall 120VAC via it's charger.

I think this is one case, where using a small inverter and the 120VAC normal iPad charging system is the better way to go. If your running off strictly battery power, this is a big looser in terms of AH consummed, but if your running engine/s during cruise, I guess it doesn't matter.

Thanks for sharing your ICW cruise experience!

/david
 
Over the years and the devices, we have accumulated a variety of Apple cords and connectors. We found out that the iPads didn't charge well with the older iPhone wall wart. Seems the newer ones less fussy.

Any of the navigation programs are power hogs - using the GPS and rapidly rewriting the chart display. If not plugged in, my iPad will go about 3 to 4 hours before it is nearly completely discharged. Surfing, e-mail, etc, it will go all day and still have some juice left. I like having an iPad at the helm, but if we are in familiar or very open area, I'll just click the display off now and then to let it charge faster.

One tip for charging your phone or tablet: if you put it on airplane mode when you are charging and not using it, it will come up to a full charge faster.

Jim
 
Also, if you are using the cell connection the farther away you are from things the higher the iPad transmitter is cranked up. In your house, there is probably a tower within half a mile. Out in your boat, who knows? This will deplete your battery quicker.

If you are out of cell range, the transmitter will be cranked up to full power trying to find a signal. Even if you are in an area with no service, the xmitter still comes on about every two minutes to check for a signal unless you manually disable it.
 
Oh my God, I'm turning into a geriatric technology geek!

I'm finding all this very interesting, but still a bit perplexing.
We hoisted the anchor at 0705 this morning and the iPad was
at 83%! as I recall (I have a habit of reading for a couple hours
before getting underway). By 1445 the iPad was down to 4%.
I plugged-in the 10w/110V charger, attached to a small inverter.
By 1515, when we found an anchor spot, the iPad was up to 6%,
So I'm pretty sure that explains part of the qustion(s).

Jim: Apple "wall wart." I love it!

We're anchored just off the ICW, a mile or so south of the
Savannah River. Pretty, but nothing spectacular. Now if the
Knats don't kill us tonight, we enter SC tomorrow. 315sm since
launching at Astor on the 4th. 58 miles today - our longest day yet.

We sprayed the screens (as per Nick's suggestion), and so far,
So good. Note to Self: next time, remove the damn screens BEFORE
Spraying them (which also fumigated the cabin ... Cough, cough ,
Cough....

Best,
C&M
 
For about $14 at Amazom, you can buy:
The best USB car charger is the compact but powerful Scosche reVOLT 12 W + 12 W. At 4.8 amps, it’s rated as one of the most powerful car chargers you can buy.
Click to expand...

Why use an inverter, wall wart, when you can get a charger which will do the job right out of the cig lighter.

The reason I don't used the USB built in the cig type of plug, is that they are not up to charging the I pad.
 
Hi Casey. Tough life so far on the ICW! We use a WM cig type socket with a male end bought at a Dollar store to charge our Ipad2. It has 10 ga wire to supply it so can easily deliver 2 amps. I don't have the USB type charge outlet never thought about one actually. Maybe try another socket, or put in bigger wires? Or get an Ipad2? You're becoming quite the techie with that bride at your side. Good job!

George
 
Some after-market cords do not seem to be chargers. I have a 12V only cord, and another that uses 12V and 110v; both prompt the display on my iPad2 that it is not charging. So, the pad "knows" the cords are there — big whoop. I have been disgusted enough not to discover yet if these even maintain the iPad charge at whatever current level of charge it has.
Rod
 
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