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Power hungry

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  • Bryn Thomasundefined Bryn Thomas

    We all know the problems some users have of having their phone run down faster than the charger can supply power. We all know that MRA are saying that this is a HERE problem and they are waiting for a solution too. Well I have spend an inordinate amount of time playing with this problem and come up with workable conclusions.

    1. Keep phone in airplane mode.
    2. Use dark screen.
    3. Keep Quad Lock wireless for torrential rain only.
    4. Use Quad Lock USB charger occasionally.
    5. Use 12v socket ( install if you don't have one ) as main source of power accommodating fast charge adaptor.

    I have found that the QL stuff is just not man enough to cope with the power draw of MRA and wireless chargers are for ploughing through rain storms only.

    Con Hennekensundefined Offline
    Con Hennekensundefined Offline
    Con Hennekens
    wrote on last edited by
    #5

    @Bryn-Thomas said in Power hungry:

    Keep phone in airplane mode.

    This is not viable if you use tracks or the "Route-as-Track" feature.

    Use dark screen.

    This is only applicable for devices with AMOLED screens

    Keep Quad Lock wireless for torrential rain only.

    True, but if you charge continuously with a cable, it is sufficient to unplug your device during periods of heavy rain. If it rains all day, wireless chargers usually don't cut it anyway.

    Use Quad Lock USB charger occasionally.

    ANY USB charger with QC3.0 or PD3.0 or higher should easily do the job. The problem is that many cheap chargers do not comply to these standards, and many cheap charger cables do not sustain the data connection for the device to inform the charger of it's charging capabilities (yes that is a necessity!). If not met, the charger defaults to slow charging.

    Use 12v socket ( install if you don't have one ) as main source of power accommodating fast charge adaptor.

    I don't see how you could do that differently on a motorbike ๐Ÿ˜‰

    I am just an enthusiastic MRA user, and hope you will be one too!

    Most motorcycle problems are caused by the nut that connects the handlebar to the saddle.

    Streetpilot 2610 / Zumo 660 / Zumo 395 / CAT S52 + MRA app

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    • Bryn Thomasundefined Bryn Thomas

      @Nick-Carthew That's excellent and I am glad it works for you. It is a well documented problem and I have struggled with wanting the wireless system to work but given up now. I have just completed a 6 week tour of South Africa with some other guys and we all had the same problem resorting to using Scenic in the end. I prefer MRA which is why I have gone the 12v socket route.

      Nick Carthewundefined Offline
      Nick Carthewundefined Offline
      Nick Carthew
      RouteXperts Instructor
      wrote on last edited by
      #6

      @Bryn-Thomas You never said which phone model you use. From what Iโ€™ve read and this is by no means a conclusive finding, iPhones seem to fair better than Android when it comes to charging.

      Always willing to help if I can.
      Triumph Tiger 1200 XRT called Tina.
      MRA Navigation Next and SilverFox B8J bar buttons.
      Quadlock wireless mount for IPhone 11.
      Cardo Scala Packtalk Bold.
      TomTom Rider 500. (In the cupboard now)

      Bryn Thomasundefined 1 Reply Last reply
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      • Nick Carthewundefined Nick Carthew

        @Bryn-Thomas You never said which phone model you use. From what Iโ€™ve read and this is by no means a conclusive finding, iPhones seem to fair better than Android when it comes to charging.

        Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
        Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
        Bryn Thomas
        wrote on last edited by
        #7

        @Nick-Carthew Nick I am using an iPhone 15 and/or an iPhone 11. The 11 holds a charge better than the 15 . I have tried to apply all the various techniques to save power but I still get a negative drain. I get around it usually by using a portable power pack to beef up the phone during coffee and lunch breaks.

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        • Karel76undefined Offline
          Karel76undefined Offline
          Karel76
          wrote on last edited by
          #8

          MRA consumption is unbearable and I've also dealt with it. I also got the answer - you are doing it wrong etc... PD4.0 helped. App consumption is insane compared to other navs (kurviger, osmand, waze, mapy.com).

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          • Ralph Janssenundefined Offline
            Ralph Janssenundefined Offline
            Ralph Janssen
            wrote on last edited by
            #9

            In the beginning I had some problems with my phone. That was a android 9.
            I have tested MRA on 4 devices, all android. (Samsung A32, A35, OnePlus Doogee T20 (8" Tablet) ) and don't have any problems at the moment.
            The biggest thing I noticed is a quad lock charger, directly connected to the battery works the best. It can deliver more then enough power.

            12V socket can be a problem, mostly because of the charger and cables you use.
            Wireless charger can work. That is highly deepened on your phone. Some phones (I don't know how iPhones are) cannot charge large amount of Watts by wireless charge.

            Triumph Tiger 800 Xrt 2020
            Yamaha tracer 700 (wifes bike)
            Using MRA next on Samsung A35 & OnePlus & DooGee T20 mini tablet

            Drove a Yamaha TDM850 1998
            Used TomTom 6000 & Garmin devices with MRA

            Bryn Thomasundefined 1 Reply Last reply
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            • JP dundefined Offline
              JP dundefined Offline
              JP d
              wrote on last edited by
              #10

              I had a problem with a low amp charger even though the cable was good. Moved to a fast charger and all is good now.

              I cut the thumb off a rubber glove and cover the adapter in the socket on the bike to keep it dry. And use a cheap waterproof phone case. To keep my phone oneplus 12 and charging cable dry.

              When off the bike ensure you cover the charging cable otherwise your phone won't charge till it dries, plus rain might damage the cable.

              A squirt of WD40 also helps keep the cable usb clear of water. Learned all this the hard way, 6 hrs riding in continuous Welsh rain.

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              • Ralph Janssenundefined Ralph Janssen

                In the beginning I had some problems with my phone. That was a android 9.
                I have tested MRA on 4 devices, all android. (Samsung A32, A35, OnePlus Doogee T20 (8" Tablet) ) and don't have any problems at the moment.
                The biggest thing I noticed is a quad lock charger, directly connected to the battery works the best. It can deliver more then enough power.

                12V socket can be a problem, mostly because of the charger and cables you use.
                Wireless charger can work. That is highly deepened on your phone. Some phones (I don't know how iPhones are) cannot charge large amount of Watts by wireless charge.

                Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                Bryn Thomas
                wrote on last edited by
                #11

                @Ralph-Janssen I have tried wiring the QL charger directly to the battery and it does seem to punch out more power . A bit worried about the fuse situation there though .

                Ralph Janssenundefined 1 Reply Last reply
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                • Bryn Thomasundefined Bryn Thomas

                  @Ralph-Janssen I have tried wiring the QL charger directly to the battery and it does seem to punch out more power . A bit worried about the fuse situation there though .

                  Ralph Janssenundefined Offline
                  Ralph Janssenundefined Offline
                  Ralph Janssen
                  wrote on last edited by
                  #12

                  @Bryn-Thomas
                  What about the fuse?
                  The QL 12V charger (with the 3 position switch) does have 3A fuse and some other protections.
                  So I don't see a problem to connect it directly to the battery

                  Triumph Tiger 800 Xrt 2020
                  Yamaha tracer 700 (wifes bike)
                  Using MRA next on Samsung A35 & OnePlus & DooGee T20 mini tablet

                  Drove a Yamaha TDM850 1998
                  Used TomTom 6000 & Garmin devices with MRA

                  Bryn Thomasundefined 1 Reply Last reply
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                  • Ralph Janssenundefined Ralph Janssen

                    @Bryn-Thomas
                    What about the fuse?
                    The QL 12V charger (with the 3 position switch) does have 3A fuse and some other protections.
                    So I don't see a problem to connect it directly to the battery

                    Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                    Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                    Bryn Thomas
                    wrote on last edited by
                    #13

                    @Ralph-Janssen You are talking about the 12v to USB Smart adaptor. I am talking about the USB Charger . There is no 3 way switch .

                    Screenshot 2025-04-11 at 18.58.57.png

                    Screenshot 2025-04-11 at 18.58.51.png

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                    • Ralph Janssenundefined Offline
                      Ralph Janssenundefined Offline
                      Ralph Janssen
                      wrote on last edited by
                      #14

                      @Bryn-Thomas
                      The second one os a bit newer then the one above. I did not now there where more then one charger. And it does not look like it has a fuse.
                      And indeed, the first one I have on my bike.

                      What I read about the USB charger you use;
                      Quick Charge 2.0 (5V-2A, 9V-1.67A, 12V-1.5A)
                      So, if I'm correct, most smartphone charge with a 5 volt so it can only deliver 10W on the 5V and that is not a lot.
                      (I did not do a complete research so maybe iPhones can charge with 9v or 12v)
                      10W is probably not enough for using MRA next.
                      And of course your cable from the charger to the phone is important as well.

                      The charger I use (with the 3 way switch) has a 5v -3a = 15W output.
                      And that seems enough to charge the phone while using MRA next.

                      The first thing you can try is changing your USB charging cable to see if that is the problem.
                      Otherwise you can try to buy the other QL charger. Then your are fully protected.

                      Triumph Tiger 800 Xrt 2020
                      Yamaha tracer 700 (wifes bike)
                      Using MRA next on Samsung A35 & OnePlus & DooGee T20 mini tablet

                      Drove a Yamaha TDM850 1998
                      Used TomTom 6000 & Garmin devices with MRA

                      Bryn Thomasundefined 1 Reply Last reply
                      0
                      • Ralph Janssenundefined Ralph Janssen

                        @Bryn-Thomas
                        The second one os a bit newer then the one above. I did not now there where more then one charger. And it does not look like it has a fuse.
                        And indeed, the first one I have on my bike.

                        What I read about the USB charger you use;
                        Quick Charge 2.0 (5V-2A, 9V-1.67A, 12V-1.5A)
                        So, if I'm correct, most smartphone charge with a 5 volt so it can only deliver 10W on the 5V and that is not a lot.
                        (I did not do a complete research so maybe iPhones can charge with 9v or 12v)
                        10W is probably not enough for using MRA next.
                        And of course your cable from the charger to the phone is important as well.

                        The charger I use (with the 3 way switch) has a 5v -3a = 15W output.
                        And that seems enough to charge the phone while using MRA next.

                        The first thing you can try is changing your USB charging cable to see if that is the problem.
                        Otherwise you can try to buy the other QL charger. Then your are fully protected.

                        Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                        Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                        Bryn Thomas
                        wrote on last edited by
                        #15

                        @Ralph-Janssen Hi Ralph, thanks so much for taking the time to help me with this. It all makes a lot of sense and I have been told that the QL charger is a bit gutless. I am 75 years of age and enjoy my biking and touring and I enjoy using MRA but this power usage thing has become a bit boring. Nice to get an informative answer rather than been told I have it all wrong and I shouldn't make broad statements. etc .
                        Incidentally, I have just toured South Africa with friends from Canada and the UK and they all had issues with power falloff. ( quite a broad statement ). I believe I have found a workaround as I would like to keep using MRA. I was just sharing what is working for me. regards.

                        Screenshot 2025-04-12 at 07.31.32.png

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                        • M. Schrijverundefined Offline
                          M. Schrijverundefined Offline
                          M. Schrijver
                          wrote on last edited by
                          #16

                          MRA is still power hungry but it is not as bad as it used to be.
                          Today i've tried OSMAnd for the first time. This one is also power hungry. Looks similiar to MRA.

                          Quad Lock has multiple wireless chargers.
                          One is connected to a usb socket and the other is connected direclty to a 12v source. The last one can charge with higher power.

                          I use a Pixel 6a. This one always charge slow (no wireless). But still fast enough to keep the battery full.
                          With MRA as the only app running, the battery stays full. when i play music also, the battery usage is a bit higher than charging. I will loose 1-2% per hour. Some other apps do a better job. But this situation will give me no problems during a day.
                          So, i'm not complaining but it still can be improved.

                          (I use MRA Next only on Android Auto. Every comment, suggestion, etc will be based on my usage with Android Auto)

                          Adrian Avramundefined 1 Reply Last reply
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                          • M. Schrijverundefined M. Schrijver

                            MRA is still power hungry but it is not as bad as it used to be.
                            Today i've tried OSMAnd for the first time. This one is also power hungry. Looks similiar to MRA.

                            Quad Lock has multiple wireless chargers.
                            One is connected to a usb socket and the other is connected direclty to a 12v source. The last one can charge with higher power.

                            I use a Pixel 6a. This one always charge slow (no wireless). But still fast enough to keep the battery full.
                            With MRA as the only app running, the battery stays full. when i play music also, the battery usage is a bit higher than charging. I will loose 1-2% per hour. Some other apps do a better job. But this situation will give me no problems during a day.
                            So, i'm not complaining but it still can be improved.

                            Adrian Avramundefined Offline
                            Adrian Avramundefined Offline
                            Adrian Avram
                            wrote on last edited by
                            #17

                            @M-Schrijver said in Power hungry:

                            Today i've tried OSMAnd for the first time. This one is also power hungry.

                            Maybe you have a problem with your phone, but I use Osmand when MyRouteApp does not do what is supposed to, i have it on my Samsung S24 Ultra and iPhone 13, but I have no power draining issues ! The device even stays cool while using Osmand in comparison with MRA and drops about 7% battery life per hour.
                            You should check if other apps are using your location while driving, maybe that's why your battery life is draining faster !

                            Best regards,
                            Adrian

                            Samsung S24 Ultra and iPhone 13 with Android Auto / CarPlay
                            MyRoute-APP (Planner+Navigation, GOLD Lifetime)
                            Honda NC750X (2021) with CHIGEE Aio-5 Play

                            Bryn Thomasundefined 1 Reply Last reply
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                            • M. Schrijverundefined Offline
                              M. Schrijverundefined Offline
                              M. Schrijver
                              wrote on last edited by M. Schrijver
                              #18

                              Flitsemeister is always running at the background. No matter app what i use.
                              With MRA and OSMAnd, there is little drainage.
                              With Google Maps, Waze and TomTom Go there is no drainage. Phone is even charged a bit when using one of these apps.

                              (I use MRA Next only on Android Auto. Every comment, suggestion, etc will be based on my usage with Android Auto)

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                              • Adrian Avramundefined Adrian Avram

                                @M-Schrijver said in Power hungry:

                                Today i've tried OSMAnd for the first time. This one is also power hungry.

                                Maybe you have a problem with your phone, but I use Osmand when MyRouteApp does not do what is supposed to, i have it on my Samsung S24 Ultra and iPhone 13, but I have no power draining issues ! The device even stays cool while using Osmand in comparison with MRA and drops about 7% battery life per hour.
                                You should check if other apps are using your location while driving, maybe that's why your battery life is draining faster !

                                Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                                Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                                Bryn Thomas
                                wrote on last edited by
                                #19

                                @Adrian-Avram Thanks Adrian - will check.

                                1 Reply Last reply
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                                • JP dundefined Offline
                                  JP dundefined Offline
                                  JP d
                                  wrote on last edited by JP d
                                  #20

                                  iPhones don't charge near as fast as Android. I think this is a factor. My Oneplus 12 comes with a 100w charger and using MRA and listening to music it still gains charge at a good rate. Make sure you have a genuine fast charger usb c port and a fast charging cable.

                                  I don't have QL wireless because even on my phone on a main wireless charger you can't get more than 15-20w. So I guess it's the same on the bike. Much slower than a fast charger and cable. Good luck ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿผ ๐Ÿป

                                  Bryn Thomasundefined 1 Reply Last reply
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                                  • JP dundefined JP d

                                    iPhones don't charge near as fast as Android. I think this is a factor. My Oneplus 12 comes with a 100w charger and using MRA and listening to music it still gains charge at a good rate. Make sure you have a genuine fast charger usb c port and a fast charging cable.

                                    I don't have QL wireless because even on my phone on a main wireless charger you can't get more than 15-20w. So I guess it's the same on the bike. Much slower than a fast charger and cable. Good luck ๐Ÿคž๐Ÿผ ๐Ÿป

                                    Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                                    Bryn Thomasundefined Offline
                                    Bryn Thomas
                                    wrote on last edited by
                                    #21

                                    @JP-d thanks - good to know . As I have said I think I have found the solution by supplementing the QL wireless option with a charger plugged into my 12v socket . It just means I have to monitor my phone usage and make choices at coffee stops . All part of the fun .
                                    I like MRA and use it all the time now .

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