Quote Originally Posted by garci View Post
Opened up the GPS antenna.


it's not just an antenna but whole GPS module na pala.
Yup. It's an active GPS receiver. It needs 5V power from the DVR and it sends back GPS coordinates using serial communications (ie. NMEA 0183 protocol). The memory backup battery is a dead giveaway. The memory serves to store ephemeris data and whatnot.

Oj88,
Nagawa mo na ng paraan yung GPS battery issue? Yung akin kasi di ko na lang kinabit. I'm thinking of installing a switch to cut off the power when not in use or better yet a 5v normally open relay para automatic.
No I haven't tinkered with it. Like you, I also temporarily disconnected the GPS module.

I've thought of using a relay as well, one which can be triggered by the DVR's backlight circuitry or the power LED. The thing is, I'm not sure if the 3.7V LiIon/LiPoly battery will be enough to energize the 5V relay. In that regard, I think that a solid state approach is preferred (smaller package and lower power draw). I just haven't found the time to design the circuit yet.

But do tell if you make any developments.