How do i get my garmin to charge to a full charge

Charging via a PC is not the quickest way to charge a GPS because many USB ports can not supply enough current, so the battery will take longer to charge. Using an AC adapter is a better way. Leaving the unit to charge over night should be fine. The way to tell if the GPS is fully charged is to look at the battery icon on the main screen of the GPS. It consists of 4 bars. 4 bars = fully charged. 3 bars = 75%, 2 bars = 50% and 1 bar = 25%.

From what I've experienced, repeated restarting, and frequent shut downs, can be traced back to a defective power cord, and/or a low battery state. Garmins operate best with a full battery charge, regardless their connection to external power.
If you can get it to connect to your computer, and can see it as a device with removable storage, right clicking on it's icon, and select "properties" to show you the battery-charge state detected.
Mine won't charge when connected to the computer for some reason, and won't boot even if left for a few hours, but if I connect it to a dedicated usb charger, (the kind that plugs into an A/C outlet with a USB port) it will begin to charge. After fully charging it returns to normal operational state. If it still can't charge it may need a new battery...

From your description I suggest purchasing a new car charger probably a weak component in the charger itself. You can get one at Garmins website at www.garmin.com but I think you will find one much cheaper on Ebay.

I hope this helps you out and if it does please leave me some positive feedback.

A Garmin Nuvi 1300 that won't start, freezes on 'loading maps,' or is acting erratically is symptomatic of having corrupt firmware.

To correct this, I recommend backing up your favorites, clearing all user data, and if it still is stuck, then updating your Nuvi firmware.

Follow these three steps to take to get your Garmin Nuvi 1300 running like new:

1. Back up your Favorites.
2. Perform a Hard Reset.
3. Download and then run Garmin WebUpdater to replace its firmware / system software.

I hope that helps.
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Garmin Nuvi 1300 Manual Download
Garmin Nuvi 1300 QuickStart Download
Garmin Nuvi 1300 Favorites Backup
Garmin Nuvi 1300 Hard Reset
Garmin Nuvi 1300 Webupdate

When using a usb from your computer it is only a trickle
charge to the garmin. Will take a day or two to fully charge. If you use a the cigarette lighter plug that came WITH the garmin, it will fully charge in 4 hours. Stick with garmin approved plugs and all will go smooth. I know, I made the same error.

This is kind of a late response, but this post may help other people. I had the same issue and was ready to have Garmin exchange my battery until I called them today and spoke to Tech support. They helped me upgrade the firmware on the unit (didnt take long) and so far the problem has been resolved. I have had it on for two hours without fully charging it, which is better than before when it only stayed on for about 20 minutes. I recommend that people with this issue call them first since it appears to be a common issue with this model nuvi.

if the greens bars on the upper right indicates fully charged

Generally most batterys are left on the charger overnight, thats a good way to ensure a full charge, but as you will be using it in your car, it doesn't matter much as power is always available.

To ensure best possible battery life when you have a brand new battery, charge it fully and then drain it almost to 0% Draining most batterys into 0% will be harmfull instead of helpful, I assume the nuvi uses a Li-ion battery so draining it fully is not a good idea, drain it almost fully and then charge it fully.

And you are good to go, repeat the process if you leave the unit unused for a month or two for best battery life.

Thank you,
IwillFixIT!!

Yes, you should resort to a new battery, coz the old one is exhausted. Overnight charging is not a good habit. You should charge 2-3 hours until full, and remove the charger

No way to know except you disconnect and watch your 4 baterry bars.

It take almost 4 hours to be full charge.