Problems with Lowrance 111HD

[vettnman]

I had problems with a Lowrance 111cHD. When I turned it on, It was getting to the Lowrance screen and then shutting down. It would usually take 10 or more attempts before it would finally get past that Lowrance screen and acquire the satelite. Once it acquired the sat., it would work all day. Before I sent it off to Lowrance, I load tested my battery(12.7v), replaced the fuse panel in my boat, and Checked the voltage in the power/data cord( 12.6v) where it plugs into the unit. All worked fine. I sent the unit to Lowrance, just got a replacement unit back. I plugged the unit in, and now it shuts off once it acquires the sat. In other words, It gets past the lowrance screen but shuts off as it acquires the sat.I'm having a hard time believing that Lowrance sent me another unit that is having almost the same problem as the unit before, but also don't belive the problem is in the wiring with all the tests that were done to the wiring before. So... my question is, does anyone have a lowrance unit nearby that I can plug my unit into their wiring and see if the unit works in someone else's boat. That way I can find out once and for all if the problem is in the wiring or the unit. Anyone with a working LGC2000 or 3000 antenna with network and power/data cables will work. I just need to plug my unit into your wiring to isolate the problem. Also, if anyone has a suggestion, feel free to throw it at me. at this point, I don't know what to do, but fishing season is fast approaching. Thx for your help guys...David

[offshore]

Dave I doubt it is the second unit. I would bet it has to do with the network or something to do with the wiring. Sounds like its not getting enough juice at the unit. Just because the batteries are ok it doesnt mean the wiring is 100%...Mark

[vettnman]

Well, I took it to a guy in snow hill that has a lowrance unit and plugged it into his and it worked great. So...problem is defintly in the wiring of my boat. Tested the wiring again, and it's showing 12.6v right where it plugs into the unit. Plugged everything back up trying so I could try and find the problem, and everything works great now. There's a gremlin somewhere in the wiring and I don't have a clue where it is. It was there before I had the fuse panel replaced and it was there as of yesterday, although now everything is fine. If I had any hair left, I would be pulling it out trying to figure out the problem. Next step, is to take it all apart and recrimp everything.

[Southshore Marine Service]

How do the pins look on the power cord? Do you have an inline fuse in the power cable? That could be loose...

[vettnman]

The pins look great. There is an inline fuse, that's been shrink wrapped into the cord. If I have to redo all the wiring, that'll be the first thing I take apart.

[CaptWill]

Dave, are you measuring the 12.6v right at the Lowrance connector, before plugging it in to the unit? If you are, that could lead you astray. If there is some resistance in a connection somewhere, and you are reading the voltage with no load, you will read at or near battery voltage... your 12.6v reading. But then, when the unit is connected and powered up, the load causes a voltage drop across the yet-to-be-found bad connection (resistance), and the unit will no longer be getting 12.6v.

So, the way to do it, is to get the meter probes on the power lines at or as close to the connector as possible, with`the Lowrance connected and turned on. What is your reading now? If it is low, keep working your way back to the next junction, and read the voltage. This may fuse block or junction box with a bad ground or corroded connection.

Let us know how it goes?

[vettnman]

Problem has been resolved. Not really sure how, except it was plugged into another network and worked fine, then was brought home and plugged into my network and has worked fine ever since. Can't figure that one out unless like Ynot said that it "just wanted some strange". lol works fine now though