Questions for Todd...

[buffman1]

Welcome and thanks for the help, Todd. Last fall I bought a LX27C and had it installed by a dealer who did something wrong. Every time I start the engine the unit quits. I took it back to the guy and he worked on it for over an hour and said it was fixed but the next time out it was just the same. I had a 522C mounted in the same location we put the 27C and it never gave any trouble at all. Also, the dealer did not give me the antenna or transducer cables saying "I didn't need them since it was already wired up for the 27C". He didn't even give me the owner's manual. Anyway, I need some help with the quitting problem, if you can. The unit is on a Triton TR21. And should I complain formally about this dealer? Thanks again, Jim

[Todd Driscoll]

Jim, your problem is common.  It is most likely due to either a bad cranking battery, or more likely, faulty power wiring.  When input volts drop below 11V, the unit will shut off.  When all is good, volts are always > 11.  When you crank your engine, the voltage draw from the engine is reducing supplied volts to the unit (< 11).  Assuming your cranking battery is good, you have a weak connection somewhere in the unit power supply.  Could be an actual wire splice, a weak factory switch or fuse link, or a severly corroded pin on the power plug itself.  Over time, nearly all factory-installed switches will corrode and weaken.  To completely prevent this, when I install units I wire their power directly to the cranking battery using a cut to length piece of extension cord - completely bypasses factory wiring.  When doing this, don't forget to install the 3 amp fuse link.  The unit has its own power button, so it is really redundant to wire the head unit power thru a power switch on your boat.  It's just easier access for folks to wire in power below the dash, rather than running the extension cord like I describe.  But far fewer chances for problems this way. 

All the wiring and transducer is compatible between the 27 and 522.  But yes, you need an external antenna (LGC 3000 or 4000) for the 27 for GPS position.  The 522 had an internal antenna.

[fishin couillon]

Todd, when you say Extension cord, are you refering to that orange cord we have laying around the house or do you mean two pieces of wires? Sounds like a stupid question.

[Todd Driscoll]

Both actually, I should have been more clear.  The reason I use extension cord is the fact that 2 wires you need for pos and neg are already self contained and protected, easier to route from back to front that way.  At each end, just be real careful as you cut the outer protective sheathing away (don't nick the wires) to allow access to the ends of both individual wires to make connections. 

[bassinbob 1]

Todd Don't You need to have a off power switch to prevent power draw from your GPS  when the unit is shut off.

[fishin couillon]

As i was typing my question i figured it had something to do with the wires being self contained but i never thought of an extension cord.

BassinBob, if you have the network in your boat you will need a switch on it cause it does draw current if wired directly to a non powered switch place. I have mine wired thru the fuse box and when my master power switch is off nothing is on.

[Todd Driscoll]

Todd Don't You need to have a off power switch to prevent power draw from your GPS  when the unit is shut off.

As fishin couillon pointed out, the NMEA 2000 network power is independent of the head unit power, and yes the NMEA power must be wired thru a switch.  Head unit power no, because your unit has a PWR switch.

[buffman1]

Thanks for the info, I'll set about to wire directly into the battery. It was new last year (just before the 27C installation) so I believe it is most likely OK at this point.

[nitro 898]

Hey Todd welcome to the site.

Quick question for ya: I have a LCX113c HD. When I turn the unit on my GPS works fine. After about 20 minutes I loose GPS signal. If I turn the unit off and back on it will work fine for sometime but then it will loose signal again. Sometimes it will stay on for longer periods of time and other times for shorter periods.

I have replaced all the wiring going into the unit but as of now I am stumped. Any suggestions?

Thanks

[Todd Driscoll]

Hey Todd welcome to the site.

Quick question for ya: I have a LCX113c HD. When I turn the unit on my GPS works fine. After about 20 minutes I loose GPS signal. If I turn the unit off and back on it will work fine for sometime but then it will loose signal again. Sometimes it will stay on for longer periods of time and other times for shorter periods.

I have replaced all the wiring going into the unit but as of now I am stumped. Any suggestions?

Thanks

This is a tough one to pinpoint without it in front of me, as it could essentially be any component in the setup.  First, be certain your NMEA 2000 power connection/fuse link is good.  Of course, without NMEA power your antenna will not function.  Unplug all your network connections from the antenna to the unit and plug back in.  Sometimes moisture causes an intermittent connection.  I recommend coating all network connections with dielectric grease to foolproof them.  You can get this grease at NAPA and other auto stores.  If these steps don't fix it, could be a bad antenna.  Find a buddy with an antenna you can swap to see if this is it.  Could also be a bad network tee or cable.  Worst case it's the unit, but that would be unlikely in this case.  

[fishin couillon]

He can also check and see if WASS is checked. If it is uncheck it and see if that helps keep it locked on signal.

[nitro 898]

Thanks Todd I will give that a try.....fishin coullion I will give that a try also thanks