View Full Version : LGC-3000 ~ 2 have gone bad. Need Help!!
I have had 2 LGC-3000 gps pucks go bad in 2 weekends. Is this a common problem or is something wrong with my boat wiring? Does anyone have any suggestions on things I should check?
blueicecpa
05-26-2009, 11:14 AM
I have seen may go bad ~ 6 in 3 boats the last 3 years. I would upgrade to the LCG 4000's now.
Yes check your battery and fuse and wiring , you should have a fuse to stop spikes.
ranger22
05-26-2009, 11:35 AM
can a person upgrade to a lgc 4000 with a older unit
blueicecpa
05-26-2009, 12:03 PM
Just need the special accessory cord with the right color to add it to the network. No T needed .
Red to Blue NMEA, Just connect the Grey , Blue Red or black connector with the Right on Red & Black are the same type.
http://www.lei-extras.com/store/search.asp?SearchType=Category&Category=LowranceNET+Red
Binks61
05-26-2009, 12:34 PM
Do you have your 3000 separately switched? This is mandatory. They will draw power constantly if not switched off. When you start your boat on a "weak" battery, the surge from the alternator can ( and does) blow the antenna. I have been told that jump starting another boat while the antenna is switched on can have the same effect.
Ask me how I know.......Thanks Capt. Ron Hunter, Lowrance Rep in the Port Clinton area for saving my 3 day trip!
I do have a separate switch for my gps.
So as a consumer, when can I have my GPS turn on and when should I have it turned off? I shouldn't have to turn my gps off every time I start my boat. This last weekend the puck work fine when I turned every thing off and then the next day I turn the 112 on and the puck without starting the boat and it was fried. I am not about to buy a new LGC-4000 puck. This is under warranty and should be taken care of. I think buying the newest puck is not a fix. It may be good for sales, but not a fix. Does anyone have a fix that works?
perchjerker
05-26-2009, 01:06 PM
I do have a separate switch for my gps.
So as a consumer, when can I have my GPS turn on and when should I have it turned off? I shouldn't have to turn my gps off every time I start my boat. This last weekend the puck work fine when I turned every thing off and then the next day I turn the 112 on and the puck without starting the boat and it was fried. I am not about to buy a new LGC-4000 puck. This is under warranty and should be taken care of. I think buying the newest puck is not a fix. It may be good for sales, but not a fix. Does anyone have a fix that works?
you should not have to turn it off and on everytime you start your boat, i dont. I have a 3000 also. Its 2 years old and I have never had any problems with it.
Do you have your power wire for the 3000 wired directly to the battery?
I didn't turn if on and off. I left it on all day. At the end of the day I turn everything off. The post before mine stated that lowrance told him to turn it off when starting from a weak battery. I didn't have a weak battery, but how would you know you have a weak battery until you start it. Based on that it should be turn off every time you start. This is very frustrating! When a person spends several $1,000 on new equipment you have a expectation that it will work. That is what I want and am looking for any ideas.
Binks61
05-26-2009, 02:07 PM
Riv, Pull out your manual. A switch to the GPS Display is recommeded, a switch and 3 amp fuse to your antenna is mandatory for warranty replacement( or more properly a separate switch and fuse to your network, even if the antenna is the only thing on the network)
I ran it unswitched for a year without an issue before it blew.
I have a switch for my network. When do you switch it on and off? Do you do it at the beginning of the day and then at the end or each time you start the motor?
Below is a link from lowrance on trouble shooting. They do not mention a switch.
http://primus.lowrance.com/icr/TroubleShooting/New%20Utility/NU_GPS_ModNR.htm
Binks61
05-26-2009, 07:40 PM
Riv,
No, I don't shut it off in between motor shut down on water. Nor am I suggesting you need to. I believe my issue was originally not having the network switched and fused. The week or two in between use drew the battery down enough to get a power spike on the first kickover. Honestly, after blowing the first antenna, I do not power the unit on until I start the motor after putting in.
Do you have anything else on board that draws power when the boat is on the trailer? Some none marine radios/cd players, as well as the Verado & ETECS I'm told will draw on the starting battery during none use.
REW / Wade you guys are the gods of this stuff.....what say you?
I have a master power switch that kill everything and a I have a 4 bank charger that charges my starting battery. I am thinking that something must be rigged wrong for this to happen. I am open to any ideas.
blueicecpa
05-26-2009, 09:24 PM
These GPS modules are designed to operate with NMEA 2000 compatible systems. These require a power supply to operate. This is either supplied directly to the network or through an extra cable (NMEA 2000 Power) on the unit power cable. This is often overlooked.
Ensure proper power is supplied to the unit for operation. Follow trouble shooting for blue connector unit power related issues here (http://primus.lowrance.com/icr/NMEA%202000/NMEA%202000%20Network%20Troubleshooting%20Guide%20-%20Blue%20Connectors.htm) or red connector unit power related issues here (http://primus.lowrance.com/icr/NMEA%202000/NMEA2K_PWR_Red.htm) if needed.
Ensure proper power is being provided to the GPS module. If not configured for a network, power should also be applied to the NMEA 2000 Power cable. Apply the red wire to a fused (3A) +12V supply. Ground both the black wire and the shielded ground (bare wire). To determine if an interruption in power is preventing the GPS operation, review this document.
Check and clean connections between the display portion of the unit and the GPS module. A minimum of two connections will be in the cabling and possibly more. Trace the cable and clean contacts at each connector as needed. Clean all connections with an anti-corrosion clean for electronics as needed.
Ensure that a Liner Architecture is observed if using a LowranceNET or NMEA 2000 network.
Check the terminating resistor(s). There may be one 60 Ohm terminator or two 120 Ohm terminators. Simply check the short end of the Y cable. If a hard plastic "T" is in use, check the end for the terminator. Any evidence of scorch or fowling may indicate a replacement terminator or cable should be obtained.
Isolate the RS-232 communications (NMEA-0183) cable. This will have 4 wires, yellow/Orange/Blue/Shield. Tape each wire individually and then together if not using the NMEA communications.
Update the unit and the GPS module to their latest software version. If an earlier version of software for a module is operated with an newer version of the unit, communications may not function properly. Update the unit and GPS module accordingly by following this link (http://www.lowrance.com/Downloads/Product-Software-Updates/).
Reset the unit. Resets for your particular unit are available HERE (http://primus.lowrance.com/icr/Resets/UnitResets_Lowrance.pdf).
After updating, check the NMEA 2000 Bus. Press menu from a main operating page and select the NMEA 2000 menu and choose the Bus Setup option. If other devices on the network are visible, check the connection at the GPS module to the network as well as other cabling between the module and other properly operating devices. If the LGC-2000 is visible, select this option to view data for software version, and additional data. The status may indicate not-configured or OK. If not configured, change the instance to 255.
Reset the network by removing power from the NMEA 2000 power cable. Keep power off for a couple minutes to allow all devices to properly reset. Reapply power to the network.
If problems persist, it is difficult to determine the actual fault due to the cables, terminators and other devices in use. Attempting operation on another available system to isolate the communication error is ideal if possible.
bigwalleye1
05-27-2009, 07:13 AM
Not to hijack the thread, but Blueicepa, you seem to know what's going on here, can you clarify something?
Do I need a switch for the GPS unit AND a separate switch for the antenna or am I reading too much into this? I have my GPS switched and fused and my antenna fused only.....
Binks61
05-27-2009, 07:50 AM
Your GPS antenna ( and any NMEA 2000 devices) recieve it's power via the NMEA 2000 network, NOT the Display units main power cable. IF you look in your manual, you will see that Lowrance has a MANDATORY NETWORK POWER-OFF SWITCH AND FUSE on the NMEA 2000 Power cable.
They also show a "Recommended" display Unit Power-off switch and fuse on the main power cable to the Display Head.
So to answer your question BW, according to Lowrance you should have 2 switches, One on the Power supply to the Display Head AND one on the Power Supply to your NMEA 2000 Network WHICH powers your antenna.
See page 29
http://www.lowrance.com/upload/Lowrance/Documents/Manuals/LCX113-112-38-37-28-27_0151-511_12-08-06.pdf
bigwalleye1
05-27-2009, 08:10 AM
Thanks for the clarification. We'll get this rectified this weekend.
whitetips
05-27-2009, 02:05 PM
I have a 3000 that was not locking in at Erie right off the bat, so I initialized it and cursored to the nearest point, when I left the breakwall out of West harbor, OH. It locked in. My previous zone was many miles away and just Hotmaps were installed. Mine was kinda locked in on an old trail from my last use in MN. But locked in once on the big lake itself. After that locked in every time. I was concerned like you maybe the winter messed with the module. I'm do for HDS.upgrade on the dash.
blueicecpa
05-27-2009, 02:19 PM
Binks61 is correct.
I too have to turn on my GPS & Sonar and then the Antenna Switch to get my units to find me.
Yes too if you are not on the same area and may be farther away it does take time to readjust and find you, after that it's much quicker to find the information.
The new LCG 4000 have a new chip that finds it quicker and updated 5 times a second so you don't have that delay cruising.
blueicecpa, thanks for the info. Do I need to do a hard rest or soft rest. If all check out ok and I am still frying pucks, do you have any suggestions.
blueicecpa
05-28-2009, 06:11 AM
I dont think the Puck can be reset Soft or Hard only the units.
More likely if everything else checks out your puck is fryed.
If it is in warranty call Linda Colt @ Lowrance
, they may be able to help get you one free or cheap.
Linda Colt
Customer Walk in Service Department
12000 East Skelly Drive
Tulsa Oklahoma 74128
1-800-324-1356 ext 8747
Direct Line 918-438-8747
Linda.colt@navico.com
I talked to the boat dealer today and he said I should make sure I don't turn on my electronics on when I have my charger plugged in. That could explain the failures, I just can remember if I turned my 112 on when the charger was plug in. I will make sure I don't from now on.
acar555
05-29-2009, 06:43 PM
The LGC-2000 and LGC-3000 antennas are very voltage sensitive and any change can cause issues. The newer LGC-4000 antenna will only give the 5 times per second updating on the HDS units and will work like a LGC-3000 on the older models.
Update. I lost another puck this weekend. The puck worked fine on Friday and Saturday. Saturday night I put my cover on. The next day I pulled the cover halfway off to check it. It had failed. I am thinking it has something to do with my cover. Possible static electricity, but I don't know for sure. I am taking it to the dealer tomorrow and have them fine out what is going on.
Wall-i-Lama
05-31-2009, 07:37 PM
Riv, Might be a stupid question...but you have responded to others a couple of times about the fact that you have a switch on the puck. DOES THIS SWITCH HAVE A INLINE FUSE? If so, make sure the inline fuse is on the positive side. I installed an inline fuse once on the negative side.
Good luck!
I have a inline fuse on all.
blueicecpa
06-02-2009, 06:33 AM
Does the fuse ever blow? What amp is your fuse 5A ? 3 ? Try lowering it.
Also what is the temperature that the storage of you boat for the winter. I have heard they are finding that too cold may be bad for them too.
I have a 3A fuse. I stored my boat inside all winter, so I don't think temp is a issue. I think it has something to due with my cover. Ever puck that has failed work when I put my cover on and was fried when I pulled my cover off.
howardp
06-08-2009, 01:08 PM
I know what minow is going through, I just repalced puck # 21 for my 112 in less than a year. I had Cap. Ron Hunter go through my boat at the FLW last fall in Bismarck and it worked just fine the one and only time I used it last fall. I have blown a new puck both times out this year. My unit has a switch with a in-line fuse. Lowrence has a problem that they don't want to own up to. I told my dealer this weekend the next puck I fry the unit is comong out, Lowrance can give me my $$$$$ back or replace it.
Howard.
I have now lost my 5 puck!!!! This sucks. Last week my dealer rewired the power source to the nema network to try and correct the problem. It didn't work. Does anyone have an idea of what might be the problem?
Hot Runr Guy
06-15-2009, 01:42 PM
I have now lost my 5 puck!!!! This sucks. Last week my dealer rewired the power source to the nema network to try and correct the problem. It didn't work. Does anyone have an idea of what might be the problem?
looking at threads on THT and BBC, it appears as though some users are switching over to a Garmin 17x antenna.
HRG
blueicecpa
06-15-2009, 02:32 PM
What else is still on the Battery? Is it causing a spike ?:stick:
muskyman73
06-15-2009, 09:50 PM
Ok, so I feel better after reading this thread as my LGC 3000 died after the 2nd time out. And this is the 3rd lowrance that has had the gps reciever go out on me after little use. I called lowrance and I called the contact in the thread, no call back. I use to like their product but when they have a known issue, that's just bad business. I will not buy another lowrance product after what I have gone through and what I am about to go through for this unit. I am done.
Backwater Eddy
06-16-2009, 06:56 PM
looking at threads on THT and BBC, it appears as though some users are switching over to a Garmin 17x antenna.
HRG
If you can rig the Garmin GPS antenna instead on your Lowrance, as some are...I would. Rock solid units. I have sold many Garmin GPS antennas as add on's to enhance internal GPS models or for trucks, but none to my knowledge as a replacement for one that has crapped out.