GPS cutting out HELP

[DaveQ]

I know there is lots of other things to say re: this subject, but for now my question is THIS.In order to help prevent a voltage "dip" when cranking my 50hp.the best batt.TYPE would be deep cycle or starting (keep in mind its only a 50hp.) THANKS!!

[FlyBoy]

Dave,

I don't mean to avoid your question, but I'm afraid all of the experts here are going to tell you NOT to crank and deep cycle from the same battery. I'm not sure what to do if your situation requires one battery (as opposed to the desired 2). There have been many threads here about using a single battery for dual purpose, and the answer always is: Try not to do it!

Hope that helps.

John

[muskyhigh]

Another question to look into, is the GPS wired directly to the battery with an inline fuse, if it is wired to a fuse panel you can run into problems. I had the same problem with an lms350. I rewired it directly to the battery, a cranking battery that runs a kicker, main motor, all lights & electronics and it now works fine. Just a thought.

[DaveQ]

Muskyhigh that is my exact set up- what are you using for a batt. size, type. thanks.

[fshman]

I was told by Lowrance that some units are extremely sensitive to volatage drops and starting the motor will cause the gps to restart. A second battery is probably the only solution to obviate the problem.

[REW]

Dave,
Return your unit to the factory and explain your problem.
Some of the units came out with voltage regulators - that although all right under nomral conditons - i.e. down to 11 volts - would kick out - if the voltage dropped to 9.5 volts.
I believe that they have a voltage regulator available - that will let the unit run down to 8 volts.

The best long term fix is to go with the new regulator.

If you send in your unit - they will simply replace your unit - with a new one - that has all of the upgrades in place.

Take care

REW

That is really the best long term fix. Everything else is a bandaid.

[REW]

p.s.
I did have a single thought -
What is the spike down voltage of your battery?
i.e. - if you read the voltage on your gps power cable - when you are starting your motor - what is the voltage.

If you have a "good" system - the voltage should only drop to about 10 volts.

If you are finding that you are dropping lower than that, you might try the following.
1. Jumper your motor - directly from the starter solenoid, and motor ground to a running car or truck. Measure the voltage again. If you still have the voltage going low -- you must be having a tremendous draw on your starter. If that is the case - you might need a different starter on your motor.

2. If - when jumpering the motor - the voltage is ok, you might have either a
a. bad battery
b. bad cables (i.e. the heavy battery cables goving between
the motor and battery.
c. bad connections at the battery or motor
d. bad or corroded terminals on either the battery end or
the motor end of the battery wires.

If conditions a,b,c, or d exist -- there will be a very large voltage drop across these bad items, and this will result in a very large current draw from the battery. Any battery will have a large voltage drop -- if it is required to source an abnormal large current.

If you have an ammeter available - it would be a good idea to check the starting draw current of your motor.

for a typical outboard - the starting current should only be in the 50-75 amp range. If you have a heavier draw than this - it is likely that one of the items of a,b, c, or d is defective.

A final possibility is that you have a new motor and that the motor is very stiff, not broken in yet - and very hard to turn over. this can also cause a larger than normal starting current. However, this stiffness is normally resloved after the first 10 hours of proper break in and operation.

Good luck

REW