garmin shuts off.

[troypolla]

My new garmin 172C shuts off when starting the motor. I am thinking it is the battery causing the problem, because when starting the voltmeter goes to at least 10.8. If I have to crank the motor for more than about 1-2 seconds it happens. Does this sound like a battery problem(dead cell)or garmin unit problem. It is the original battery in my 05 Key West. It does not appear to be a very large marine cycle.

 

[MRS]

Re: garmin shuts off.

Do not know if this will help but. I had the same problem with mine on mine it was the fuse holder I had checked every thing and it still would go out. They when we were on the water and ready to fish I thougt well the only thing I had not checked was the fuse holder that was it cleaned up contacts in the holder works every time now.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: garmin shuts off.

Most electronic devices have over voltage protection as well as low voltage protection. Your GPS is fine and is turning off because of the low voltage. Just like your digital camera, cell phone, etc. turns off when the battery voltage gets low. If your battery is drawing down to 10.8 volts while operating the starter its probably due for replacement. Have it load tested at any auto store. If it needs replacement, install the largest capacity (CCA) you have room for. You cannot have too much power -- only too little. You should also buy a battery labeled "Marine Starting" or "Dual Purpose" or "Marine Starting/Deep Cycle". Regular Deep Cycle batteries are intended for trolling motor/accessory service. Before buying a battery however, disconnect the battery cables (both ends) and clean them thoroughly. Corroded connections causes voltage drop that may contribute to the problem. Don't just look at the cables. Disconnect them.

 

[troypolla]

Re: garmin shuts off.

by both ends you mean the pos. and neg. -or battery side/ motor side?

 

[Silvertip]

Re: garmin shuts off.

Each cable has two ends. The terminals on the battery and the terminals on the engine. doesn't help to clean the battery end if its the engine end that's causing the problem. When you have the cables off, check their condition. If you see corrosion where the cable enters the terminal end, install a new cable or replace the end as that corrosion can cause problems as well.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: garmin shuts off.

just for giggles, is your garmin run thru the ignition switch? like accessories. if so run it off a direct feed with a inline fuse.

 

[bruceb58]

Re: garmin shuts off.

My Lowrance GPS does the same thing and I have it direct wired to the battery through its own fuse.

I have brand new batterries too.

 

[troypolla]

Re: garmin shuts off.

yea... it actually is run through the accessory power, but my Lowrance fish finder is run the same way.

 

[tashasdaddy]

Re: garmin shuts off.

you don't say whether it is and ob or an i/o. if like the mercruiser i/o i had, when starting it cuts the power to accessories. which may be causing you unit to have to be restarted.

 

[troypolla]

Re: garmin shuts off.

outboard.

 

[troypolla]

Re: garmin shuts off.

ok here is the latest. I took the battery to our auto store and they "checked" it. The machine told them to replace battery. here is the kicker, i used it to start my motor just 15 minutes before I took it to the store. I am not exactly convinced that they checked it properly.

 

[Silvertip]

Re: garmin shuts off.

The point here is that the battery may very well start the engine. However during the starting process, the voltage is dropping too far for your electronics to function. You mentioned in your first post that you measured 10.8 volts during start. Check your GPS manual. Bet it says operating voltage is about 11.0 - 13.5 volts or so. Therefore, kick off at 10.8 and 13.6. The load tester takes into consideration the rating (CCA or AH) of the battery being tested. If if falls below that rating it will test bad. It may still start your engine however.

 

[westpac1955]

Re: garmin shuts off.

This probably won't help with your problem but I wanted to get it on the forum because it might help someone else. I have a Garmin 3210 that would intermittently shut off in semi rough water but it would always come back on line. Finally it would no longer power up so I called Garmin and after a few questions I was told to send it in it would cost $400.00. A friend put me in touch with a boat electronics installer and he told me the unit was known for cabling problems to change out the power/data cable. The female pin recepticals looked perfectly round and I read 12.5 volts on the hot pin I also had a good ground and keep in mind my boat is 2 years old and only has 186 hours on it the GPS was installed by the dealer. I bought the cable from West Marine for $28.00 and when I got it I found the pin recepticals are not supposed to be round but shaped like clam shells to grip the male pins however this feature had worn off in a short period of time and had lost contact. After installing the cable I was very happy to see the "Welcome" screen when I pushed the power button. Hope this helps someone else.

 

[j_martin]

Re: garmin shuts off.

A V6 merc OB only takes about 150 amps at cranking, but if the battery voltage goes down because of age, it climbs considerably, so there's a double wammy working against you there. Couple of things come to mind on yours.

1. 5 years in a boat is an old battery.
2. Deep cycle battery gets a bit abused every start, because of design differences.
3. Load test indicates a battery nearing end of life. May still be alive, but not pulling it's weight.

I'd bet on the battery being the trouble. Replace it with a decent cranking or dual rated battery. Can't actually recommend a size without knowing what your engine is, and what else you expect of the battery, but an ordinary group 24 does just fine cranking my XR4 and running the light electronics loads. The trolling motor is powered by a coupla group 27's.

hope it helps
john

 

[bruceb58]

Re: garmin shuts off.

4 year old post