chartplotter not turning on

[Havana Shamrock]

my new garmin 4208 worked fine last year now it shut down the other day and after i re started it it was fine now today it wont go on at all what gives??? i wired it directly to the fuse box under the helm, it shuts down when i start the boat and i have to re start it

 

[Dave S]

This occasionally happens to me with my Northstar. When I have my batteries switched to BOTH, then the Chartplotter does not power off. I think it may have something to do with voltage drop during the starting cycle.

Dave

 

[rondds]

something to do with voltage drop during the starting cycle.

Precisely! Mine started doing the same last season, as the house batteries entered the twilight of their service life (4th season). New batteries solved this issue this spring. No need to replace your batts unless they are acting up in other respects, but probably best to power down the unit rather than let it shut down "accidentally."

 

[tobnpr]

If you have a house battery that's isolated and not used as a starting batt it's best to wire your electronics circuit there to avoid the voltage drop problem.

I don't, so I added a Newmar Start-Guard. It has an internal battery that functions like a UPS to provide additional voltage to the electronics during engine starting.

For some people it's not a big deal, just start your engine first, then turn on your electronics. Because I often drift fish, and am constantly shutting down and restarting the engines during the course of the day, I needed the Start-Guard.

 

[Havana Shamrock]

I found it .bad splice under the dash replaced with a butt connector and viola!! the garmin came to life. thanks everyone