Garmin GHC 20 Autopilot Control Unit Goes Dark
- Thread starter ttmott
- Start date
I haven't had a chance to mess with it since last update.
First I'll try to make sure the brightness is full up. I need to figure out what the button sequence is to do that. Then I'll try the common brightness from the MFD. Then a master reset. A lot of time went in to get the autopilot to function the way I like it and I'll loose all of those settings with a master reset.
For some reason (probably me) it was set with the backlight fully dimmed.
That also means you can't see the screen to bring the backlight back up.
My neighbor in the slip behind me also has Garmin and a GHC20 - I looked at his and got the key sequence to bring the backlight up.
So - for future reference and those that may need it, here are the keystrokes that will bring the backlight up -
PWR button - press on and release at "beep" then banner screen appears then message "waiting on autopilot" then dark
Wait a twenty seconds or so for it to boot up.
Right Softkey - press twice (Dimmer menu item)
Middle Softkey - press once (Select)
Left SoftKey - Press and hold until back lighting comes back up.
That also means you can't see the screen to bring the backlight back up.
My neighbor in the slip behind me also has Garmin and a GHC20 - I looked at his and got the key sequence to bring the backlight up.
So - for future reference and those that may need it, here are the keystrokes that will bring the backlight up -
PWR button - press on and release at "beep" then banner screen appears then message "waiting on autopilot" then dark
Wait a twenty seconds or so for it to boot up.
Right Softkey - press twice (Dimmer menu item)
Middle Softkey - press once (Select)
Left SoftKey - Press and hold until back lighting comes back up.
Irie308
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- May 28, 2013
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Ghc 20 brightness not synced to other screens?
I tried that and it didn't sync. to the others.
- May 16, 2019
- 1,035
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- 07 52 Sedan Bridge, 2019 Brig Falcon 360HT-30HP Honda, 2003 16' Dauntless
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Mine GHC 20 is set to sync the backlighting but it doesn’t not sure why….
- May 16, 2019
- 1,035
- Boat Info
- 07 52 Sedan Bridge, 2019 Brig Falcon 360HT-30HP Honda, 2003 16' Dauntless
- Engines
- Cummins QSM 11 660 HP w/ ZF 325-1A
I am pretty sure you just need to press the power button twice on the GHC 20 to force the backlighting to 100%.
Skybolt
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- Nov 11, 2014
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Alison Gears
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@ttmott Tom glad you figured things out and got it working again. Also just an FYI, the GHC20 isn't available any longer and is replaced by the GHC 50, a much larger display, a 5" touch screen.
- May 16, 2019
- 1,035
- Boat Info
- 07 52 Sedan Bridge, 2019 Brig Falcon 360HT-30HP Honda, 2003 16' Dauntless
- Engines
- Cummins QSM 11 660 HP w/ ZF 325-1A
I looked at replacing my GHC 20 with the larger unit but I rarely even use that unit since all the data and functionality is on my MFD. I wish Garmin would come up with a larger display on their VHF radio. Impossible for me to see without glasses.
Agree on that - I hate to use my VHF 315 solely due to the display. I had hoped when it was installed that the VHF data would display on the MFD's but alas, not.
Typically I'm pretty busy at the helm when needing to use the VHF. A quick look and knowing the channel and mode would make things much easier but not possible.
Skybolt
Well-Known Member
- Nov 11, 2014
- 6,483
- Boat Info
- Reel Nauti
460 EC
- Engines
- Detroit 6v92TA
(Low profile's)
Alison Gears
Westerbeke
12.5kw Genset
Could not agree more, too much data on such a small screen. Given Garmin's tech and there bigger is better attitude with MFD's, I don't see why the VHF isn't integrated into the MFD, seems like they missed the boat on that one.