SmartCraft Gremlin

[Korkie]

Happy Fall - NOT! Any of you guys ever have an issue with your SmartCraft and gauges powering off and then on again while running ? I have this intermittent problem, usually only once per outing. Will be up running at 3250 rpms or so and the SmartCraft and gauges will just power off and then back on again. Motors keep going as it is that quick. Talked to several mechanics / other boat owners - etc and was advised to check grounds on both engines and under helm. Removed grounds on back of motors and cleaned (although looked clean already) and re attached. Also, checked grounds and power under helm and found everything tight. I also get a lost communication on my RayMarine E80 from time to time, don't know if related or not. Used to be that the port engine and its guages only would do this and actually shut down momentarily. Now motors seem to continue to run, but SmartCraft and gauges all power down and then come right back on. SmartCraft doesn't reboot, comes back up on screen it was on. Any ideas ??? Thanks

 

[rwf]

Yep, been there. Had this gremlin for a year and a half when we bought Serendipity (she was 2 at the time).

Smartcraft does this when power is bad. In our case, we put in new (and higher quality) batteries and she was fine after that. Also turn the mains off and then unplug, check, and clean the big SmartCraft connection to the blocks. That fixed it, for a while, until we changed the batteries and really fixed it.

If that doesn't fix it for you, you may have a corroded power or grown connection somewhere.

Rich

 

[Korkie]

Thanks Rich. We run a number of things including the power inverter, (which runs the TV for the kids) and 3 amps for the stereo. Probably sucking too much power and the system cannot keep up. Have 3 new batteries on Port side side, guess need to check which bank the Smartcraft is powered by. If the Smartcraft and the inverter are both supplied from the Port bank (and I am pretty sure the SmartCraft is) - sounds logical that my problem may be just as you say. Will clean the terminals as you stated (already did the grounds)and try a few trips with minimal accessories on to see what happens. Many Thanks. K