Troubled fishfinder

[peguinpower]

Sometimes, FFs turn quirky when getting low or unstable voltages.

Check the voltage of battery at the terminals and then the connector ends. With an SLA, you should get a reading of about 12.7 volts. If you are getting less than 10v with no load, that battery needs charging, or may already be dead. If you get a good reading at the terminals, and a lower one at the connectors, the connectors are corroded. Sometimes, they can be polished up, other times, you need to change them.

Next, put the battery in, but not the head unit. Check the voltage at the pins that go into the unit. You should get a reading that is equal to what it is directly at the battery terminals. If not, there is something wrong along the power lines. Its either corroded connectors, corroded or bad fuse contacts or black wire disease (blackening of the wire due to saltwater shorting). Check the voltage at different points along the power line too. Particularly after each connection point (butts, connectors, jumper). If you have to, cut lightly into the wires so you can insert a DVM probe. Tape the cut close when finished.

If power problems are ruled out, send the head and tx unit in. Its under warranty, so its better that the company check it out.

I just solved a long standing problem with my ff. It likes to turn off on the water or sometimes not turn on at all. Found out that a perfectly good looking connector develops enough resistance to drop my voltage from 12 volts at the battery, to 6-7 volts at the pins. Change the connector, and she ran fine.

/bing