Humminbird Side Imaging Forums

Side Imaging Forums => 798c SI => Topic started by: bigwave800 on June 10, 2014, 01:51:28 PM

Title: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: bigwave800 on June 10, 2014, 01:51:28 PM: So my 798ci si purchased a couple of years ago works fine other than when I turn the key to crank the engine or crank the engine, the screen freezes up like it has just been dropped and is inoperable, so I then have to disconnect the unit from the mount and replace back on to the mount in order for it to power back up.....

i have it wired directly to the cranking battery with a fuse.....I did add a main power on/off switch to the battery but I wouldn't think that would be the problem..

I would greatly appreciate any input....Thank you, David
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: maxfli on June 11, 2014, 02:03:33 AM: I had the same thing happen to me recently. Unit would freeze up and the only way to unfreeze it was to cut off power. My power was fed through the fuse box, and my power on off switch. All I had to do was turn power off and back on, but the problem was not really low voltage. My battery had shorted internally and gone bad. It could not carry any kind of load. The next morning it would not even turn motor over. Give your battery a good load test.
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: gofission on June 11, 2014, 10:13:14 AM: Did this just start happening or has this been happening since the HB was installed? Mine does this when I use it on my small CC when the battery has been partially discharged. The battery voltage read at the batt posts with a digital voltmeter would dip down to 9 volts or less when the engine was cranked due to condition of the battery. Fixed mine by equalizing charge of the battery with a modern battery charger.
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: ITGEEK on June 11, 2014, 11:31:09 AM: Get yourself a dedicated battery for your sonar unit.
Don't connect anything else to this battery.
It can be a small battery.
I'm quite sure it is not good for the unit to
have a power drop while it is running.
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: Humminbird_Greg on June 11, 2014, 02:25:56 PM: David,
I would get that battery load tested and possibly replaced if this is a new problem with an existing installation. While you are at it; check all electrical connections for any that are loose or corroded. Don’t forget the fuse, fuse holder and the battery connections as any can cause a loss of voltage and amperage which can cause the problem you are seeing.
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: bigwave800 on June 11, 2014, 03:34:41 PM: Thank you Maxfli, ItGeek, gofission, Greg.

This was previously installed on my dads boat and he would always get a low voltage message on the finder....It was hooked to direct to the battery as well.....

I have a modern, charger, but I am going to have the battery load tested....That is great information....I didn't really think of that since the battery was just replaced last year, but it is not a high end battery......I changed the fuse already just to see if that made a difference so we will see.......

thanks again!
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: bigwave800 on June 13, 2014, 08:15:46 PM: Well I had the battery tested and load tested. It checked out fine. So I'm not sure. I changed the fuse so maybe that will work.

Is there a voltage setting on the unit that is recommended??
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: N9Phil on June 14, 2014, 08:49:46 AM: bigwave800, I had a similar problem a while back. When I was running the 360 it would freeze the 1198 screen and then shut it off. I found that my battery failed under a load test. I replaced it with 2 batteries hooked in parallel Now I have plenty of power and problem solved. Even though your battery passed the load test your problem could be that your starter on your motor is drawing more current than normal. If your battery is border line it is possible that when you start your motor that it pulls down the power supplied to the graph to cause the problem. I have diesels and they have batteries hooked in parallel to get the extra current when starting. I always get the largest cranking amp battery that will fit in my vehicles.
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: Humminbird_Greg on June 16, 2014, 04:01:22 PM: There is a Low Voltage menu but that is only for the message that shows on the display. The unit freezing or shutting off is something beyond a menu setting. If all the wiring checked out okay, you may want to try connecting the 798 unit to a different battery, possibly a separate battery from everything else.
Title: Re: low voltage --- Unit freezes when I crank engine ----798ci si
Post by: bigwave800 on June 28, 2014, 07:59:26 PM: Thanks for the replies. So far I have checked all wirings and plugs and connections and I changed the fuse. And for right now it seems like just changing the fuse seems to have corrected the problem. Time will tell. Now on to learning how to set it up properly with the right settings.