graph problem

[Fish&Fowl]

I am having trouble with my Lowrance 334 shutting off every time I start my motor. Anything I should check to correct it?

Thanks for any info!

[Bob Schroden]

Weak battery is the problem.

Check your battery condition and voltage.

If the battery drops below 10 volts when you crank your motor, your 334 will shut off.

[Fish&Fowl]

Thank you! The boat is new (to me) and I haven't had the chance to charge the cranking battery yet. I will try that to see if it helps.

[JimBuck]

I had the same thing happen last fall shortly before my starting battery fried out. Do a load test and make sure the cells are full....as Bob said, below 10 amps and the graph will turn off. If that's the case, might be time for a new battery. Good luck.

[PerchJerker]

I agree with the others, it's the battery.

[delcecchi]

Or perhaps something in the wiring, if not the battery.

[walleyemaniac]

I agree with the others on the battery problem. But another thing to check is, are you live with the key off or does the key have to be on for your graph ot be on. That being the case every time you turn the key to start it interrups that curcuit and your graph will shut off.

[Ed Carlson]

Most graph sonars will shut down at 9.5 to 10 V, so the starter Amp draw down is spiking it, causing it to shut down to protect itself from damage.

Check the fuse connection for corrosion and the spring tension in the fuse holder, if it is a spring type, to see if it is weak or corroded.

The likely deal is a weak battery and that may be resolved with checking the electrolyte levels and topping them off and doing a good 10 amp charge to cook off any calcification accumulated over winter in storage.

If you need to replace the starting battery, don't skimp on the starting battery rating and class, go up 1 class so you have more reserve capacity. As modern electronics do put more demand on the starting battery, and a duel purpose battery with a larger reserve rating is very wise.

[Fish&Fowl]

Thanks again for the info guys...much appreciated!

[solbes]

You might also want to check the wiring size that your graph is hooked through. For example, if you have a lot of accessories wired through a main panel, and that wire is small diameter like 14 or 16 gage, you might have enough voltage drop to cause issues. In that case run a larger gage wire to the panel.

But I agree with the others, 95% chance it's your battery as the issue.

[Cliff Wagenbach]

I had the same problem with my 334. I ended up not using the control panel fuses and direct wired it to the starter battery and installed an in-line fuse close to the battery. Problems went away after that. Used the same battery.

Cliff

[Bigtom]

I also had the same problem with my LCX-27. I ran a seperate power wire for it and solved the problem.

[Rippin_eyes]

Run a seperate ground wire from the blackwire on the power cord to the negative on the starting battery! That should take care of it....I've done it to hundreds of boats that have that issue!

[Fish&Fowl]

Thanks again for the info guys. I bought a brand new cranking battery that had some deep cycle capabilities too and that solved the problem.