Fish finder problems

[gmetime24]

I have an older 525 humminbird fish finder that has last about 4 years. It will not power up and I have 18v at the end of the power cable. Do these head units go bad very often? I get nothing on the screen when I hit the power button...thinking about buying a new one and might not go with humminbird again..Anybody have this problem and what is the best fishfinder for below $400

[djkimmel]

Did you check the inline fuse?

[SethV]

You have 18v at the unit??   

Engine off, you should have 12.4 - 12.8.   Sounds like you have something screwed up with your 24v trolling motor system.  Too much voltage is just as bad (or worse) than not enough.

For $400, you won't get much these days.  Take a look at some of the year end closeouts (Cabelas Bargain Cave can have some good ones from time to time)


Seth

[thedude]

18v is pretty darn high. Most marine and automotive product will work from 10-16v. I'd check your batteries and wires for shorts before hooking up another graph, you might fry it.

Also - check bassboatcentral electronics classifieds. I bought a 727 bird for 110 bucks there.

[gmetime24]

Ya I Just checked it again to make sure. I have 18v of dc on the end of the power connector where it attaches to the unit.  I bought my boat 3 years ago and the fish finder has always run off my 12v marine starting battery. I just always thought it was hooked up right.  What causes there to be too much voltage?

[River Rat]

Once you get your electrical straightened out: Eagle 480 Elite is your $400 price point.  That little graph is very nice for the dollar!  Even "out of the box" it worked very well and some days I wish it were still on my bow next to my HBcSI.

Scott

[Durand Dan]

I saw a nice Lowrance X-135  on E-bay for under $200. There were a lot of Humminbirds and others. None that ran on 18vdc though

[gmetime24]

Thanks for your help guys..I am still lost on how a 12v starting battery can have 18v on my power line when everything is shut off..I found a line that the previous owner ran to extend the power cable. Its much bigger wire than the power line that goes to the unit. Could this be my problem?

[SethV]

Might be your problem if it is shorted to the trolling motor battery or similar problem.

What is your battery voltage - measured at the battery?

You may try running a new set of wires directly to the battery.  Your voltage at the bow should be .1 - .2 v less than at the battery - for sure not higher.

[thedude]

yeah. do what seth said, also disconnect any wires from the battery first.  could just be time for a new one (battery).

[gmetime24]

So I had a bad voltage meter all along. Used a new one and the power cable has 12.8 volts on the end of it not 18v. Battery is new this summer and it reads 12.8 volts. I'm leaning towards my head unit just went bad and its now time for a new one..and better one hopefully...thanks again

[djkimmel]

Occum's razor. All things being equal, the simplest answer is usually the right one. Guess we should have thought of that one first.