Why does my sounder turn off when I start the boat?

[andrew399]

I just installed a new sounder on my boat and everytime I start the engine the sounder turns off. I swear it didnt used to do it on the old one, and my GPS stays on... Its just annoying because it resets all the data ie distance travelled etc and the other settings. the only thing I can think of is that the transducer is significantly more powerful than the old one and my battery is too crap to support the starter motor and the sounder. Any tips on a fix?

[michaelrdoyle@gmail.com]

Hi dicko

I've had this happen on our setup - after we got a brand spanking new big sounder about 6 years ago.. It's happened for several reasons...

The first time it was because the solinoid (I think) on the motor was wearing out and drawing too much current when starting.

The second time was because the batesry was dying - easy fix

Third time was some dodgy wiring that had corroded somewhere

Good luck!

Mike

[davegroves68]

I've had this problem too.

It was a bad earth connection from battery to engine block.

[fisherdad]

It happens because when you crank the engine the voltage drops below the minion needed to run the device. It can have many causes including but not limited to poor connections, tired or low batteries, long cable lengths and many more. Basically anything that causes voltage to drop too far.

The fix is find the issue and if there is none you can fit a voltage booster. It will keep the voltage at 12v even thought the battery may drop to 9v during cranking causing your sounder to turn off.

These should be available from any good auto elec or marine supplier. Redarc make them in South Australia and sell through distributors.

[bisso]

Simply turn the sounder off prior to starting your motor. The previous post mentioned a possible major drop in current to your device under cranking which is sound advice. it is hard to diagnose without knowing what type of circuits you have, the gauge of the wiring and the battery condition to name a few. i think the voltage drop when cranking may cause the sounder to shut off due to all the power basically going to the motor to start it. unless you have a dual battery setup where the cranking battery for the engine is stand alone and ancillary devices run off a separate circuit/battery, i cant think of a solution or cause as to this event. i always turn my sounder off prior too starting and then turn it on once that has occurred. After all, i already know the water depth/position i am etc as i havent moved until engine started and am underway.

cheers

Mick

[fishon]

Simply turn the sounder off prior to starting your motor. The previous post mentioned a possible major drop in current to your device under cranking which is sound advice. it is hard to diagnose without knowing what type of circuits you have, the gauge of the wiring and the battery condition to name a few. i think the voltage drop when cranking may cause the sounder to shut off due to all the power basically going to the motor to start it. unless you have a dual battery setup where the cranking battery for the engine is stand alone and ancillary devices run off a separate circuit/battery, i cant think of a solution or cause as to this event. i always turn my sounder off prior too starting and then turn it on once that has occurred. After all, i already know the water depth/position i am etc as i havent moved until engine started and am underway.

cheers

Mick

i agree 100%

[macnaz]

Add a capictor to you sounder power cable .. that holds a temp charge when the voltage drops. I found out about doing this when an LED car clock kept losing time on start up years ago.

[GregL]

Check the battery as well.

I know when I left the power on once for a week and the battery went LOW. We still could lift and drop the motor but didnt have enough power to keep the sounders on when we cranked the motor.

Replaced bateries and it was fine again.

[idolz]

This may sound silly,, but check you have wired it to 'direct power',,, some people wire their sounder to the power on the ignition switch which can be interupted on some models of outboard, when the key/switch is turned/moved from the 'on' position to the 'start' position and then as it moves back to the 'on' position....

[yelloc]

I found the same problem with my sounder depending which battery is being used on the dual battery set up.

I turn the sounder of now when starting but I am going to try and wire the sounder directly off one of the batteries which doesn't cause it to to tun off as it has not got much current draw.

I will leave the radio and other accessories on the isolator switch.

[spaners]

I just installed a new sounder on my boat and everytime I start the engine the sounder turns off. I swear it didnt used to do it on the old one, and my GPS stays on... Its just annoying because it resets all the data ie distance travelled etc and the other settings. the only thing I can think of is that the transducer is significantly more powerful than the old one and my battery is too crap to support the starter motor and the sounder. Any tips on a fix?

Connect up a 2nd battery with jump leads{like jump starting a car},if it still turns off you know its not a battery problem{unless your s/motor is drawing too much juice.