Thread: Lowrance Problems

I don't know how you're wired in BUT...

I have an LMS 520 and I noticed the other day that it would just freeze or go from say, 29 ft to 3 ft in CLEAR water, no baitballs no nuttin'. Then, it began to turn off all by itself and I would have to reactivate the unit.

Yesterday, it turned itself off a few times and then began to get all these vertical lines on the screen and then it just went black.

This morning I checked out my secondary switch and the hot wire to the the fuse board, the fuse itself--nuttin'.

As I was taking the unit off the mounting bracket, I found the problem. My five-month-old LMS 520 has a bunch of water INSIDE the unit itself.

I got to thinking; four days ago, I stayed out in a driving rain all day long and fished. I have a pontoon boat set up for fishing. I just put the top up and kept on fishing. No problem, right?

I reckon my new Lowrance is not so watertight after all. Tomorrow I have to take my boat into the dealer for a replacement of the minkota on-board charging system. They will be surprised when I hand them my unit with a glass of water sloshing around inside it. I hear Lowarance no longer makes the 520. So it will be interesting to see how they 'fix' my fine-and-dandy five-month-old unit. I hope I can just change it out at the dealer...because I don't look forward to dealing with Lowrance on service issues. They are as slow as Christmas about everything, since they have laid off so many workers. The ones they have left are actually PRODUCING units, and customer service has really suffered as a result. Every call to them is at least-- a 45-minute wait (on hold) before you finally get a real person.

I think I'm about ready to change brands. Hope you find the solution to your issues. Mine are under warranty (thank the Lord), even if it does take six weeks. <><

aj

sounds to me like the sonar signals are getting crossed, so to speak. Try running only one at a time, that could make a difference.

labsnslabs, it sounds like you have a 'low voltage' problem. Check all the conections and make sure your battery is fully charged. You might even check the cells with a hydrometer & load test it. <*)}}}><

For ANY issues with Lowrance equipment, contact this lady:

Linda Colt
Customer Service Department

12000 East Skelly Drive

Tulsa, Ok 74128

1-800-324-1356 #8747

Direct line 918-438-8747

Fax 918-234-1745

Email: [email protected]


She provides top notch service and cares about the customer.

Jeff

Thanks guys, I am going to do some trouble shooting this weekend.

Before you get too far into it, just take the unit off and shake it. Water ain't cool inside donchaknow. Next, I'd really look hard at the battery system. I had my on-board charger replaced this past week, but before I did, I had 'freeze up' or turning off issues when the voltage dropped too far.

Lowrance is replacing my unit. It's been gone a week and I have been fishing (basically) blind. It's a good thing the specks have been shallow. I surely hope to have my replacement unit within the next couple of weeks.

aj

what it took mine to get back on a replacement for my 520C. just bought the GPS to go with it so Now I've got to figure out HOW to get that going

Originally Posted by Arkie John

As I was taking the unit off the mounting bracket, I found the problem. My five-month-old LMS 520 has a bunch of water INSIDE the unit itself.
aj

I bought a LMS 522 and about two weeks later I had the same problem... it just quit workin'. I had fished in the rain three or four times and it sounded like I was shakin' a milk jug there was so much water in it. I called Lowrance and they told me that it would be 4-6 weeks getting a new unit so I took mine back to the dealer and he order a new unit to replace mine (said that he would deal with the Lowrance return:D:D) It only took a week to get the new unit. I have fished with the new unit in the rain a couple of times and haven't "heard" any water shaking in it yet... they must have had a bunch of units go out with bad seals in them or something???
Blake