Hook2-7 install trouble: Voltage Drop?

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03-05-2018, 12:05 PM
Crapnute

Hook2-7 install trouble: Voltage Drop?

I purchased and began installing a new Lowrance Hook2-7 on the front of my boat. I wanted a wider finder on the front. My little 4" H-bird was starting give me some problems.

I got the old finder off the front of the boat went to power up the Hook2 and got nothing. I checked my connections, looked good, put my meter on them & had 10-11 volts. Finder would not work. I tried several other things before hooking the finder directly to the battery. The finder comes on & works properly. The voltage at my battery is greater than at the front of the boat based on my meter reading. With the meter I have, I cannot tell exactly what the voltage difference is.

It appears, I have low voltage at the front of the boat. I have a 2008 Lowe Stinger 175. Power from the cranking battery comes in to a fuse box beneath the dash. Leads from there, then run out to the bow.

My first step will be to clean & reattach my battery cables.

If anyone can offer advice or support I would certainly appreciate it.
03-05-2018, 12:23 PM
Ralo79

Most finders cut off with low voltage. You didn't state where you checked the voltage at. If you got it to work directly from battery sounds like you may have some corrosion at the fuse block . Doesn't take much voltage drop to cause a problem. Also if battery is in good order you should get between 12-13v on a charged battery. JMO.

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03-05-2018, 01:26 PM
Crapnute

I checked voltage at the leads where I was connecting the power cable in the bow.
03-05-2018, 01:37 PM
TeeDee

I would test the voltage thru the system starting at the battery, then going into the fuse block, out of the block and then at the bow. Somewhere along the way you should see where the loss is. Likely a poor/loose connection. corrosion, etc. altho a partially open lead is not impossible. Once found you can address the cure.
03-05-2018, 04:59 PM
Cray

If you want to do it right, run a dedicated set of wires with their own fuse straight from battery to front of boat. Use 12-10 gauge wire and install a blade type fuse holder at battery. All these new electronics require a lot more voltage and amps than old units.
03-06-2018, 07:59 PM
Crapnute

Ok. I cleaned connections and charged my battery. I am only reading 12.3 volts at battery after charging. Battery was left unhooked all day. I checked after work this evening. I am thinking battery is bad. Also checked voltage at bow and am reading 12.3 as well. So no voltage drop. I have not tried reattaching finder.
My TM batteries read 12.8 and 12.9 volts.
Some reading I have done says battery should be at 12.8 volts fully charged.
03-07-2018, 12:53 PM
Barnacle Bill

12.3 volts is only 70% charged. Have that battery load tested.
03-07-2018, 01:07 PM
Crapnute

Quote:

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

12.3 volts is only 70% charged. Have that battery load tested.

Will do. Work is interfering with my problem solving. :banghead
Thank you for your advice. My son will be home from college Saturday afternoon. We have 2 days of fishing Sunday & Monday to do!
I have to resolve this issue.
03-11-2018, 06:40 PM
Crapnute

Issue resolved: Battery was discharged. Once fully charged, holding at 12.7 volts. Fished for 6 hours today no issues. Thanks for the help. Lesson learned.