Help troubleshooting humminbird 999 SI screen freezing

Hello All,

I'm looking for help on troubleshooting humminbird 999 screen freezing up.

My system:
999 SI
959 DI
terrova I-pilot link
360 bow mount and GPS heading puck

All networked together with 5 port switch.

Installed 360 last spring, updated to latest software revisions on birds and i pilot link. Everything worked as it should. At some point I noticed that 999 seemed sluggish in response when using cursor to mark structure on side imaging. Started using Humminbird PC to organize and reduce amount of waypoints on the units (approx. 1000 waypoints). I figured this would help out, by reducing down to 200 - 300 waypoints on the units. This did not help with the sluggishness of the 999. By the end of the summer, the 999 screen would freeze - on different views while not pressing any buttons (just fishing and look back to see screen and it would be froze up), other times it would freeze after trying to save waypoint in SI (Screen shot is turned on). Also, not too long after all this, the 999 would turn off when starting the main motor (after fishing for extended periods without using the main motor) . So, I know the cranking battery is getting low when 999 shuts off when firing the main motor (found that out the hard way). Cranking battery is always charged along with trolling motor batteries on 3 bank charger.

So my thoughts/questions:
I figure its time to get new cranking battery ( going on 7 yrs use), upgrading to better to handle all the electronics.

I still have SD card with approx 1200 screen shots on it. Should I erase these off (I have screen shots saved to computer for viewing) the SD card?

Any other thoughts as to why my 999 keeps freezing and why its sluggish?

Thanks in advance!

I’m sure Rickie will get on here with way more knowledge than I have, but my first reaction is you are not getting proper voltage to that unit. Is it wired directly to battery? If not where is it wired to? I would first and foremost save everything you can to SD cards and load to Humminbird PC for safe keeping. Then I’d replace cranking battery with biggest battery you can fit in the space you have. Then I would start at unit and trace wiring back to battery checking every thing for a bad or weak connection. You really should have everything wired directly to battery. In your case with so many things I’d suggest a fuesable buss bar with 8 gauge wire from battery to it, then wire each unit to that bussbar with the appropriate fuse.

7 years on a battery is a long time and most likely the reason for your problem. Screen shots are not stored in Memory so don't believe that would cause the problem.

Cray,

I used the power from the unit that came in the dash from the factory (2012 Lowe Stinger). I unhooked that unit and removed it. I'm sure the power goes through the factory fuse block somehow. If I remember correctly, there is an inline fuse there, so I'm guessing its hooked into another circuit with higher amp fuse and other components on that circuit. Only other time I had an issue with the 999 shutting off was before I had a power switch for the ethernet switch and before I had the 3 bank charger - I used to not charge the cranking battrery. The battery was clearly dead that time - wouldn't even start the big motor. I'm hoping that its just time for a new and upgraded battery. If the new battery doesn't work, then I will look into redoing the power for the birds, etc. Thanks for your help!

EZ/Cray,

I have an Interstate 24M-XHD in the boat now. Looks like I got enough room and plan to go with an Interstate 27M-XHD. Thanks for your help!

I also have the 999 unit. Do you have enough space to run a dedicated battery for your fish finders? I had a similar problem until I set up a battery just for the finders.

Nothing, if your old fuse holder is the inline tube type replace it with one of these. Those inline tube type fuses are a great source of losing voltage.
ATC & ATO Weatherproof Fuse Holders - 12 Gauge
You can find one of these at about any parts store and proper size fuse.