Helix SI, I-pilot Link, Network Hub, Networking issues

Having problems with loss of signal from my HD transducer connected to my dash Helix 10 SI to my Helix 10 SI mounted on the bow.


My setup:
Dash: Helix 10 SI connected to HD SI transducer on the transom.
Bow: Helix 10 SI connected to US2 transducer in my Ulterra with I-pilot Link.
Network Hub mounted under the dash connecting my Dash Helix, Bow Helix, and I-pilot Link. Network Hub is switched thru Accessory Switch on dash, that is the only load on the accessory switch.


Normal setup: Dash reads from transom mounted transducer, Bow reads from US2 for depth, and HD Transducer via the Dash unit for SI and DI inputs.


Problem: For the last few fishing trips when I move to the bow to start fishing, I power up the Bow unit, and get indication that i-pilot link is connected, and verify that I have input from the Dash unit for DI and SI input. with in minutes I start getting a loss of SI input or loss of DI input warning popping up on the bow unit, never any indication that I have lost i-pilot or US2 input. I clear the warning and check the network setup, all inputs still indicate to be there and select the Dash unit again for DI and SI input, minutes later the same thing occurs. I have pulled all connections, cleaned them and put di-electric grease on all of them to make sure I don't have a corrosion issue taking place. The last two times out, after giving up on wiggling wires, etc to determine where the high resistance connection could be, the problem just goes away on its own after an hour or so. I never have issues with the HD transducer on the Dash unit, or any indication of loss of input to the Dash unit, only input to the bow unit being lost from the Dash unit.


So, since I have cleaned and relubricated every connector, verified no power problems or reduction in voltages of any type, and am not having any issues with i-pilot that routes thru the same network, my question is what do I need to look at next to solve this problem? I posted this same question on the side imaging forum to see if anyone on there has an idea also. Any thoughts of where to look next?

Thanks,
Brent

Try a different connector on the AS ETH 5XPG from the bow unit ...

Another test would be to test the Ethernet connection directly between the 2 head units ... Bypassing the AS ETH 5XPG and the iPilot ...

Ethernet cables have been reported as going bad as well as the AS ETH 5XPG not working correctly ...

Rickie

Thanks Rickie, will give that a try.


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Are you using the Network Switch Rickie references in above post or the older model?

yes, using the Switch that Rickie referenced. I have tried switching ports on the switch, still had the issue for the first 30 minutes or so, but after that it stopped and everything worked fine. Going to try the direct connection this week when I have time.

OK, that was interesting, but don't know what it means. Today, wired the two Helix units together without the network hub, still the same problem, put the hub back in line and played musical ports always the same issue. Went into network settings on the bow unit and changed 2D source from bow unit (which is connected to the US2 transducer in my Ulterra) to the Dash unit (which is connected to the HD SI transducer on the transom), and reset the sonar settings to HD SI transducer on the bow unit, all the problems went away. Changed the 2D source back to bow unit and problems returned, tried every transducer setting under the sonar menu and always had the problem with loss of SI and or Di sonar source. As soon as I changed back to dash unit for 2D sonar source, all problems went away again. Guess my bow unit just doesn't like being hooked up to the US2 transducer in the Ulterra.

The HELIX connected to the US2 must have "HB 83/200" selected as the "Connected Transducer" under the Sonar tab ...

Please verify ...

Rickie

Verified, my bow unit is connected to the US2 and HB 83/200 was selected during all of the problems. The only way I could get the problem to go away was to select the HD SI transducer that is connected to my Dash unit as the 2D source for my bow unit on the network tab.


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Have you tried swapping head units from bow to console ...??

Rickie

No haven't tried that, will try that next.


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Sounds like you have done some good troubleshooting ..... In addition to what Rickie suggested, I'd give Humminbird a call and see what they have to say. I have been seeing a lot of networking glitches reported on the various forums lately. A lot of them seem to be when I-pilot link is one of the variables.

Maybe consider mounting your other HDSI transducer on the trolling motor so you don't have to share the imaging.

Thanks Bob, I have been considering mounting the HD SI xducer on the Ulterra, I currently have it mounted on my Terrova and did not have these problems when using the Terrova with i-pilot link, but installed i-pilot link on my ulterra, re-installed the Ulterra on the boat and upgraded software versions on my Helix's at the same time, so it may be just US2 related. Have to think about how I really want to do the install though cause I really don't want to add more stuff to the front of the boat.