Chartplotter Probs - Any Ideas?

[Ian M]

I have on-going issues with my chartplotter, frustration levels are getting high , grateful for any ideas.
My chartplotter is a Lowrance 5200c with a LGC 3000 antenna. It alternatively flashes the message "Position Lost", and "Positon Acquired" in rapid sucession. I have replaced the drop cable to the display unit, and replaced the 'T' in the network, but still no good. Last time out it worked OK for the first 10 minutes or so and then started the same routine of "Position Lost"," Position Acquired" in rapid sucession, as if an intermittent contact was causing a break in the signal path. Now with the boat parked up, and failing to acquire any position at all (flashing display parameters), the unit shows signal from 5 satellites, which would seem to indicate the antenna is OK. However, the manual says that it will show in diagramatic form the relative satellite positions within a 'polar' style plot, on the satellite status page; mine is blank, as in pic. Does this mean the antenna is shot, or is the display unit not processing the signals?? At this point I am faced with a high cost/long wait for replacement/assessment-repair (??) of the antenna, or far too many beer vouchers for a replacement head unit. Anyone been here before?

[MarkM]

Have a Lowrance 7000c which had the same problems. After surching for many months found out that when the voltage dropped towards 11,2 - 11,6 volts the problem occured.
Sprayed "Kontakt-Spray", for mechanical contacts on all of the contacts, and repeat that every few months, never had any problems after that.

[jambo]

Hi I have an older Lowrance 3500 and had the same problem 3 years ago. It was salt water on the rubber button contacts repeated wash with warm water fixed
J

Sent from my iPhone using Rib.net

[BruceB]

Had a simliar intermittent problem some years ago which was aloose plug in the a frame that just needed tightened, vibration had just loosened it off.
The defective aerial recently showed "OK" on the network but wasn't picking up any satellites....

[Ian M]

Originally Posted by BruceB

Had a simliar intermittent problem some years ago which was aloose plug in the a frame that just needed tightened, vibration had just loosened it off.
The defective aerial recently showed "OK" on the network but wasn't picking up any satellites....

That is what is causing me concern, mine might be seeing the satellites, one part of the display clearly shows signals, but the polar display shows nothing. Which indicator is right do you think???

[Erin]

Have you got anything else on the network that displays the lat and long from the aerial to be able to watch whether it comes and goes too? I'm also suprised you only have 5 satellites showing unless you're between tall buildings or indoors.

Very hard to tell which bit is at fault, but bear in mind that it's normal to get signal strength info well before the almanac data is collected to actually give you your position. Could be the aerial not sending the data properly or the head unit not processing it correctly.