Livescope Powering Down

[theTUGistheDRUG]

Posted this in my Livescope build thread, but thought I might get some more views in the general forum....

Ok, so I got my GLS10/LVS34 bundle.

Everything is put together and I am having some type of power supply issue on the plotter.  Verified the same issue with two different charged lithium batteries (Dakota 12V 10AH and Amped 14V 19AH).  The head unit screen goes black after 10-15 minutes every time I turn it on.  Then it powers back up for 15 min or so with no issues.  I did turn off the auto shutdown setting and even did a factory reset to make sure it took the setting change.

I also put on the voltage alarm on 12V, but that is not beeping before the unit goes off. 

The only variables I think I did not check is the voltage to the power cable harness and the unit cradle.  It is reading 16v when the livescope is plugged in so I am not sure it is a voltage issue....

Could it be a fuse issue?  Garmin's website says the lithium power cable bundle (https://www.garmin.com/en-US/p/780826) uses a 10A fuse, but the cable came with a 15A spade fuse installed.  Fuse is not burned.   I also don't have the ground connected on the GLS box, but I think this issue was happening before the box was even introduced and the box is functioning until it powers down.

Adding a bit more detail.  The unit screen turns black and I need to hold the power button to reboot.  It goes through its map loading, magenta line message, etc and then it goes back to the screen I left it on...  makes me wonder if it is a sleep mode.  I cannot cycle the power button when it goes black to wake it up.  I do notice that there is a faint backlight on the black screen but no functionality. 

For most of the troubleshooting I did not have the LVS34 connected (to avoid running it dry), but the box is plugged in.  Just tested it in water with the transducer plugged in and it froze up and shut down again as it was in active use.  It was reading 16v though so i don't think its a voltage issue...  I am not seeing any voltage drop, perspective mode was working (showing me the koi in the pond) and then the screen just froze and it turned off.

What am I missing? Anyone else having this issue?  I really hope its not a bad head unit since I bought it back in April.  Trying to see if this is a common fix before going to Garmin to start replacing things.

[rundrave]

is it possible you have the transducer on and its shutting down as a safety feature?

Try this:
To disable the active sonar, from the sonar screen, select MENU > Sonar Transmit.
To disable all sonar transmissions, press Power button, and select Disable Sonar.

I have been told to always keep sonar transmit off unless its in the water. It can heat up and it might be a safety feature causing yours to power down to keep it from getting damaged?

[theTUGistheDRUG]

I did have it connected for a while before I read that you should not run it dry.  I tried pausing it, but it was still transmitting even when paused.  I did put the LVS34 in the tiny fish pond I have at the house and it still locked up. Although it was functioning before it did. 

 I will give it a shot, thank you for the suggestion.  I did read about stopping transmitting but I was not sure the pathway to that option.   I would prefer to troubleshoot with everything plugged in so that could be a key piece of advice. 

[theTUGistheDRUG]

No dice although I did need to know that, so thank you. I was playing with the setting and the unit froze and shut down. Leaning towards hardware/software issue???

[missoulafish]

I see lots of comments on FB that say to reset if issues are encountered..

[theTUGistheDRUG]

I did restore default setting/hard reset once. I will try it again.

[theTUGistheDRUG]

Same deal after another reset. 10-15 minutes, freeze and shut down. Called Garmin and going to do a warranty replacement on the graph. Hoping that’s the issue. I isolated a lot of variable so I am thinking it must be. Will advise how it works out. Glad I won’t get ice for a few weeks. 

[missoulafish]

Guess it’s a good thing you found out before ice!

[theTUGistheDRUG]

So I went through a couple calls with Garmin and they were nice. Was going to send in my head unit for a replacement but it was a reconditioned replacement. There was another option to pay a hefty 500 plus deposit to get a unit prior to sending mine. Was leaning that way since I want to keep the new screen of the issue is not the screen. Called 3x with questions and they were helpful each time. Last guy offered to send me a cradle and replace the entire unit bundle since it was new in box condition. Waiting to check the cradle and then sending back the whole unit bundle for a new bundle 1:1 without paying deposit. Optimistic I will be ready to rock before the first big trek.

[missoulafish]

Dang man…..hope it works out!

[theTUGistheDRUG]

I think it was a frigging sd card issue. Got the new cradle and everything was great, no issues with powering down. Went to active captain and realized I took out the sd card when I was ready to ship it back to Garmin. Inserted sd card and powered up to a message about chart updates loading. Froze and shut down after 10-15 again. Wiped the card and reinserted. No issues. So best I can figure is that the unit must have shut down in the middle of receiving an update and that corrupt file was continually bricking me. Staying away from active captain unless there is software patches. Also got a backup sd.   What a weird one…

[SKfishin]

I know this is an older thread, but I am having the EXACT same issues.  Very frustrating.  Just got the unit pre-xmas and have had it out about 5 times now.  Def not battery as I have charged, and changed it.

I did a software update hoping that would rectify, but same problems again this past weekend.

Not sure what you meant by an SD card issue?  The only time I even had an SD card in the unit was when I did software update (and I think all went smoothly).

[theTUGistheDRUG]

So I was doing the updates off my phone and always leave the sd card installed. The only logical explanation I could come up with was that a live chart or community chart update was interrupted during install and the unit would always try to install this corrupted update when powered on. When it hit the update percentage with the missing/corrupt data it would power down. For me it was usually 15 min or so. Try restoring factory settings and power on without a card installed to see if it clears the downloads. The software updates shouldn’t reset when you restore settings. Hope it helps. It was driving me nuts and giving me major buyers remorse until I fixed it.

[SKfishin]

Once again, appreciate all your comments.  I will try as you mention.

But, ya, I know your pain, it is so frustrating (especially with the $$ spent, and of course my buddies in the hut with me making me second guess the purchase as well....lol).

This past weekend, I think the best I got was 45 mins, then off.  But other times might not even get 5 mins.  Crazy.

[theTUGistheDRUG]

You can try to get a replacement cradle from Garmin too. They will prob send you one free.

[SKfishin]

Thanks again.  I am going to try calling them today (I am in Canada).

What do you mean by the "cradle"?  The whole thing that holds the ice bundle (graph, black box, battery), or just the piece that the graph plugs into?

Why would the cradle be an issue.....wiring?

[theTUGistheDRUG]

Just the plastic piece that receives the head unit. They have had some issues with them.