Power problems Humminbird 597 mount

[prospector]

My 597 was loosing juice the other day when I would try to move it. I have a mount on my four wheeler as well as the portable case and it struggled on both. I could power it up fine and load my charts and as soon as I moved it, start over- please deposit $.25
My question for you guys is has anyone used a conductive grease to solve similar problems with electrical connections? What other options are available? The grease looks like it will work as long as you don't use too much and cause a short from the positive and negative connections being so close. Thanks guys!

[mvanhank222]

I would probably just clip a few inches of power cord and crimp new connectors to start with.

[Curley]

I would probably just clip a few inches of power cord and crimp new connectors to start with.

X2
You may want to re assemble the base unit to make sure the plugs are all the way up in the holder as well as the screws securing it are snug.

[bigstorm]

Mine would do that when I hit a bump while travling across a lake. It ended up being a problem on the power cord where it plugged into the 12V outlet on the ATV - the center conductor of the plug itself became loose and eventually fell out. I ended up gettign a new power cord

[CamoHunter]

I would agree with you guys, except for the fact he said it struggled on BOTH the atv AND his portable case. 

My first step would be to check the base mount on both the atv and the portable case.  Take the two screws out holding the cables, and double check them to make sure they are both holding the power cable how they are supposed to.  I've had the metal prong bend before, and not hold the power cable tightly where it needed to be.

But, do double check everything.  Battery connections on both setups.  And power cables on both setups. 

Might have to do a little troubleshooting at home to isolate the issue, before you go forward with grease or adjusting anything.

[mvanhank222]

I missed the portable case part it would help to know if he was running the same power cord or unplugging the unit from 2 different cords. I would assume the 2nd option that would make me think it is an issue on the unit side vs the cord.

[800stealth]

Check that the pins fit tightly to each other... I had to close up the female pins a bit on my 598 mount on my boat (the shanty pins were fine), I would have the unit shut down hitting big waves at speed just when I needed my GPS the most.

[prospector]

Thanks for the replies guys. It was the connection at the unit. Rather than grease, I put a bit of tin foil in the female side of the head unit. Used it all weekend without a glitch. Thanks again, Joe

[CamoHunter]

Check that the pins fit tightly to each other... I had to close up the female pins a bit on my 598 mount on my boat (the shanty pins were fine), I would have the unit shut down hitting big waves at speed just when I needed my GPS the most.

800stealth, I was just wondering how you closed up the female pins on your 598?  Aren't they enclosed inside the 598 head unit? 

prospector, glad you got it figured out.  Don't know if tin foil is a great permanent fix, but as long as it works solid for a while you're better off than you werel.   If 800stealth will share how he got inside to close the female connection that might be a more permanent solution for you. 

[800stealth]

I honestly don't remember... I may have bent the male pins so they would push on the side of the female pins harder if the female side is not accessable? I just remember having to mess with the pins a couple summers ago. I'm a mechanic by trade so I deal with bad connectors all the time... I just don't remember the specifics of this particular fix... Sorry I can't help more.