"Fixed Position Lost" Raymarine E120W

[Seawindow]

Hi all, intermittently our chartplotter loses it's GPS position & all related metrics (SOG, AIS etc). Anybody have any pointers for trouble shooting this?

So far I've traced all connections from antenna to chartplotter and cleaned them up and made they secure.

If I power all instruments down and start up again I sometimes get it all back again, only to lose GPS randomly again.

It is hot here, 25-35C. Also my batteries have been dragging down to 12.0V but I am only running the instruments with engine running and 80A alternator pushing amps in.

Much appreciated for any advice. We are cruising and the position is helpful (although we have redundant systems also).

[boatpoker]

Low voltage, electronics are the first things affected.

[Seawindow]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Low voltage, electronics are the first things affected.

Thanks boatpoker. What about when we are motoring (like we are now!). Reading 13.0V +66A Batteries 812Ah (max 840Ah)? Still no GPS.

[Tampabayfireman]

We had a similar issue with an E80 and traced it to a too long wire to the gps head. Seems occasionally voltage fluxes cause gps signal loss and loss of position. Fixed by moving gps head closer. Yes it was after 3-4 mo installed.

[sailing 531]

I would think its an antenna problem and if that is outside and unobstructed u shouldn't have the problem . Maybe ask the manufacturer itself. Good luck

[boatpoker]

Originally Posted by Seawindow

Thanks boatpoker. What about when we are motoring (like we are now!). Reading 13.0V +66A Batteries 812Ah (max 840Ah)? Still no GPS.

Forget your battery monitor. Measure the voltage at the batteries

[SV Windrush II]

I have had the same problem with my Raymarine displays plugged into the seatalk to Nema converter. ended up being the connections. When i Plugged the cable directly to the plotter it was fine. Check or replace those connections and see if i makes a difference

[Seawindow]

Originally Posted by SV Windrush II

I have had the same problem with my Raymarine displays plugged into the seatalk to Nema converter. ended up being the connections. When i Plugged the cable directly to the plotter it was fine. Check or replace those connections and see if i makes a difference

Thanks!

[Seawindow]

Originally Posted by boatpoker

Forget your battery monitor. Measure the voltage at the batteries

Good point. Will do.

[smac999]

Which gps antenna you have? Probably a 120 or 125. They are all getting old and dying. I replace quite a few. Unfortunatlly the best replace also requires a converter kit and isn't cheap. The 130 with a seatalk conversion kit.

[eheffa]

The GPS antenna has a battery in it. When it's close to dead it can sometimes cause these intermittent failures. Try replacing that.

-evan

[SteveSails]

Originally Posted by eheffa

The GPS antenna has a battery in it. When it's close to dead it can sometimes cause these intermittent failures. Try replacing that.

-evan

The Raymarine 120 and 125 do not have a battery, they are powered by the SeaTalk bus.

[eheffa]

I have a Raymarine E120 Widescreen & the GPS antenna most definitely does have a small battery that acts to maintain some position data between usages. Mine was dying & causing the same Sx's as the OP reports. Replacement battery fixed the issue.

- evan

[SteveSails]

Originally Posted by eheffa

I have a Raymarine E120 Widescreen & the GPS antenna most definitely does have a small battery that acts to maintain some position data between usages. Mine was dying & causing the same Sx's as the OP reports. Replacement battery fixed the issue.

- evan

OK, my bad then, makes sense though given the failure mode, I just never saw any reference to a battery in the manual but it does say 'no user serviceable parts inside'.

What kind of battery? My 15+ yo 120( raystar 120 GPS & C80 plotter) is doing the same thing, suprised a battery lasted that long.

Thanks for the correction,
Steve

[eheffa]

Originally Posted by SteveSails

OK, my bad then, makes sense though given the failure mode, I just never saw any reference to a battery in the manual but it does say 'no user serviceable parts inside'.

What kind of battery? My 15+ yo 120( raystar 120 GPS & C80 plotter) is doing the same thing, suprised a battery lasted that long.

Thanks for the correction,
Steve

Hi,

When mine quit, the boat was quite new to me.

My mechanic/advisor told me that these older GPS units have this poorly documented battery inside and when the cell gets old & depleted the whole unit will intermittently stop working. Many folks will simply replace the whole GPS unit but if it is just the interior cell, it is fixable. He replaced the battery and it's worked well since.

My understanding is that it is some sort of lithium cell (CR2032) or such.

The GPS antenna has to be screwed apart to access it.

-evan

Edited by Pete7 - Moderator