Lowrance 8200c...bit of help please

[CROOZY]

Hi all,
I have just installed a Lowrance 8200c Globalmap GPS, on its maiden voyage I kept loosing my position (loss of satalites) every few minutes, the system would refind my position then a few minutes later I would loose it again ?? the GPS sensor is mounted externally on the roof of the cabin, just at the base of the windscreen, I havent tried to reset to factory settings yet to see if I may have pushed a wrong button somewere, I will do so this weekend...any ideas
Cheers Phil

[peterbo3]

Being mounted at the base of the windscreen may be preventing the GPS from acquiring & holding the sats. Can you mount the receiver on the top of your windscreen or on the hardtop if you have one. If the roof of the cabin is the only option then you may need to mount the mushroom on an extension long enough to give you a 360 deg field of reception.
Did you do a trial run on land to check if the unit was working OK? If all was good, would seem to be antenna related.

[Shanoss]

If the roof of the cabin is the only option then you may need to mount the mushroom on an extension long enough to give you a 360 deg field of reception.

For some strange reason Lowrance do not provide the "mushroom" with their units anymore. Too bad for all the people without hardtops or cabins eh. You can not even buy them seperately for that matter.

[CROOZY]

Thanks, I tried holding the sensor overhead(360 deg. position) and I was still loosing the satelites, the pop up on the screen said "GPS reciever not responding". Got me buggered
Cheers Phil

[withoutatrace]

I had a similar problem and rechecked all wiring and downloaded the latest software. Try this info from the Lowrance web site. WOAT

These GPS modules are designed to operate with NMEA 2000 compatible systems. These require a power supply to operate. This is either supplied directly to the network or through an extra cable (NMEA 2000 Power) on the unit power cable. This is often overlooked.
Ensure proper power is supplied to the unit for operation. Follow trouble shooting for related issues if needed. Ensure proper power is being provided to the GPS module. If not configured for a network, power should also be applied to the NMEA 2000 Power cable. Apply the red wire to a fused (3A) +12V supply. Ground both the black wire and the shielded ground (bare wire). To determine if an interruption in power is preventing the GPS operation, review this document.

• Check and clean connections between the display portion of the unit and the GPS module. A minimum of two connections will be in the cabling and possibly more. Trace the cable and clean contacts at each connector as needed. Clean all connections with an anti-corrosion clean for electronics as needed. Ensure that a Liner Architecture is observed if using a LowranceNET or NMEA 2000 network.
• Check the terminating resistor(s). There may be one 60 Ohm terminator or two 120 Ohm terminators. Simply check the short end of the Y cable. If a hard plastic "T" is in use, check the end for the terminator. Any evidence of scorch or fowling may indicate a replacement terminator or cable should be obtained.
• Isolate the RS-232 communications (NMEA-0183) cable. This will have 4 wires, yellow/Orange/Blue/Shield. Tape each wire individually and then together if not using the NMEA communications.
• Update the unit and the GPS module to their latest software version. If an earlier version of software for a module is operated with an newer version of the unit, communications may not function properly. Update the unit and GPS module accordingly by following this link
• Reset the unit. Resets for your particular unit are available HERE
• After updating, check the NMEA 2000 Bus. Press menu from a main operating page and select the NMEA 2000 menu and choose the Bus Setup option. If other devices on the network are visible, check the connection at the GPS module to the network as well as other cabling between the module and other properly operating devices. If the LGC-2000 is visible, select this option to view data for software version, and additional data. The status may indicate not-configured or OK. If not configured, change the instance to 255.
• Reset the network by removing power from the NMEA 2000 power cable. Keep power off for a couple minutes to allow all devices to properly reset. Reapply power to the network.

If problems persist, it is difficult to determine the actual fault due to the cables, terminators and other devices in use. Attempting operation on another available system to isolate the communication error is ideal if possible

[Spaniard_King]

Dodgy GPA antenna or wirring to antenna

[CROOZY]

Hey all, tried everything, ended up ripping the whole lot out and sending it back for an exchange, patiently waiting.
Cheers Croozy

[ozbee]

having same problem with my new lc125 seem to drop when one sat drops out even though it reading heaps reboot has it back straight away like to hear how you going croozy may be in same boat

[Haurp]

Have you checked out the software. Maybe you need to tell the unit about the antennae maybe internal or external