Need someone with a Humminbird near Seattle

[The Quadfather]

I have a Humminbird 595C model f.f. The unit is 3 years old and has no issues til this summer. It will not power up.
I sent it back to the Humminbird factory in Alabama or somewhere. They charged a flat rate of $160.00 to fix the issue. At their request I only sent the monitor. That is what they wanted. Later they told me that they had fixed a circut board that was bad... cannot remember specificly which board.
While the unit was away, RSEAS from this site, was very nice to lend me his similar Humminbird unit. When mine did return,, I plugged it into my base on the boat. Still did not fire up....?? I then plugged it into the base from the loaner unit of RSEA'S. It worked here just fine....

I figured that it was a wiring issue between my f.f. and my battery. I have the leads from the f.f. which go to another thicker gauge wire (positive lead) black--- and a seperate thicker gauge wire that go to the battery (negative red)
See picture. I tested with a volt meter for power at the end of my two thick wires. Power was Strong/Fine. Yes, there is a fuse in line there... but obviously it was working for my positive power reading.
I then used water proof heat-shrink butt connectors to attach the leads from the f.f. to the heavy gauge wires.

So... Why am I not able to power up the unit when the monitor is placed on the stand?
It should be noted that I also just plain took the direct leeds from the f.f. and put them on the battery. No power. (The unit worked fine after doing that, when put on the friends stand.--- so I didn't blow anything up when bypassing the fuse.

If you still with me,, I need someone who has a humminbird unit that is even close at all to this one. It doesn't have to be the same. they can be used on similar stands. I'd like to come over and put your monitor on my stand and clarify that it is my stand that has the issue.

[FishingFool]

I have a HB. Where are you located at? I'm in Kent.

But reading your post gave me a headache, lol. I lost track of what is what.

So let me recap.


Combination of your headunit and your base does not work.

Your headunit and RSEAS's base works.


Have you tried RSEAS's headunit and your base yet? If so, what were the results?



Assuming RSEA's headunit does not work with your base, it's obviously your power cable. Maybe the pins are damaged or the wiring got damage somehow.



Also, by any chance, did you try reversing the polarity on the battery end? Wont do any damage, should be protected. But doesnt hurt to check.

[Anonymous]

Fyi - in most all direct current systems black is ground and red is power, in house wiring black is the "hot" wire and white is the "neutral". In your post you had it switched and I can't make out any + or - marks on the battery. I had done some troubleshooting on a FF system several months ago and found that one of the splices was just a weak connection. The voltage read great at the FF until it was turned on, it would then drop to near zero. It is perfectly common to be able to read a good voltage but have a poor connection that will not allow enough current to pass to power a device. Sort of like trying to wash your car with a hose that is partially kinked. If you can get your hands on one, use a voltmeter to check your power at the base unit's pins and work back from there. I'd offer to give you a hand this weekend but I will be out of town with the family. If you are still having trouble by next weekend let me know.

[The Quadfather]

Thanks for your offers and interest guys... but I don't honestly know what the deal was, except that is it all now working. I re-wired everything, used water proof, heat shrink butt connectors., swung a dead cat around my head twice.... and it all is now working.
Thanks for the support.

[coretron22]

hmm...more tricks from the Quadfather.
Does swinging the dead cat around your head improve fishing luck at all? If so, I may try it...can you use a dead nutria instead?

['OL GREY DOG]

did you save the dead cat for maggots ???
lolol just kid'n