Chart plotter/fish finder issues need some help

[Poncho]

Hi guys my name is John I would like to take this opportunity to introduce myself to the boat forum as this isy first boat. I just picked up a 2002 Parker 1801. With a raymarine a60/a65 chart plotter and fish finder. The guy I bought it from was a great guy and was up front and told me the issues it had. The unit works great other than two issues. First issue. When I shut boat off to drift And turn it back on i get a power surge and it kills power to the fish finder chart plotter and it shuts off. Second issue is for the life of me I cannot figure out how to change the time and date on the unit. And there is nothing in manual about changing date and time it say Previous owner (an Engineer) couldn't figure it out either. If you guys could give me any insight on how to fix these problems it would be greatly appreciated.

[BigBo]

I can't help you with the time and date issue, but the electrical issue sounds like he tapped into the motor wiring for a power source. Make sure to have a sufficient gauged size wire direct from the battery to a fused power strip. And then a dedicated 12 volt DC power wire to the unit. The manual should indicate what size fuse to have in-line to the unit, but they are generally 2-3 amp fuses.

[timmah]

Look for something in the menu settings to use network time or system time. The unit should be hard wired to caculate the time and date based on your position.
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[MakoMike]

Do you have a single or dual batteries?

[Raider Ronnie]

If you have 2 batteries and run off one at a time and they shut off at restart you got a voltage drop issue.
One easy fix (assuming you have 2 batteries)
Switch to both batteries at restart then back to 1 or 2 battery (don't switch to or across off)
The other question about the clock. search the menu prompts.
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[Raider Ronnie]

Also
Parker cheaps out on the battery cables using copper strand cable ( not tinned)
If the boat is older good chance they are full of corrosion and time to be replaced.
If you replace them use good (tinned) cable.
I would go heavier gage than what you got also.
4 gage minimum or 2 even better.
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[Poncho]

Single battery
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[MakoMike]

You're not going to like this but install a second battery dedicated for electronics and emergency starts. Put it on an isolator and then wire the electronics directly to it, through a fuse block. Problem solved.

[Poncho]

Could I run a live well off second battery as well or would that be to much
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[piemma]

I usually shut down when we drift pogies. I switch to one battery for the live well and all the electronics. When I am ready to power back up, I switch to both batteries for starting. I haven't had any issues.

[MakoMike]

Originally Posted by Poncho

Could I run a live well off second battery as well or would that be to much
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

Probably, as long as long as you didn't leave it on too long, like overnight.

[Poncho]

Great stuff guys thank
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[beamie]

Originally Posted by piemma

I usually shut down when we drift pogies. I switch to one battery for the live well and all the electronics. When I am ready to power back up, I switch to both batteries for starting. I haven't had any issues.

That's exactly what I do too Piemma

[saltyric]

Definitely a Power issue. The Ray stuff is very voltage sensitive. I had a similar issue when my system was connected to the boats main electrical panel. Turning over the motor would just draw too much and the ray system would drop out. I ended up installing a new fuse panel with over sized power cables straight to the battery switch. As for the time and date, the raymarine site has all the manuals for download.....I would start there.

Update: just checked the manual. There is a note on page 34 that says the time and date are updated through the GPS automatically.

https://flir.app.box.com/s/gxtzo5bn5...3/3358757758/1

[Poncho]

Salt I read that section but there is no clear answer to change time and date it says it is done automatic but it defiantly isn't I went through all the menus and did not see a date time section
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

[saltyric]

Originally Posted by Poncho

Salt I read that section but there is no clear answer to change time and date it says it is done automatic but it defiantly isn't I went through all the menus and did not see a date time section
Posted from my iPhone/Mobile device

I will check on my ray system the next time I am on the boat. I wonder if your "time offset" is set correctly?

I take the batteries out of my boat every winter, and do not need to reset clocks on the c-80's when the battteries are connected......they set the time automatically.