HB hook up issues

Bought a new HB 859 for the bow of my boat. Ran various HB and Lowarance (boo hiss) for 15 years on the front. Used the original wire harness for the machine. Every time I start my engine the HB shuts down. Now I ran its own set of wires to the battery and it still does the same thing. I had the battery checked and it is 2 years old but it is kicking out more amps than it is rated for so I assume this is not the issue. I know the unit itself is not the issue and I am still running a Lowrance HDS7 (boo hiss) off the same battery along with all my accessories without issue. Anyone have a clue on this one??? I am stumped……

Your battery for your graph (which also is your starting battery) does not have enough amps to crank your motor and supply the HB unit. You will need a higher cranking amp battery.
What motor are you running on your boat?

90 HP 4 stroke Merc

More power, I’m good with that thanks!

So I bumped it up to a 29Amp battery from a 24 and it does the same thing????

http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Group-Size-29-Marine-Battery/20531539

bigpike wrote:

So I bumped it up to a 29Amp battery from a 24 and it does the same thing????

http://www.walmart.com/ip/EverStart-Maxx-Group-Size-29-Marine-Battery/20531539

I don’t know what year your 90 4S is, so I selected a 2010, which requires a 1000 MCA-rated battery. The one in your link, even new, is only rated at 845 MCA.

HRG

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So your telling me more power???

The year is 2002

bigpike wrote:

So your telling me more power???

The year is 2002

OK, for a 2002MY motor, that battery should be fine. How did you extend the leads from the ‘bird back to the battery? I’d shorten the Humminbird harness wires as much as possible, since they are so light-gauge, and use at least 16AWG for the run back to the battery.

Reading the reviews on that Ever-Start Maxx battery, there’s some dis-satisfaction with it’s capabilities. Any chance you could borrow and try a different battery?

HRG

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Thanks for the help. its an odd problem

Shortened up the wires like you said and ran direct leads with 14 gauge – what I had laying around – and we have lift off. Thanks so much for your help!

bigpike wrote:

Shortened up the wires like you said and ran direct leads with 14 gauge – what I had laying around – and we have lift off. Thanks so much for your help!

Cool! HRG

Well lift off came crashing back down. I cannot believe 1 unit can cause such a headache. The unit still turns off upon ignition at times. Also the unit gets interference from my foot pedal trolling motor when I operate that even though it is hooked up to a completely different system. Unfortunately I have not had much boat time due to my current relocation process but this is really bumming me out….any help would be grateful. I am ready to kiss this unit good bye

I don’t know if this helps but my bird had issues when I turned on motor etc. My local boat dealer said the issue sometimes was the result of interference and they installed some additional shielding over the wires. Works great now.

There are a few different things you can do to try to clear up the interference on the front locator. The most common solution is to put a ferrite ring on just above the control board on the trolling motor. Another thing is to make sure your power cord has a choke in it to also help cut down the interference.

Thanks guys, I will look into this. Ran it last night and it never shut down once on 4 start ups.

What do you have the low voltage warning in the Humminbird set to?
Try setting this to different values to see what voltage triggers the issue.

When installing the battery connection be sure the electronics connection is above the big lugs for the outboard. If underneath or on the post first it will cause issues.

Tom P. wrote:

When installing the battery connection be sure the electronics connection is above the big lugs for the outboard. If underneath or on the post first it will cause issues.

^^ True story. I had issues with my lowrance shutting down and realized the lugs going to motor were above the the electronics lugs, switched, and now it works fine.

Thanks I will check this also

Another thing is to observe what else is drawing on the battery when you start the motor.
I get a low voltage warning on the Humminbird when starting the engine.
If:
live well pump running
bilge running
360 is on (this is a real battery hog)
etc.

Another fix could be to run the birds, nav lights and other accessories on one battery and have one battery dedicated to starting your big motor. I have my boat set up like this and I never have to worry about whether my big motors battery will have enough juice at the end of a long day/night of fishing. You do add the weight of another battery but for me its worth it.