Losing GPS signal/interlink disconnect

Had the boat out this weekend on Lake Michigan. While fishing my Humminbirds (997cSI and 917c) would suddenly loose GPS signal. I would turn the units off and power back up. They would hold a GPS signal for about 10 – 15 minutes and then loose the signal again. Once in a while they would indicate “interlink disconnect” when this happened. Every time this happened, I would look at the data page and it would indicate the interlink is disconnected even though nothing had changed. I certainly didn’t disconnect it. However both units indicated it was.

I unplugged the interlink and made sure all connections were good. Still same problem.

The GPS puck is connected to the interlink. One puck feeding both units. Have any of you guys seen this or know what it may be?

Check your battery voltage, I know from prior expierence if the voltage drops below I believe 11.5 volts it will dump out your GPS. Good Luck

Call Humminbird, and tell them what is going on, I had the same issue the early version of the Interlink had an issue, had a new interlink on my door step in 3 days, problem solved

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Check your battery voltage, I know from prior expierence if the voltage drops below I believe 11.5 volts it will dump out your GPS. Good Luck

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Are you guys running your electronics off their own battery or are you just using a 31 group battery for the main battery? Or is it more important to make sure it’s a quality battery that’s working properly? Regardless of size.

Well, got the boat back last night so I could finally tackle the GPS problem. With the interlink hooked up, I powered everything up and check the volts. Helm (12.4v)/Bow (11.6v 11.8v). Then I suddenly lost the GPS signal. A side note, the dealer didn’t hear my (or ignored) my request to use BOTH GPS pucks vs running one puck through the interlink. So I disconnected the interlink and hooked the GPS directly to the 997. The 997 worked perfectly and in fact, acquired the GPS signal infinitely faster. So I accepted that I needed to do the job right like I wanted done the first time. I drilled a few more holes in my boat and now I have two GPS pucks installed. One for each unit.

Q1 – Now here’s the weird part. Without the interlink connected and each unit having it’s own GPS puck. I’m getting 12.6v at the helm and 12.3v – 12.4v at the bow. Is it possible a faulty interlink was stealing volts from the bow unit?

Q2 – Jason, I see from your pictures that you are getting 14.4v at your 1197. Do you know how that’s possible? Did you rewire with heavier gauge wire to the fuse panel?

Q3 – I assume this isolates my problem to a faulty interlink. Does anyone have any other ideas that come to mind?

Currently I have a Group 27 Optima AGM battery that is running the accessories/electronics/Verado starting battery. Would it be better to upgrade group size of battery?

Sounds like you have a dud interlink. Do you have someone near you that has an uninstalled interlink sitting around? If so, swap it in and see if the problems disappear.

My battery voltage always reads 14+V when the big motor is running and the alternator is charging.

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Sounds like you have a dud interlink. Do you have someone near you that has an uninstalled interlink sitting around? If so, swap it in and see if the problems disappear.

My battery voltage always reads 14+V when the big motor is running and the alternator is charging.

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Ah, well. I’ll have to watch my volts when the big motor is running. Thanks Jason.