Lowrance elite DSI problems (problem found)

Hello Ive had my elite dsi for about a couple of months and ive been wanting to really like it. I have the transducer hanging off the side on a ram arm hoping for the best picture quality and it still looks pretty bad. I mainly fish lakes. I took it out last weekend to folsom and when i got home, tried to turn it back on, it just goes to the first home screen that prompts you to push enter and it turns off. I bought new batteries, (using 8 AA's) and still the same thing. I also have a 12v 7 amp battery and it does the same thing also, so Im expecting its the head unit. Getting really frustrated with this unit, on the verge of just returning it to Cabelas. Does anybody have any tips or suggestions? thanks!

What is the battery voltage while the unit is on?

If you have no battery issues. Reset to the units defaults. Sometimes adjustments "accidentally" get changed and this should fix it. If you're still having issues, send it in, Lowrance customer service is great. Hope all works out for the best.

- Mike

With or without GPS?

With or without GPS?

If you have no battery issues. Reset to the units defaults. Sometimes adjustments "accidentally" get changed and this should fix it. If you're still having issues, send it in, Lowrance customer service is great. Hope all works out for the best.

- Mike

What is the battery voltage while the unit is on?

10.1 v, its with gps, I did the reset holding down the + and - while powering on and still same thing

10.1 v is too low... you need more voltage.   
Generally, a 12v battery is discharged at 11.90 volts.
and it's at 50% charged  @ 12.20 volts.
Fully charged @ 12.70 volts.

Unit will operate down to about 10-10.2v.  That sounds like the issue.  A good battery should be in the mid-12's to low 13v fully charged & ready to run.

As for the poor image; explain what it is/is not doing.

Bill

but ive been using the same battery set up for a few times, so 10.1v is too low while unit is on? its 11.9v with unit off. image definetely doesnt look like the demo mode when im on the water, especially when im moving. Really no detail when going over structure like the demo shows. sometimes it would give me wrong depths and blink when im in less than 100 ft of water.

10.1v would definitely be a problem. Although it puts out 10.1v, it may not be putting out enough amperage to power the unit fully. A good battery at the end of a full day use should still be at around 12.0v. If you don't have another good battery, you can test the unit with your car battery.

Also, if you're using 8x1.5v AA, it's not enough. Usually people use 10x1.5v AA.

Good luck,
ernest

Also if you are using rechargeable AA they are usually 1.2v

Sent from my Galaxy Nexus using Tapatalk

I agree with battery being low. I have the Elite 5 HDI and it has shutoff on me at 11.7 volts.

Get a better battery setup, the 12v 7Ah battery you have should start at least at 12.8v fully charged. My 12v 7ah sealed battery starts at 13.5v fully charged.

Good luck.

ok guys I connected it to my 12v deep cycle trolling motor battery that I have, measured it at 12.4 with unit on, but it still shuts off at the press enter screen...

If wiring is good, then it's time to return the sucker.

Could be a bad unit.  Rare but it does happen.  Exchange where you bought it or Lowrance will take care of you.  Either way.

The shots you see on the demo aren't computer generated.  Those are actual shots taken in a unit.  Sounds like some settings could have been adjusted.  Make sure the transducer is parallel to water so it can get a reading/signal.  Play with the 455 vs 800 frequency settings if desired.  Factory reset.  Check current software version.  Reset will loose waypoints so back em up if they are important to you.  Sounds like changing the unit out may be the best option or take it into a store & hook it up to their power/transducer cord to make sure it isn't a cord related issue regarding power.

If all else fails, they have a good toll free helpline to get the ball rolling if you decide to send it into them.

Bill

If wiring is good, then it's time to return the sucker.

yeah I think thats my next step..sucks, I really wanted to like this unit. was thinking about getting the garmin 500c, I really like how that unit looks but only bad thing no gps in that $200 price range