Low voltage

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Rob Lee

Member
Had two Helix 10's installed and new Optima battery. Low voltage alarms on both graphs and low voltage alarm on Mercury Optimax 225. Does anyone know somebody who can check this out for me? Also, does anyone one know a power pole guru? Thanks for any help. Good fishing.
 
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AreTheyBiting

Member
Rob
Which Optima battery did you buy?

The Optimax engines are extremely sensitive to batteries that don't meet the list requirements
I learned this the hard way when I first got my boat
Several brand new marine batteries left me stranded. The problem was only fixed by going with a listed battery (Sears Platinum PM-1 NLA)

The only approved Optima is the group 31
John
 
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Rob Lee

Member
I appreciate your response. I replaced the old optima group 31 (over seven (7) years old) with a new group 31. Never, ever had this problem previously, even with graphs. Would you happen to know anyone who does this type of work? Thanks again John.
 
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AreTheyBiting

Member
I would get your alternator tested
If the boat is old enough to have a 7 year old battery, it is possible the alternator is going out

As for Electronics:
I can recommend Justin at Bass Boat Electronics
He is a board sponsor
I recently bought a new HDS9T from him and was impressed with his knowledge
Draw back is he is in Knoxville
I have no first hand knowledge of anyone else
 
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Chick68

New member
My birds did the same thing so I ran a larger wire from my starting battery to each unit and it fixed them .
 
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AreTheyBiting

Member
Good luck with it Rob
Wish I could have been more help
 
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Rob Lee

Member
Chick68...thanks for your input...I appreciate it. Now if I can find some trustworthy and knowledgeable sole who can check this out. Thanks again.
 
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Rob Lee

Member
Thanks John. You may be right. And I had read somewhere what Chick68 suggested. New to this forum, a wealth of information.
 
djsmarinelectronics

djsmarinelectronics

Active member
Typically, installers will use the existing wiring or an existing terminal that has numerous outlets. Any brand 10" or 12" unit pulls a LOT of amps. Installation of these units should be straight to the battery with at least 16/2 gauge wiring and 14/2 on 12" units. Most of the time boats are not fitted with units any bigger than a 9" unit and that is what they are wired to run; wires are normally 18 to 22 gauge; nowhere near the supply line needed for bigger units. Dropping voltage is a very good sign that the supply line is not adequate.
 
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Rob Lee

Member
Thanks for the info. I sent you an email earlier tonight. I was wandering if your company performs this type of work? Thanks for your time.
 
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silvertalon

Active member
Just put a volt meter on your battery and run the engine. You will quickly see if the alt is putting out when you increase rpm's. I'm running an ARCO 50 Amp replacement alt on my OPTI 225 and it works fine-with 4 Lowrance units and full livewell pumps running- on a 31 series battery.
 
djsmarinelectronics

djsmarinelectronics

Active member
silvertalon - 4/22/2017 9:03 AM

Just put a volt meter on your battery and run the engine. You will quickly see if the alt is putting out when you increase rpm's. I'm running an ARCO 50 Amp replacement alt on my OPTI 225 and it works fine-with 4 Lowrance units and full livewell pumps running- on a 31 series battery.
Click to expand...

Or with a Humminbird and Lowrance just bring the voltage meter up in the screen and you can see exactly what voltage you are getting at the graph........
 
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Rob Lee

Member
I have the system status in "view" which shows voltage to each unit. Fully charged the unit on the bow is 11.5v. After fishing a couple of hours running trolling motor; occasional use of power poles and bow graph unit on....the voltage dropped to 9v and shut down. That is when the optimax sounded low voltage alarm. I ran the big motor for awhile. Afterwards the voltage on the bow unit returned to 11.5v. I kept it shut down the remainder of the day for the most part. I appreciate the input. This fishing forum is truly great. Glad I found it. Thanks again.
 
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Oldman

Active member
you shouldn't have nothing on trolling battery's except trolling motor.every thing else should be on cranking battery.
 
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Rob Lee

Member
I misspoke, so at time, in reality only the bow unit and the power poles were running on the cranking battery. Good catch. Thanks again.
 
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AreTheyBiting

Member
Rob,
I sent you a PM with a link to testing your alternator
I hate putting links on one forum from another forum
I think that is disrespectful to the owners of this board

That said the link will walk you through testing your alternator

I would do three things
1) run a dedicated power line to each unit straight from the battery 16 guage or better. dont forget a fuse
2) test the alternator
3) test the battery

in that order stopping when the problem reveals itself
John
 
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chillerman69

New member
looks like you have plenty of advice on your graph so I'll just suggest you calling power pole and talking one of their people. In my opinion, they're the most helpful people in the marine industry. Also, if you have a parts issue, it may be under warranty and once again, they really honor their warranty. great people and easy to talk to
 
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