Help with Lowrance

[SekiuSaba]

I have a Lowrance 337C depth/sounder combo that has always worked flawlessly.  I think it must be mad at me for not fishing much this winter.  I installed it back in the boat two weeks ago after a winter of being stored in the garage.  The unit was working fine.  All of a sudden on three seperate occasions it has taken it upon itself to turn on.  The screen blinks continuously and with each blink the maching beeps.  I turn it off using the power switch on the unit and it recycles and does the same thing over and over.  If I unplug the power it does go off.   I have been able to plug it back in and it has worked ok, powers up and down, finds signal etc.   It has been 4 days without any problem and again today my neighbor came over and told me my boat was beeping again!.  Any ideas on what the problem may be?

[Vancouvertechie]

Have you looked into updating the firmware? 

http://www.lowrance.com/en/Products/Marine/Full-Size-SonarGPS-Chartplotter-Combos/LMS-337C-DF/Downloads/LMS-337C-DF-Software-Update/

[Danno]

I could also be moisture in the contacts causing the switches to activate. Take it out of the boat and set it atop the fridge where it will be warm for a while.

That's not likely the problem. Just a shot in the dark.

[t2shortb]

Hey, I have an eagle seacharter df unit in my small lake boat... same unit as the 337 df and I had the same problem with mine....
I was leaving it on the boat outside and then it started doing the exact same thing you are talking about. I took it inside and tore it apart to check out the button contacts, only to find that the button panel is a sealed unit... I let it "dry out" (if that was even the problem) and it has been fine ever sense. There is also a soft and a hard reset you can do to basicly reboot the unit....

Soft Reset (Does not delete GPSData)
1. Turn unit OFF 2. Press and holdthe PAGES key
3. Press and hold the PWR key
4. Release both buttons when the USA map
Appears

Hard Reset (Deletes stored GPS Data
such as Waypoints and trails)
1. Back up any waypoints, routes,and trails that you want to save on a blank MMC card
2. Turn unit OFF
3. Press and hold the ZIN&ZOUTKeys at
the same time
4. Pressand hold the PWR key
5. Release both buttons when the USAmap
appears

[SekiuSaba]

Thanks for the suggestions.  I will try them one at a time and hope something works.  In case it doesn't, does anyone have experience or have any thoughs on the Lowrance HDS- 5? 

[Enniberg]

There is a fairly recent discussion about the HDS-5 and other alternatives here http://arimaboatownersgroup.com/index.php?topic=247.msg2314;topicseen#msg2314

[SekiuSaba]

Thanks for the link. 

[SekiuSaba]

An update and some information.  After trying the firmware upgrade, the soft and hard reset, the problem did not go away.  I called Lowrance to see if they had any hints.  They indicated that while it is not a common problem, it is a known issue.  My 337 is on its way to the factory for repair.  If they can fix it the total charge is 62.50.  If they can't, which seems the more likely scenario since the service guy said it was most likely the motherboard, they will send a replacement.  The current replacement for the 337 is the HDS-5.  The cost for the replacement will be 327.50!  That is a lot cheaper than it is available from anyone else I found!  I added the insight coastal charts for another 90.00. 

Thanks again for all of your input. 

[Threeweight]

Now here's the real question... are you hoping they can fix it, or praying its toast?  :biggrin:

[SekiuSaba]

My wife asked the same question.   I just put it in the mail and didn't do the best job of packing it, just one layer of bubble wrap in a big box.  Now if I can only get eggs with the toast!