Networking problem?

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Fri Oct 30, 2015 6:17 pm

I have 2 hds 8 gen 2's, with lss1 black box. Having intermittent moderately frequent problems with the map networking function. Seems to work for a while then stop and the unit base map appears. Restart fixes it, occasionally it will flip back to Navionics chip located on console unit on its own, but not always. Turning on/off LSS will too. So referring to the bow unit not reading Navionics map. Happens pretty regularly after some time. Is this a cable problem? Happens too with the sonar swapping function, but not as frequently. Everything else seems ok. Power problem? Any thoughts?

Ken Sauret · Post by **Ken Sauret** » Sun Nov 01, 2015 8:54 am

I've seen these problems frequently with any Ethernet cable network. The problem is all the information that is shared via an Ethernet network. Normally the unit at the console is the Master so to say and the bow unit is the Slave to the settings in the Master unit.

That being said, both units continue to "talk" while both are on and seemingly automatic changes will be made after a period of time. I haven't completely figured out how to make settings and keep them intact. I would start with the front unit off or disconnected from the Ethernet cable and make your sonar transducer choices, GPS antenna settings and Map Data settings. Then power up the front unit, make all the choices you want the front unit to use. For example, you may change the source in sonar or GPS from Global to Local. Global means the unit can search the whole boat and all the devices connected to any network and choose any device to get input from. Local means the unit will only use devices plugged into that device to get input.

A lot of experimentation will be needed to get this straightened out. I'm sure you do not have any hardware problems because the system works for a while, (indicating nothing is wrong), and then they "talk" and settings get scrambled.

Good Fishing and God Bless,
Ken

Rob · Post by **Rob** » Wed Nov 04, 2015 11:40 pm

Thanks for the response Ken. That being said it seems like you would want to network map and gps i.e. Global source? Mapping to share card, but gps I'm unsure there's an advantage or disadvantage? Certainly the waypoints are networked but trying to decide if if the gps (I have a separate gps puck mounted for faster location update) is a disadvantage. As for sonar, I switch transducers depending on if I'm on the tm or driving to eliminate two signals and less interference than running two separate sonars pinging. Now I'm back to networking all major signals. I do network time and temp but not sure if that's enough data to overload the system? Or am I destined to "live with it". Thanks again.

Ken Sauret · Post by **Ken Sauret** » Thu Nov 05, 2015 6:49 pm

You won't "overload" the system. I use 2 Point 1 GPS antennas, one at the bow located within one foot of the trolling motor and one for the Console unit but mounted on the carpet of the back deck right in front of my Yamaha SHO. I put my puck GPS antennas in these locations because when you save a Waypoint, the longitude and latitude is exactly where the GPS antenna is located. I want the GPS antenna as close to the location of the transducer I'm looking at so when I place a Waypoint, the long and lat is as close to where the ducer was when I'm looking at a structure object on the bottom I'm marking.