I finally broke down and put a 12 touch on the bow and a 9 touch on the console to network with my existing HDS 5 at the console. I love the setup and look forward to learning how to fully utilize all that it will do but the 12 has has a problem since day 1. After a couple minutes after it boots up The screen will just go black. I know it still allows for touch commands because it will respond to your touch. It will stay off for about 5 seconds then come back on. Then after a varying amount of time the unit will shut down completely. I went out night fishing Friday and learned that when its set to night mode, it does not act up at all. Then I went out Saturday morning and it started doing it when I put it in day mode. I went and turned the brightness down just a bit and it worked fine all day. So I have learned that when in full brightness mode it messes up but other modes that are dimmer work fine. Has anyone else heard of this? I did notice there is a new software out for them so I will update all three units and see of that helps.

I have 2 HDS 12 touch and run both at 100% bright during the day and have not had any problems. I do have the most current updates on both.

sounds like your unit has an issue. I would get it replaced

Just call them I had problems with my touch 7 sent it to them they couldn't figure it out a solution they just sent me a new one cost to me was just shipping and I insured it customer service was very good had the new back in 10 days

It could possibly be a voltage issue. It has the option to display voltage on the screen (under data overlay). See what voltage you're getting to it. If it's less than 11.5v or so, it'll cause problems.

Being that it works okay with less brightness, that tells me it could be a voltage deal.

+1
Get a meter. Check voltage and amps.

did you run the power through a switch or directly to the battery? should be directly to the battery. also you might need a bigger battery. if you are going to run 3 units and livewells you will defiantly need a 30 group.

Your best bet is to run power direct to the 12 from the bat,does sound like a voltage issue easy way to check is charge your batteries all night turn on all your units at once while still hook up to charger see if it still does it, then turn off all other units and and just run the 12 see what happens,if it does just send it back sure you will get a new one.

Ok guys, thanks for the info. It is defiantly a voltage issue.
I'm going to run a new dedicated wire from the battery to the console and then on to the bow.
I have a few questions. I want to do this right and be done with it.

1. What size wire should I run? I have some 16/2 stranded in stock but will get whatever is needed.
2. Each unit comes with a fuse for the hot wire, should I use all 3 where they connect and install one at the battery connection? Or just one or the other?
3. I run a 36 v 109# motorguide tour tm but my cat only has 3 batteries. I think they are group 30 continental from Sartin Marine. Evert time I run the tm, it interferes with my graphs and messes up my display. Is there some kind of isolator that I can install to meet this from happening? Or maybe this won't happen after installing the new wiring?

Thanks again for all the advice.

definitely run 12-14awg and connect each one with its own fuse to the battery or terminal block...You decided to go with a 36v system though you don't have the room to do so is not so good IMO. You need a dedicated cranking battery for all your electronics. You will continue to have interference when running the TM because you can't have electronics running off of them at the same time. Get you a dedicated cranking battery and hook your electronics up to this. Problem solved. You need help wiring them up holla at me...8176585351...im in fort worth close to Meacham Airport. Thanks!

I have 4 batteries with 3 of them for TM and all electronics and motor running off the 4th one. I still have a little interference on my front graph from my TM. It's not enough to worry with...it's more in the sonar than in the side/down image.

Carlos,
The battery setup and tm were on the boat when I bought it earlier this year. I really didn't like the fact that everything was tied together especially if I were to use the tm all day and then boat wouldn't start, but I asked on here and some others have the same setup and it works for them. I have never had a problem with not starting after a long day on TM but I know there is always a first.
In my PII there is only room for 3 batteries from the factory but I've heard that there is a relocation kit for the oil reservoir that will make room for the 4th battery.
I will call Bass Cat today and see what they say.
I will pickup some 12/2 and run a new wire from the battery compartment to the console then on to the bow. I think I'll put on a separate rocker switch just so I don't accidently leave one on.
Thanks for the offer Carlos, but I should not have any trouble with the wiring.

Thanks,

Danny

The specs on the HDS 12 Touch say that the unit show that the unit has a 2 AMP continuous draw. That being said you could easily run that unit on a dedicated 18 ga wire for at least 15 feet from the power source. 12 GA wire will be overkill, however that is not necessarily a bad thing, but you will want to consider circuit protection for the wire. A fuse should be located no further than 18 inches from the battery and for a 12 ga wire should be no more than 30 amps depending on the length of the wire. Don't forget that when you tie your graph in that the HDS 12 Touch suggests a 5A fuse at the power source.

I do however think your issue may be related to a ground issue. Take a look at the size of your ground most boat manufacturers run a 8-4 gauge wire from the battery to the accessories for ground. If you are running your trolling motor, 3 sonars, livewells etc.. all of that must have a ground return for them to work, and all of that must pass through the ground cable or cables from your battery. When you have excessive amperage being pulled through the ground, you will see a voltage drop. It works the same on the positive side of the battery cable too, but the ground is often overlooked. This is a really common problem in boats especially when accessories are added to the electrical system partly due to the fact that fiberglass boats cannot use the body/hull of the boat as a ground. And manufactures typically size their wiring based on the factory equipment as a minimum.

All fixed now.
Ended up running the 16/2 shielded I had in stock from cranking battery to console then to bow.
Our a fuse holder at the battery with a 20 amp main fuse.
Went to a rocker 30 amp max switch on dash then to hds 5 and 9 at console.
Then to the 12 on the bow.
Everything is working fine except the interference when I run the tm. Since its on the same battery as the tm I know I'll get the interference so ill deal with it until I can relocate my oil resistor and get the 4th battery installed.
Thanks again for all the advise.