I recently had a Lowrance HDS-8 (console) and HDS-10 (bow) installed on my 2000 Gambler boat. They both operated fine for about 2hrs., at which point the HDS-10 shut down and to no avail, continued to try to reboot itself.

It was only after I ran the main engine (enough to recharge the battery some) that the HDS-10 would have a successful reboot. And then it would only run for a short period of time before it would shut down again.

The problem seemed to be that it would cut off when the supply voltage got below 11.6V. The HDS-8, which is connected to the same Master Power switch, never blipped or shut off one time.

I looked at the HDS-8 once when the 10 shut down and the supply voltage was 12.0V.

I have a 36V trolling motor and three batteries total. All my accessories are on my cranking battery. I had my batteries checked and they checked good.

My installer said that I should look for bad and/or loose connections in the wires. If that fails, he recommends to replace the existing wiring from the Master Power switch to the up front.

Any advice or technical comments are welcome.

Just rewired my unit at the console. Every time I cranked the motor, the unit would drop out. Had to run direct to the battery and replaced all the connections. Works perfectly now.

Most important thing is to use is an inline fuse between unit and battery...

how big ga. of wire you using? from running from the battery to the pwr cables to the unit??? also what size is your battery?? also check your amps going threw the wire.

I have a 10 up by the trolling motor and I get a constant low voltage reading, even after buying a new battery. So I suppose my next step is to bump the wire size up and take her straight to the battery, don't really want to do that since I like the master switch. But I guess it must really put a strain on the factory wire.

Update: I turned on both units so that I could simultaneously monitor the voltage at both locations. Next, I turned on everything I have, i.e. radio, bilge pumps, compartment lights, running lights, aereators, livewell pump-out, and trolling motor, all at the same time.

The voltage on both units dropped with the addition of each item that was introduced, with the front unit being a consistent 0.2V less than the back.

I let everything fun for about 15 min, concentrating mostly on the voltage at the front unit. It dropped all the way down to 10.8V and the unit never quit.

I turned each item listed above off and watch the voltage increase all the way back up to 11.4V.

Right now, I am comfortable enough to make another fishing trip and check it in a real life situation.

In closing, my only explanation for the front unit not shutting down is: either my batteries were not fully charged (highly unlikely), or I rattled some wires around while troubleshooting and improved a slightly bad connection.

Neither of the solutions make me comfortable, but that is all I have to go on at this point.

Not sure if you know it or not but the HDS units are having alot of problems with rebooting right now. If you aren't aware of it go onto the bassboatcentral.com, Lowrance page and read all the problems posted about graphs rebooting. Mine's only done it once so I guess I'm one of the lucky ones.

Update #2...I put the units to work in a real fishing situation and the HDS-10 blacked out and went into it's "reboot" cycle after about 6 hours of use. I wiggled wires and tried to find a loose connection...no luck.

I switched the units around, putting the HDS-8 on the bow and the HDS-10 at the console. The HDS-8 performed as it should and the HDS-10 did it's reboot thing again. IT would even do it while running under main engine power. I am convinced that it is a fault with the 10 head unit.

I contacted the individual I bought it from (purchased new) and he said he will give me another and return the faulty unit to Lowrance.

Have you tried a soft reset?

Our unit is not powering up. Please tell me how to go about doing a "soft reset".

Dayne...no, I have not tried a soft reset and really didn't know that existed.

I have made arrangements to return the unit and will do so, as I am convinced that this one has Gremlins inside. But I am interested in knowing how to perform the soft reset, please explain.

Soft Reset proceedure


1. Turn unit OFF
2. Press and hold the PAGES key
3. Press and Release the PWR key
4. Release all buttons when the USA map appears

Soft Reset (Does not delete GPS Data)

I bet you will continue to have problems with the new unit. One simple way to find out if it is a problem with the HDS 10 is to switch them and put the HDS 8 up front and see if you have the same problem. I bet you have a bad wire/connection going to the front.

Yeah, I already mentioned that I cjanged the two units and th problem is specific to the HDS-10.

Sorry, I didn't catch that. Since you did, then you are propably correct with it being an issue with the HDS 10. If the person you bought it from is willing to switch them out then that sounds like the easiest solution.

When my battery gets a little low after running radio, aerators, etc. My front HDS 8 will dim down where it is hard to see it in the sunlight.