1stfntn

The Gaffrig GPS Speedometer in my boat quit working over the winter. The Gauge swings through the dial to 7, then back down to 4, then to 0 when you turn the key on (before you start the engine) just like it always has, but the speedo doesn't move at all when under way. It was working fine at the end of last season and no one has touched it all winter (it sits on a hoist in my wet slip). I looked at the wiring under the dash and it all appears well connected. Anyone know if there is a fuse or something that could be causing my problem? It seems to me since the Gauge works when you turn the key on that it either isn't sending or receiving the GPS signal. Is the GPS signal originated in the little white hockey puck on the top of the dash or is there another unit somewhere else in the boat? If there is another unit, what does it look like and where is it typically located (the boat is a 2003 27' Fever II)? As you can tell, I'm not sure how these GPS speedos work, but since the boat is only 13 months old, I've got to think it's something pretty simple, and I'm just missing it. I can test it with a voltmeter/multimeter if someone can tell me what I'm looking for. Unfortunately when I got my boat new, there were no manuals for the speedo, so I don't know what/how to test. Any help would be GREATLY appreciated.

Thanks in advance,
Brad

nolimits

Well Brad, I can only tell you that I currently have the exact same problem with one exception. Once the Speedo has done the dance, it stops at the 9 o'clock position. Someone told me that where it stops is the key yo determining what the problem is. Unfortunetly, Fountain did not think the manual important enough to include with my, or my buddies new 04. Seems that we need to wave a dead chicken over it and say the magic words. In any event I have my boat off to see the new dealer doctor due to several problems and once it comes back, or I speak with the guy I will tell you what happened to it. In the meantime you might want to connect with Gaffrig and perhaps you can download the docs...???.....

1stfntn

nolimits,

Sorry to hear that you're having problems with your '04. Hope they all work out. I posted this same post in the Technical Q&A to see if any non-Fountain guys might be able to help. Vyper340 and yss came through. You can read the other post, but to summarize, if you go to www.livorsi.com, they have the instructions in the "Tools" section under "G" for GPS. the instructions explain the "dance" when you power up and it sounds like if you're getting 9 o'clock, the speedo isn't sensing the antenna (which I think is where I'm at). I'm going to check my wiring again on Wed when I get back in town and I'll let you know what I find. If you hear any better ideas/news, please let me know.

Thanks,
Brad

gferdon

There is a temporary fix for your gps speedo while you are waiting for a new antenna to be shipped. If you have any type of gps unit (I have a garmin 182C) you can use the NEMA output to supply a signal to your speedo. Just unplug the orange wire from the hockey puck and replace it with the nema output from your gps, it should work fine. Good luck.

G-

TeamTaboo

unplug the antenna from the gauge and clean the cable end and the back of the gps then plug it back in that fixed mine. Bill

nolimits

Brad,
I figured the instructions were on the Web, thanks.

G- I told Vinnie to hold off on that solution as I would like to have the original one fixed... Getting frustrated with the whole boat right now. Vinnie nicely came and took the boat away late last night.

Taboo, I'll try that if it comes back still not working. Sounds like a bad connection would be the problem....