Cobaltchat.com

greenhut wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:29 pm

bruceb58 wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 3:48 pm Speaking of delays, one of my planned "upgrades" is to put in a delay for the interior and/or the swim deck lights. Sure would be nice to turn them off and give me a minute to get off the boat without breaking my neck in the dark. Our boat sits on our dock all summer so would be a great mod.

Checkout this little device I used to make sure UW lights turned off. Cheap and pretty easy to wire in and do what you want:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=3217&p=63999

greenhut wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:29 pm

bruceb58 wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 3:48 pm Speaking of delays, one of my planned "upgrades" is to put in a delay for the interior and/or the swim deck lights. Sure would be nice to turn them off and give me a minute to get off the boat without breaking my neck in the dark. Our boat sits on our dock all summer so would be a great mod.

Checkout this little device I used to make sure UW lights turned off. Cheap and pretty easy to wire in and do what you want:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=3217&p=63999

Big Block Power wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:45 pm I Just use that button on the helm. What's it called on there courtesy light or underwater lights?

greenhut wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 9:04 pm

Big Block Power wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 8:45 pm I Just use that button on the helm. What's it called on there courtesy light or underwater lights?

You know that button doesn't work...

greenhut wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:29 pm

bruceb58 wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 3:48 pm Speaking of delays, one of my planned "upgrades" is to put in a delay for the interior and/or the swim deck lights. Sure would be nice to turn them off and give me a minute to get off the boat without breaking my neck in the dark. Our boat sits on our dock all summer so would be a great mod.

Checkout this little device I used to make sure UW lights turned off. Cheap and pretty easy to wire in and do what you want:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=3217&p=63999

greenhut wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 7:29 pm

bruceb58 wrote: Thu Apr 01, 2021 3:48 pm Speaking of delays, one of my planned "upgrades" is to put in a delay for the interior and/or the swim deck lights. Sure would be nice to turn them off and give me a minute to get off the boat without breaking my neck in the dark. Our boat sits on our dock all summer so would be a great mod.

Checkout this little device I used to make sure UW lights turned off. Cheap and pretty easy to wire in and do what you want:

viewtopic.php?f=44&t=3217&p=63999

greenhut wrote: Wed Mar 31, 2021 10:48 am Bad news: Over time this problem has worsened.
Good news: Finally figured it out - easy fix.

One or both Garmins continued to not consistently start up when turning on the boats ignition. Even lost 1 or both units while underway a couple times. Armed with a multimeter and some determination, I did some cable tracing and testing.

Each Garmin has a separate power/ground connector from the Cobalt. First unplugged both and measured voltage after turning key. 12.6V every time. However, with either one of the Garmins plugged in alone, voltage would go a bit nuts between 5 and 8 volts and the plugged in unit wouldn't start up. A few times it worked and voltage sat at 12.5V. SO unlikely the Garmins were at fault.

It appears it is common practice in boats and cars to use power on relays to delay startup, more conveniently have many devices respond to the ignition remote power wire, or handle larger current draws. There are two such relays installed in our R5 (identical relays). One was failing and not passing 12V as it should. Swapped relays and Garmins are now perfect. Pretty sure the other relay is somehow used for the underwater lights and perhaps more.

While I could (and will eventually) get one through the Cobalt warranty, had one shipped for just under $10.
Picker Components PC792A-1C-C3-12S-RN-X

GreenInTheGrove wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 8:00 pm

greenhut wrote: Wed Mar 31, 2021 10:48 am Bad news: Over time this problem has worsened.
Good news: Finally figured it out - easy fix.

One or both Garmins continued to not consistently start up when turning on the boats ignition. Even lost 1 or both units while underway a couple times. Armed with a multimeter and some determination, I did some cable tracing and testing.

Each Garmin has a separate power/ground connector from the Cobalt. First unplugged both and measured voltage after turning key. 12.6V every time. However, with either one of the Garmins plugged in alone, voltage would go a bit nuts between 5 and 8 volts and the plugged in unit wouldn't start up. A few times it worked and voltage sat at 12.5V. SO unlikely the Garmins were at fault.

It appears it is common practice in boats and cars to use power on relays to delay startup, more conveniently have many devices respond to the ignition remote power wire, or handle larger current draws. There are two such relays installed in our R5 (identical relays). One was failing and not passing 12V as it should. Swapped relays and Garmins are now perfect. Pretty sure the other relay is somehow used for the underwater lights and perhaps more.

While I could (and will eventually) get one through the Cobalt warranty, had one shipped for just under $10.
Picker Components PC792A-1C-C3-12S-RN-X

Super nice job with the diagnosis. Thank you. I am experiencing the same issue on my 2019 R5. Started with intermittent issues and progressed to the screens not turning on at all. At this point the Garmins are dead. Just ordered two relays for $9.88. Will install and report.

GreenInTheGrove wrote: Sun May 29, 2022 8:00 pm Super nice job with the diagnosis. Thank you. I am experiencing the same issue on my 2019 R5. Started with intermittent issues and progressed to the screens not turning on at all. At this point the Garmins are dead. Just ordered two relays for $9.88. Will install and report.

Cjfr47 wrote: Mon Jul 24, 2023 12:27 pm My 2020 R7 Surf just started doing this the last few times I had it out. Thanks for diagnosis and sharing? you likely saved me a great deal of frustration and money!