How Boat Garmin Stays Connected To The Battery?

Garmin offers a range of products for boat owners, including chartplotters, trolling motors, and digital switching systems. One of their key products is the OnDeck system, which allows boat owners to monitor and manage their vessels remotely. This system connects to the boat's battery and provides various features such as security sensors, GPS tracking, and battery voltage alerts. It is important to note that the Fish Finder wires for 73dv and 93sv models can be connected to the terminals of a deep cycle battery using vinyl terminal ring connectors.

Garmin OnDeck™ remote-connectivity solution

The Garmin OnDeck™ is a remote-connectivity solution that allows you to monitor and control your boat from anywhere. The system provides 24/7 access to critical and timely information about your vessel, including battery status, bilge activity, security sensors, GPS location, and more. With OnDeck, you can track and control up to 5 switches on your boat, ensuring that certain onboard systems are ready when you need them.

The OnDeck system seamlessly integrates with your current marine electronics and is designed for almost every type of vessel, including center consoles, inland boats, sailboats, and trawlers. The system uses cellular LTE wireless coverage to provide remote monitoring for wired sensors and the ability to remotely control switches. This means you can watch over your vessel when you're away without having to make a trip to check on it.

One of the key features of OnDeck is its security capabilities. You can set up configurable notifications to let you know of any changes that may threaten your boat, such as if it has been moved or if a security sensor has been triggered. The internal GPS sensor updates every 15 or 30 minutes and will send text or email alerts if the boat has been moved into or outside of a custom geofenced area.

The OnDeck system also helps with boat maintenance and troubleshooting. For example, battery voltage alerts can warn you if you've left the boat powered on, preventing a dead battery or potential damage to your sonar transducer. Similarly, bilge pump alerts will notify you when the pump is activated, cueing you into a possible leak or other issues.

The system data is securely recorded and stored on the GTB 10 OnDeck Hub, which can be accessed through the ActiveCaptain™ app on your smartphone. The data is available for immediate viewing and can be stored in the cloud for up to 10 years. A battery backup allows you to access the system for up to 48 hours after your boat battery is drained or shore power is disconnected.

The Garmin OnDeck™ remote-connectivity solution offers peace of mind and convenience for boat owners, ensuring that their vessel is safe, secure, and ready for their next outing.

Battery voltage alerts

For example, if you accidentally leave your boat powered on after taking it off the water, the battery voltage alert can notify you before the battery dies. This can also prevent potential damage to electrical components, such as the sonar transducer, which can overheat if left powered out of the water.

The default setting for the low voltage alert on the Garmin 546s is 11.3 volts, although this may vary depending on the specific Garmin model and battery type. It's important to note that a fully charged 12-volt wet cell battery typically produces around 12.6 volts, and a reading of 12.0 volts indicates a 'state of charge' of approximately 50%. Therefore, setting the low voltage alert above 11.3 volts is recommended to ensure you receive a timely warning.

Additionally, the sensitivity of the voltage alert can be adjusted to avoid false alarms. For instance, if the alert is triggered too frequently by voltage spikes when other systems are turned on or off, you can adjust the settings or consult Garmin support for further assistance.

Bilge pump alerts

A bilge pump is an essential component of your boat's safety system, and a bilge pump alert system is designed to notify you of any potential issues with your pump. This can provide peace of mind and help you take action before any problems become critical.

You can receive bilge pump alerts through email and text messages, as well as audible and visual alarms. These alerts will notify you when your pump is kicking on, and how often. For example, if your pump is coming on a few times a day when it hasn't been raining, this could indicate a possible leak. Or, if your pump normally comes on once or twice a day and then suddenly stops, this could mean the pump has burned out and your boat is slowly sinking.

By investing in a bilge pump alert system, you can ensure that you're notified of any potential issues with your boat's bilge pump, giving you the opportunity to take action and prevent any major problems.

Power-Pole anchor integration

Garmin has announced an advanced boat control integration with Power-Pole shallow water anchors. This integration offers anglers a more automated and seamless boat control experience when fishing in shallow water. With the new features, anglers can now access advanced anchor system integration, including Smart Anchor, Smart Anchor Jog, Drag Detection, End of Route, and Auto Stow.

The Smart Anchor feature enables the chartplotter to detect the current water depth and decide whether to use the Force trolling motor's anchor lock capability or automatically deploy the Power-Pole anchors. When using the trolling motor to jog, the Power-Pole anchors will automatically stow, and the trolling motor will move to a new position. This is known as Smart Anchor Jog.

Additionally, the Drag Detection feature ensures that if the Power-Pole anchors drag due to wind, waves, or strong currents, the paired chartplotter will detect the movement, stow the anchors, and allow the trolling motor to reposition the boat. At the end of a route, the system will engage the smart anchor mode, deploying the Power-Pole anchors if the water is shallow or using the Force anchor lock capability in deeper water.

The Auto Stow feature automatically stows the Power-Pole anchors when the Force trolling motor is stowed. This integration provides anglers with more time for fishing and less time for boat positioning. Power-Pole anchors have been the industry leader in shallow water anchors for over 20 years, known for their unmatched versatility, silent deployment, and strong and secure hold.

Garmin chartplotter

The Garmin OnDeck™ is an integrated remote-connectivity solution designed for nearly every type of vessel, from center consoles and inland boats to sailboats and trawlers. OnDeck provides comprehensive monitoring and management tools, allowing you to keep an eye on your boat and ensuring it's safe and secure.

OnDeck uses cellular LTE wireless coverage to provide remote monitoring for wired sensors and the ability to remotely control switches. This helps you watch over your vessel when you're away without having to physically check on it. With OnDeck, you can receive security alerts, GPS tracking, and updates from other networked sensors, helping you stay informed about potential problems and fix them quickly.

One of the key features of OnDeck is its battery voltage alerts. These alerts can warn you if you've left the boat powered on, preventing a dead battery or potential damage to your sonar transducer. Additionally, erratic battery voltage levels can indicate electrical issues, such as a short in your system.

OnDeck also offers bilge pump alerts, which notify you when the pump is activated. This information can help identify potential leaks or pump malfunctions. The system integrates with your Garmin marine network, engines, and NMEA 2000 sensors, providing a seamless addition to your marine electronics.

Frequently asked questions