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Random Quote: In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king.
I bought a new Garmin 4208 back in July, and mounted it this weekend. The boat has no prior electronics, so I built the basic 3-branch NMEA network according to the Garmin instructions - exactly.
The unit won't power up.
I ran the yellow power cable from the panel to one of the T branches
Ran the antenna cable to the second T branch
Ran a drop cable from the third branch up to the NMEA 2000 input on the back of the unit
I tested the unit-end of the drop cable, and I have power, but the unit won't power up.
So, to troubleshoot it, I disconnected everything and ran the separate power cable (the 2-pin one), just to see if it was a unit issue, and it powered up just fine.
Anyone know what's up? I'm going to check with Jim at BOE (seller) and also with Garmin after the holiday, but if anyone has any ideas, I'm all ears...
The NMEA2000 power wont have anything to do with the 4208 powering up. I would make sure the power cable to the 4208 is seated and then verify power and ground with a voltage/continuity tester. I think you either have a poor ground, no power, blown fuse on the power cable or loose power cable connection to the 4208. Either way I'm betting that the issue somewhere along that power cable to the 4208.
If that isnt it, disconnect the NMEA 2000 connection from the back of the 4208. If it powers up then its time to start double checking the NMEA connectors and termination.
Ah... so I need to power the network with the NMEA power cable AND the unit itself with the 2-pin cable?
I'm a tech writer by trade, and I'll be the first to tell you that the Garmin install instructions suck...
I don't know.. Page 9 of the install manual here on Garmins site is pretty self explanatory.. First you start with the brains power (4208).. NMEA anything is pretty much an accessory..
Think of it this way, your Satellite or cable box needs power in addition to your TV... Dont forget to hook the power up to the other NMEA devices as well in addition to the NMEA2000 power connections
Hopefully this unit is working now. You must connect the power cable in order for the unit to get power! Connect the 2 conductor red and black to power and ground.
__________________ My boat is a 2008 Sea Hunt 220 Triton with Yamaha 250. Garmin 4212, Furuno FCV-620, GSD 22, Standard Horizon Matrix, XM Weather.
Chuckster, if you area a writer, you know how frustrating its is when someone who need your information doesn't read your instructions. Reconsider this experience and see if it doesn't make you a better writer.
__________________ If it ain't broke, I haven't played with it.
Chuckster, if you area a writer, you know how frustrating its is when someone who need your information doesn't read your instructions. Reconsider this experience and see if it doesn't make you a better writer.
Absolutely... definitely my bad, and I appreciate all of the great help here. Just a bonehead play on my part, and Slief's TV analogy was dead-on.
Wired it up as instructed above (and in the Garmin instructions), and it worked beautifully - I love it.
Nice day on the water, now I have to finish preparing dinner: baked stuffed crow.
Brand New 4208 Won't Power Up - Any Ideas? 
