TZTL12F crashes

[colemj]

We have a new TZTL12F that we have just started using. Once a day or so (we have been on 2-3 day passages), the unit just shuts down suddenly. Sometimes it reboots itself, sometimes it requires a touch of the power button to reboot, and sometimes it requires having the power to it cycled to get it to reboot.

When this happens, the voltage at the unit is measured at 13.2V. There are no NMEA2000 network errors on the bus. All other equipment on the network works fine. No error messages are shown before shutdown - just "poof" and it's gone.

In all cases, the new DRS4D radar and 520-PLD depth sounder are connected to it and operating. The only other thing connected to the TZT is the NMEA2000 bus.

The software version is 6.21.

Any suggestions?

 

[C-Bass]

Colemj,

Thank you for your inquiry.

What is the software version of the TZTl12F?

Can you confirm the source of power for the N2K bus? If the N2K bus is supplied power from a 24vdc-12vdc converter please provide the make and model if you can.

Have you had a chance to put a NMEA2000 checker on the n2k backbone?

How is the TZTl12F mounted? Is it in a pod, flush mounted in the dash, on a bracket?
How is the airflow in the mounting space? If it is flush mounted does the space have air circulation? Could the unit be over-heating due to environment that it is mounted in?

C-Bass

 

[colemj]

Thank you for the response.

The software version is 6.21

The source of power for the N2K bus is a connection to the main electrical panel through a breaker. The voltage measured at the power injection to the bus is 13.2V, and does not vary much (lithium batteries).

I have other instrumentation that show some N2K bus diagnostics. There are no instance clashes, no transmit or receive errors, and no fast packet errors. The load on the bus is 19%.

The TZTL12F is flush mounted with the back of the unit open and exposed inside the boat in a large open cabinet. There is no forced airflow, but the space is not hot.

How could I tell if it is overheating? The unit is warm when running for many hours, but I don't notice it being unusually hot.

 

[colemj]

After running all day (without crashing) the back of the unit measures 108F. This seems warm to me, but I don't know how cool it should be. Like I said, the back is open to the inside of the boat (current air temp inside the boat is 87F). So it seems to be running 20F above ambient.

We are in warmer climes with it now, but it was crashing when the air temp was 60F.

How hot is too hot?

 

[Johnny Electron]

The unit must stay under 130 degrees (F) at all times during operations. Consoles or Pods should have vents and maybe fans to prevent heat build up and thermal runaway. We have seen people destroy their units by installing them in NavPods without ventilation. It is much like putting a plastic bag on your head. The unit must breath. Just a simple vent at the bottom and opposite top area will create natural air flow as heat rises. The simple convection of heat raising out the upper vent pulled fresh cooler air from the opposite lower vent. Other cases, need a fan to ensure air moves behind the console. A car with windows up can heat up to 140F in a matter of minutes. A closed/sealed console isn't much different. It might not seem hot outside but non-moving air like in a car or enclosed space can grow wayyy above the outside air temp. Once a unit is damaged, it doesn't matter if it is now cooler or not. Damaged is damaged. Hopefully that isn't the case with yours.

 

[colemj]

Thanks Johnny for giving me an upper temperature limit. Like I said, the unit is flush mounted with its back open to the inside of a 46' catamaran. The air circulation space it has is large - easily 20 cubic feet of free space behind cabinetry that is connected with the air circulation of the entire volume of the boat. It is not sealed in any sense, nor is it in a console. The previous Garmin chartplotter of the same size worked perfectly in this space for many years.

You seem to have jumped to the conclusion that I have damaged this unit from heat because I have mounted it poorly. Or making a pre-emptive defense for Furuno.

We just operated it for another 32hr passage and it did not crash this time like it did the 2 previous similar passages. During this period, 108F was again the hottest any part of it was measured using an IR gun. That temperature is the back of the unit on the warmest part I could find, not the front.

I will continue monitoring, but it seems to be doing this only after long periods of operation, and we don't do those very often.

I will note that at one point just before it crashed, I noticed that it was stumbling a bit, and touch commands weren't being answered - like it was overwhelmed with something.

 

[Johnny Electron]

It sounds like you need to send your unit in for evaluation. This isn't the first time I have tired to assist with information in which you seem to take my response wrong way. It isn't my goal to aggravate you. Providing information and brainstorming is what I offer. I will leave it to others to answer your post in the future. If you ever have something urgent, I recommend official channels directly with Technical support.

 

[colemj]

My apologies Johnny. I don't remember other times, and I certainly don't mean to be antagonistic. I haven't posted here much, and only with a few specific questions. In this case, you gave me great information on the upper temp limit, and I appreciate any brainstorming.

One other question for anyone who will answer - Since new, when the unit is turned on, and while operating, it makes a "whirring" sound. High pitched and constant. Kind of like a drive is spinning or something. I assumed an internal fan maybe. Is this sound normal, or should these be perfectly quiet?

 

[jcjp]

Normal sound.

 

[colemj]

Thanks! Good to know.

 

[Richard yoon]

Hi,

Did you find a solution for your problem? I am having similar issues on my TZTL15. I just don't think its the temperature because after I reboot/power then it runs fine rest of the day. It's December and it's not hot. Brand new unit having this problem....

 

[Richard yoon]

Have you resolved your issues? Mine does the same thing and I haven't found a solution yet.

 

[colemj]

No, the issue is not resolved, but neither has it been pursued further because the boat is currently docked and not out cruising. I need to get back to testing circumstances around the issue. It only happens during 24+ hrs of continual operation. Like yours, once immediately rebooted, it was good for another 24+ hrs before shutting down again. I don't think heat is the reason, but I'm not discounting anything.

It is not an easy troubleshoot because sometimes it reboots itself after shutting down - so if I'm not paying attention to it when it shuts down and reboots itself, I don't know if the issue occurred.

 

[Richard yoon]

It can't be the heat because then it should shut off again after rebooting. It runs fine after the reboot. It did restart itself and needed reboot in the beginning but as time progressed it needed a reboot every time. Longbeach marine is trying to heat it up to see if the unit will do the same thing and if it does not they are telling me that they will just reinstall the unit back on the boat and call it a day.

Lots of my friends at the marlin club are interested in the new unit that I have and I am telling them to wait until my issues are resolved. It's been bit over 5 months and if I sit on this then it'll just go out of warranty. Whats scary was that it shut off in the fog near the harbor on the last trip with lots moving container ships around me. I'll let you know if I figure this out.

 

[Johnny Electron]

You should open an official support case with your distributor, if that is Furuno USA, you do that at http://www.FurunoUSA.com - Support - Ask a question. There is a reason for it and it is almost always something with the installation. If you paid someone to do the installation, I recommend you also involve them. Having support records during the warranty period shows that it was during the covered time, if it is indeed something related to the unit. I have been doing this a long time and you should use an open mind because factory issues with the product is extremely rare for Furuno.