I recently purchased a Helix 10. After 5 minutes of use, the screen would go white. So I contacted humminbird and they told me it wasn't getting enough power, and I needed to run a power wire directly to the battery. So I purchased the biggest Interstate cranking battery i could get my hands on. Direct wired directly from the unit to the battery, with its own separate fuse panel. First tournament of the year, it worked all 8 hours. and even made it several hours fun fishing several times. Went out Sunday and the unit shut off again after 5 minutes. Boat is a 2014 skeeter tzx195. Any help would be appreciated.

You didn't mention charging after fishing-did you have the battery on a charger when not fishing?  You also didn't mention if it's getting charged off the motor alternator.  If not, and if you are not charging in its idle time , you're right back to insufficient power.

 

My depth finders run off the main engine circuit, and of course this is charged when running.  However, on a long day of fishing without much main motor running time, it can get dicey for keeping the depth finders going and also starting the engine.  So i always charge when not in use, and have a jump starter unit on board in case I run the starting batter down too far.

 

You also can put the Helix onto a "sleep" state so it's brain is still alive, but the display is turned off so the drain on the battery when you are not using it is minimal.  You can with a single push of a button have it up and running instantly.

 

 

onboard charger is always plugged right when I back it into garage. Today, it was white, even though the charger was plugged in and showing full charge.

I think you need a warranty replacement.  When mine gets too low on voltage I think it just turns off, doesn't go white.   

Have you put a volt meter on the source battery to see what it is providing?  Then probe the power wire at the Helix 10 to verify it is also correct.  Might help convince Humminbird that the voltage is correct.

thanks. going to do voltage testing today after work.

I purchased a Optima Blue top 31 this morning.  so far so good.