Garmin GHC 20 Autopilot Control Unit Goes Dark

[ttmott]

This started Sunday -
Bringing up the Nav systems.
Press power button on GHC20 and the GARMIN banner appears with a beep then goes blank.
Confused, press and hold power button again and beep.... Still blank.
Confused more, press power button again and banner reappears with a beep then goes blank.
Cycled NMEA2000 power then Autopilot power - no affect/improvement.
Noticed for a brief moment a menu item comes up to configure autopilot and a select icon for button.
Recycled again and executed the menu select thinking the dimmer was all the way down but it went blank again.

Ran the boat and found the autopilot is fully functional from the MFD.

Thoughts? @SKybolt , @alnav

 

[alnav]

Found this at Garmin Support:

"System Missing" or Blank Screen on a GMI 20 or GHC 20​

Reinstalling software may resolve the issue with the message "System Missing" on a GMI 20 or a GHC 20 (connected to a GHP 20 or GHP Reactor Reactor autopilot system). An NMEA 2000 compatible Garmin chartplotter or NMEA 2000 Network Updater and a software update card are required. The software update can be acquired from the Marine Device Software Updates page as a free download or purchased on a preloaded card."

 

[ttmott]

Found this at Garmin Support:

"System Missing" or Blank Screen on a GMI 20 or GHC 20​

Reinstalling software may resolve the issue with the message "System Missing" on a GMI 20 or a GHC 20 (connected to a GHP 20 or GHP Reactor Reactor autopilot system). An NMEA 2000 compatible Garmin chartplotter or NMEA 2000 Network Updater and a software update card are required. The software update can be acquired from the Marine Device Software Updates page as a free download or purchased on a preloaded card."

I'll check thanks!

 

[Skybolt]

I'll check thanks!

I second Al's find. Re-flash the software for sure. I had that happen to one of my GMI 20's. Re-flashing fixed it.

 

[ttmott]

Found this at Garmin Support:

"System Missing" or Blank Screen on a GMI 20 or GHC 20​

Reinstalling software may resolve the issue with the message "System Missing" on a GMI 20 or a GHC 20 (connected to a GHP 20 or GHP Reactor Reactor autopilot system). An NMEA 2000 compatible Garmin chartplotter or NMEA 2000 Network Updater and a software update card are required. The software update can be acquired from the Marine Device Software Updates page as a free download or purchased on a preloaded card."

I second Al's find. Re-flash the software for sure. I had that happen to one of my GMI 20's. Re-flashing fixed it.

Those instructions are pretty specific to an update card. All of my updates have been through Active Captain via smart phone. The web page reveals three methods - do you think the reflash can be done through Active Captain?
I also have the Garmin Card Reader if I need to use that - all of the charts are plugged in there though.

 

[Skybolt]

Those instructions are pretty specific to an update card. All of my updates have been through Active Captain via smart phone. The web page reveals three methods - do you think the reflash can be done through Active Captain?
I also have the Garmin Card Reader if I need to use that - all of the charts are plugged in there though.

I only use the SD card. I have had zero luck going through Active Captain.

I use Garmin Express to download the updates to the SD card, then put the SD card in the MFD. I have a 7608 I use as you would your Card Reader. You should be able to remove the chart card for the update. But you need to leave the AC card in place.

 

[alnav]

I too use an SD card but typically download the software package at the difficult (for me) to find page here: https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=8743#Instruct
Seems to me that Active Captain and maybe Garmin Express (haven't used it) will only download outstanding updates that have not been installed. The web page for sure will let you download the entire latest package at any time.

 

[Skybolt]

I too use an SD card but typically download the software package at the difficult (for me) to find page here: https://www8.garmin.com/support/download_details.jsp?id=8743#Instruct
Seems to me that Active Captain and maybe Garmin Express (haven't used it) will only download outstanding updates that have not been installed. The web page for sure will let you download the entire latest package at any time.

Al, Garmin express will let you download anything that is available to you as many times as you like to an SD card. But AC to your point, will not and only does it once. And why I use an SD card and Express.

 

[Tripsdad]

I do all my updates with AC and it just seems like it is a time consuming process but I can confirm AC will only download uninstalled updates. The part that scares me every time I do an update is the warning that comes up basically stating that interrupting the update process could render the unit unusable and in need of replacement. Because of this I only do updates when I am alone on the boat so no one is touching any thing. I may change this process to the SD cards as Al and Orlando do to eliminate the connection between AC and the 8612.

 

[b_arrington]

I do all my updates with AC and it just seems like it is a time consuming process but I can confirm AC will only download uninstalled updates. The part that scares me every time I do an update is the warning that comes up basically stating that interrupting the update process could render the unit unusable and in need of replacement. Because of this I only do updates when I am alone on the boat so no one is touching any thing. I may change this process to the SD cards as Al and Orlando do to eliminate the connection between AC and the 8612.

Same, the warning is a bit scary. I do wonder if it would give the same via an SD card update. I would suspect yes, but have no evidence.

I also only do updates when I'm alone and I'm at the dock to avoid any issues.

 

[LMBoat]

I just did some updates via AC and no issues. It did not take that long.....15 mins or so.

 

[ttmott]

Up until this issue all updates have been via Active Captain through smart phone.
This issue though, it seems, needs a "refresh" rather than an update.
I have had AC indicate everything is up to date no further action needed.
The S/W is downloaded and on a Micro Card ready to go to the boat. Maybe tomorrow...

 

[Skybolt]

Up until this issue all updates have been via Active Captain through smart phone.
This issue though, it seems, needs a "refresh" rather than an update.
I have had AC indicate everything is up to date no further action needed.
The S/W is downloaded and on a Micro Card ready to go to the boat. Maybe tomorrow...

I would only have what is needed turned on. Meaning the card reader, one MFD and the AP. Otherwise it will update everything and that may not be what you want.

 

[ttmott]

I would only have what is needed turned on. Meaning the card reader, one MFD and the AP. Otherwise it will update everything and that may not be what you want.

I'm behind a revision. This download is the latest. I've got all of the waypoints, routes, and tracks I use backed up. Probably best to let it worm through all of the devices wouldn't you think?

 

[Skybolt]

I'm behind a revision. This download is the latest. I've got all of the waypoints, routes, and tracks I use backed up. Probably best to let it worm through all of the devices wouldn't you think?

Ah I didn't know that, thought you were just re-applying the update. So yep let it go. Good luck, I hope this works out.

 

[alnav]

I'm behind a revision. This download is the latest. I've got all of the waypoints, routes, and tracks I use backed up. Probably best to let it worm through all of the devices wouldn't you think?

Tom, did you see the GHC 20 button dance described in the Garmin Support article? I took that to be a special routine to force a software reload, probably only for that unit. I'm thinking the regular update process will just bypass the GHC 20 since it's not on the latest update list. I think I would do the reload first since that's the primary thing you want done. Then, if all went well, start over and do the update.

 

[ttmott]

Tom, did you see the GHC 20 button dance described in the Garmin Support article? I took that to be a special routine to force a software reload, probably only for that unit. I'm thinking the regular update process will just bypass the GHC 20 since it's not on the latest update list. I think I would do the reload first since that's the primary thing you want done. Then, if all went well, start over and do the update.

I did and read it three of four times (copied below). It is unclear if the unit needs to be off or on if loading from the chartplotter. I had thought the GHC20 was updated as a part of the Reactor 40 system update; maybe I'm wrong on that.

1 - Insert and execute the update from the card reader and MFD.
2 - GHC20 is off.
3 - While the S/W is updating (is cycles through each device one at a time) - press and hold the standby button then press and release the power button. When the Garmin logo appears then release the standby button.

OR - should I do the complete system update then go back and do the GHC20 per this procedure?
Thoughts?

GHC 20​

---

1. Insert the software SD card into the NMEA 2000 updater with the device fully powered off.* On the GHC, press and hold the Standby button. Keep holding press and release the Power button, and continue to hold the Standby button. *if using a Garmin marine chartplotter, insert the software update card into the chartplotter and select Update Software

• • When the Garmin logo displays, release the Standby button. The message above the Garmin logo will alternate between "Loader Ready" and "Software Loading," and the light on the card reader should be flashing orange. The GHC 20 might initially show "Software Missing" but should change to "Loader Ready" after a few moments. If it remains on "Software Missing," power off the GHC 20, remove the card from the reader, wait 60 seconds then begin the process again

The light on the card reader blinks green, and the device has rebooted, indicating completion of the forced reinstall of the software. If the GHC or GMI 20 still shows "System Missing" after performing the update, it will need to be sent in for repair.

 

[ttmott]

Software loaded just fine including notification that it loaded on the Autopilot Head (Pic). Autopilot head came alive during the load but then after restart of the Nav equipment went dark again.
I'm now thinking the screen brightness adjustment is fully down somehow.
I'll have to figure out the button press sequence to up the dimmer by Brail.

 

[alnav]

Tom, saw this on Garmin support, perhaps a reset will do the trick:

Marine Instrument Display Master Reset List | Garmin Customer Support

Garmin Support Center is where you will find answers to frequently asked questions and resources to help with all of your Garmin products.

support.garmin.com

Marine Instrument Display Master Reset List
Instrument displays (GHC, GMI, GNX)



GHC 10, 20

To perform a master reset:

Turn the device Off

Hold the left and middle keys

Hold the Power button

Release all three buttons when the control unit fully powers up. - The device will not give a warning that a master reset is about to take place



The control unit will now reset.

 

[Skybolt]

Software loaded just fine including notification that it loaded on the Autopilot Head (Pic). Autopilot head came alive during the load but then after restart of the Nav equipment went dark again.
I'm now thinking the screen brightness adjustment is fully down somehow.
I'll have to figure out the button press sequence to up the dimmer by Brail.

If what Al posted doesn't help, the power button is the master dim control, or should be. I believe a quick press will change or bring up the control.

But if you change the dim % on the MFD, I believe it asks you if the whole network should dim as well. I think they call it network sharing or similar in the MFD.

EDIT: From pg 4 of the owners manual:

You could also apply the update again, and when the control head is not being updated, access the backlight menu.


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