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Old 06-02-2015, 09:36 AM   #1
Rich
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Lightbulb How to fix your older Raymarine MFD showing 'NOFIX' for GPS status

*** Frugal Yankee Alert ***

I thought I'd document what I found, in case anyone else goes through this as many people on the lake may have some of this older equipment.

I have a 2005 boat that has Raymarine C80 MFD and a RS-120 GPS sensor on it. Mine are probably 2004 vintage considering the build date of my boat.

Just two weeks ago I had a problem where I could not get my MFD to display my position. When looking at the GPS Status page, it displayed 'NOFIX', which means that the GPS can't lock onto enough satellites to get a good location fix. Thinking that I had a GPS failure, or a wiring failure, or all sorts of things, I was thinking this was going to cost me a lot of money (after all, this is a B.O.A.T.).

After trying to reset the power to the GPS, the MFD, and other things, I was about to give up, but then I tried the 'RESTART GPS' button that is on the GPS Status page. This worked! But every time I restarted my MFD, I would end up with the same problem again.

I checked online and read many posts, as well as reviewing my documentation and the Raymarine web site. My GPS is a RS-120. It seems this unit contains a lithium battery that has a projected life of 10 years. Yes, it's been just about 11 years for mine, so if we guess that it was manufactured in 2004, Raymarine's 10 year life prediction is about right!

The battery is used to maintain the internal clock on the GPS when the power is off, as well as to maintain data about the locations of the satellites. Without the ability to remember this information, it takes too much time for the GPS to find from scratch the satellites (cold start). The battery allows it to do more of a 'warm start' and have an idea on where to start looking.

Raymarine's solution to this failed battery issue on the RS120 is to replace the GPS, as they don't service the RS-120 anymore. The new GPS's are probably more accurate, quicker, etc. but I'd rather not pay $300 plus if I can get my GPS working again, because if I need to replace the GPS, I'd rather put the money into newer technology such as a new MFD which includes many more features and greater accuracy.

So I decided to take a chance and disassemble my RS-120 GPS to take a look (it's a habit that I've had since I was about 5 years old, and I can't kick this habit now). Sure enough, inside the RS-120 was a 3V CR-2032 button lithium battery manufactured by Varta. Yes, this is a very common coin type battery used in many devices! The problem is that it was soldered in place by tabs that are welded onto the button battery itself. I'm sure Raymarine soldered it in place to be sure that corrosion wouldn't affect a battery socket over the life of the GPS. This complicates changing the battery a bit.

Here are the pictures with some instructions if anyone else wants to try to replace the battery in their Raymarine RS-120 GPS. © Rich 2015 !

Note: This is only a solution for a failed battery. If your GPS will work OK after issuing the 'Restart GPS' command from your GPS Status screen, and your GPS is about 10 years or more old, then this procedure may get the GPS working again as it was before the internal battery went dead.

It was easy to disassemble the RS-120. First there were two screws holding the mount to the bottom of the GPS sensor. Then there were 6 small screws that had to be removed. After the 6 screws are removed (don't lose them!), pull the top off, but be careful not to damage the gasket under the circuit board. There is also a large O-ring used to seal the case, but this one doesn't look easily damaged.

Here is the original battery as installed by Raymarine, it was a Varta 2032 3V Lithium button battery. In this picture the positive terminal of the battery is facing down or away from the circuit board, the negative terminal is facing 'up' or towards the GPS circuit board:


Original Varta 2032 3V lithium battery can be seen under the circuit board

I checked the voltage on the original battery and it was down to about 0.3 VDC. This should be at 3.0 VDC or higher.

I went to a local Batteries+ (or may be known as Batteries+Bulbs). They built me a new battery 'pack' using a CR2032 Lithium battery. Basically they spot welded two wires onto a CR2032 battery for me, and then covered the battery in heat shrink tubing to insulate it. It cost me $14.99. A bit pricey, but it was built while I waited and at least I know it was built properly, and also has a fresh battery. Note that if you try to solder wires or tabs to the CR2032 battery yourself, you will probably over heat and damage the battery. It's best to buy one that already has solder tabs on it (or get one built for you as I did). Alternatively, you could install a CR2032 battery socket, but then you could have problems with corrosion over time.

To remove the old battery from the GPS, first confirm that there is no power to the GPS by checking at the red and black leads that come to the circuit board with a volt meter. If there is 12V power here, find the breaker for your MFD or electronic accessories to turn off the power and confirm that it is off before proceeding.

I then used some scissors (or you can use wire snips) to clip the battery tabs, but leave enough of the tabs on the circuit board to allow you to solder the new battery wires. Don't flex these tabs too much, or cut too close to the circuit board, you don't want to stress the circuit board traces too much and they could be fragile, so be careful. This way you're not taking the chance to damage the circuit board when trying to solder the new battery wires.


Raymarine RS-120 GPS with its original battery clipped out. Take note of the positive (to the left) and negative (to the right) terminals before you remove the original battery.

Next place the new battery (be sure it's fully insulated) into the base of the GPS, then route its wires to the tabs and solder them to the tabs taking important note to see that the positive and negative leads are installed properly.


Raymarine RS-120 GPS with the new battery installed. You can see the new battery insulated and installed to the left of the cable clamp. Its wires are soldered to the clipped tabs of the original battery (red is positive, black negative).

Then check the voltage at the old battery tabs after installing the battery. The one that is to the left in the photo (closer to the center of the circuit board) should be positive, and the one closer to the edge of the circuit board is negative. You should read about 3.2 VDC here with a fresh battery after it is installed. If the voltage is correct, you are done, re-assemble and re-install the GPS.

Restore the power to your GPS. Turn on your MFD. You may need to use the GPS Status page to issue a 'Restart GPS' command. Once this is done, it may take a couple of minutes to fully lock onto the satellites. Once this occurs, you should get quick lock-ons in the future.

I just saved you about $375 USD as Raymarine wants you to buy a new GPS and SeaTalkng converter kit to retrofit a new GPS into the older MFD systems that used RS120s:
http://www.amazon.com/Raymarine-Rays...aymarine+rs130

You're welcome! If you're happy with this procedure, feel free to send me a donation! © Rich 2015

IMPORTANT WARNING: If you're not comfortable with working with electronics, get someone that is to help you! As you could easily damage your GPS for many reasons, and then it WILL cost you $375 (plus installation) to replace your damaged GPS.
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Last edited by Rich; 07-21-2019 at 08:59 AM.
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Old 06-02-2015, 12:36 PM   #2
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Awesome post Rich. This is the kind of content I search for online to fix a particular product. I almost wish I had one to fix as I have had the same habit as you pulling stuff apart to see how it works. I figure if I'm at the point of buying a new one, what harm in looking inside. I've fixed an over-the-stove microwave with a $2 switch and my central vac with $8 brushes. Kudos.
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Old 06-02-2015, 12:52 PM   #3
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Thanks!

I hope this helps someone!
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Old 06-02-2015, 04:10 PM   #4
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That was such a good tutorial it makes me want to go out and buy a "dead" gps unit to fix!

Many of my "repairs" are done when the alternative is junking the item. With that as the situation, I'm fearless.
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Old 06-02-2015, 05:05 PM   #5
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My Garmin late last year was having a hard time (long time) in getting a fix. I haven't opened it up yet but I'm almost positive it's due to a dead battery. This means every time the GPS is powered on it will take 12.5 minutes to download the entire almanac and ephemeris.

I'll probably open it up one of these weekends.
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Old 06-02-2015, 07:21 PM   #6
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Let us know what you find. Of course if it works provide details and the model number of your GPS.

If it doesn't work, never mind!
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Old 06-04-2015, 10:41 AM   #7
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Default also used in some old computer systems

We buy them with the leads already soldered on from Digi Key
http://www.digikey.com/product-detai.../P198-ND/31966

Just unsolder the old one and replace it with these
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Old 06-04-2015, 12:34 PM   #8
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Dave,

Yes, and at a lot cheaper price. But with this you have to plan and include shipping time (and shipping cost).

I wanted to get mine fixed right away so I had a battery made while I waited.

Thanks for the link, I'm sure it will help someone. There are sources online, just search and you shall find!
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Old 06-04-2015, 05:36 PM   #9
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Yes Rich,
That is a problem.
Surprised none of the marinas are carrying these.
Biggest problem with batteries though is they do have a shelf life.
Don't sell all you get and then have to dump them. But the shelf life should be around 3 years, at least that is what we see when buy in large lots.
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Old 06-09-2015, 04:33 PM   #10
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Default 2002 Raymarine L1250

Thanks for new idea. Nothing about this in the manual (or I didn't see it.) I have a Raymarine L1250 that came with the boat purchased 2013. Owners manual is dated 2002 so the timing is about right for the battery life expectancy. Never could get the GPS to display local chart and there are so many features I always thought it was something that I missed.

Next week, I'll drop it off at the Raymarine Service Center in Nashua and see what they have to say. They did some work on a handheld VHF for me several years ago. Quick, easy, inexpensive.
Many thanks, Rich
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Old 06-09-2015, 07:53 PM   #11
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The battery in discussion here is in the GPS sensor, that may be mounted on a pole, on your radar arch, or on top of your boat somewhere.

I don't think there is one in the L1250, but I don't have one, nor checked the manual. You may want to see if there is a Restart GPS command available via a GPS Status page on your L1250.

You may want to check your seatalk or nmea status pages to see if the unit is receiving data from the GPS sensor. It could be just a fuse or a switch that is turned off somewhere.

But if the unit is this old, and there is a battery in the GPS sensor, it may need to be replaced. Raymarine will tell you to buy a new GPS, as they say they will not service the older GPS sensors anymore.

Let us know what happens.
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Old 06-10-2015, 04:44 PM   #12
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Default Ahh!

Thank you. I sent a PM.
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Old 07-30-2018, 07:04 AM   #13
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This old post is still being used.

Someone with an older GPS recently used this info to make an easy repair and save a bunch of B.O.A.T. dough.
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Old 07-31-2020, 08:32 AM   #14
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These GPS heads are still out there with dead batteries. It's amazing to me that people are still struggling with these.

This thread will help you get more life out of your GPS if you don't want to spend the money to replace it.

Mine is still going strong after I replaced the battery as shown in the original post.
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Old 07-31-2020, 09:26 AM   #15
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Default See?

This is exactly the type of reason Webmaster got soooo many regards for his 25 years!

Thank you, again!
(I don't even own a GPS.
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Old 08-05-2023, 08:59 PM   #16
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I just came across another GPS on a boat that needed this battery fix, yes they are still out there!

And mine is still working since my original repair.
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