sonar issues

[gip50]

guys I need advice, bought a used fortrex trolling motor with built in sonar from local boat dealer. gave a 60 day warranty. right from start sonar had wide bars going thru picture and picture would fade in and out. depth constantly fluctuated. took back to dealer he put new sonar on and depth still fluctuates constantly and picture still not right. out of 60 day warranty. less than 30 min use total. not sure what is causing problem or what to try and do to fix. any/all advice appreciated. thanks

[Wayne P.]

Do a site search for RFI (Radio Frequency Interference). There a dozens of possible remedies.
The first one with your motor is to check the fuse on the ground wire in the steering housing.

[Bradrodfish]

guys I need advice, bought a used fortrex trolling motor with built in sonar from local boat dealer. gave a 60 day warranty. right from start sonar had wide bars going thru picture and picture would fade in and out. depth constantly fluctuated. took back to dealer he put new sonar on and depth still fluctuates constantly and picture still not right. out of 60 day warranty. less than 30 min use total. not sure what is causing problem or what to try and do to fix. any/all advice appreciated. thanks

There is a 3 amp fuse in the head of the toll motor. Brown wire. Make sure the fuse is good. Blown fuse would cause this problem.

[gip50]

checked fuse, it was good. could depth finder need adjusting to sonar since it is not unit specific to hummingbird ? had friend say this happens to universal sonar sometimes. that depth finder needs to be adjusted to this type of sonar. have not heard this before, was wondering if anyone else has. thanks

[Wayne P.]

checked fuse, it was good. could depth finder need adjusting to sonar since it is not unit specific to hummingbird ? had friend say this happens to universal sonar sometimes. that depth finder needs to be adjusted to this type of sonar. have not heard this before, was wondering if anyone else has. thanks

US2 is 83/200 kHz and is "universal" for several brands. Same as the built-in transducer in a Motor Guide.
There is no adjustment difference between brands, just the physical connection.

[ezfishn]

Not sure what unit you have. There is a Connected Transducer setting on HB that can be changed to use the US2 transducer. It is a Dual Beam 83/200khz transducer, so look for something similar in the settings.

[wmitch2]

Not sure what unit you have. There is a Connected Transducer setting on HB that can be changed to use the US2 transducer. It is a Dual Beam 83/200khz transducer, so look for something similar in the settings.

^^^^THIS^^^

[gip50]

universal sonar is connected to older 596hd at bow. will look for dual beam 83/200 setting and try that. thanks.

[Wayne P.]

universal sonar is connected to older 596hd at bow. will look for dual beam 83/200 setting and try that. thanks.

A unit of that vintage could have either US2 or Dual Beam as the Connected Transducer choice. A software update back then changed the name.

[gip50]

Been so cold haven't had much chance to adjust sonar, but have been tinkered with sonar unit the 1 time i did go out so that now works until i step on trolling motor and then it goes crazy. let off TM and it goes back to working. Is unit just to old or have i still not got it set right or doing something wrong? any ideas/help appreciated.

[billnorman1]

The sonar should NOT be connected to the trolling motor batteries,