Another interference issue. Mega 360

[Tone357]

Ok, I’ve had the mega, along with a dedicated Helix 12 since shortly after the release. I noticed on previous trips that I was getting minor pinwheel effects. Fast forward to today, and I’ve got it real bad. Every time I step on the Ultrex pedal, it starts. I have the filter set to 3. The really odd thing is, I have a Solix right next to it, no interference issues at all! Any suggestions on what to look for?

[Wayne P.]

How is the excess cable managed and what is route of MEGA 360 transducer cable between the trolling motor and display?

[Tone357]

Hopefully I don’t sound like a smart ass, lord knows I appreciate your help. But the cabling hasn’t been touched since the day it was installed. Does this sound like damaged cables?

[Wayne P.]

Hopefully I don’t sound like a smart ass, lord knows I appreciate your help. But the cabling hasn’t been touched since the day it was installed. Does this sound like damaged cables?

Using the trolling motor adds wear. If you are just getting RFI and never had it before, that added wear can cause RFI and so can cable damage.
So can a damaged prop, or bent trolling motor shaft.
If the install was done correctly to avoid RFI as much as possible, then you can begin to resolve it by checking what has changed.

[Tone357]

Got it sir. Thank you!

[Capw]

I suddenly had bad interference on my 360 screen the other day. Nothing had changed, like yours. I tried changing the filter setting but that did nothing. While the 360 was deployed and scanning, I simply shut off 360 pinging and turned it back on, all interference gone. Strange but it worked and I was very relieved.

[Tone357]

Thanks for responding Capw, I will look into that as well. Wayne, I just thought about something. I have been having an electrical issue with my navigation light that sits atop my Power Poles flickering and not working at times. And that probably coincides with the pinwheel showing up. I did a patch job on it to get it to work, but the patch includes a non water proof splice. I know nothing about electrical currents, but. Do you suppose that the positive charge in the water could be the cause?

[Wayne P.]

Thanks for responding Capw, I will look into that as well. Wayne, I just thought about something. I have been having an electrical issue with my navigation light that sits atop my Power Poles flickering and not working at times. And that probably coincides with the pinwheel showing up. I did a patch job on it to get it to work, but the patch includes a non water proof splice. I know nothing about electrical currents, but. Do you suppose that the positive charge in the water could be the cause?

No, maybe it would cause corrosion and why you connect the 360 drain wire to the negative wire.

[Tone357]

No, maybe it would cause corrosion and why you connect the 360 drain wire to the negative wire.

Ok, just a thought. Here are pictures of my routing of the cables. Really don't see another way to do it. Do you have a picture of the correct way?

[Wayne P.]

Ok, just a thought. Here are pictures of my routing of the cables. Really don't see another way to do it. Do you have a picture of the correct way?

Good job, that is the correct way.

Some put the cables with the trolling motor power/steering which is an invitation to get RFI with them being parallel and close together.

[Wayne P.]

Next is how did you manage the excess cables? There is a lot of slack to deal with.
I think we may have discussed this before.

[Tone357]

Next is how did you manage the excess cables? There is a lot of slack to deal with.
I think we may have discussed this before.

I bundled them and tied them with a zip tie under the deck.

[Wayne P.]

I bundled them and tied them with a zip tie under the deck.

Describe the "bundle", it makes a difference.

[Tone357]

Describe the "bundle", it makes a difference.

Fold the cable into 7 inch sections and zip tie them together.

[electritek]

Fold the cable into 7 inch sections and zip tie them together.

Skip the zip tie's. Use electrical tape.

[Tone357]

Skip the zip tie's. Use electrical tape.

Why would that make a difference sir?

[bombercraw]

Just curious if you found a solution to the RFI issues on your Mega 360? I have been trouble shooting mine for almost a year now and have tried everything suggested and everything i have been able to find on the internet to no avail. I have spent countless hours and weekends trying to figure this out. I have been able to minimize it but not enough to make it usable. I keep checking the forum in hopes of finding something new to try to hopefully solve this issue.