Still getting interference on Helix

[VH5150]

I get interference on my Helix 10 when using DI when using the trolling motor. I replaced the fuse in the Minn Kota (it was blown ) The Helix is powered by my cranking battery. (31 age x-2)I disconnected the jumper cable from my cranking battery to the trolling motor battery's (3 Agms), thinking that may have been a cause. Still getting interference.

[Wayne P.]

Do you have an on-board battery charger that is connected to the trolling motor batterys and the cranking battery?

[VH5150]

13162264[/URL]]Do you have an on-board battery charger that is connected to the trolling motor batterys and the cranking battery?

Wayne,
yes I do

[Wayne P.]

Wayne,
yes I do

Disconnect the battery charger cable from the starting battery to see if RFI is eliminated.

If so, do you have this on the starting battery charger cable?

Charger Choke for Interference - Humminbird (johnsonoutdoors.com)

[VH5150]

Disconnect the battery charger cable from the starting battery to see if RFI is eliminated.

If so, do you have this on the starting battery charger cable?

Charger Choke for Interference - Humminbird (johnsonoutdoors.com)

Wayne,

I will definitely check this out ! How do you install charger choke?

Thank you

[jerzia]

Wayne,

I will definitely check this out ! How do you install charger choke?

Thank you

https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdo...r-Interference

[VH5150]

https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdo...r-Interference

Thank you

[SLYDoggie]

You use the choke if you have a Trolling Motor, an onboard charger, and are having interference. If you are getting trolling motor interference, then it needs to be installed between the charger and the battery you have your fishing electronics connected to.

Sometimes Trolling Motor interference can feed back through the charger and make its way to the electronics battery even though the charger isn't being used. That is when you need to use the choke.

Beware because there is all kinds of incorrect information in various "Fakebook" posts about where to install the choke. It has to go between the charger and battery you are using for your electronics.

[VH5150]

Just want to make certain before I cut wires, that this is the correct way to install.

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[Hollada]

Don’t cut any wires till you confirm that the interference goes away if you disconnect your charger leads from your electronics. If it does go away, the choke could help. If it doesn’t go away, the choke will do nothing as the source of your RFI is not leakage across the charger.

[Timmmay]

If they’re used, check zip ties on the transducer cable along tolling motor shaft for pinching or look too tight.

I was having issues with SI interference on my Solix G2 at the bow only when using the trolling motor. At first it was intermittent but got worse as time went on. Had it in 2 different shops & they couldn’t figure it out. One put a choke on (free of charge) & that did nothing for the interference. Luckily, we could see the interference whether the transducer was in the water or not. It got to really bugging me so I started looking at the transducer & noticed the original installer had the zip ties on the trolling motor shaft & transducer cable cranked down & pinching the cable jacket. Snipped them off 1 at a time & the interference disappeared. Unfortunately, the cable was ruined - tried re-zip tying without the pinching but I assume the cable jacket/insulation had been compromised because the interference would eventually always return. The next year, while on a fall trip to Eufala we decided to stop by HBird’s office down there & see if we could borrow a new transducer to see if the interference would go away before dropping hundreds more on a new one. They weren’t allowed to come outside to our boat but they did lend me a new transducer & I tested it out in the parking lot & the interference completely went away. Upon going back inside to return the transducer, the woman who was helping us told me, "Merry early Xmas. You just keep that, hon. You’ve been through enough with that thing." Not many people like that these days.

Thousands of dollars in electronics, multiple trips to professionals & zip ties were the culprits. Sometimes the simplest things get overlooked multiple times.

[SoonerFan]

Good luck on that, I went through it about 6 years ago when I installed my Ultrex and Helix 10 SI. I would have to go back into the archives to remember all the details but I do remember trying every damn thing that anyone suggested. Finally I talked to a tech at MK and he sent me a choke that was a beast....must have weigh a pound. I had to re-wire my whole TM plug set up and stash the giant choke behind my front bow panel. It fixed it and I never thought about it again.

[Wayne P.]

Good luck on that, I went through it about 6 years ago when I installed my Ultrex and Helix 10 SI. I would have to go back into the archives to remember all the details but I do remember trying every damn thing that anyone suggested. Finally I talked to a tech at MK and he sent me a choke that was a beast....must have weigh a pound. I had to re-wire my whole TM plug set up and stash the giant choke behind my front bow panel. It fixed it and I never thought about it again.

That is the TMC-1. I used that when I had Motor Guide trolling motors.

[SoonerFan]

That is the TMC-1. I used that when I had Motor Guide trolling motors.

That sounds correct. I'm sure you don't remember but you were mucho help with that problem. Thank You in case I never did say it before.