Interference help

[Kittycat2012]

I've read many threads on here about this but I'm now at my wits end and need some help.

Setup helix 10 Megas bow and stern linked. Si transducer on transducer shield mounted to atlas jackplate and di mounted to motorguide x5 with transducer shield. Cable is run up trollingmotor shaft to the head and from there down the cable to the foot pedal where it splits away

Both units run with 6 gauge wire straight to cranking battery (31 Agm). I have a ground run from my cranking battery to the jackplate and a ground run from the trolling motor skeg to the ground wire on my trolling motor. I've also tried running this wire to the ground wire on my graph. Still getting a lot of interference.

Have turned off dash graph graph to make sure that's not the cause. Still interference. I have rerun wires at the bow to make sure the graph wires are away from the trolling motor power (not touching). Still getting interference.

I dont know know where to go from here. I'm a longtime Lowrance guy and I'm loving these new graphs but I can't get past this issue. This is on a Basscat puma FTD I've owned a 7 of them and never had this problem.

Any help appreciated

[Wayne P.]

Your started off wrong with your trolling motor transducer. Seems you are using the transom DI transducer instead of the proper trolling motor puck that has extra internal shielding to help with RFI.

You also have a transducer cable path that can be an issue with RFI, you should not have it attached to the steering/power cable. While some can get away with it, the proper route is along the motor mount to the deck.

Have you checked the fuse in the motor head?

Are you using a multi-bank battery charger for the trolling motor batteries and the cranking battery?

[Kittycat2012]

I'm using the DI transducer that came with the unit (new mega DI). I'll try to figure out a new path but it's exactly like a buddy of mine same setup and his has no interference at all. I don't know about the fuse in the head I guess I need to call motorguide and ask? And yes I'm using a 4 bank Minn Kota charger

[Kittycat2012]

Do I need to buy a new transducer?

[Wayne P.]

Either the XTM 9 DI 25 T which matches the transom transducer 2D frequencies. OR the XTM 9 WIDE DI 20 T that is tuned to 83/200 kHz 2D.

Look at the install photos here for the cable management that Doug uses: http://www.bbcboards.net/showthread....llation+Images

[Tbarrett5437]

Had the same problem mounting my Helix 10 to my trolling motor. Would get interference when I hit power to the trolling motor. Finally narrowed it down to the hummingbird metal clamp that held the transducer to the trolling motor. Replaced it with a plastic zip tie and interference went away. I spent several hours researching and eliminating potential causes before I found the problem. Hope this helps you.

[DonnieG]

Wayne, what would cause the fuse in the TM to blow?

[acwd1950]

is the trolling motor shaft composite or stainless steel? have you tried grounding the motor housing to the negative post on trolling motor battery?

steve

[Wayne P.]

Wayne, what would cause the fuse in the TM to blow?

Has something to do with a battery charger that shares voltage between banks and the motor is left connected when charging. It was discussed a few years ago.

[Kittycat2012]

Will humminbird give me a new ducer? Im
not very confident at all in using zip ties to hold it on either. Can’t understand why I’ve never had this problem before. Same setup every year just different graph brand. Doesn’t make sense .... not bashing I wouldn’t have swapped if they weren’t clearly better

[Wayne P.]

Will humminbird give me a new ducer? Im
not very confident at all in using zip ties to hold it on either. Can’t understand why I’ve never had this problem before. Same setup every year just different graph brand. Doesn’t make sense .... not bashing I wouldn’t have swapped if they weren’t clearly better

PM sent

[DonnieG]

Has something to do with a battery charger that shares voltage between banks and the motor is left connected when charging. It was discussed a few years ago.

Thanks Wayne

[21xdc95bullet]

Has anyone wrapped the TM head with eletrical tape and put that transducer mount on it? Would that help?

[Wayne P.]

Has anyone wrapped the TM head with eletrical tape and put that transducer mount on it? Would that help?

Electrical tape won't block radio frequencies.

[21xdc95bullet]

I had the same problem with my lowrance... went from a MG to MK... it didn’t do it on my MG but switched to MK and it started. Well I just upgraded to helix 10’s. So I assume I’m gonna have the same problem.

[Wayne P.]

I had the same problem with my lowrance... went from a MG to MK... it didn’t do it on my MG but switched to MK and it started. Well I just upgraded to helix 10’s. So I assume I’m gonna have the same problem.

You cannot assume anything. Each part of an installation is different with each other.

[21xdc95bullet]

Be on the lookout for me lol if I have problems I will start my own thread

[APS]

try taping a ground wire from tm ground to the ss shaft of the mg. If that don't work change it to ground of front unit. That's the only way I've ever been able to get rid of it on all of mine in the past. All the chokes, ferrite rings, etc never did anything for any of my boats.

[Kittycat2012]

try taping a ground wire from tm ground to the ss shaft of the mg. If that don't work change it to ground of front unit. That's the only way I've ever been able to get rid of it on all of mine in the past. All the chokes, ferrite rings, etc never did anything for any of my boats.

Thanks Randy Ive done both I also found out its probably the transducer I'm running. Gonna try a new one and run the wiring different. Wayne P your the man you've know your stuff pretty good