Helix 9 Mega SI issues

[Wayne P.]

Yup middle bar is TM OFF. All the nice Si pics are with TM on. They are poop with it off.

I think this screen shot is from 2010 with a 798ci SI Combo:

[th365thli]

Pleased to report that Humminbird fixed the issue. They also gave me a brand new transducer. Tested Mega imaging and it seemed normal. I noticed as I got to deeper water, maybe 40+ feet, the side imaging started to get dim, but a change in brightness and contrast fixed it. I heard that deeper water affects image quality so I'm not too concerned. Will keep on monitoring.

[sfw1960]

Mine looks like that if the trolling motor is NOT on. It's not a boat has to be moving thing.

I love this Helix but it has so many bugs.

Here is on-off-on

Bill.

I think you should contact C/S with attached copies of the ACTUAL shots from the machine and tell them what's up (If you have not done so already).

I have no idea other than a defect why that would be occurring.

Crazy!

You should start hosting your pics on:

https://postimages.org/

So the forum software doesn't size them down so small either - it helps us all see the native resolution if we open them in another window or tab too...

[MonteSS]

I usually do use Postimage.

Top motor is off. Bottom TM is on

[th365thli]

I usually do use Postimage.

Top motor is off. Bottom TM is on

Honestly I'm confused this looks normal to me. You said bottom is TM is on right? It looks like regular TM interference. Top actually looks better, just needs some image setting adjustments

[sfw1960]

Sure looks gritty on the left outside where the digital overlay is....

Also are you putting any variance into the MDI Sweep freq?

I NEVER run the same range on MDI and MSI to avoid any cross talk or waffling - try 1163-1277 kHz (yes I pulled those out of the air) for the MDI and compare next trip - but the lower left is puzzling.

[cards21]

Mine looks like that if the trolling motor is NOT on. It's not a boat has to be moving thing.

I love this Helix but it has so many bugs.

Here is on-off-on

That picture resembled mine before I added the choke between the onboard charger and the battery that the Helix is connected to. Not completely gone now but, noticeably better.

[MonteSS]

Left on the image is the shore line.

I have the choke installed to the charger.

I have a single old HB ferrite ring close to the head but it's small and the TD cable plug is large so only got three wraps.

TY all and didn't mean to Hijack this post.

[sfw1960]

I'm going to forward you a copy of a PM Bill.
Just for the information.
Disregard the conversation please, doing stuff from a phone is a pain!!
LOL

[BrownTrout]

This is what happens to my Helix 10 DI when I hit the tm.

[sfw1960]

I'm wondering if that's a result of the spike when either the PWM circuit kicks in or the motor magnets energize.

I've always had that happen on any imaging unit new or old to some extent.

But I think it's more apparent with the higher frequency and more sensitive units Jim.

Never gave it much thought because I'm constantly steering with the PDv2.

I wonder what Wayne's thoughts are?

[Wayne P.]

I'm wondering if that's a result of the spike when either the PWM circuit kicks in or the motor magnets energize.

I've always had that happen on any imaging unit new or old to some extent.

But I think it's more apparent with the higher frequency and more sensitive units Jim.

Never gave it much thought because I'm constantly steering with the PDv2.

I wonder what Wayne's thoughts are?

I thought those were caused by turning the trolling motor.

[sfw1960]

I thought those were caused by turning the trolling motor.

That may be also - looks like the image host ate Jim's pic....

[BrownTrout]

This is what happens to my Helix 10 DI when I hit the tm.

Think I figured this out yesterday. My 2007 MK trolling motor mount has a little “slack” in it from wear over the years. When I hit the tm pedal the tm and xdcr pivot upward a little (bottom appears deeper) and when I let up it pivots back down (bottom appears shallower). Make sense? Gotta figure out how to remove that slack.

[Wayne P.]

Think I figured this out yesterday. My 2007 MK trolling motor mount has a little “slack” in it from wear over the years. When I hit the tm pedal the tm and xdcr pivot upward a little (bottom appears deeper) and when I let up it pivots back down (bottom appears shallower). Make sense? Gotta figure out how to remove that slack.

Yes that does make sense.

[sfw1960]

Absolutely.

Great detective work JP!

Now that you've mentioned that it explains why it's been "normal" for me for years....



I run a MK PDv2 electric steer TM...

It's a 60" shaft, so there's flex every time I turn on the thrust; add to the fact the shaft feeds through a pivoting servo steering drive that has to have some play and you've explained it perfectly.

As far as me having any ideas to eliminate it???

I got nuttin'....

[BrownTrout]

I have a friend coming over this afternoon to help me check it out. May need to replace some worn bushings, add some shims, etc. Not looking to replace the trolling motor. Need that denaro for a new Helix 10 SI Chirp Mega GPS G2N unit for the console.