Solix 2D issues

[elcaboing]

Hi All,

So I updated my graphs this year with 2x 12" Solix G3 units with the latest updates. Once at the console and one at the bow. I headed out this morning to test everything out and seem to have issues with my 2D at the console. I have a XM 14 HW MSI T and XNT 14 HW T connected with a 14 M SIDB Y. Both transducers are installed on the transom, in the exact same holes as I had the Helix transducers installed. I had some vertical lines on the 2D and did a quick google check and found someone saying that it might be cross talk from another transducer. My question is can I disable the 2D transducer on the XM 14 HW MSI T? Do you think that would be causing the issues. I tried playing around with the settings and chose different noise options but I could never get rid of it. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

If I am to turn off the 2d on the XM 14 HW MSI T, would I have to remove it from the Y cable and connect that direct, disable, then connect again?

Steve

[Wayne P.]

Using the SIDB Y cable, the 2D piezo in the MSI transducer is "disabled" since it is disconnected (no wires) and the added 2D transducer is connected in its place. It is impossible to get 2D cross talk with that setup.
It makes no difference which transducer is providing 2D==there is only one that can.
You may can get cross-talk from another unit and its transducer.

[elcaboing]

Thanks Wayne. Wasn't sure how the Y cable worked. Only other transducer I have is the MDI one that is built into my Terrova. Don't think that is what's causing it. I will do some more testing next time I am out on the water. It was very strange as the transducers are installed in the exact same holes as I had previously with my Helix units. I had the MSI and the high speed transducer with a y cable and never got anything like that before.

[elcaboing]

Was able to take the boat out again today. Still having issues with the 2D having vertical lines. It looks a little like this from the humminbird website.
https://humminbird-help.johnsonoutdo...l-Interference

I did try turning off the large motor and just using the trolling motor or even drifting but the lines are still there. I never had this issue last year but I have done a few changes since then. I was running Helix units with an 24 group AGM battery as a starter and running all other electronics, and 2 wet cell 27 group batteries for my 24v terrova. I have a ML1 attached to the head of the trolling motor and again did not have this type of interference.

This year I upgraded to 12" Solix G3 units, and also purchased lithium batteries for my trolling motor and starter. I have a 3 bank charger that charges all batteries. Now my question is this, could the lithium battery that I am using now cause this interference with the units? The unit at the bow also suffers from the same issue when I am using the built in MDI of the terrova. To me it all points to the battery.

All the runs for the units, ML, and 5 port ethernet switch, go to a fuse box with 10g marine wire from the battery to the fuse box, and the same 10g from the fuse box to each unit after. I have never installed the filter that came with the ML and was wondering if I would install that from the battery to the fuse box if that would maybe help with the issues. It's not the ML that is having interference when using the trolling motor so I don't think connecting the filter from the end that connects the battery and charger will help. If not that filter is there something else that you would suggest I use? Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

[elcaboing]

So after lots of testing and trying things I am still having 2D issues. This is what I have done:

1. Installed the choke filter that came with my mega live -> still same problem
2. Installed a quick connect from my fuse to main battery to make sure noise was not from charging system -> still same problem
3. Checked all power connections. 13.7 volts at battery, 13.6 volts at fuse box, 13.6 volts out of power connections to solix -> still same problem
4. Checked the 3A fuse on the head of the Terrova -> still the same problem

So after doing all that, I stumble across that if I disable the ping from the US2 transducer (I have a Terrova with buit in MDI +) the problem goes away.
To try and fix this I have done the following:

1. Tried different noise reduction on both Solix Units for 2D -> still same problem
2. Tried setting up diff frequencies on both Solix Units -> still same problem

I am stumped at what more I can try. It's not interference from the trolling motor because when I disable the ping and still use the motor, I get no noise on the console unit. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Steve

[Wayne P.]

You are describing cross-talk which is units receiving sonar pulses from other units on the same frequency.
The Minnkota MDI transducer is not US2.
MDI is HW CHIRP 2D sonar and 455kHz/800kHz/1.2 MHz Down Imaging.
US2 is a 83/200 kHz 2D transducer.

Most that have that issue will subscribe to the same unit for sonar so only one transducer is pinged.

[elcaboing]

So there is no other way of using both? I had no issues when I was using my Helix units last year. Once I upgraded to the Solix G3, that's when the issues started. I like having the 2d and DI when I am on the trolling motor to see what is in front of me. When I fish solo, that is what I usually do. I even tried removing the Y cable that I have that connects the highspeed transducer to the MSI one and just use the MSI but that did not fix the issue. Maybe I will call HB and see if they have other suggestions.

[Wayne P.]

So there is no other way of using both? I had no issues when I was using my Helix units last year. Once I upgraded to the Solix G3, that's when the issues started. I like having the 2d and DI when I am on the trolling motor to see what is in front of me. When I fish solo, that is what I usually do. I even tried removing the Y cable that I have that connects the highspeed transducer to the MSI one and just use the MSI but that did not fix the issue. Maybe I will call HB and see if they have other suggestions.

IF you change the HW Spectrum to Narrow, the coverage will be 25 degrees instead of 42 degrees for Full and Wide.

OR can use a different 2D sonar transducer that has a smaller coverage===200 kHz @ 20 degrees.

[elcaboing]

Thanks Wayne, will try that next time I am out.