Hi there guys. Ill start by introducing myself as smitty010203 from NC. I have read a little on this forum and figured it was time for me to post since I am desperate need of help. I have a pretty new G3 20cc that I just added my second Garmin unit to. The first was a Echomap Chirp 73sv at the helm (kicking myself for not getting a 9" unit). And I just recently added a Garmin Striker plus 9sv at the bow of the boat. Which is where my woes begin. For starters, it is an absolute Pain to get a transducer rigged up on the Minn Kota Powerdrive Trolling motor, but I knew it would be. I have researched and seen it all for months before I even added the transducer. Even then its still a pain. My real issue however is INTERFERENCE.......

I have talked with Minn Kota several times, I have talked with Garmin a couple times.

Setup: Garmin Striker plus 9sv with CV52HW-TM (same ducer on both units actually). 24v Minn Kota Powerdrive with Ipilot (2016ish model)
Problem: Anytime the tm is running I get interference ACCEPT at speed 10. It really shows up worst on Sidevu and Clearvu, traditional isnt as bad.
Things I have tried:

  • Checked fuse in head of TM
  • Unhooked fuses on minn kota 3 bank charger at the cranking battery
  • Ran Garmin power to separate battery off the boat
  • added ferrite beads all over the dang place (does nothing)
  • opened up Powerdrive where the battery indicator is since MK is sending me a beed to put there and apparently there already is factory installed ferrite bead in place
  • changed frequencies on garmin
  • ran ground wire from hole drilled in skeg (bare metal) to all sorts of places (does nothing)
  • checked the brush wires in the motor to make sure they weren't touching the barrel (multiple times). Already familiar with this since I had to replace that barrel almost immediately when I got my TM because the magnet inside was cracked. There has been no water intrusion in the motor since I did this repair myself almost a year ago and the motor has ran just fine.
  • Tried putting electrical tape over the brush wires (have since removed)
  • Connected the TM transducer to my helm Echomap unit, (got interference)

The only effects:

  • I have only seen a change by doing a couple things aside from changing brightnness settings (gain) on the Garmin.
  • taking the transducer off the motor makes the interference go away, the closer i get it back to the unit the more interference shows up. It also makes a difference is if point the transducer at the trolling motor in a way. Either way, once I am within 6" of the TM, interference starts showing back up.
  • On one occasion, I pulled the fuse in the head of the unit off the ground wire and it actually made the interference go away a little bit. I stopped the motor and restarted it then it just came back worse, so I put the fuse back in then it was back to its normal interference.


Having a fishfinder on the Bow has been amazing, I have always wanted one and when I am fishing without the trolling motor running its the greatest thing ever, problem is I almost always have the TM running. so this issue is going to drive me insane.

I am taking the powerdrive to the local Minn Kota repair man today to fix a seperate issue since its covered under warranty (really wobbly at the knuckle, a bushing in pin is broken I believe). I am going to have him also replace the brushes if he has the parts, they seem to be a little chipped up and worn where they make contact with the copper plates on the armature. maybe ill get lucky and that will help

Aside from that working which I doubt it will, I am at a loss. I can normally fix all sorts of things because I am mechanically inclined and very good at researching things. But this issue is kicking my tail. I am at the point where I am going to try and get my hands on another trolling motor to see if it does anything, or just buy another trolling motor, OR... put the friggin transducer on a pvc pipe and stick it in the water whenever I am putting the motor down.

If any of you guys have any bright ideas left that I could try out I sure would appreciate it.