Topic: interference

[soccplayer07]

Hey guys,
New 998c SI owner. I'm getting really bad interference when using my trolling motor. I have a Minn Kota Maxxum 70. Any tips on fixing this? Thanks

[ITGEEK]

There are literally hundreds of posts on here about
trolling motor interference.
Go to the search box at the home page and type in Interference.

[Humminbird_Greg]

Try contacting the Humminbird Customer Resource folks.  They will have some standard suggestions for you to try.  Just be prepared though; what works for one boat may not work for yours.  So you may have to try several different things before finding the one that works.

[soccplayer07]

Thanks Greg,
I called them and tried a few things. I bought a new battery to use solely with the SI unit. Didn't fix it. I tried adding chokes in multiple locations. Didn't fix it. I grounded the trolling motor to the trolling motor battery and the SI battery. Didn't fix it. I ran a new power cable that is far away from the trolling motor power supply. Didn't fix it. Any other ideas? Thanks

[ITGEEK]

If the SI battery is on it's own, then I would not ground the trolling motor to it.
Unhook that wire and retest.

Also, make sure your wires to your sonar unit (power, gps, transducer, XM weather)
don't come too close to other power wires (especially the trolling motor).
If they have to touch, then lay them at right angles
(like a cross).
It's a pain, but you may have to re-route your sonar unit
wires for the best performance.

[soccplayer07]

Do you think the other wires can cause interference? I was mainly concerned with the power cables.

[ITGEEK]

Socc:
Re-read my last post, I modified it.

I think the pulses of the trolling motor power cables can
get into any wire that is hooked to your sonar if the
wires are close enough.
Everything is sending information to your sonar unit (transducer,
xm weather, gps), so any additional pulses that get into
those wires might show up on your sonar.

[Humminbird_Greg]

It is RF interference that is showing on your unit.  RF = Radio Frequency and is transmitted and received through the air.  So yes, those other wires can be a factor in your unit getting interference or not.  Contact the Humminbird Customer Resource folks again for additional suggestions.

[soccplayer07]

Talked to Humminbird again. She said there is nothing else they can do other than exchanging the transducer for the exact same model I now have. They suggested I call Minn Kota before returning the unit. Minn Kota recommended I take the motor in and get it serviced. They said a ground wire must be loose and/or they can add an internal ground kit. I left a message for the local shop. Waiting to hear back.

Anyone tried this? Cost?

[ITGEEK]

That's messed up.

I hope you get your problem sorted out without
it costing too much.

Good luck.

[rnvinc]

Did HB send you this choke also...??

http://store.humminbird.com/products/323062?product_id=a53ec19742a8cea6fe152ddf70f2f24f

Rickie

[soccplayer07]

nope. how did you get them to send it to you? Thanks

[rnvinc]

They sent it to me when I was dealing with TM interference on my 1197...

I'm surprised they haven't offered it with your issue...

Call them and ask very nicely ....(the choke is cheaper than the new Xducer they offered you)..

Rickie