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I posted this question as part of another post on depth finders and should have separated them out then. I was wondering if anyone had any info (i.e. pros, cons, good, bad, indifferent, etc.) on the unviversal sonar feature available on some of the minn kota trolling motors such as the Fortrex. I am looking to buy a new trolling motor for my boat and just wondering. I will have a depth finder on the bow of my boat. Thanks.
Any info?? Surely, someone has got a TM with universal sonar or has some thoughts on it. Thanks.
I have one on my Terrova and It is paired with a HB 787. I don't know if it is just by chance but it is the first time I have ever had any sort of interferance problems. HB sent me a kit to fix it but I have not had a chance to put it on yet. Other than that it is great.
Just recently upgraded to a fortrex and it came with the sonar feature. Am in the process of switching things out...coming from a 12/24 and will have to rewire and put in a 2 bank charger. There is another fellow on here that wants to know some info about this motor too. If and when I get it up and running I will post something about it. Hope that lift assist is as good as what people say. Not sure how the sonar will work...time will tell.
Thanks for the info. I look forward to hearing how it does Drifter.
LB
The Fortrex hasn't been out long enough for many reports. I don't know about the US-2 but I have the US-1 on mine but stopped using it when I found that it has only a 14° cone. The US-2 has a 20° so should be much better. Other than that it worked fine.
I have a Terrova with US2 feature and a Eagle 640C. I've not encountered any interference problems at all and love the fact that I don't have a transducer chord running down the shaft of the trolling motor to get all twisted up.
Quote:
Originally Posted by badbrad
This way doesn't get twisted or tangled and allows a hi def transducer to be mounted.
http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishi...ansducer+mount
LB, I just talked with MK...The tech rep told me that the US2 is a 20* cone only...I have a HB 777c which has a 20*/60* cone so I will have to go with the HB transducer attached to the trolling motor with the wire running up the shaft...I didn't want to do this but I want to get all the benefits from my sonar unit..Quote:
Originally Posted by Limb Bream
Would someone verify what the rep told me? They have been wrong before..
The web page faqs says the us2 is dual frequency 200/83 khz.
I never used the 83 as my Lowrance is 200/50 khz.
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/produc...er_cables.aspx
I am confused?????
Quote:
Originally Posted by DonG
Unless somebody comes up with an answer, I will look it up in the literature that came with the TM tonight.
I too read on the Minn Kota website that the US2 has dual beam (20 & 60 degree) capabilities. That is one of the things that got me interested in the Fortrex. That and the lift assist feature. But as they say "Don't believe everything you read" so I look forward to hearing from someone that has one. Thanks.
LB
In my trolling motor manual that was a 4 page "booklet" that referred to the US2. It indicated that the motor is equipped with a high quality built-in transducer that, along with the proper Minn Kota Adapter Cable, will provide compatibility with the sonar units listed in the following chart. For the most current list, please visit our web site Home | Minn Kota Motors or call Minn Kota Technical Services at 800-227-6433.
No mention of cone angle in the literature that I have :rolleyes:. It did indicate the following..
1. "Only Minn Kota brand alternator type charging systems can be used to recharge the deep cycle battery(s) connected to a Minn Kota US2 motor.
2. "You should only use Minn Kota brand alternator type charging systems. Most other brand alternator charging systems connect the deep cycle trolling motor battery(s) negative post(s) to the crank/starting battery negative post. This connection could cause a direct short in the electrical system of a Minn Kota US2 motor."
Compatibility Chart
http://www.minnkotamotors.com/_docs/...ilityChart.pdf
Adapter Cables and Info
Adapter Cables | Universal Sonar 2 | Accessories | Products | Minn Kota
Drifter, another interesting issue...I will call MK back this morning....Quote:
Originally Posted by drifter106
I just talked with MK..The info I received yesterday was not correct...US2 is a 200/83 transducer...So, my 777c will have the correct transducer..
The rep is standing firm on the statement about MK chargers..Said other chargers do not isolate the cranking battery so you have a loop to the transducer which can cause problems...
Tom or someone else will have to explain all this....I am waiting until this afternoon before ordering the Fortrex..
I think it is roughly a $400.00 difference between the Fortrex and the Maxxum..For this $400.00 you get lift assist, US2 and a better bracket. Now I am wondering whether it is worth it.I have never had a problem with the MK old style bracket..
I am with you DonG. I am going to have to rethink getting a Fortrex. :confused: The Maxum maybe the way to go. I think it is available with a US2 also but based on what DonG posted, it might have the same potential for a BIG problem. ZAPPED!! It looks as though Minn Kota is trying to make sure you buy one of their on-board chargers. What is the difference between an "Alternator" type charge and a regular 3 bank charger? I saw them in the Bass Pro fishing catalog.
As good as the US2 sounds, I may have to just install the transducer on the motor. Worked before and it will work again. Besides, it will same me some cash $. Thanks for the help and information.
LB
Its been a long time since I seen an on-board charger that uses a common ground. They all use isolated grounds unless maybe there are some real cheapies out there that don't.
I agree Bill. Somebody is full of it.Quote:
Originally Posted by IBNFSHN
Tom, you or Bill draw me a picture of a 3 bank charger and how the grounds are isolated..I just don't understand from reading..:( Don't the 3 different ground wires go back to the charger to a terminal strip?Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
The 3 bank chargers have three 2 pair cables (red/black). Each red/black are associated with a different battery.
Just hook up the 3 separate cable pairs to the 3 separate batteries.
The isolation is internal to the unit. Most good units are reverse polarity protected.
Here is the Dual Pro I had with 3 banks. Doesn't matter which output is wired to which battery on this unit. 10 amps is 10 amps.
http://www.dualpro.com/media/pdf/SS3b%20insert.pdf
I always unplug my TM when charging batteries. Habit.
When I posted the info from the manual from MK I had to refrained from saying anything. Common sense tells you that more than likely its a ploy on their part to purchase additional merchandise from them. Don't they all? :rolleyes: Anyway, as CP suggests, unplugging your trolling motor when you charge makes the point mute. :cool:Quote:
Originally Posted by Cane Pole
Fortrex trolling motor...just my opinion after 1 day on the water. Not scientific, no standard to compare to other than what I had on my boat prior to installation. Dang thing is big, but deploys and retracts smoothly and hardly requires any lift. US2 is as good or better as the transducer that came with my DF. Motor is VERY quite...dial gives you a range of 0-100. Only time I could hear the whining of the motor was when I had it dialed in over 40. Foot pedal is very responsive as well as being sensitive. Very easy to turn boat even when motor is dialed in on a high speed. Don't have to fight the torque like I did on my other TM. I am replacing a 42 inch shaft. Good thing that this one has a shaft length of 45 inches...with the way it sits on the boat with the mount it took every inch it had to give it the same water penetration that my old TM provided.
Don't regret purchase...will do a better job of holding boat over a spot and I can tell that it won't wear me out like the other TM did after a day on the water.
TM pictures by drifter106 - Photobucket
Nice mounting job....I am glad it worked out and you like it...Sure looks good..Quote:
Originally Posted by drifter106
Don,t know what kind mine is[dealer installed] got 3 black and 3 red--never thought about unpluging trooler--must not hurt it--:):)
Please bear in mind that the type of charging device Minn Kota is talking about is one that is powered not by a 120V circuit through and extension cord, but via the alternator on an internal combustion engine (your outboard).
The warning from Minn Kota is to not use a non-Minn Kota Alternator Charger with the US/2 built in transducer.
Maybe Greg or Jody can explain what might happen if you don't use the Minn Kota Charger and why. I don't think its an idle threat or a marketing ploy. I think they make this recommendation based on real-world problems and they have modified their units to address these problems.