Minn Kota Universal Sonar 2 Interference Issues

I finally got to take the Triton 1860SC I bought about a month ago out today. It has a Humminbird 747c on the bow hooked to the Universal Sonar 2 on a Minn Kota Maxxum Pro 80. The depth finder is picking up some electrical noise from the trolling motor, it's fine when the trolling motor is off. The higher the speed the more interference. It has vertical lines on the display and the depth reading shows stupid depths. The depth finder is wired from a fuse panel that is fed from the starting battery with a cigarette lighter on the same feed. There are no common wires between the trolling motor batteries and the starting battery.

Any ideas, suggestions, wise cracks?:D

We did have six nice keepers though.

I use the us2 on my terrova w/HB788 on the bow, so far no problems. Hope you get yours solved.

Call Minnkota and get one of their interference kits.

I had the same problem. I switched back to my transducer that came with my humminbird, problem solved.

I would start with checking the fuse on the grounding wire inside the head of the trolling motor first. If this is blown than the foot (motor) is not grounded and will cause the interference that you see. After that I would contact MinnKota or Humminbird as they have some added things for you to try and/or an interference kit that usually fixes it.

Greg Walters at Humminbird

I had a humminbird same problem, called humminbird year ago still waiting on the kit, sold the humminbird. bought a different brand no more problems

I called Humminbird today, the lady I spoke with told me to try the noise settings on the unit. She also said the interference kit was not for my unit. I'll check the settings on the unit and go from there.

Thanks, Justin

you my need to get a new one an sell that one to me.lol

Justin,
Check for that fuse first. If that does not do it than make sure that the transducer cable is separated as much as it can be from the trolling motor and its cables. I used to run the transducer cable down from the head of the trolling motor to the foot pedal and than across to the sonar unit. That’s not a good idea. From the head of the trolling motor you need to run the transducer cable away from the control wires leading to the foot pedal. Also keep the transducer away from the power cable if possible. It is true that the interference kits were not made for the 747c units but some of the same components will work like the trolling motor choke, the unit power cable, the ferrite rings and the choke cables. Maybe they can send you these parts if the fuse is good and rerouting the transducer cable does not help.

Hey greg on a maxxum pro 101 is there a fuse also and what am i looking for? is it a fusible link or a regular type fuse? what color wire will it be on?
Thanks Wilbur

Greg
I checked my trolling motor, there is no fuse in the head, just connectors.

I think justin has the universal sonar 2 which has the xducer in the TM which would not allow xducer wires to be rerouted....

This is a long article but it addresses the problem. Trolling Motor Induced Sonar Interference

Justin, I know this problem is aggrivating but believe me your not the only one going thru this..

I had to get the TM interference kit for my 1197 also..it's not that hard to install...

And it's not just a HB problem...it's an electronic problem because these new higher end units are so sensitive....

Keep working at it....I promise you HB and Greg will help you until you are satisfied .....

At the moment it seems the best solution is to buy a transducer and bypass the US2. I read the article Barnicle Bill (thanks) linked and after all the other attempts the new transducer worked best.

Justin,

Don't go spending money yet...this problem can be fixed or they wouldn't be still makin the us2....

Greg doesn't always check in on the weekends so it may be monday before he catches up...

If Greg thinks it's a good idea to test your unit with a different xducer...it may be possible to hook your unit up to my 1197 spare xducer to help track down your issue...

I have a spare xducer but we have to wait for Greg's advise if this is possible or even if this idea will help find your interference problem...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Barnacle Bill

This is a long article but it addresses the problem. Trolling Motor Induced Sonar Interference

---

Very informative Bill and this has basically been my experience over the years. I have installed and fixed a lot of transducers over the years. I don't need a cheat sheet to help me troubleshoot anymore. you know what I mean. haha

All bets off when dealing with tin boats though. Gremlins.

Got a Lowrance 520 and a HDS 10 on the bow. Both hooked up to the Minnkota Maxxum Pro 101. An A-B switch so I can go back and forth between the 520 and 10 if I want to. There is trolling motor interference on both of them. Any one know if there is an interference kit that might help? Took the motor head as per the Ranger dealer to check for loose connection but looked OK. Did not see any thing that looked like a fuse to me. Any suggestions? Thanks.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by RangerZ21

Got a Lowrance 520 and a HDS 10 on the bow. Both hooked up to the Minnkota Maxxum Pro 101. An A-B switch so I can go back and forth between the 520 and 10 if I want to. There is trolling motor interference on both of them. Any one know if there is an interference kit that might help? Took the motor head as per the Ranger dealer to check for loose connection but looked OK. Did not see any thing that looked like a fuse to me. Any suggestions? Thanks.

---

RangerZ21....just a cordial suggestion...:o...it might help you follow the duration of your problem if you post your problem under it's own titled new thread..

That way as your thread progresses with questions and answers..it's easier to go back later and find your query than trying to remember who's thread you posted your problem under....

Thanks RNVINC. This is all new to me. Z21.

I promise it's no problem...

It will just make it easier for you and whoever might be able to help your specific problem to keep up with the progress of your query until your problem is solved...

Justin,
Sorry, I've been busy this week with training classes (will be busy until mid-November with training classes).

I have never opened a trolling motor head up so I don’t know what to look for other than a fuse/fuse holder. Maybe Joby will see this and post a picture if he has one. I know that Minn Kota puts a fuse on the US2’s that they have been producing for a while but not sure when they started this either. You can try the external transducer but no guarantees that it will work. If it doesn’t work, try calling the Humminbird folks again to see if they will send you the power choke for the trolling motor, the power cable with the choke on it and the ferrite rings (I think this is what is in the IK3 kit).