Humminbird Helix 7/ US2 interference

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03-20-2018, 02:34 PM
shadboy

Humminbird Helix 7/ US2 interference

I was using a HB 588ci with my Minn Kota Terrova US2 transducer and it worked very well. I replaced the 588ci with a Helix 7 2D/GPS and now I have a lot of interference on the sonar screen. It is definitely from the TM, when it's running the screen is "snowy", when it's not running, the screen is perfect. What can I do?
03-20-2018, 02:51 PM
BobL

I work for BPS in marine electronics, and we run into this pretty often. The US2 transducer is designed to only work with 2d sonar, and it does ok with older 2D units. But what you're seeing is typical with newer units with down imaging. Not much you can do other than mount the Helix transducer on your Terrova, which is a pain. A company called Cornfield Crappie has a kit designed for the Terrova that I hear works pretty good. By the way, I had the exact same issue on my own boat. Ended up leaving my old Garmin 500C on the front. Put the new unit on the console on a swing arm mount.
03-20-2018, 04:32 PM
scrat

A good option is this and just use the transducer that came with your unit.
https://www.podunkideas.com/da-ducer-apparatusreg.html
03-20-2018, 07:57 PM
rnvinc

Lots of interference info in this thread ...

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishi...-interference/

Rickie
03-20-2018, 08:01 PM
Lloakley930

If you have the older terrova with the groove on the shaft there is a trick to mount it.
03-20-2018, 08:56 PM
shadboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by BobL

I work for BPS in marine electronics, and we run into this pretty often. The US2 transducer is designed to only work with 2d sonar, and it does ok with older 2D units. But what you're seeing is typical with newer units with down imaging. Not much you can do other than mount the Helix transducer on your Terrova, which is a pain. A company called Cornfield Crappie has a kit designed for the Terrova that I hear works pretty good. By the way, I had the exact same issue on my own boat. Ended up leaving my old Garmin 500C on the front. Put the new unit on the console on a swing arm mount.

Thanks for the reply! This is a 2d only unit.
03-20-2018, 08:58 PM
shadboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by rnvinc

Lots of interference info in this thread ...

http://www.crappie.com/crappie/fishi...-interference/

Rickie

Thanks, Ricky. I had forgotten about the sticky.
03-20-2018, 08:59 PM
shadboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lloakley930

If you have the older terrova with the groove on the shaft there is a trick to mount it.

Thanks for the reply! I have another unit's transducer routed through that groove.
03-20-2018, 09:00 PM
shadboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrat

A good option is this and just use the transducer that came with your unit.
https://www.podunkideas.com/da-ducer-apparatusreg.html

That's a great idea! But I really want to use the US2 if I can.
03-21-2018, 07:43 AM
scrat

Quote:

Originally Posted by shadboy

Thanks for the reply! I have another unit's transducer routed through that groove.

If you are trying to run a second unit at the same time this could be the trouble as they can and will have cross talk.

Cross talk is when one unit is trying to read another units sound pings.
03-21-2018, 07:48 PM
shadboy

Quote:

Originally Posted by scrat

If you are trying to run a second unit at the same time this could be the trouble as they can and will have cross talk.

Cross talk is when one unit is trying to read another units sound pings.

Thanks, scrat!
03-21-2018, 08:07 PM
acwd1950

check the fuse in the head of the trolling motor?

Steve
03-21-2018, 09:20 PM
Semo

Quote:

Originally Posted by acwd1950

check the fuse in the head of the trolling motor?

Steve

What he said, then ferrite ring. I'm not sure but I think Humminbird gave it to us, if not they are like $20. Follow their install instuctions.

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03-21-2018, 09:23 PM
Semo

2 Attachment(s)

Sorry forgot picAttachment 295097 Attachment 295098

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03-21-2018, 09:28 PM
Semo

Oh yeah, make sure you run the us2 through the pigtailed cable off the trolling motor, not like ours is. If not the ferrite will try to go under the depth collar, on spot lock, and you will no longer have a us2 transducer. Trust me I have more pics. It will pull the cable almost out of the trolling motor.

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03-22-2018, 01:25 PM
shadboy

Thanks, Semo!
03-22-2018, 07:57 PM
SeaRay

I had a Helix 5 running off the US2 transducer and I was getting snowy grainy images. It would come and go sometimes. I temporarily ran it off the factory transducer and it was fine so I figured it was in the built in transducer. I wish I could say I figured this out but it was dumb luck. I decided I would mount an external transducer on the I-pilot. When I took the top cover off the I-pilot I noticed the US2 transducer cable had a threaded coupling there and it was really loose. I tightened it up, put everything back together and it has been perfect ever sense,
Apparently when it was assembled at the factory that connection did not get tightened properly and eventually worked loose. Sure saved me a lot of grief and effort, Hope yours is as simple.
03-22-2018, 09:00 PM
Cray

Try checking the plug where your jumper cable from unit to trolling motor attaches make sure it is good and snug. Also there is another connector under the head. I have seen cases where a loose connector would cause this.

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