Helix 10 interference

Seems like I recall a thread discussing screen interference when the trolling motor is activated. My screen is noticeably clearer when my TM is off. I do have the Mega transducer mounted to the foot of the TM. One solution might be to go to Rickies Da Ducer but it appears the TM will still be 90 degrees and three feet from the transducer thereby posing another conflict. Are there other solutions or do I just live with the fuzziness when the TM is on? Thanks.


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I’m not familiar with the Hummingbird setups but I was talking to Garmin customer service about some interference on my unit. He mentioned adding a piece of sheet aluminum between the motor and transducer to help block that noise. He said the thicker the better. I haven’t had a chance to try this so can’t vouch but if it was a suggestion from the manufacturer it must hold some merit?? I’m curious to the solution you find...

Lots of good info here ...:

https://www.crappie.com/crappie/fish...-interference/

Rickie

Thanks, Rickie. Although some of the links are broken I think I got the gist of the possible issues. Will call Humminbird after the 4th.


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And, of course, you were kind not to point out that if I had just looked I would have found the “sticky” and seen the easily identified thread at the beginning list of side/down imaging.


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Ferrite Products for RF Chokes, Baluns, and RFI Mitigation

The 2.4" mix 77 is a good way to start, it's big and you should clear coat it to prevent corrosion of the ring.

I used 2 mix 31's stacked with about 8-9 wraps on the XDCR cable as close to the head as you can.

G'Luck!


Ferrite toroid, mix 77

Dimensions:

Length 0.5”

OD 2.4”

ID 1.4”



Price: $7.95

Quote:

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Originally Posted by dhaire

Seems like I recall a thread discussing screen interference when the trolling motor is activated. My screen is noticeably clearer when my TM is off. I do have the Mega transducer mounted to the foot of the TM. One solution might be to go to Rickies Da Ducer but it appears the TM will still be 90 degrees and three feet from the transducer thereby posing another conflict. Are there other solutions or do I just live with the fuzziness when the TM is on? Thanks.


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Do you have the transducer built specifically for trolling motors?

Quote:

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Originally Posted by sfw1960

Ferrite Products for RF Chokes, Baluns, and RFI Mitigation

The 2.4" mix 77 is a good way to start, it's big and you should clear coat it to prevent corrosion of the ring.

I used 2 mix 31's stacked with about 8-9 wraps on the XDCR cable as close to the head as you can.

G'Luck!


Ferrite toroid, mix 77

Dimensions:

Length 0.5”

OD 2.4”

ID 1.4”



Price: $7.95

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Clear coating ; great advice... Mine are to buried to do it now but thanks for the post and link.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by IceNitro

Do you have the transducer built specifically for trolling motors?

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No. It is the main transducer that came with the Mega Helix 10 Gen 2. I threw away the US2 that was part of my Ulterra TM and mounted the Mega transducer to the trolling motor via the cable guard that Rickie recommends. Works great although the minimal fuzziness is worth trying to eliminate.


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These are great because they are such large diameter you can get a ton of wraps on them, the "guessing" game is if the 31's, 43's or 77's work best.

I got some 43 mix snap-on chokes and gave 3 to a buddy for his Gen 1 Helix 9 and it cleaned right up - and his XDCR cable runs right thru the coil cord on his PDv2 with i-Pilot.

I just ordered another 10 of them for other installations - can you tell Rickie & I share hints??

LOL!

The BIG 31's might be good for the Mega SI XDCR - I'm going to be changing a few things around on my rig, so I'm sure I'll have a few issues....the PDv2 is about the most noisy PWM control board MK has ever made.......


HAPPY 4TH YA'LLLLLL!!!!!

Ok, so work with this old slow fellow. I buy these ferrite rings and wind my transducer cable in and around a few turns then reattach the transducer cable back into my Helix 10. Do I have this right? Thanks in advance.


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Quote:

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Originally Posted by dhaire

Ok, so work with this old slow fellow. I buy these ferrite rings and wind my transducer cable in and around a few turns then reattach the transducer cable back into my Helix 10. Do I have this right? Thanks in advance.


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Yes.

You get about 2-3' of XDCR cable as close to the head/connector as possible and pass it thru with 8-12 loops (more is usually better) and put the cable tray back together - though testing it with different numbers of passes thru is a good idea.

I staked 2 of them for more filtering and it works good on a lot of installations!

This is probably less expensive if you choose economy shipping, and I would recommend you try 2 instead of just one.
Clear coat them (prior)and I used cable ties & quality electrical tape to "bundle them".

I will try to wrap this up as we have a thread covering this at the beginning of side/down imaging. Called Humminbird this morning and as usual got an excellent response. First question for me was whether there were any nicks in the cable. Why yes, there is one large one that happened a year ago that I amateurishly repaired and figured no big deal. Well, the nice lady said that possibly there was water that may have seeped into the repair and that was my culprit. She also said Bird did not repair cables as they did not seem to stay repaired and suggested a new one. I had in the back of my mind the intent to do that anyway so have ordered another. No way would I claim warranty on something I knew I caused. Once I have the new transducer connected I hope to see my interference issue resolved. If not I will revisit the thread originally posted that I missed at the beginning of side/down imaging. Thanks everyone that tried to help me. This is an awesome forum!


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Transducer came in. Replaced the old one that I thought had a nick in the cable that I repaired. Turns out I had a substantial cut 2 feet above the transducer that obviously was in the water and wrecking havoc on my Helix 10. Triple checked all cable movement to preclude any binding and will watch my cable more carefully from now on. This may not eliminate all interference but it has to help a bunch. Basic issues first! Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.


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Wow, what a difference with a transducer that does not have a cut cable (smile).
Attachment 310253


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Are we supposed to be seeing sonar signals?
:Rofl

Glad you got it fixed, but the mapping usually runs without issue!
:ThumbsUp

Well, how about these? Attachment 310398Attachment 310400Attachment 310401


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Excellent! :highfive

You can get sharper images and wider coverage by adjusting your Chirp frequency sliders (under Chirp configuration) and set your upper & lower limits wider - the low end is 1.125 MHz and the top end is 1.300 MHz.

I would be interested in your old XDCR if you have not tossed it out - I'd pay for shipping...

Lookin' GOOD!

Enjoy!