Mega-Live

I'm having an issue with my Mega-Live transducer.
Sometimes it connects to my sonar units, and sometimes it doesn't. When it does connect, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. It's frustrating. I do get a diagonal line, like hard bottom, across the screen when not in landscape mode.

My set-up.
Helix 9 GN4 MDI, bow, with M360 and MDI transducers attached to it.
Helix 9 GN4 MSI, console, with MSi transducer connected to it.
Minn-Kota Terrova I-Pilot Link with MDI transducer built in.
Mega-Live.
Ethernet port- terrova, both Helix 9, Mega-Live are connected via the port.

Do I need a seperate sonar unit for Mega-Live?
What am I missing?

I'm not too familiar with all the networking options but are all your ports on the box filled? There have been many reports over on BBC about boxes with all ports hooked up causing problems.
Other than that, have you bypassed all the network stuff and just hooked it up direct to one unit only and tested it out that way? Might be worth a try to with each unit to see whether the E-box is causing the issue.
You might ask this question over there on the HBird forum as well.

Edit to add: Have you checked all your voltages with everything running? Hooked to it's own power grid or is it all coming off your starting battery? That also a question that you'll be asked by anyone trying to help.

I’ve had several connection problems with mine in the past. First problem is my Ethernet box was working half the time. Replaced that.

I have the MegaLive on a toggle switch so it’s not powered up all the time. That switch went out and I replaced it.

Works fine now. I bet it’s something in the wiring. Try connecting it straight to the unit you are using as a screen. If it works , it’s probably the box. If it doesn’t then check to power go to MegaLive.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Thanks for the input.
I'll try running it direct to a sonar unit.
Already replaced the ethernet port. Thought the same thing.
Doubt it's power. i rewired the boat when I got it. I ran a larger main wire to a new 12 circuit fuse panel. Then ran new wire to each appliance. But I'll check to rule it out.

If you have all 5 ports of your Ethernet box filled up..you need to add another eithernet box and pigtail it to both ethernet boxes but only plug in 4 units into each. I added a second eithernet box..and put mega 360 on one…and mega live on the other,,then added 4 Humminbird depthfinders with 2 on each. I don’t have any issues but used a helix 10 for the mega live and a helix 12 for the mega 360 and view them separate. Both are upfront along with a helix 7 for maps and 2/d. I have a 9 on the consol area at back of boat. Everything is networked.

ICAST has Humminbird coming out with a new updated better 5 port Ethernet switch box. Time will tell.

Have held off on installing my 360 in favor of running the Mega Live due to this problem. I hope this is the remedy. Would really like to run them both.

Sent from my SM-T500 using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

Are all your units and Mega Live updated to the newest firmware?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bricks

Are all your units and Mega Live updated to the newest firmware?

---

yes, I have all the upgrades.

I spoke with Humminbird tech support today. Made some setting changes in my sonar units. Turn off Roll and Pitch. That should fix the hard diagonal line. There is a new software version out that should help with connecting to my sonar units. So I'll have to update. She did say they will have another update coming out to fix some known issues. however she doesn't know when. I forgot what those issues were. It was extremely hot in the garage today. Spent about 2 hours going over things and settings. Megan was great and patient with me. I'm not the most tech savy person.
After our call. I'm seriously considering a stand alone unit for Mega-Live. That way I can watch M360 and a map on one screen and M-Live on another.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hanr3

I spoke with Humminbird tech support today. Made some setting changes in my sonar units. Turn off Roll and Pitch. That should fix the hard diagonal line. There is a new software version out that should help with connecting to my sonar units. So I'll have to update. She did say they will have another update coming out to fix some known issues. however she doesn't know when. I forgot what those issues were. It was extremely hot in the garage today. Spent about 2 hours going over things and settings. Megan was great and patient with me. I'm not the most tech savy person.
After our call. I'm seriously considering a stand alone unit for Mega-Live. That way I can watch M360 and a map on one screen and M-Live on another.

---

Thats what I have been using. 12 DI G4N for M360, 10 DI G3N for Mlive, and a 7 DI G3N for 2d and charts. And can switch using the 10 or 12 for M live when I want. It all works pretty perfect all separate. I also have 2-5 port Ethernet hubs pigtailed to each and everything including a 9 SI g2n on the console networked. No issues with overloaded Ethernet ports some users seemed to have issues when all 5 ports were filled for networking. A lot of trial and effort went into my setting this up this way..but it works with no issues for me.

You know, I have had some heated arguments with some Hbird fanboys years ago…. Yes I have been choosing to run their stuff for probably the last 20 years. I DO appreciate the ability to do updates, and I’m not considering changing brands. But I can’t help but think GEEZ! If you threw this stuff in the boat with an electronics savvy pro fisherman for even a week - you could iron out most of these kinks before it was ever released to the public. I went through a period with 787-797 on my boat, linked with the old school interlink thingy. Every time I did an upgrade, the 2d sonar got worse and worse. From great, to barely usable.
So I’m leery of software updates!


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cevans

Thats what I have been using. 12 DI G4N for M360, 10 DI G3N for Mlive, and a 7 DI G3N for 2d and charts. And can switch using the 10 or 12 for M live when I want. It all works pretty perfect all separate. I also have 2-5 port Ethernet hubs pigtailed to each and everything including a 9 SI g2n on the console networked. No issues with overloaded Ethernet ports some users seemed to have issues when all 5 ports were filled for networking. A lot of trial and effort went into my setting this up this way..but it works with no issues for me.

---

thanks Cevans. I have a 2nd ethernet port if needed. Right now I am only using 4 ports; HB MSI, HB MDI, Terrova, and M-Live are all conntected to the ethernet port. Think I'll hard wire the M-Live to a 3rd HB unit at the box and run that unit to the ethernet box. If that can be done?

What did you do for a double sonar unit bow mount?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hanr3

thanks Cevans. I have a 2nd ethernet port if needed. Right now I am only using 4 ports; HB MSI, HB MDI, Terrova, and M-Live are all conntected to the ethernet port. Think I'll hard wire the M-Live to a 3rd HB unit at the box and run that unit to the ethernet box. If that can be done?

What did you do for a double sonar unit bow mount?

---

The Helix`s only have one Ethernet port so what you want to do cannot happen.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bricks

The Helix`s only have one Ethernet port so what you want to do cannot happen.

---

Yeah I’m really second guessing my choice of helixs versus the top model.
Had to have adapters for ethernet, minnkota built in di/si, two map cards cause helix won’t share maps over ethernet - I believe solix will. And this deal as well. But I’m neck deep into it now, lesson learned maybe [emoji6]
I should have been aware I suppose, but mine won’t share waypoints either unless the second one is at least turned on and in standby mode.


Sent from my iPhone using Crappie.com

for Indiana fishing and size of our lakes, I downsized my fishing when I quit traveling,,to a 1648 g 3 jon boat with a 25 hp Yamaha. Stuck a MK V2 Powerdrive,on the front. ,so only thing on trolling motor is a DI transducer for the helix DI’s upfront. I have the M360 when purchased was included for a Ultrex bracket which is no use, so installed the M360 in a Geigertek mount and the Mega Live is installed on a Fishing Specialties mount. Separating everything finally gave me no sonar interference with my setup also with everything on including the SI on the console while fishing with that transducer mounted on the back of the boat. Also,,I have the DI transducer and the Mega 360 plugged into a Y cable which helps as the Y cable separate the pings of the DI and Mega 360 to the Helix and seems to help with the lack of sonar interference.

I also have the gps puc mounted upfront as well.

Yea, I think my issue is I'm trying to run MDI, M360, and M-Live on 1 Helix 9MDI G4 on the bow. I too have the M360 and MDI connected via the y-Cable and that works perfect. Things get funky when I drop M-Live into the water. It shows up good on my Consul unit, but has issues on the bow MDI unit.
When I add the 3rd HB I'll add the 2nd ethernet port. Link teh two ports, run the 3rd HB unit to the port and M-Live to the other port.
Fortunately, my local sportsmen store is having a huge sale this weekend. While I doubt they will sale price the HB unit, they are offering to pay my sales tax.
Also means I have to pull some more wire to add the equipment. Might as well add some speakers while I'm at it. lol

On the front of the boat, after getting Mega Live, I tried running M360 and Mlive on a helix 10 G3N DI and also had a 7 DI g3n for charts and 2D and had all 3 transducers rigged on Rickie’s DaDucer. Had all kinds of interference between MLive and M360 on the 10 as well as the back SI consol unit. I added the 12 G4N DI up front and spit M360 on it and Mlive in the 10 and still alittle interference, Spent more bucks for the Geigertek mount and Fishing Speciaties mount. Then saw on bbc forum all the havoc of electronics and issues trying to run 5 units on a single 5 port Ethernet switch and everybody adding a second wired to the first with just a max of 4 units or less per eithernet switch. After all these changes, at this point in time, I have no idea what is the perfect move to get rid of interference to lessen the expense or addition or subtraction of everything. All I know is,,it works pretty perfect now. Watch HB come out with another software update and screw something up so for now…I am doing no more updates till I see serious positive worth while results on bbc forum updaters.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Hanr3

After our call. I'm seriously considering a stand alone unit for Mega-Live. That way I can watch M360 and a map on one screen and M-Live on another.

---

Although my FFS is Garmin Livescope, I have my map and 360 on an 1199--if I had MEGA Live for FFS, I still would have had it on a second unit anyway.

Quick update.
I bought the 3rd Helix 9 G4 MDI CHO unit. I don't need the transducer. I mounted the third unit to the bow and hooked my MLive directly to it. Everything works perfect in the garage. This weekend I'll test it all out on the water. If that goes well, I'll install the 2nd Ethernet port. I have 1 port mounted by the console, and was going to mount the second next to it. However, after thinking about it, I think I'll mount the second ethernet port on the bow and run both bow sonar units and MLive to it, then run it to the console ethernet port. Leave the console sonar unit connected to the console ethernet port. I did read on HB website that the One-Boat-Network can only support 4 Helix units and only 1 of everything else, with a max of 3 ethernet ports. Time will tell.