Thread: Need help!

I've got a problem with my depth finder and I can't figure it out. When my trolling motor is running my screen goes black. If I let off the foot control it works right. I know I am getting interference but I dont know what to do about it. I thougt at first it might be the transducer because the old one had a bad spot in the wire so I got a new one and it does the same thing. I have it apart in the garage and while holding the transducer in my hand away from the bottom of the trolling motor the screen is clear and when hold within 2 inches from the trolling motor the screen goes black. The transducer is also made for the trolling motor and the depth finder is wired directly to the battery seperate from anything else. I cant think of a solution

hummingbird sells a part that plugs into you depth finder that will cut out 99% of your interference.... i think even a few of the trolling motor companys make them now...but your best bet would be to call Tri-State trolling motors in st.louis and tell them you motor,finder and prob. and they will tell you how to fix it...they are great people...hope this helps you

Originally Posted by CrappieKillerJigs

hummingbird sells a part that plugs into you depth finder that will cut out 99% of your interference.... i think even a few of the trolling motor companys make them now...but your best bet would be to call Tri-State trolling motors in st.louis and tell them you motor,finder and prob. and they will tell you how to fix it...they are great people...hope this helps you

Thanks for the help. I'll try calling tri state. I have delt with them before and they are good people to deal with. Do you know if lowrance sells that part?

Hi xpress.
Sounds like Crappiekiller has the fix. Those interference elimination devices should do the trick. I had something similar, but all I had to do was switch the power source, don't have the sonar and the trolling motor on the same wires, and put a rubber insulator between the transducer and the motor.
Your situation sounds a bit more intense. Good luck and keep us posted.

im pretty sure loweance makes one also...

Thanks again for the help!

Trolling Motor Interference: This is the same as electrical noise. This occurs when the trolling motor is in use. This is caused by the trolling motor. Usually grounding the trolling motor properly and operating the two devices from separate power supplies allows for proper operation but additional measures may need to be taken in some cases.

Several factors can help reduce or eliminate trolling motor interference.
The trolling motor should run off of a separate power source than the unit. Use 2 different power sources if at all possible. If the two devices are running on the same power supply, you can almost be assured of trolling motor interference.
Make sure cables are on different sides of the boat if possible.
When using skimmer transducer on motor, use an insulator like a piece of rubber under the transducer.
Use ferrite blocks, one on the transducer cable, and one on power cable, Make sure to get the ferrite blocks as close as possible to the unit.
Ground the foot-control pin on the trolling motor to the negative terminal of the trolling motor battery.
Once the trolling motor interference has been resolved, the unit may still need to be reset.

this is off their website...but i would still cal tri-state