Thread: Trolling motor interference

Can you describe the interference please. Pictures would be great. What screens do you see problems? Turning the motor on side or down looking sonar can cause some odd perturbations of the image. Do the problems clear when the motor stops moving or do artifacts remain on the screen for a while?

Same questions regarding changing speed. Any interference when the motor goes on or off?

With any noise issues on an MK, check the fuse in the head of the motor.

Are the wires routed together?

I had interference with my Fortrex and Lowrance units. I used the US 2 for 2d and a LSS 1 mounted on the trolling motor and the interference showed up on all screens. I tried moving wires, checked the fuse in the head of the TM, ferrite chokes from radio shack and finally the big one from Minn Kota, nothing worked. I just lived with it until I got my Ghost, no more interference.

I've read that a non-current carrying ground will help, but at the time I was running the Fortrex I didn't know that, so I can't say if it'll work or not.

Justinp61 is on the right track if this is an aluminum boat. It's actually called "bonding". You need to bond the trolling motor to the hull of the boat. This can be done via a wire from the negative of trolling motor battery to the negative of the boat battery.

Take your TM to a certified Minn Kota repair center and have them install an internal ground if you haven’t already.
Should take care of your problem

Originally Posted by CatFan

Can you describe the interference please. Pictures would be great. What screens do you see problems? Turning the motor on side or down looking sonar can cause some odd perturbations of the image. Do the problems clear when the motor stops moving or do artifacts remain on the screen for a while?

Same questions regarding changing speed. Any interference when the motor goes on or off?

With any noise issues on an MK, check the fuse in the head of the motor.

Explain the fuse

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Originally Posted by MDCrappie

Justinp61 is on the right track if this is an aluminum boat. It's actually called "bonding". You need to bond the trolling motor to the hull of the boat. This can be done via a wire from the negative of trolling motor battery to the negative of the boat battery.

Never never and i mean NEVER ground a battery to your hull. Ever

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Originally Posted by striperking

Take your TM to a certified Minn Kota repair center and have them install an internal ground if you haven’t already.
Should take care of your problem

Minn Kota comes with an internal ground. It is in the foot and is connected to the ground at the brush holder. Atleast it should be

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