Interference from XI5

[Bucky205]

Running a Motorguide XI5 with a Humminbird Helix 5 G2 sonar on the bow using the XI5 internal transducer  When the TM is running there is an extreme amount of noise coming into the Helix 5.  There is enough noise when the TM is running to wipe out the 2D sonar image.  I've tried chokes on everything including the TM, transducer, and power cable. Has anyone had any luck getting rid of the interference from an XI5 to a Helix 5? Another possibility is just to change the depth finder, is anyone using a unit that is doing great with their XI5 internal transducer?

[Russ E]

the motor housing needs to be grounded to the negative terminal of your sonar battery.

This carries the interference away from your transducer to the negative side of your battery.

The new Minn kota motors have a built in ground for their universal transducers, that connects to the negative side of the sonar circuit.

there is a fuse in this circuit, in the trolling motor head, that occasionally blows.

when this happens the sonar gets a lot of interference

 

Not sure if motorguide has the built in ground.

 

If your trolling motor does not have the built in ground, there are videos and articles online showing how to run a separate ground.

 

[Bucky205]

I've always been told not to ground a 24 or 36-volt system to a 12-volt system.  Even the XI5 manual says not to do it.  I've read elsewhere it is a possible solution, just not sure about it.

[Russ E]

my trolling motor is 24 volt. It has the built in  bonding ground, for the transducer.

If you are running a separate ground, I would put an inline fuse in the circuit. Some onboard chargers bond the grounds on all of the batteries. if this is the case, you can create a ground loop and create a short circuit.

the fuse will catch this.

If you are not electrical savvy, I would have a shop do this for you.

 

I had some problems with my boat blowing the fuse, when I plugged in the charger. had to do some wiring changes to fix this.

 

I eventually went to an external transducer, because it had better resolution and down imaging. also found it ran at a higher frequency and did not get any interference from the trolling motor.

[WRB]

The trolling motor is a DC electric motor.The only way you should see interference is if the braided shield used for a ground isn't grounded and acts as a standing antenna.

You have a ground issue with the built in TD cable. You should have current on a DC ground to complete the circuit. Your TD cable should be grounded to the boats ground, not a battery ground cable.

Tom

[Bucky205]

On the XI5 since it is a graphite shaft other than the power ground there is no ground to the motor.  A lot of XI5 users are picking up interference.  There was previously an MG tour series there and there was absolutely no interference.