Eagle Fish Mark 480

[eyesnatcher]

Recently purchased an Eagle Fish Mark 480. Tried it out the last couple days, but ran into some problems. I set it up with the sensitivity, contrast, etc., that appeared nice on the screen, but when I turned the Fish ID off (to get the arches), what a mess. I could hardly believe how scrambled and cloudy the screen became. I never did get it to where I could see the arches, which are supposed to represent fish more accurately. I turned the auto sens. off as recommended in the book, turned the contrast down, weakened the grayline...all those things, but with no success.

The users guide doesn't address this type problem or how to correct it. Is there a simple solution; do this, then that,etc,etc? My grandson may be able to figure it out but I can't.

Thanks for the help...eyesnatcher

[Papascott]

I would go to the eagle website and download the emulater for the 480 or if it not available use the 320. I would see if you can get the emulater to act the same with the same settings. I bought the little brother, 320, to yours and am very impressed for the money. Arches are as good as any I have seen and in NY it marked salmon and bait down past 120 ft.

Scott

[jerry bark]

I have a lower level eagle and would suggest that you set the controls to "auto" and then switch off the fish ID. this should give you pretty good results, then you can tune it to your liking from there. this is what works on my eagle.

scott: glad to hear the comments on the 320, i have been seriously looking at those for the front of my boat, i'll keep my fisheasy 2 portable for the back and those trips to the north...

cheers
jerry

[Terroreyes]

Go to sonar features and try adjusting the surface clarity and noise filter settings.
[br][div align="center"][br][center][br][font color="#3300CC";font face="Roman"; size="+2"][b][br][br]Terror - [font color="red";font face="Webdings"; size="+3"]NN

[marcbodi]

Hi,
Are you sure you are not getting interference from other wiring.I just installed a 320 on mine and ran the wires from the Transducer and paddle wheel thru a 3/4" plastic conduit.I tried it without the conduit and its a lot better with the conduit.I had to run it down the side with all the wires.Works great now.

May I be fishing somewhere Tomorrow

[J.J. Mac]

I got the 480 this spring and have it rigged with the transducer in my minn kota co-pilot. I had the same exact problem. I've spent most the rest of the year trolling with the kicker motor in back, so I haven't fiddled with it much and diagnosed the problem. I fear it could be interference interference with the minnkota. It's wired separtely from the batteries to the trolling motor. I tried adjusting the sensitivity, surface clarity, grayline, auto/man, etc.
If you figure it out please post a follow-up; I'll do the same.

[Northern Eye]

J.J. Mac,

Are you using your transducer attached to the minnkota and what model trolling motor do you have. I have been seeing the same thing with my 480. I may have some things for you to try.

[eyesnatcher]

J.J. Mac...I have my transducer on the back of the boat, however, the cable is running along with the motor cable that go to the console. Maybe electric interference. I'm leaving for Canada friday and if I continue to have the problem there, I think I will rerun the transducer cable away from the other cables.

Just a thought,...

[J.J. Mac]

It's a power drive 65lb thrust. 24 v. I am using the transducer that came installed in the motor.

[Northern Eye]

I had the same problem with my Eagle 480. I have been in contact with minnkota about this problem. I have a 74APUS and could not mark fish and experienced the same black lines. The sonar is run off the starter battery. The problem is the maximizer in the trolling motor is emitting interference through the transducer. I tried grounding the trolling motor batteries to the starter battery (as suggested by minnkota) this did not solve my problem. I then tried grounding the trolling motor housing to the common ground and this fixed my problem about (90%). There is still a bit of interference but I can mark fish and read my grayline. But now I have a wire running from the motor housing to the ground of my boat.
I asked Minnkota if they were aware of this problem and they indicated that it can happen with some sounders, although most of my fishing buddies are experiencing the same problem (sounds like a design flaw). They suggested that I send the motor to a service depot and had the motor gouunded. I would like them fix it for me and pay the shipping as I live in Northern Ontario. I will let you know how I make out.

Minnkota.
I agree with you. We would recommend routing the wire internally. We would recommend attaching the wire to one of the brush plate mounting screws in the lower unit, run the wire up the I.D. of the shaft and the connect it to the brown wire in the control box of the 74 PDAP motor. You will accomplish the same result, and the wire would be on the inside of the motor.

My response
How do I route the wire internally? I do not feel comfortable about taking apart a motor that I just purchased in the spring.

I'm curious, if this is a known problem then why is the grounding not completed from when the unit's are assembled?


Minnkota
I would not recommend you do this either. I would recommend that you have either a service center near you do it, or send it into us to have it done. The issue you are experiencing is not considered a problem with the motor itself. The motor operates to its factory specifications. The interference issue comes about randomly on motors with the maximizer system built into it, and is unpredictable. The depth finder just happens to operate on a frequency that a harmonic of the maximizer system interferes with. It is not considered a defect in the motor.