I have a Minn Kota Terrova 55lb thrust with US2 trolling motor. The US2 provides dual sonar transducer as part of the trolling motor (left side) but that transducer won't work for the Hummingbird 596 HD DI fish finder which is dual sonar and down imaging. So, I had to install the Hummingbird transducer. I couldn't put it around the left side on top of the Minn Kota US2 transducer because the trolling motor on that side is not a cylindrical shape. So, I had to install to the right side right next to the propeller. I took it out for the first time and fished in 5-12' of murky water and found that 1/3 of the time the depth reading would incorrectly read 40', 120', 200'. Then for a couple seconds it would be back on the correct depth. But then it would screw up again. The Hummingbird doesn't handle it too well as it immediately redraws the screen to the incorrect depth and I loose the correct view. I kinda think it's an install problem and not a fish finder issue. Thoughts? Here are some questions about my install:
1) Is the fact that my transducer is so close to the propeller going to cause reading problems?
2) Would it make a difference if I switched the direction of the transducer?
3) If there was a vertical spacer of some sort that would allow me to install that transducer lower and below the propeller?
4) Any ideas how I could get it installed to the left on top of the Minn Kota transducer?
5) The little plastic bracket used to install the transducer doesn't seem the tightest. The transducer has a little play. Could that be the issue?
I have a Mark 5x Pro Dual Scan fish finder by the steering wheel. It's a lot cheaper than the Hummingbird and I figured it would be good by the steering wheel and I thought the more expensive Hummingbird with down imaging would be best by the trolling motor, where I'm at usually. Do down imaging fish finders have problems when installed on a trolling motor where the propeller will move water quickly and there may be more vibration?