Raymarine Radar open array “pin”

Russ Calasant

Active Member
Dec 9, 2009
2,128
East Greenwich, RI
Boat Info
2001 480 DB
Engines
CAT 3196
i purchased a used, known working open array and e120 mfd. After installing on my boat the unit would not fire up, I learned that it required a separate power source and by splitting two positive and negative leads out of the old cable I could avoid buying and installing a new cable. However, the unit now working would only mark at almost full manual gain. After much investigation and some assistance I discovered, quite by accident that the “pin” had been broken. I hadn’t realized that the pin should have been longer- I received the array and pedestal separated. I had disassembled the (prior) old array and noticed the pin in the center of the coax tube, that sticks up from the array mount after removed, was longer. And thankfully I had the old array and learned it takes only a couple minutes to disassemble and a few more to install in the newer array- many, almost all parts are interchangeable so I am told. I hope that this might help someone someday-
 
i purchased a used, known working open array and e120 mfd. After installing on my boat the unit would not fire up, I learned that it required a separate power source and by splitting two positive and negative leads out of the old cable I could avoid buying and installing a new cable. However, the unit now working would only mark at almost full manual gain. After much investigation and some assistance I discovered, quite by accident that the “pin” had been broken. I hadn’t realized that the pin should have been longer- I received the array and pedestal separated. I had disassembled the (prior) old array and noticed the pin in the center of the coax tube, that sticks up from the array mount after removed, was longer. And thankfully I had the old array and learned it takes only a couple minutes to disassemble and a few more to install in the newer array- many, almost all parts are interchangeable so I am told. I hope that this might help someone someday-

That's awesome. Thanks. Have any pics by chance?
 
This is that "Pin" on the bottom side of the coax tube (center of item 6) and it extends through and out the top where the antenna mounts. Small and easy to damage.
upload_2018-3-14_21-4-41.png
 
Russ - not sure if you are aware of this but the cable between the scanner and E120 has a resistance value for each conductor except for the power (the two reds and two blacks) and the resistance values are critical to the operation of the unit. The MFD has a diagnostic page that checks the cable values as well as many other parameters on the scanner.
upload_2018-3-14_21-15-32.png

upload_2018-3-14_21-16-7.png
 
Russ - not sure if you are aware of this but the cable between the scanner and E120 has a resistance value for each conductor except for the power (the two reds and two blacks) and the resistance values are critical to the operation of the unit. The MFD has a diagnostic page that checks the cable values as well as many other parameters on the scanner.
View attachment 54186
View attachment 54187

Interesting, I did not know. I used older generation cable that had the two black and two reds that are not split out, the newer cable has one red and one black and is split out at the MFD end. Are the resistance values the same in both cables? Or are you saying I should swap the old cable out? I split out the two black and two red, fused and connected to Power at the MFD end but did not cut any other wires.
I should run this diagnostic test for #10? - what are the possible status results?
Does it matter that the cable is plugged into the e120 but the e80 is set up as the master? - other than the e120 won’t show the data for all the tests?
How are the values critical to operation? It appears to be functioning properly but certainly could be missing something and want to ensure it is proper.

Thanks!
 
Russ - not sure if you are aware of this but the cable between the scanner and E120 has a resistance value for each conductor except for the power (the two reds and two blacks) and the resistance values are critical to the operation of the unit. The MFD has a diagnostic page that checks the cable values as well as many other parameters on the scanner.
View attachment 54186
View attachment 54187

Also, by chance, do you know how to connect the autopilot st7000+ to the e120?
 
Russ - here is the test and values for the cable.
http://forum.raymarine.com/printthread.php?tid=153
I should run this diagnostic test for #10? - what are the possible status results? - I believe the results are PASS/FAIL
Does it matter that the cable is plugged into the e120 but the e80 is set up as the master? - other than the e120 won’t show the data for all the tests? - I believe the scanner cable must be connected to the master; I read that somewhere but can't remember where.
Also note the "Darwin" switch on the scanner has a history of failure; if you are getting intermittent issues either replace or bypass that switch.

With the st7000 controller should also be a Smartpilot computer, hydraulic drive unit, fluxgate compass, and rudder position potentiometer. Your st7000 controller connects to the Smartpilot computer through a Seatalk data cable. The Smartpilot computer has two Seatalk data ports; the second port on the Smartpilot computer goes to the Seatalk port on the back of the E120. The fluxgate compass, hydraulic drive unit, and rudder feedback also connect to the appropriate ports on the Smartpilot computer.
This is the Smartpilot Commissioning Guide which lays it all out.
http://api.ning.com/files/Sb*4boFSx...qPGLvZEKv*H/SmartPilot_CommissioningGuide.pdf
 
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Ttmott my software was different for the test. It was a systems diagnostic select then external devices then scanner and then self test at the bottom. Everything tested Pass.
However I still cannot get my AP to communicate with the mfd. the second ST port on the AP computer is connected to the control head and I cannot figure out what is connected to the first one - thought maybe the st 60 but no. When disconnected no changes noticed. The old pathfinder series was connected to a flat ST connector I think, tried using those wires - red yellow and ground and nothing, also tried continuity test and nothing. Tried running round ST connect from e120 to first ST port on the AP and nothing. Any ideas?
 

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