Radar Not Working (no data source)

CAMELLA

CAMELLA

Active Member
Dec 14, 2008
1,046
Annapolis, Maryland
Boat Info
2016 510 Fly
Engines
Cummins QSM-11
I have a Raymarine C120 and the GPS works but the radar displays "NO DATA SOURCE". Does anyone have any ideas what it could be? Also when I turn the unit on it a data alarm goes out stating "NO FIX". Thanks!
 
I have the same problem with my radar. It used to work, then it sometimes worked, now doesn't work at all. While this has been happening, I noticed that my out side speakers had the same pattern. They would work on the hook, then shut off and only work if I ran my generator or started an engine. I suspect my batteries may the problem. They are from 2006 and are getting weaker. I have read that Raymarine Radar units have a very tight window on the required voltage needed to operate. While some devices may tolerate a lower voltage rate, Raymarine will not. I just purchased 4 Optima AGM group 31 batteries for my boat and plan on installing this weekend. If all goes well, I should have them installed on Sat. Once installed, I am hoping that my radar will magically come back to life.

Below is response to an inquiry I sent to Raymarine over the winter.

Response (Jim Rose) 01/13/2011 10:16 AM
At this point all you can do is check all cables, voltage up at the Radome. It the voltage is 12 VDC, then you will need to send in the Radome for service.
Customer (Vincent) 01/11/2011 06:19 PM
I have a 2006 Sea Ray 320 with C80 display and closed array Radar unit. The Radar unit used to work, but now it won't warm up and start. Sometimes it tries to start, but then it fails. I tried playing around with ground wires and cant get it to start. My boats batteries are four years old. I am planning on replacing them in the spring. The radar wont start even if the engines are running. Could a weak battery be the problem? Any suggestions? I am currently downloading the latest software. I updated the software back in 2009 once before.
 
Have you tried rebooting the radar at the array? Sometimes I encounter the same problem with mine and have to climb up through the hatch and turn off - wait - and then turn on the switch on the unit. I need to figure out a better solution...which I will at the beginning of this season. Anyway, in the meantime - that solves my problem - perhaps it will work for yours.

Paul
 
I will try disconnecting the power at the radome. I climbed up there today and opened up the radome, all the wires were connected but I didn't have my volt meter to see if I am getting power.
 
CAMELLA said:
I will try disconnecting the power at the radome. I climbed up there today and opened up the radome, all the wires were connected but I didn't have my volt meter to see if I am getting power.
Click to expand...

Corrosion at the connectors, dampness and internal fuses can be problems. One tell tale is that other gear is going fuzzy which causes me to suspect low voltage or High resistance. Start here:

1. Check that the alternators are working peak;
2. Batteries are always at peak charge from the charger
3. The cable terminal ends are clean and dry
4. In the Dome, determine if there is an on board fuse. Check if you are willing to open up the guts.
5. The NO Fix has nothing to do with the Radar, some again check for tight dry connections in the Communication connnections NEMA or Sea Talk

Check back.
 
I agree with Chad. From my experience "No Fix" caused by bad connection from GPS or non-functioning GPS antenna. So, I also think that Radar and "No Fix" are two different issues.

When I was testing my 420 electronics I came across the "no data source" message and the radar wasn't working while C120 MFD was showing me chart's data. The Radar Stand-by option was greyed out. It turns out that I had to have two switches turned on (Electronics and Autopilot), I had only Electronics turned on and Autopilot was OFF. When I turned ON the Autopilot switch the radar came back to live. I'm not sure why would they wire the Radar to the same line with Autopilot, but at least I've learned that "no data source" msg means that the Radar has no power.

Hope this helps.
 
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This thread alone is one of the reasons we should financially support this forum.
I know that all of us, including me, have had issues that were resolved cheap to free by knowledge gained here. Recently, I have had this same "no data source message" and no radar issue twice that mysteriously fixed itself. I do know that my starboard alternator isnt pumping out the power like it should at times, so from this thread alone, I have gained knowledge that means I dont need to call an expensive mechanic out to troubleshoot this issue. I just need to make sure my electronics are getting the power they need.
The $100 dollars I've spent for 2 years of sponsorship has been repaid at least 10-20 times in savings. Thanks CSR!!
 
Thanks for all the suggestions. I'm in Miami and will return to the boat tomorrow to see if I can find the issue. I'm hoping it's because I did not have the autopilot switch on.
 
Make sure the switch didn't get turned off while cleaning.....
 
I went down to the boat today and checked to see if I was getting power at the open array and I'm getting 12.8 volts, so no issue with power. I took the Raymarine 120 unit out of the dash and all connections are good. All switches are on including the autopilot as suggested above, what else could it be?
 
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CAMELLA said:
I went down to the boat today and checked to see if I was getting power at the open array and I'm getting 12.8 volts, so no issue with power. I took the Raymarine 120 unit out of the dash and all connections are good. All switches are on including the autopilot as suggested above, what else could it be?
Click to expand...


Since you didn't list radar details I'll assume it's similar to mine (open array). One thing we can hope for that it could be as simple as the turned OFF switch right at the radar base. Check and make sure the no one flipped the switch when putting the shrinkwrap on or taking it off. If the switch is on, then I think you have to make sure that the radar unit does get the 12v. It'll require openning the unit.

I'm not sure if this is the best next step, but it's what I would do knowing that all is on and the radar feeding wire gets the juice.
 
The switch is on and the radar worked a week ago, I went up on the hard top and checked the power at the open array. Right now we know there is power, the on and off switch is on, and all connections look good.
 
CAMELLA said:
The switch is on and the radar worked a week ago, I went up on the hard top and checked the power at the open array. Right now we know there is power, the on and off switch is on, and all connections look good.
Click to expand...

Did you check the connection on the back of the RayMarine C120 yet? I had one work loose before.
 
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Alex F said:
Bill, looks like this was checked according to this update...
Click to expand...

Ok, missed that part. Just recently I had a problem with my Sirius weather module updated the C80 and even though it was still plugged in I had to remove it and re-seat it in the socket. Then it worked fine?? Electrical mysteries, sometimes the strangest problems turn out to be the old Microsoft solution…. “Did you re-boot your computer?”
 
hack4alivin said:
... Just recently I had a problem with my Sirius weather module updated the C80 and even though it was still plugged in I had to remove it and re-seat it in the socket. Then it worked fine?? Electrical mysteries, sometimes the strangest problems turn out to be the old Microsoft solution…. “Did you re-boot your computer?”
Click to expand...

Yeap, I totally agree. You can't assume even a simple thing with these electrical issues.

CAMELLA said:
The switch is on and the radar worked a week ago, I went up on the hard top and checked the power at the open array. Right now we know there is power, the on and off switch is on, and all connections look good.
Click to expand...



What I would do is to use volt meter and check if there's any data being transmitted from the radar. I remember that when I was installing DSM30 and ST60 tridata on my 320DA I was able to pickup SeaTalk puls at somewhere around 4-5volts (it's been coupl of years, so I'm going by the memory here). In any event, I would think that if the radar has power and functions fine it has to send signal to the C120. This means that we should be able to pick that signal with volt meter. If all lines are dead, then I would start suspecting radar functionality.
 
I am calling a Raymarine technician today to come out to the boat because I can't figure this out. I will let you know what the issue was.
 
I have a Raymarine technician coming out on Thursday, they think it might be a bad cable, I'm hoping it's just a software issue.
 
The local Raymarine technician came today and after talking to the Raymarine factory in New Hampshire they removed the main electrical board in the open array and return it to the factory to get fixed. They think lightning was the cause of this failure, I guess time will tell. I keep you guys updated once I hear back from Raymarine.
 
I hope RM is wrong and the electrical board is not fried. I would think that if your boat was hit by a lightning there would be much more evidence and electrical damages. Just my guess.
 
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