Radar Question

CAMELLA

CAMELLA

Active Member
Dec 14, 2008
1,046
Annapolis, Maryland
Boat Info
2016 510 Fly
Engines
Cummins QSM-11
How long does your display take to communicate with the radar. I have a Raymarine C120 Classic and a 4ft open array, when I power it up the screen displays "NO DATA SOURCE" for radar. It ranges from 1-10 minutes for "Scanner Warming Up" to be displayed, once the radar warms up its fine. It seems when the boat sits for days it takes longer communicate, if I go for a cruise and shut it off and turn it back on within a few hrs it turns right on. Anyone else have these issues? All connections are good and there is plenty of power.
Thanks
 
Jon, as you know, I have the same set up. The Radar unit has never taken longer than about 45 seconds for "Scanner Warm Up". However, I have found that starting the Radar after the engines have started is the best sequence. If I have the Radar running and then start the engines, the power surge can on some occasions cause the system to re-start and go through scanner warm up a second time.

Also, did you check the anti-matter inducer?
 
My boat is not in the water yet so this is from memory. There is a countdown in seconds. As I recall, it's about a minute. Ten minutes sounds like a really long time. Even my older radars warmed up in a minute or two.
 
jrirvine1 said:
Jon, as you know, I have the same set up. The Radar unit has never taken longer than about 45 seconds for "Scanner Warm Up". However, I have found that starting the Radar after the engines have started is the best sequence. If I have the Radar running and then start the engines, the power surge can on some occasions cause the system to re-start and go through scanner warm up a second time.

Also, did you check the anti-matter inducer?
Click to expand...

It sounds like I have a problem. I always start the electronics after the engines are running. What is the anti-matter inducer?
 
sbw1 said:
My boat is not in the water yet so this is from memory. There is a countdown in seconds. As I recall, it's about a minute. Ten minutes sounds like a really long time. Even my older radars warmed up in a minute or two.
Click to expand...

The ten minutes is "No Data Source", then the countdown begins for the scanner warm up.
 
Jon, I agree. It sounds like a communication issue. Here's a quick tip from the manual, it's not much but it also points to some sort of connection loss.

Table 3-1:
Problem
“No Data Source” message

Correction
Check that all the SeaTalkhs cable connections
from the digital radar to the
SeaTalkhs hub/crossover coupler and from
the SeaTalkhs hub/crossover coupler to
the display system is firmly attached, and
undamaged. Check that the polarity of the
cables is correct.Check the

What's the radar icon image looks like during this error? I would guess that it's grayed out, indicating lost communication.
 
Alex F said:
Jon, I agree. It sounds like a communication issue. Here's a quick tip from the manual, it's not much but it also points to some sort of connection loss.

Table 3-1:
Problem
“No Data Source” message

Correction
Check that all the SeaTalkhs cable connections
from the digital radar to the
SeaTalkhs hub/crossover coupler and from
the SeaTalkhs hub/crossover coupler to
the display system is firmly attached, and
undamaged. Check that the polarity of the
cables is correct.Check the

What's the radar icon image looks like during this error? I would guess that it's grayed out, indicating lost communication.
Click to expand...

My radar is connected directly into the C120. The radar icon image shows "No Data Source" until the scanner starts to warm up, which could take up to 10 minutes. I am wondering if it's the communication chip in the C120, I have continuity from the radar to the C120. Never checked to see if I have any from the C120 to the radar. I know people complain about the SRN but I have more problems with Raymarine products.
 
The “no data source” message means the C120 is not communicating with the radar unit at all and will not display the “warm up” message until it does. I have had the issue once and awhile, when it happens I power off the C120 (C80 in my case) and restart it. I know you said you checked the connections, does that mean on both the C120 unit and the dome unit? Did you try the powering off the C120 and turning it back on?
 
hack4alivin said:
The “no data source” message means the C120 is not communicating with the radar unit at all and will not display the “warm up” message until it does. I have had the issue once and awhile, when it happens I power off the C120 (C80 in my case) and restart it. I know you said you checked the connections, does that mean on both the C120 unit and the dome unit? Did you try the powering off the C120 and turning it back on?
Click to expand...

All the connections are good. I spoke with a Raymarine tech and he wasn't sure what could be causing it. He wanted me to follow the power supply line to make sure the connection is good.
 
CAMELLA said:
All the connections are good. I spoke with a Raymarine tech and he wasn't sure what could be causing it. He wanted me to follow the power supply line to make sure the connection is good.
Click to expand...

Also check the shield (Drain line) of the cable where is connects to the dome itself. My problem is usually caused if I have my unit on when I start the engines (which I don’t normally do unless I have a senior moment and forget), indicating an electrical noise issue or power surge.

Power connection could be an issue as well. It is a large gauge wire providing the power up there so if is not tight on either end you could have enough of a voltage drop to cause the problem. When you tighten up the connection on the larger gauge power wires wiggle the wire several times and tighten again, you will be surprised how much more you need to tighten (old electrical trick).
 
CAMELLA said:
hack4alivin said:
Also check the shield (Drain line) of the cable where is connects to the dome itself.

Can you explain more on this?
Click to expand...

Yes, the signal cable from the C120 to the Radar dome is a multi-conductor shielded cable, with a shield jacket much like you see on the cable of your cable TV. This is the ground shield and is supposed to be grounded on one end of the cable only, the end closest to the source of the signal, in this case the dome. There should be a connection for this on your Array, and since I have a Dome unit I can’t say for sure how yours looks.

I found this document https://raymarine.custhelp.com/app/...oubleshooting-scanner-not-responding-messages on RayMarine’s website and the bottom paragraph explains the purpose of the drain wire.
Click to expand...
 
Jon,

When you say that all connections are good, did you also check inside the Radar base? I never opened the "open array" radars, but had to reinstall the closed dome on my 320. There was a plug and also loose 6-8 wires that snapped in individual connector. If you haven't, I would open the base and make sure that all connections are good and free from corrosion. Best thing might be just reconnect each wire or unplug and plug back in place (however they have it setup in open array base).
 
sbw1 said:
My boat is not in the water yet so this is from memory. There is a countdown in seconds. As I recall, it's about a minute. Ten minutes sounds like a really long time. Even my older radars warmed up in a minute or two.
Click to expand...

What are you waiting for SBW1 !!?? Chilly Blues in Grand Haven this weekend....it is a "rule" to be in the water by then! See you on the water soon.
 
hack4alivin said:
CAMELLA said:
Yes, the signal cable from the C120 to the Radar dome is a multi-conductor shielded cable, with a shield jacket much like you see on the cable of your cable TV. This is the ground shield and is supposed to be grounded on one end of the cable only, the end closest to the source of the signal, in this case the dome. There should be a connection for this on your Array, and since I have a Dome unit I can’t say for sure how yours looks.

I found this document https://raymarine.custhelp.com/app/...oubleshooting-scanner-not-responding-messages on RayMarine’s website and the bottom paragraph explains the purpose of the drain wire.
Click to expand...

Thanks, I'll check the shield wire next time I am on the boat.
Click to expand...
 
Alex F said:
Jon,

When you say that all connections are good, did you also check inside the Radar base? I never opened the "open array" radars, but had to reinstall the closed dome on my 320. There was a plug and also loose 6-8 wires that snapped in individual connector. If you haven't, I would open the base and make sure that all connections are good and free from corrosion. Best thing might be just reconnect each wire or unplug and plug back in place (however they have it setup in open array base).
Click to expand...

I've disconnected and reconnected all the wires in the open array many times.
 
CAMELLA said:
hack4alivin said:
Thanks, I'll check the shield wire next time I am on the boat.
Click to expand...

There are some good diagnostic checks like this one in that online document too you might want to check. I never used this option before, but it may help.

Checking the Radar Master Display
Assuming that the basic checks did not reveal a problem, we will first check the display head. There is a software check of the display communications chip that will tell us if it is working or not. On the keypad, press MENU...RADAR SETUP...and then ENTER for 5 seconds. A hidden menu will appear. Select the BUILT IN TEST softkey. A list of service check items appears. Using the trackpad, scroll down to the line item for DISPLAY COMMS. We are looking for a PASS indication. If the report is FAIL, you should contact your local Raymarine Dealer or Factory Service to have the display examined internally. If the indication is PASS, press the CLEAR key 5 times to exit from the service mode.
Click to expand...
 
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