Does anyone have an knowledge in test to see if a radar is working. I have Furuno 1621, it powers up, the radar spins, and nothing in the way of targets on the screen. I originally thought it was bad connections in the cable so I redid the mast connections and checked everything else. No targets. Is there a way to check the magnetron or other components.
Or does any one have a Furuno dome RSB-0060 they would sell? Or maybe a whole system.
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Ross & Joanne
Wavelength
Saint John NB
RKYC
C36 #658 TR 1987
See page 5-3: [url]http://www.furunousa.com/ProductDocuments/1621%20Operator's%20Manual.pdf[/url]
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
Ok I just did the test for the magnetron and voltage was only 0.3 volts.
SO the thousand dollar questions? Can I get a magnetron.... and is it worth it?:confused:
Ross & Joanne
Wavelength
Saint John NB
RKYC
C36 #658 TR 1987
You could send the radome into Furuno and have them evaluate it, then make the decision on repair or just get a whole new system. If the magnatron is really bad it will be about $500, not including labor, shipping, diagnostic charges, etc.
Starting price for a new radar system is about $1300 unless you have a Garmin network, then you might be able to just purchase a radome that can be inserted into your existing network.
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
Ross,
The 1621 was a fairly common unit for Furuno. Two of my buddies have them on their boats. At this time of year, with boat show prices and everything, you might be able to pick up a used 1621 pretty cheap on eBay or someplace, as others replace theirs with newer units. Just a thought.
Tom Sokoloski
C36/375IA Past Commodore
Noank, CT
How do you know what the voltage is on the magnetron? With a voltmeter??? Are you measuring the filament voltage? Or are you measuring the high voltage - the several thousand volts - that triggers the magnetron at each pulse, coming from the modulator? If you don't know what you're doing in there, you're wasting your time. And are you trying to operate the thing while you are standing in or near the beam, being radiated? (Now that would be REALLY dumb.)
Advice from an old radar tech: Let your local shop have a look at it and ask them for advice. There should be a small fee to get to a point where they can advise you. It's worth it. If it's repairable, they'll tell you how much. If it's not repairable, then junk it.
Playing around with the inside of a radar is a good way to a) erase the strips on all your credit cards; b) radiate yourself with a few thousand watts of microwave energy; c) give yourself a serious (several KV) shock, even after the power has been turned off; d) do even more damage than was originally there; and e) waste time. Sorry to be so blunt about this, but I did this stuff for years, first in the USAF and in avionics after my service.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
Larry,
Do not worry as I am very aware of the inherent dangers. I have been working around machines for a long time. Actually in the manual there is a test procedure described. Explains how and where to check. It gave me the answer I needed to know.
Unless I can get one really cheap I will start looking for a Chart plotter Radar combo or something like that. May have to wait another year.:(
Ross & Joanne
Wavelength
Saint John NB
RKYC
C36 #658 TR 1987
Love the connection Ross. You boat Wavelength and troubles with a magnatron....
Nick Caballero
Retired C36/375IA Mk II Technical Editor
Nick, you're funny. I missed that connection.
Larry Brandt
S/V High Flight #2109
Pacific Northwest, PDX-based
2002 C-36 mkII SR/FK M35B
SO I have given up on the radar. The Furuno 1621 display that works great is listed on Ebay and I listed the dome separately as For Parts.
As seen in my other posts I am looking at Garmin as a solution. I want to eventually replace all of the old Ramarine instruments with something. Their below deck will be my first purchase after a radar and chart plotter.
Ross & Joanne
Wavelength
Saint John NB
RKYC
C36 #658 TR 1987