FURUNO RADAR 1623 failure

whiteoaks7

Well-Known Member
Joined
29 Nov 2002
Messages
570
Location
South Wales, UK
www.seasolutions.co.uk
After the voyage through the french canals we put the mast back up and reconnected the radar. I'd cut the cable in UK and remade it by solder for the small cores, crimp for the power and 50ohm BNC for the coax. It doesnt work - all I get is 'No bearing' and 'No heading' legends which are supposed to indicate a cable fault!! However, the only sign of life in the head is the cooling fan, otherwise nothing - the antenna doesn't rotate! The heater voltage is correct (this being the only other thing a user can check). The obvious thought in my mind was damage or some infestation inside the radome, but I'd sealed it and it was immaculate inside. This is seriously spoiling a warm sunny day; so... any ideas?
 
The 1623 antenna drive can jam. This will cause a blank display and the message "no heading pulse". Did you check its rotation by turning it by hand? My set also once responded to just unplugging and re-plugging the cable at the display, (poor contact?). Otherwise, one of your cable joints must be a prime suspect.
 
No heading error message indicates that the antenna is not rotating. It needs this header info, provided by the antenna rotating and clocking a magnetic switch, thus providing a direction for the radar.

However, I am not an expert, just relating what happened to my Furuno twice.

If the radome is accesable, you could remove the plastic dome and watch the antenna rotating or not. Just wear a lead hat!!

But as already said, it may just be a connection problem, but thats outside of my limited knowledge.

Good luck

Mj
 
[ QUOTE ]
Just wear a lead hat!!

[/ QUOTE ]To strengthen your neck muscles, perhaps?
 
You can make the antenna rotate without the set transmitting. The manual does give guidance on H&S, or mine did.
 
Top