Furuno Radar problems

[MarkJohnson12345]

Good reading on the previous radar thread.

My Furuno 1722C, a radar and plotter combined, has again had the drive band come off the motor and antenna spindles.

It came off last year about this time. Then, I took the Radome down, and took it to a registered Furuno service centre ( Milford Haven).

The engineer replaced the band, and serviced the radome, giving it a clean bill of health.

Last week I had the same problem, and today went up the mast, took the dome off the gubbins, and put the band back on.

Presumably the problem is that the motor spindle goes out of line with the Antenna cog.

The radar was bought in 2004 boat show, thus has had several seasons running without problems.

Would the cooler temperatures have anything to do with it?? I do run the radar fairly regularly to exercise it so to speak. I wonder whether once its switched on, I should it to run for 30 minutes to allow the whole system to 'warm' up thoroughly, rather that 10 minutes or so???

At this time of year I can fix it quickly in the marina, but am not looking forward to going up the mast in the middle of the English Channel next year.

Any thoughts.

Mj

 

[boatmike]

I tend to think you are right about missalignment. Personally I dont like rubber band drives in the first place but if you have one you have to ensure the spindles are aligned properly and the bearings are not clapped. I think you need to take it back to the guys who serviced it and tell them, not fix it yourself. I would not think it has anything to do with temperature.

 

[boatmike]

Just one other thing. Are you sure the casing is watertight? It's possible that a little water in the works might be causing it to ice up, in which case it wont turn and the belt will jump.... Just a thought...

 

[MarkJohnson12345]

More thoughts about the radar rubber band problem.

Just prior to both de railments, the boat had been lifted either into or out of the water.

Maybe the bumps and jolts were enought to move the band nearer to its demise.

The motor spindle has two lips to keep the band in place, but the antenna spindle has only one on the lower edge.

Sounds a bit like a design fault to me, but then I have never designed nor tested the beast, until now that is!!!!!!

I am sure Furuno made a deliberate decison to leave off the the top lip on the antenna spindle.

When they are all back at work I will find out from their lips what their thoughts are.

Mj