1834C radar suddenly stopped displaying targets

[SailorLinda]

We have a Navnet VX2 installed with a 1834C radar. We do not use the overlay function, it is either a chart plotter OR a radar display. This set up has worked flawlessly since installation in 2007. Last week, while day sailing, I turned the radar on and there are no targets, no land is visible as a "blob" and there are no vessel blips. I looked at the connections and cleaned the terminals, adjusted the gains, looked at the system configuration and later started the unit in installation mode and checked the radar settings. Since then I have spent many hours and have tried everything that I have read on the internet and on this forum, but there are so many radar entries I have probably missed a few. I do not have any visible targets. FYI: When I press Memory I/O test and then Display Unit test everything is marked OK , Total on time is 7109.5 hrs and total TX time is 1356.4 hrs. Any suggestions are welcome.
Linda

 

[Johnny Electron]

Based on your symptoms, it sounds like you have a damaged modulator board. It would need to be troubleshot by a qualified tech or send in the RTR unit to our service center for evaluation. (www.FurunoUSA.com - Support - RMA). Magnetrons don't suddenly go bad from one day to the next but modulator boards do. Based on your description it is pretty high odds you will need to have a new modulator board installed.

 

[SailorLinda]

Based on your symptoms, it sounds like you have a damaged modulator board. It would need to be troubleshot by a qualified tech or send in the RTR unit to our service center for evaluation. (www.FurunoUSA.com - Support - RMA). Magnetrons don't suddenly go bad from one day to the next but modulator boards do. Based on your description it is pretty high odds you will need to have a new modulator board installed.

Thank you for the information. We live in Canada. Is the only service center in Washington State? If we replace the modulator board I am wondering if then the magnetron might fail, so Is it possible to purchase a brand new radar that would be compatible with our old NavNet2 display. Thank you

Linda

 

[Johnny Electron]

The radars used with NN1 (2002) and the Vx2 (2005) are no longer sold. Any full radar replacement would need to come from the used market. These older units are not compatible with DRS units starting with the NN3D system (2008). The repair center is in Camas Washington but many dealers offer bench work. You can contact your nearest dealers to ask what services they offer. If you don't know who the local dealers are, the dealer locator from our website can be consulted. https://www.furunousa.com/en/company/find_a_dealer
On the Vx2 I have seen the Mag also need replacement after the modulator board goes but lot depends on the age of the Mag. Normally if the Mag has been replaced recently, it can be fine. Parts are available so despite the age, these units have life left in them but before investing in repairs one must consider upgrade thoughts to something more modern with extra bells and whistles.

 

[SailorDoc]

Sailorlinda: I have the same system (now removed from boat... we upgraded to TZT3 etc) with similar loss of radar.

If you are on the west coast you could try our system parts to see if any luck.

Rather than go the repair route (with chance of other failure down the road), we decided to purchase new. Pricey but very happy with new system (though we got TZT3 only a couple months before new XL system appeared...grrrrr).