DRS6AX radar shuts down after 5 minutes

[Cultivatedcoral]

My two year old DRS6AX open array shuts down after about 5 minutes. I originally thought it was only doing it when I was running on plane or in rough weather but it did it today when I was just going 5 knots.

Is this a known issue? Thanks.

 

[Flatline]

Cultivatedcoral.
Thank you for your inquiry.
No this is not a know issue. There are some basic troubleshooting steps that I would recommend. When you say "the array shuts down" do you mean that it cycles into a stand-by mode? If you press TX does it begin to transmit again? does the MFD display also "shut off" when this radar issue occurs? If the TX/STBY is happening at regular 5 minute intervals ensure that a guard zone has not been created and a WATCHMAN feature has not been turned on in the popup menu of the radar.

Also be aware; If there is a 12v to 24v converter being used to supply power to the radar (X-class radar use 24vdc only) I would double-check the connections at the converter and ensure that I have a CLEAN supply of 24v.

Finally, when this issue occurs you could check the SENSOR LIST in the HOME---SETTINGS---INITAL SETUP menu. If the DRS radar does not appear on the sensor list it has somehow dropped off the network and I would double check the Ethernet cabling and any Ethernet HUB being used. Examine the RJ45 connector(s) themselves on the radar cabling, any corrosion? Ensure that the RJ45 connectors are properly seated into any HUB being used. Are the radar Ethernet cabling subject to any tight bends &/or excessively tight (& possibly straining the small wires within the RJ45 connector?

 

[Cultivatedcoral]

Cultivatedcoral.
Thank you for your inquiry.
No this is not a know issue. There are some basic troubleshooting steps that I would recommend. When you say "the array shuts down" do you mean that it cycles into a stand-by mode? If you press TX does it begin to transmit again? does the MFD display also "shut off" when this radar issue occurs? If the TX/STBY is happening at regular 5 minute intervals ensure that a guard zone has not been created and a WATCHMAN feature has not been turned on in the popup menu of the radar.

Also be aware; If there is a 12v to 24v converter being used to supply power to the radar (X-class radar use 24vdc only) I would double-check the connections at the converter and ensure that I have a CLEAN supply of 24v.

Finally, when this issue occurs you could check the SENSOR LIST in the HOME---SETTINGS---INITAL SETUP menu. If the DRS radar does not appear on the sensor list it has somehow dropped off the network and I would double check the Ethernet cabling and any Ethernet HUB being used. Examine the RJ45 connector(s) themselves on the radar cabling, any corrosion? Ensure that the RJ45 connectors are properly seated into any HUB being used. Are the radar Ethernet cabling subject to any tight bends &/or excessively tight (& possibly straining the small wires within the RJ45 connector?

Thanks for the tips, Flatline,

Yes it cycles into standby by mode and then has a 2 minute (I think it’s 2 minutes) countdown and then the array stops moving. After that I can hit the TX button and it will start moving again but will do the same all over again.

The MFD does not shut off. I will check everything you suggested when I get back to the marina at the end of the week.

Nick

 

[Johnny Electron]

I recommend you ensure your WiFi on the MFD units are not left "On" seeking local sources. If it is a WiFi rich area it can bog the machine down and cause the radar to drop to STBY. WiFi set to host your apps is okay to be left on, but to seek out a host (like for getting weather) is not okay to leave on running 24/7.

 

[Cultivatedcoral]

My two year old DRS6AX open array shuts down after about 5 minutes. I originally thought it was only doing it when I was running on plane or in rough weather but it did it today when I was just going 5 knots.

Is this a known issue? Thanks.

I recommend you ensure your WiFi on the MFD units are not left "On" seeking local sources. If it is a WiFi rich area it can bog the machine down and cause the radar to drop to STBY. WiFi set to host your apps is okay to be left on, but to seek out a host (like for getting weather) is not okay to leave on running 24/7.

Thanks. I will check that as well.

 

[Cultivatedcoral]

I recommend you ensure your WiFi on the MFD units are not left "On" seeking local sources. If it is a WiFi rich area it can bog the machine down and cause the radar to drop to STBY. WiFi set to host your apps is okay to be left on, but to seek out a host (like for getting weather) is not okay to leave on running 24/7.

Got down to the boat today. The watchman was not on but it was set to 5 minute intervals. There was no guard zone active. The sensor list does show the radar. I turned the radar on and it shutdown in exactly 5 minutes. After that the radar was lost from the sensor list. I checked the cables on my netgear nmea router and they were all kind of tight and bent. I removed them one by one and put them back in but that did not help. It actually caused me to lose my Dff1-uhd from the sensor list.

I then shut down my netgear router and re-booted it. That seemed to work as everything returned to the sensor list and I turned on the radar and it stayed on for over 5 minutes. Hopefully that was all that was needed.

Thanks for the help.

 

[Johnny Electron]

It sounds like your hub (router not allowed) has an intermittent problem or some of your cables are not properly shielded. Using shielded cables with proper metal RJ45 connectors are important. Glad you got it working. Hopefully it remains solid.