Radar FR10 + XN12A started making whirring noise

[lattes]

I have the FR10 unit and XN12A array installed on a shrimp trawler for about 6 months now.


A few days it has started making a loud whirring sound while the array spins. Video of the noise and the array spinning. You can't really hear it from the outside, but it is noticeable in the cabin

I checked the seals underneath the array per advice on an older post and it looked ok to me? I wouldn't think it's the magnetron either since this unit is on the newer side.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

 

[Sparky Wire]

I would have a very hard talk with the installer. It shouldn't be mounted on that pogo stick as vibrations not only go up but they also comes down. It looks like the bearings are wearing when you look near the rotator joint and see that black dust. Vibrations are likely going to wear out that rotator joint and then radar problems can start. The array looks sealed okay but the bolts could have been better and I do see the black line crack so not sure if it really had enough sealant before they wiped it over. Water isn't going to be the problem here. The mounting is a real problem from a noise and vibration standpoint. It is also noted that the radar seems to be blasting RF right into an onboard GPS sticking up there. Placement is extremely important to the radar and the items around it.



I would recommend you talk with your installer and look for a location that isn't going to vibrate the unit and also doesn't couple noise down so much into the cabin. It is likely okay right now but if not moved, you can expect an early failure of not only it but the GPS antenna; at least that is my thoughts on it.

 

[Johnny Electron]

Yeah that vibration mast isn't great for a Leisure marine radar gearbox and likely would be an issue even with a larger commercial gearbox. Good spotting that GPS @Sparky Wire , but photos can be deceiving. It should be measured to ensure that it is out of the beam. I agree the GPS will eventually get the front end blown out if that is in the beam.

 

[lattes]

Thanks for the insight. All of the shrimp trawlers in the area have the same stick setup, so I had no idea it wasn't ideal.

Unfortunately the shape of the trawler leaves no real estate towards the back, so it has to go above the wheelehouse.





Regarding GPS, what distance should they be apart?

 

[Johnny Electron]

Understand. Sometimes you make the best of what is available. Minimum I would have some very solid side braces and forward braces welded up high to stabilize that post more. Some neoprene can be put under the base of the gearbox and mount to dampen some of the noise/sound to try to keep it from coupling down to the wheelhouse. As it is; that post is acting as a noise and vibration conduit and you might want to do whatever you can to stop both. It likely would work better mounted all the way forward flat on the wheelhouse top at least to stop the vibrations getting to the radar rotator joint. The motor noise is likely to be heard there as well but with some neoprene and not nonresident post it might be better than how it is now.