Radar Stopped Working

Tug · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 8:27 pm Post subject:

Just window shopping but what do you think of these items. Tug

ORDER CONTENTSItem Price Total
C-Map MAX Wide NA-M026 Great Lakes on SD
$179.95 $179.95
Sitex EC-11 Chartplotter with 10.4” Screen
$1,439.00 $1,439.00
Sitex MDS-1 12” 2kw 24nm Radar Dome
$979.95 $979.95

Order SummarySubtotal: $2,598.90
Shipping: $0.00

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Total: $2,598.90

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Email info@thegpsstore.com

rogerbum · Posted: Tue Aug 21, 2012 10:00 pm Post subject:

I can't comment on the SiTex stuff but I have a Lowrance HDS-8 with the broadband radar. It's similar in price to the SiTex unit (not including the map).

1 Lowrance 3G Broadband Radar Dome $1,169.86
1 Lowrance HDS-8 Gen2 Base US 83/200 kHz T/M Transducer $1,513.65
For a total of 2683.51 from Imarineusa.com

You could even do the HDS 5 if you wanted for about $900 less than the price above. The issue is if you want to use one unit for both the radar and chart plotter, the bigger screen is better. I typically run the HDS8 on either chart/sonar or chart/radar. If I'm fishing in the fog, it's on sonar/radar and I use an iPad + navionics for my GPS (or my android phone + Navionics for my GPS). For a large screen GPS, the iPad is hard to beat. The Navionics software covering all of the U.S. and Canada is about $30 and a GPS capable iPad can be had for $529 (brand new iPad2 at Apple - less from some sellers).

Tug · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:20 pm Post subject:

Looked on the Imarineusa.com site and found:

Lowrance 3G BroadBand Radar Dome $ 1499.00

Lowrance HDS-8 Gen 2 Base Usa 83/200 kHz T/M Transducer $ 1719.00

Prices are up or i am looking in a different site:

Just spent the last couple of hours messing with the radar on my boat, checked all the connections and fuse. there is one smaller plug at the rear of the monitor that is loose. The plug has just worn over time,there is a sort of locking hook that is suppose to keep the plug in..that has lost it's effectiveness. I will try to tape the hook closed which may lock the plug in place... the unit runs good but if i shake it... it messes up, this may be that plug coming loose. The next time i go out i will see whats ..what. If it messes up again i will toss it..it's better not to have any radar than one you cann't reply on. Tug

Captains Cat · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 6:29 pm Post subject:

Tug, don't know what the exchange rate is but could Roger's be in USD and yours in CDN?

Charlie

Sea Angel · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:03 pm Post subject:

TUG;
Something you may want to look at is the power panel connection to both the RADAR Unit and the CRT Display. I get the impression your problem may be primarily the display system.

If nothing starts and yet you hear the RADAR rotating, you may want to tackle the display first. If you have the crimp type connectors that are scrweed or 'pushed' onto the power panel breaker or power switch, these have a tendency to become loose with time and can cause an intermittent supply to the device; much like what you are experiencing. You can sometimes just pull the wire them out the barrel of the crimp connector - just replace them. They are inexpensive. The lack of sharp focus on your display tells me that the display CRT has a low voltage situation. These connectors would be my first guess.

If you have fuses or circuit breakers, exercise them by pulling the fuses out and reinstalling them; if breakers, cycle them 'no-off'.

The connectors on the back of the CRT Display are usually gold plated and seldom have any corrosion, but it can happen. There are some deoxidation/lubrication electrical connector sprays available that you could spray into the female plug, then plug and unplug the connector several time to assure a quality connection.

These are a few things you can do in the boat with little cost. If any work ...Good, no big bill.

Good luck,
Art

rogerbum · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 7:05 pm Post subject:

BrentB · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:04 pm Post subject:

just curious
What is the screen size and does it show targets well?
I think you should contact Si Tex and send some pics and ask if they will upgrade your unit at cost

What a testimonial to a well made product

m2cw

Tug · Posted: Wed Aug 22, 2012 8:43 pm Post subject:

Brent ..it's a nine inch screen ..difference shades of green. I actually like the cathode tube type of monitor, it has that curved screen which gives it that extra dimension... I have no experience with other radars into which to judge the quality of my radar's targeting but it shows bouys and moving boats clearly. If i remember right i had once emailed Sitex about upgrading rebates and was told that there was none at the time. I think i will email them again just in case things have changed. Tug

Tug · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:02 pm Post subject:

Took my boat out fishing this morning, fired up the radar at the dock and headed out. Well, there was a green screen , rings and the radar was turning but no radar image.

Got my limit of Kings.

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb355/Tug7/100_0822.jpg

Stopped on the way back to the marine and dropped anchor and started the radar up again..nothing. Tied a tie-wrap around the retaining barb that keeps the power cord plug in place and tighten it as much as i could: Tried the radar again..

http://i1201.photobucket.com/albums/bb355/Tug7/100_0823.jpg

Well that seemed to do the trick..whatever i did seemed to keep the power cord plug snug in place. Pulled anchor and headed to the docks, after i reached my slip ..( 10 mile run )..the radar was still working.Knock on wood.I will email Si-tex to see if i can get a new power cord plug...hopefully a loose connection was the problem. Tug

BrentB · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 2:51 pm Post subject:

I would write a nice letter and include pictures to the Si Tex CEO. Maybe they would like it to display and usually more effective in requesting an upgrade. They give out units for evalutions regularly

starcrafttom · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 3:23 pm Post subject:

Ok the radar is fixed, now lets talk about the important stuff. How are you catching your fish? Trolling or jigging? What depths? What lures? I am very interested in fishing the great lakes and your area one day. Fishing for big salmon and big browns in fresh water with not limit on rods and gear sounds like fun to me.

Tug · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:42 pm Post subject:

Tom, i mostly fish the St. Mary's river for Atlantic's and King Salmon, Canadian side you are allowed 2 rods when trolling / American side they are allowed 3 rods..go figure. I fish for King salmon down at the mouth of the Garden River, it's narrower there and they stage in that general area before heading up the Garden River to drop their eggs.. Canadian's are allowed to have in their possession just three fish/person/day. I use downriggers for Salmon, use J-Plugs and spoons. The river at that point is narrow and not too deep...maybe 40 feet at the most. I usually am only about 12 to 20 feet deep and back 30 feet most of the time.It's easy fishing when the fish are around, this morning i had my limit within an hour. Tug

Sea Angel · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 4:50 pm Post subject:

TUG;
Another old trick;

Try to give a very "slight" bend to the male pins in the power plug. This will sometimes give a firmer fit within the plug assembly. You may have even tried this on worn extension cords.

Given where you boat I would suggest buying some of the deoxidation/lubrication spray for your connectors and WX seal them as best you can. I have even heard of folks using stuff like chapstick as a seal for those connectors in the cabin.

If it is the tightening ring that loosens, you may want to try some plumbers tape on the threads to help hold it in place.

Art

Tug · Posted: Thu Aug 23, 2012 5:37 pm Post subject:

Art.. Thanks..that is a good idea, i will try that if i have any more problems. Tug

starcrafttom · Posted: Fri Aug 24, 2012 1:13 am Post subject:

tug, I just spent some time on google earth looking at that section of the river. Very different then the deep open water that I fish or of one of the man lakes where you are at. Is the bottom flat and sand or rocky? sounds like you are fishing suspended off the bottom. How fast and what size plugs? sorry for so many question but I like to learn about the different ways people fish.