Radar cable replacement

[Markl]

I need to replace the communication cable to the radar on my 2011 R25 and was wondering if anyone knows how the cable is routed before I dismantle the whole boat. Had a quick look yesterday and it wasn't clear how the cable got from the roof down to the helm.
Any other tidbits of information about the radar would be appreciated. The radar hasn't shown up on the chart plotter since I took possession of the boat this spring. There is power to the dome and I can hear something moving inside when powered up.
The dealer gave me a new dome (Garmin 18XHD) that I tired to install yesterday but it is larger diameter than the original Garmin GMR 18HD. None of the bolt holes lined up because it hit the hit the mast.
I believe the problem may be corrosion at the communication connector because the plastic weather seal is missing and I can see green crud on the cable and the mating plug on the dome but any other ideas are welcome.
Thanks
Mark

 

[Brian B]

If you need to run a new cable this link will tell you how, it's on a 27 but the 25 is the same. viewtopic.php?f=5&t=8777
I've done this for the GPS wire and its not an easy project. When you had the new dome did you try running it to see if it showed up on the display? That would tell you if its the cable or the dome itself.
Before you pull the boat apart get a new cable and run it outside of the boat from the display to the radar, if it works you know its the cable.
Does the radar show up in the settings in the display that shows what systems it is connected to?
Garmin has a special gasket that goes into the dome connection as water can enter when the mast is folded down.

 

[bill46]

try liberal use of electronic cleaner, mating and removing at least 10 times. then try another cable without installing, taking care not to let people in front of it. A pain RJ-45 ethernet cable should be ok to test. if you must replace Andrew vcan get you the number of factory guy that builds and he will describe. Running a new radio antenna cable on my r31 required removing 13 parts and 3 dozen screws. I saw cables to mast passing by.

 

[blifland]

My 2011 25SC had corrosion in the female socket (in the dome) - several of the small contact strips were completely gone. There was some corrosion on the cable male end, with some metal missing on one of the contacts - but enough was there for radar to work. Will change out the male end - one of these days - not necessary to change out the whole cable.

I fabricated a new female socket and installed it in the radar dome - pretty easy to do. With help from Ranger Tugs - Garmin gave me a new OEM socket assembly at 2016 Rendevous - but I have not installed it yet - (if it ain't broke - don't fix)

The parts were inexpensive - I will try to look up what I purchased and some pics I took - and email to you.
The hardest thing to get was o-rings that fit - Garmin uses some very thin orange/red ones. I think I found some slightly thicker black ones that worked. The key thing is - to use lots of electrical contact goop socket when connecting the repaired parts.

 

[Markl]

Thanks for the help everyone. Great idea's here.
From the sounds of it, replacing the cable end will be easier than replacing the whole cable. First I will try the contact cleaner and then the new cable and dome separately to rule out any problems with the chartplotter and determine exactly what part is at fault. The socket looks worse than the cable but will bring a magnifying glass today to have a better look.

Looking at the back of the chartplotter I'm not 100% sure what cable is the radar cable but will have a closer look today. Does anyone know if I can just plug the test cable into a spare socket? Will the radar magically appear on the plotter? I'm not very familiar with the Garmin equipment.
Thanks
Mark