Disconnecting radar

jrs7

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Removed a Raytheon radar head that came on the boat but never worked (and I don't really need it). I couldn't trace the cable all the way back to the battery/fuse panel, so I just cut it and capped it. Is this OK/safe? Thanks.
 
This post reminds me of an episode of MASH. For those who watched that show, it was the episode about defusing a bomb that landed in the camp.

In any case, I wonder why you would ask this question after you cut the wires and not before?
 
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I agree - totally brainless move in hindsight (i like the MASH reference). I cut it because i thought the cable leaving the top mounted radar terminated at the display but it didn't. I think it might go directly to the battery but I can't trace it. So, I really need to know if this is a safety issue before I reconnect the batteries. Thanks in advance for any help.
 
Did you check the fuse panel in your hardtop? What about the one in the helm??? I can’t see anyone running them directly to the battery when those with hard tops have two panels at the cockpit
 
I'd trace it back and remove it all. If you can't, stagger the wires so they cannot short and stub them off and tape Then tape the entire bundle.
 
cable bypasses fuse book . it is a white cable when it disappears behind the helm but at the battery there are no white cables leading in so I can't really trace it. i wish i could determine which of the battery connections lead to the cut cable. my biggest concern is safety and avoiding shorts.
 
How many conductors were there in the white cable? Depending on the model of radar, the signals and power could come directly off of the head unit. Just to make sure we are talking about the same parts, by saying head unit, are you referring to the display and not the antenna array?
 
2 cables disappear behind the helm heading toward the stern- one from the antenna array and one from the display. that was my original problem assuming that the antenna cable just plugged into the display when i cut it. also, how do i tell how many conductors are in white cable?
 
Never a good idea to leave hot wires dead ended.

and....Its going to confuse the ship out of someone in the future...probably you...

It can only go to a fuse

I just removed MY raytheon.
The dark cable was power and several NMEA 0183 pairs. Mine was connected to the fuse panel in the hardtop and there was GPS signal on a pair of NMEA wires.
The white cable went to the radome. It would not be going to the stern.

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thanks to all for the help. mission accomplished!
 
The cut white cable turned out to be about 15ft long and actually did terminate at the display. The length disappeared behind the bulkhead heading toward the stern then doubled back to the display. This was discovered after carefully sliding it out while unbundling from the other wires it was grouped with. Again, thanks to all for the help. Always learning.