amperage draw for Garmin radar and MFD

[janders]

Hey all,

Apparently amperage draw is some industry secret. I can't seem to find it on Garmin's product web pages anywhere. Also, I drink a lot of beer but I doubt that's had any effect on my searches...

I'm interested in comparing the amp draws on 2kW vs. 4kW radar, particularly Garmin's 18HD and 24HD. And in both stand-by and active modes. I'm also trying to find out the amperage on the 10" MFD, whatever that's being called at the moment.

Anyone own these or somehow know how to find out the power draw? And if you want to throw in an opinion or two about the quality of these products while you're at it, well... Don't let me stop you.

Jason

[AnchorageGuy]

How about calling Garmin and asking?

[janders]

That's plan C.

[richardhula]

Can't help with Garmin but these are the Raymarine power consumption figures for "C" series MFD's & attached radome radars:
C70 9w
C80 10w
C120 12w

2kw 28w (9w standby)
4kw 34w (10w standby)

I can't imagine Garmin figures being much different.

Regards

[janders]

Thanks, Richard! Ballpark is what I'm looking for. Exact is great but this is what I'm interested in.

Radar draw is lower than I expected. And suprisingly, 4kW radar draws only incrementally more power than a 2kW radar. I clearly don't understand what it means to "transmit" at 2kW vs. 4kW.

[richardhula]

Originally Posted by janders

Thanks, Richard! Ballpark is what I'm looking for. Exact is great but this is what I'm interested in.

Radar draw is lower than I expected. And suprisingly, 4kW radar draws only incrementally more power than a 2kW radar. I clearly don't understand what it means to "transmit" at 2kW vs. 4kW.

Well both radar systems have that little motor turning round the antenna & they both have a klystron to keep warm so I guess that explains why the power consumption isn't proportional to the power transmitted.

[camaraderie]

Garmin gives 33.5 watts as the draw for both their 18hd and 24" domes. No standb draw specs are given.
The 10" mfd plotter draws 25 watts

[senormechanico]

I went out in the dark in near freezing weather to slip and slide down my dock ramp at low tide to give you numbers, so I hope they help, lol!
Garmin 5208 with chartplotter on stdby -2.1+ amps
Garmin 5208 with 18HD radar/stdby (night auto) dim screen -2.35 amps
Chartplotter active with full bright screen -3.8 amps
Radar and chartplotter active -4.1 amps
Radar and chartplotter full bright screen -5.3 amps

I have only a 2 decimal definition on my meter, so the + on the first line is to take up the slack in the measurement. I suspect the standby radar draw is closer to 100 milliamps.

I love this unit!!!

Steve B.

[janders]

Steve - a thousand thanks to you for risking the perils of a low tide dock ramp to run the numbers for me! You're a gentleman and a scholar.

Thanks everyone for the help!