Testing a Garmin radar

[newbie-]

I just picked up a second hand 24XHD Garmin radar. Is there a way to test this on a bench without microwaving my brains?

I want to make sure everything is OK before the bigger project of assembling it on the arch.

[Scott Berg]

Just put it 15' away and run the wires; you'll be fine

[newbie-]

Well.. My workshop is inside an apartment building up in a city skyline. I suppose it's safe? But maybe not the best idea. It could possibly interact with the smart IOT devices all over the building and maybe even trigger an alarm?

The magnetron shouldn't activate on a Garmin XHD until it receives a command to start, right?

That's how my open array Raytheon works. The unit will POST in stand-by. The magnetron won't activate until you've specifically set it to scan.

I'm hoping to get the unit to power on while I have a chance to potentially return it as bad if necessary.

[C420sailor]

You’ll be fine. It doesn’t put nearly enough power out to hurt anyone or anything during a quick test. Just don’t make a habit of it.

I sat a few feet behind a mega powerful air intercept radar for many years and everything still works just fine, especially that third arm that grew out of my ass.

[deblen]

Put the scanner on roof of your car.Run cable in the pass. window.Get 12 from cig liter/power outlet.
You can drive to an open location & set this up if you like.
Sit in the car in comfort & have fun.
Did this many times testing new models,etc. Cheers/Len


Do not look directly into the scanner less than 2 ft--or farther.

[newbie-]

Digging in the bin of cables... it looks like I'm missing the 2 pin Garmin power connector for the radar.

Ordered a "replacement" for $70... Kind of crazy for a 2 pin power cable.

Anyone know the pinout for the power connector on the bottom of the xHD? +/-

[BruceS]

Demand it from the seller or send the unit back. You don't wanna make smoke?
All info & photos I could find don't show enough detail.
Maybe you could probe each pin to unit chassis ? (to find neg pin)
Do you have a closeup of the socket?

[nortonscove]

My research tells me that the radar concern is greatly exaggerated and there really isn't much of a danger. Talk to anyone that works on them regularly and you'll get the real skinny.