Anemometer just broke!

[RayProudfoot]

I've just lost all speed readings on my anemometer. Direction is still working but it looks like the cups have become detached as a strong cold front came through. Wind gusted at 54mph just before I lost it.

Assuming I can locate the cups tomorrow I then have the problem of reattaching them. Not easy 30 feet up.

[steve]

Oh no! Are you sure the cups have come off rather than it being an electrical problem? Or perhaps they have just come loose and aren't turning the spindle?

[mcrossley]

Oh, bad luck Ray, I saw your speed suddenly drop on WoW, just a bit quicker than mine! I wondered what was going on.

Capture.JPG

[RayProudfoot]

Steve, hard to tell in the dark but it doesn't look like the cups are attached. I can see the arm but the direction on the display is stuck. It's also showing 0 for the speed rather than blanks. I won't be able to do anything until tomorrow when my search for the missing cups starts. But with such a strong gust they could be anywhere downwind.

Mark, bit of a disappointment to lose the cups with such a modest gust. Hardly a hurricane! I have a mate who may have a spare set of cups but until I can assess the damage it's hard to tell what my plan of action is.

New anemometer is £169. ouch!

[RayProudfoot]

I've searched my garden and that of my neighbour but there's no site of the wind cups. I'll check further afield later on.

In the meantime here are a couple of shots of the anemometer. It looks like the cups have become detached from the spindle but it doesn't explain why the direction arm isn't working. '0' continues to be displayed on the console but the direction arrow remains in the same position. There doesn't appear to be any other damage.

A friend has a spare set of wind cups and we'll try those but I'm worried about the direction not changing when there doesn't appear to be any damage to the arm.

Is it unusual for the cups to become detached in this way after 4.5 years?

Davis VP2 Anemometer 1.jpg

Davis VP2 Anemometer 2.jpg

[steve]

Perhaps the cups just weren't on securely enough? Mine have been through much higher winds without budging (peak gust last night 84 mph). It's odd that your vane reading isn't changing - perhaps that has also come loose and isn't turning the spindle?

[RayProudfoot]

Hi Steve,

The anemometer has been up there for 3.5 years so it would be odd for the screw to work loose although I accept it could happen. If it happened after a few days or weeks I could understand if it came loose but not 3.5 years.

And yes, 54mph is a mere breeze to what this equipment can cope with. I suppose the only way to check it out is to bring it down. In the meantime I'll give ProData a call and see if John can shed any light on the extent of any damage.

[beteljuice]

Isn't your kit set to report 0deg direction if calm ?

[RayProudfoot]

Isn't your kit set to report 0deg direction if calm ?

Yes, that option is ticked. So what does that suggest when the wind direction is stuck at just west of south?

And the arm is definitely not moving. Is there more damage here than just missing wind cups? I've checked around 6 gardens and there's no sign of the cups. £16 for replacement set from Prodata. I'm going to order them after speaking to John. waiting for a call back from him.

[steve]

Yes, it sounds like you have damage to the wind vane too, unfortunately.

[RayProudfoot]

Does that mean a whole new anemometer is required Steve? I didn't recall the lady at ProData mentioning a replacement arm.

[steve]

I don't think you'll know for sure until you can get it down and inspect it - find out why the vane isn't turning.

[jdc]

I've searched my garden and that of my neighbour but there's no site of the wind cups. I'll check further afield later on.

Maybe a quick check of the gutters too. Surprising where things end up!

[RayProudfoot]

Thanks for the suggestions chaps. It could be in the gutter but given the speed of the wind and the lightness of the cups I suspect it has travelled quite a distance.

I have ordered a new anemometer from ProData. Given that the vane wasn't moving the likelihood it is serviceable seems remote. Speaking to John Dann he says repairing them is quite difficult and there aren't any known repairers for Davis kit.

So tomorrow I'll have one of the new ones without a reed switch. John did the best deal he could for me and I'm grateful. If the current one can be fixed it will serve as a backup.

[fastbysuzuki]

Possibly the shaft has locked up and the wind gust have spun the cups off the shaft same with the arm.