Barometers, Hygrometers & Thermometers

[Babylon]

My old cheap kit - inherited and mounted on the ubiquitous teak panel with faux-brass corners - has now all failed. The hygrometer (what measures humidity) is 30% below true value and cannot be re-calibrated because the screw fell off, the barometer jumps about like a sick locust and the thermometer reads seven degrees low and also cannot be calibrated.

Question is whether to fork out for fancy Wheems & Plath separates at £85 each (which curiously work out at exactly £1 per mm of diameter):
http://www.piplers.co.uk/cabin-and-...ions/weems-plath-endurance-85-brass-barometer
and: http://www.piplers.co.uk/cabin-and-...s/weems-plath-endurance-85-brass-comfortmeter

or go for an electronic version which records and displays trends etc, the choice being:
VION: http://www.force4.co.uk/force-4-electronic-barometer.html#.VQdKd2SsWPU
or NASA: http://www.force4.co.uk/nasa-meteoman.html#.VQdLA2SsWPU

Does anyone have any experience of using this electronic stuff?

Of course the broader question is this: does one - in these days of NAVTEX and inshore internet info - actually need the information these instruments provide for coastal cruising and occasional offshore sailing?

 

[johnalison]

I don't know, but my Casio watch gives a better pressure reading than the barometer on the bulkhead, even if it doesn't look as good.

 

[duncan99210]

There's stacks of electronic weather 'stations' about. We have one that shows pressure plus trends, inside and outside temp and relative humidity plus has a radio controlled clock as well. Got it on a special offer at a Greek lidl a couple of years back. Does the job. However, we also have a Plastimo barometer and my Dads barograph, neither of which is anywhere near as accurate as the Lidl setup but much better looking!

 

[nigelmercier]

There's stacks of electronic weather 'stations' about. We have one that shows pressure plus trends, inside and outside temp ... a radio controlled clock as well...

Ditto. Much more use than a nasty brass anachronism in a modern boat.

Mine is similar to this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00D1WUKOK/dolcetto-21

[Note that there is an Amazon affiliate code after the ASIN in this link, feel free to delete it]

 

[Iliade]

Do you want information or decoration?

For the former, go modern, for the latter choose tat.

 

[Babylon]

Ditto. Much more use than a nasty brass anachronism in a modern boat.
Mine is similar to this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00D1WUKOK/dolcetto-21

Will it work without the external monitor - unnecessary on a yacht?

 

[duncan99210]

They work fine without needing the external sensor, which only generates temperature data.

 

[Fantasie 19]

At home I have one of the same as nigelmercier mentions above..

On the boat I went with function - if you go to Amazon and seach on "outdoor barometers" you'll find a whole load suitable for an outdoor/garden environment and I took the view they'd be perfect for the boat... same with clocks/thermometers and etc

 

[nigelmercier]

Will it work without the external monitor - unnecessary on a yacht?

Yes, but it is surprisingly useful. I've used it to keep an eye on my fridge temperature, also the bilge and the engine compartment.

 

[Daydream believer]

I suppose one has to ask -- does one know what to do with the info when one gets it

 

[Fantasie 19]

I suppose one has to ask -- does one know what to do with the info when one gets it

If the barometer drops go to the bar... if it rises, apply sun cream and go to the bar terrace...

 

[Daydream believer]

& the Hygrometer?
Or do you still have a screw loose?

 

[prv]

I suppose one has to ask -- does one know what to do with the info when one gets it

I don't, and freely admit that my cabin clock-and-barometer set is largely for decoration

Pete

 

[Daydream believer]

I don't, and freely admit that my cabin clock-and-barometer set is largely for decoration

Pete

Well i do watch the barometer & thermometer but I must admit I do not have a clue what the hydrometer can tell me - other than if there is a bit of fog about

 

[Hydrozoan]

I moved the (traditional) barometer from the main bulkhead to the chart table, so I could at least read it and note it in the log. I haven't calibrated it but it does go up and down - and keeping an eye out for rapidly falling pressure is the main thing, isn't it? I then bought a decent clock to cover where the barometer had been - and yes, it is also very useful as Mrs H almost never wears a watch .

 

[jacktarjohn]

I too have a lidl weather station on my bulkhead. Appears accurate up till now. Gets the time signal from Germany so its an hour out. I do take it home after each trip as I doubt it would last long in a maritime environment full time. Bargain for a tenner.

 

[nigelmercier]

I too have a lidl weather station on my bulkhead. Appears accurate up till now. Gets the time signal from Germany so its an hour out. I do take it home after each trip as I doubt it would last long in a maritime environment full time. Bargain for a tenner.

Surely there is a time zone adjustment?

 

[jacktarjohn]

Indeed it does, but at midnight when it checks the time in Germany it flips back to euro time. I can live with that for a tenner.

 

[Babylon]

All I want to do is replace a barometer - and next thing I get is "Germany Calling, Germany Calling"!

 

[JohnGC]

Ditto. Much more use than a nasty brass anachronism in a modern boat.

Mine is similar to this one: http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00D1WUKOK/dolcetto-21

[Note that there is an Amazon affiliate code after the ASIN in this link, feel free to delete it]

Happy to not delete.

Do you know what pressure change vertical bars of the graph represent?

John