How to clean the speed sensor?

[cmedsailor]

What is the most effective way of cleaning the speed sensor (the little impeller I mean) from getting stuck all the time? Take it off from the hull pour very hot water on it and then put it back? Will this work? It doesn’t look like a WD-40 job. Any ideas?

 

[michael_w]

Evict the little wrigglers and their garden with a suitable instrument. I favour a small screwdriver. Once clean give it a squirt of McLube.

If the boat's at rest for a while. Pull the log out. Saves lots of time.

 

[Gwylan]

Carefully - the unit is not that strong and difficult to replace!

 

[pcatterall]

I see that there is a transducer and cable for sale for NASA clipper logs. It looks like mine but mine is a very old model ( I'm not sure of the make. Do these things tend to be interchangeable??

 

[capnsensible]

A toothbrush works quite well, just make sure you dont tell its owner.

 

[moody1]

I would suggest you do not use very hot water as it's a plastic item. It may swell or crack. Also WD40 may not be good due to the solvents.
Stiff brush making sure magnets don't get dislodged from their holes.

 

[Adamastor]

Chuck it in some vinegar for a few minutes? We get stuff called coral-worm in my home town, and vinegar gets the calcification off very easily. It also gets the slimy spira-gyra stuff off, too. And I also used to paint the exposed parts of the housing with antifouling for good measure, but maybe that's a little fastidious!

 

[TonyS]

I use the slightest smear of superlube waterproof grease once a year. Never have to take it out otherwise for cleaning! Try it yourself.

 

[Leighb]

I tried this, was full of little crawlies in no time and zero speed on the log.

Best option for me is to take the transducer out when leaving the boat for more than a day or so.

Only takes a minute or two, and barely a cup full of water comes in.

I do have an Airmar transducer with the flap valve and a proper blanking plug which makes it very quick and easy.

 

[William_H]

In warmer waters I don't think there is an answer to the fouling problem for paddle wheels. Remove when not in use is the best answer. I don't believe lubrication is much use. Painting with a/f might help but tolerances are close so the paint may foul the operation. I removed my system and use GPS. olewill

 

[jfkal]

None of the ones mentioned. Take it out when not in use.

 

[hubert]

I have the nasa paddlewheel. They recommend taking out the wheel (by carefully pushing out the pin), polishing the pin with a pan scrubber, cleaning the wheel and painting it with antifouling. Then re-assembling when dry. It worked for me.