Installing wind instrument

telford_mike

telford_mike

Well-Known Member
Joined
9 Jun 2007
Messages
379
Location
Winter : Switzerland | Summer : Ionian
Visit site
Mrs t_m wants one of those wind instruments, this sort of thing:

i60%20Wind%20(Front).jpg


http://www.force4.co.uk/raymarine-i60-wind-pack.html#.VIA_7UffWrU

Assuming there's already a suitable 12v supply in the instrument binnacle, how much effort to mount the masthead instrument and the gauge? A day's work (for a competent engineer)? Or less?
 
That's a how long is a piece of string question.

If the cabling from the masthead to the instrument is easy, then fine, but it can mean significant dismantling on some boats, and take hours.... also, its not a quick job to mount a new masthead sender on occasions.... i've had to take my mast down this winter to do mine, as drilling new mounting holes in the thick plate in situ with a cordless drill proved too challenging. You may also have other wiring to do, connecting the instrument into an NMEA network to provide feeds for plotters, autopilots etc.

So, it could be done in a few hours, or it could take a dozen.
 
If you go for a Raymarine/Tacktick its wireless and solar powered so no connecting wiring is required.
 
archie said:
If you go for a Raymarine/Tacktick its wireless and solar powered so no connecting wiring is required.
Click to expand...

True, but you'll also get increasingly familiar with the task of going up the mast every time it needs attention! Tacktick mast sensors aren't renowned for long-term reliability.
 
Thanks for all the input.

Are the masthead transducers really that different between the tacktick and wired versions? Seems odd that they would reinvent the wind speed / direction bits. Or is it the solar / wireless bits that compromise the reliability of the tacktick unit?

Needless to say, Mrs t_m won't care whether it's wireless or not, but I will if it breaks down a lot. On the other hand, the prospect of running a cable down the mast and thence to the instrument binnacle in the cockpit is not particularly appealing either.
 
telford_mike said:
Thanks for all the input.

Are the masthead transducers really that different between the tacktick and wired versions? Seems odd that they would reinvent the wind speed / direction bits. Or is it the solar / wireless bits that compromise the reliability of the tacktick unit?

Needless to say, Mrs t_m won't care whether it's wireless or not, but I will if it breaks down a lot. On the other hand, the prospect of running a cable down the mast and thence to the instrument binnacle in the cockpit is not particularly appealing either.
Click to expand...

The rotating bits aren't a problem, but the masthead unit contains a rechargeable battery which can fail.
 
telford_mike said:
Thanks, I see what you mean; wired it is then, which probably makes it a pro job rather than a PBO style DIY installation.
Click to expand...
DIY is not hard to do apart from the power supply all you have to do is fix the masthead unit, run the cable in the conduit within the mast ( mine is keel stepped so easy) i would have the wires jointed below deck if deck stepped mast.
 
Now for a note of negativity.. Of course it is iteresting to know how hard the wind is blowing and from what direction... saves bending the neck to look up.. however you will find that the instruments on top of the mast cause more problems than all the rest of the boat put together. (excluding paddle wheel log) This mainly from damage by birds or in our marina mast tops hitting one another. or just plain electrical problems all of which require purchase of new mast head units and the horrible trip to the top of the mast or taking mast down. So I say for peace of mind resist buying the wind instruments unless someone can provide same without rotating parts. good luck olewill
 
William_H said:
Now for a note of negativity.. Of course it is iteresting to know how hard the wind is blowing and from what direction... saves bending the neck to look up.. however you will find that the instruments on top of the mast cause more problems than all the rest of the boat put together. (excluding paddle wheel log) This mainly from damage by birds or in our marina mast tops hitting one another. or just plain electrical problems all of which require purchase of new mast head units and the horrible trip to the top of the mast or taking mast down. So I say for peace of mind resist buying the wind instruments unless someone can provide same without rotating parts. good luck olewill
Click to expand...

In quite a few years of sailing I have never once seen a bird sitting or pecking or otherwise damaging a wind instrument in any way. Has anyone actually SEEN this or is it another old wives tale
As for mast heads clashing- you must be in a pretty exposed marina
Electrical problems are usually a result of poor installation.
I have had problems with my NASA masthead unit wearing out but fitting a 2mm pin in place of the 1mm pin supplied fixed that for 3-4 years. But I do admit that after 8 years it now needs replacing- Unless I can repair it again
I do not think that would put me off buying a wind instrument.
It is extremely handy when night sailing to be able to see wind angle without having to shine a torch at the windex. for example It means one can sail more down wind in greater safety
 
Daydream believer said:
In quite a few years of sailing I have never once seen a bird sitting or pecking or otherwise damaging a wind instrument in any way. Has anyone actually SEEN this or is it another old wives tale
As for mast heads clashing- you must be in a pretty exposed marina
Electrical problems are usually a result of poor installation.
I have had problems with my NASA masthead unit wearing out but fitting a 2mm pin in place of the 1mm pin supplied fixed that for 3-4 years. But I do admit that after 8 years it now needs replacing- Unless I can repair it again
I do not think that would put me off buying a wind instrument.
It is extremely handy when night sailing to be able to see wind angle without having to shine a torch at the windex. for example It means one can sail more down wind in greater safety
Click to expand...

It may be an Oz thing but on holiday in Sydney a while ago, every boat I saw in a Sydney bay marina that had mast head instruments had them trashed by Sulphur Crested Cockatoos. They just loved the spinny bits.

As for mast head clashes, happened to me once but yes at the time I was in a marina very exposed to northerlies and we had a N gale through towards the end of the season.
 
I have Tacktick instruments dating back to 2004. The mast head instrument is still fine, although last year it decided it was not going to turn anymore. I spent ages trying to lubricate it and gave up, and bought a new one. On trying to fit the new one - should have been simple - but the buggers have changed the base fitting, so it didn't get done that time. I came back to the boat (in Greece ) 2 months later - first job to change wind fitting - its working again and whats more the transmission levels are up and I get 100% readings which I did not get before. How on earth did it free itself!

The mast head unit has never been taken down in the winter - as it should be....... So my vote is for tacktick.
 
I too have had Tacktick instruments for 7 years, about half the winters the mast has been down and the instrument head taken home, the rest it has stayed up. So far I have had no trouble with it, except for odd random occasions when the reading goes blank. Switching off and on again has always fixed it.
 
William_H said:
you will find that the instruments on top of the mast cause more problems than all the rest of the boat put together. (excluding paddle wheel log)
Click to expand...

That is precisely my experience. I hate the damned things, and I draw the line at going up masts and it is a real pain finding someone to do it for you.

So.... when I get round to it....I'm going to mount my next wind instrument on a long pole off the stern. I know there is a difference in wind speeds at the top of mast, and the wind direction won't be as accurate because of the effect of the sails, but after a while you'd get used to it and do a mental adjustment. After all, wind speed and precise direction is only a matter of interest, but not vital to know
 
William_H said:
.. however you will find that the instruments on top of the mast cause more problems than all the rest of the boat put together. (excluding paddle wheel log) This mainly from damage by birds or in our marina mast tops hitting one another.
Click to expand...

Your experience may be peculiar to Australia. There's little problem in the UK with bird damage to wind transducers. And I can't remember a problem in any UK marina with mast tops getting tangled. Good quality wired wind transducers are very reliable.

As for paddle wheel log transducers, the secret is simply to antifoul them.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Share this page

Top