mick
Well-Known Member
Thanks to all who replied to my previous post about the Nasa Clipper wind instrument. How about the Silva Star?
Nasa Clipper/Silva Star
- Thread starter mick
- Start date
Rustyknight
Well-Known Member
I've had the silva star wind for 3 seasons now.....
Worked fine for the first year, then the masthead unit started sticking and giving dodgy wind speed readings depending on the direction of the wind!
Used it as above for the last two seasons. I did contact silva to see what could be done, and the answer was to replace the transducer or send it to them for possible refurb of the bearings.
For some reason unknown to mankind, the cost of a replacement transducer is MORE than buying the whole thing new. Apparently, the transducer used is the same as their Nexus range..... but this doesn't really explain the exhorbitant price.
A local marine electronic firm reckoned about £120 to "have a look" and possibly replace the bearing, but until I've been on a diet for a few months I guess it'll be staying undone for a while.
Worked fine for the first year, then the masthead unit started sticking and giving dodgy wind speed readings depending on the direction of the wind!
Used it as above for the last two seasons. I did contact silva to see what could be done, and the answer was to replace the transducer or send it to them for possible refurb of the bearings.
For some reason unknown to mankind, the cost of a replacement transducer is MORE than buying the whole thing new. Apparently, the transducer used is the same as their Nexus range..... but this doesn't really explain the exhorbitant price.
A local marine electronic firm reckoned about £120 to "have a look" and possibly replace the bearing, but until I've been on a diet for a few months I guess it'll be staying undone for a while.
pvb
Well-Known Member
New Silva wind transducer...
Silva introduced a new-style wind transducer about a year ago. It has twin fins which are not parallel and these are said to give a more stable wind direction reading. Anyone thinking of buying a Silva Star Wind instrument should perhaps check that they're getting the latest transducer. Yachtbits is one supplier which states that they are supplying the new transducers.
Silva introduced a new-style wind transducer about a year ago. It has twin fins which are not parallel and these are said to give a more stable wind direction reading. Anyone thinking of buying a Silva Star Wind instrument should perhaps check that they're getting the latest transducer. Yachtbits is one supplier which states that they are supplying the new transducers.
Rustyknight
Well-Known Member
Re: New Silva wind transducer...
Might be worth a look, but as I said, with mine I can see the vane sticking..... and always at the same angle relative to the wind. The null points where it stops giving a reading (both wind direction and speed) are the same as well.
I did go up and squirt it all with WD40..... it freed it up, but it then decided not to give any readings at all. After two weeks, it appeared to reach a happy medium where it worked normally, but then started siezing up again.
It will be interesting to see if the new transducer is any cheaper than the old..... or if it's cheaper to buy the complete kit (as per my previous post) just for the transducer.
Might be worth a look, but as I said, with mine I can see the vane sticking..... and always at the same angle relative to the wind. The null points where it stops giving a reading (both wind direction and speed) are the same as well.
I did go up and squirt it all with WD40..... it freed it up, but it then decided not to give any readings at all. After two weeks, it appeared to reach a happy medium where it worked normally, but then started siezing up again.
It will be interesting to see if the new transducer is any cheaper than the old..... or if it's cheaper to buy the complete kit (as per my previous post) just for the transducer.
Talbot
Well-Known Member
Re: New Silva wind transducer...
not surprised if it seizes after application of WD-40. This stuff is fine as a freeing agent, but absoluitely hopeless as a long term lubricant. actually it is worse than doing nothing because it causes some of the existing lubricant to go as well. Free it up with WD-40 if you must, but lubricate it with a proper sunstance.
not surprised if it seizes after application of WD-40. This stuff is fine as a freeing agent, but absoluitely hopeless as a long term lubricant. actually it is worse than doing nothing because it causes some of the existing lubricant to go as well. Free it up with WD-40 if you must, but lubricate it with a proper sunstance.
Talbot
Well-Known Member
I have had the Silva data set and wind for 3 years and have been very satisfied with them. The wind instrument provides a good direction reading that is synominous with the V-tronix hawk at the top of the mast. The speed starts working before any of these old fashioned cup thingies. I have had no trouble with sticking - works for me.
philip_stevens
Well-Known Member
Re: New Silva wind transducer...
Do you know if it has NMEA input or output? The yachtbits site doesn't incidate one way or the other.
I would think it does if it can indicate true and apparent wind.
Do you know if it has NMEA input or output? The yachtbits site doesn't incidate one way or the other.
I would think it does if it can indicate true and apparent wind.
pvb
Well-Known Member
No NMEA...
The Silva Star Wind instrument doesn't have NMEA capability, but it can connect to a Silva Star Log which apparently enables it to give true wind speed/direction.
The Silva Star Wind instrument doesn't have NMEA capability, but it can connect to a Silva Star Log which apparently enables it to give true wind speed/direction.
philip_stevens
Well-Known Member
Re: No NMEA...
Thanks for that. I was hoping it would be NMEA to connect to my Navman plotter.
Thanks for that. I was hoping it would be NMEA to connect to my Navman plotter.
pvb
Well-Known Member
What about...
What about a Navman 3100 Digital Wind System for about £285? Has NMEA input from plotter so it gives true wind speed/direction.
What about a Navman 3100 Digital Wind System for about £285? Has NMEA input from plotter so it gives true wind speed/direction.
ShipsWoofy
Well-Known Member
Re: What about...
horrid interface though!
horrid interface though!
