NASA Clipper wind - Have I done a really stupid thing?

[jimmynoboat]

The NASA Clipper wind instrument that came with the boat has a partially working display. It does an ok job of the wind direction but the windspeed is unreadable due to non functioning segments of the display.

I have not been able to find a replacement display unit and the entire system (including the masthead stuff) is about £170. I bought a repeater for only £70 thinking I could couple it in and see the info on that instead. The repeater (properly installed to the instructions) get power from the master display and goed through it's start-up checks then just sits there saying 'On'. According to the manual this means that the master unit is in engineering mode but I'm pretty sure it's not. Interstingly the illumination button on the repeater has no effect and I would have expected that to work even if the unit is not getting the right input from the master.

Does anyone have experience of fitting a repeater and know what I should do? I'll call the maker on Monday but I won't be on the boat then

 

[Seajet]

I know exactly what the problem is; you've got a Nasa Clipper Wind unit !

Sorry I can't help properly, but beware advice on Monday...

Ages ago I was given a Clipper wind as a present. I wouldn't normally have had one but..fitted. 11 months old, it packed up. Rang Nasa, who basically fobbed me off until the guarantee was up.

A year later, relented and bought another - mainly to have something now I'd drilled holes in the bulkhead !

That lasted about 2 years. Now off the boat and she's staying like it...

Incidentally I noticed the masthead unit on the 2nd was a lot different; the 2nd one failed with direction jammed on display although the vane turns.

When I rang them I was told it was the display, definitely.

When I saw someone at their LIBS stand, I was told it's the masthead unit, definitely...

 

[theoldplucker]

My Clipper Wind display was intermittent. Took the back off, unplug lead from circuit board, cleaned contacts with switch cleaner, works fine now.
Previously the bottom shaft was missing from masthead unit, so could not fit new cups. Returned to Nasa and they renewed bottom section at very reasonable cost.

 

[Gwylan]

Silly question, have you read the instructions? - they were available on the NASA web site.

Based on a sample of one, they are less than great.
But for the pain of removing it, I would.
The rest of their kit seems adequate, but the wind jobbie is less than fantastic.

Looks like a trip up the mast with the WD40 for No1 son!
That way you can be confident that the mast head unit is working - they do like a little lubrication now and again - well ours does.
While he is up there you can set the thing up in the fore and aft position, rather than all that sailing around in circles borrocks.

Oh and get a spare set of the 'cups' - they are sure to go just when it suits you least.
Complete bu$$er to replace - they have tiny nuts and washers that are impossible to grip and you really risk dropping onto unsuspecting crew or into the briny. Make sure you take several spares up the mast with you, they will find their own way down.
Really doubtful design.

 

[jimmynoboat]

Thanks. I've separated the internal connector and cleaned it but no change. Specifically I'm concerned that the illumination level button on the repeater unit has no effect but I guess that's the specific point I must take up with them tomorrow. I can't see why that would wait for valid input before it was opperable.

Hi Gwylan. All this potential masthead maintenance is scary. I suppose that is another of my demons I need to conquer. No. 1 Son as you call him, has made it to the spreaders and would have gone all the way but for my insistance that it was far enough. I'll have to be carefull not to transfer my fears to him!