Nasa clipper wind instrument

[Magaz97]

My NASA Clipper wind instrument has decided to malfunction.

The wind direction is displayed correctly, but the wind speed, for most of the time shows ZERO. The cups are spinning freely, but seem a little 'loose / wobbly'

On occasion the wind speed will display, but not the correct speed. For example in a 15 knot wind it would fluctuate between 5 - 8 knots then suddenly show 60 - 99 knots. If I spin the cups by hand, it still shows ZERO.

Do I need to replace the whole head unit? Or is there an alternative. The instrument has worked fine until this past winter, when some severe wind was blowing and it gave up the ghost!

Any helpful suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[northwind]

Unfortunately NASA wind kit is not the most reliable..

However I'd suggest you give them a call as they are very helpful, and provide a good repair service.

 

[nigelmercier]

NASA ... provide a good repair service.

Just as well really.

 

[RAI]

The paddle wheel on my NASA unit fell off near Bangor. I bought a new one (eleven squid). When I finally got up the mast (3 years later) I found the axle for the paddle wheel was missing too. So I will wait until I next get the mast down. Funny, I don't use wind speed for much, except maybe bragging rights. I found my boat needs reefing at 20 degrees, which corresponds to 20 knots.

 

[Caer Urfa]

My NASA Clipper wind instrument has decided to malfunction.

The wind direction is displayed correctly, but the wind speed, for most of the time shows ZERO. The cups are spinning freely, but seem a little 'loose / wobbly'

On occasion the wind speed will display, but not the correct speed. For example in a 15 knot wind it would fluctuate between 5 - 8 knots then suddenly show 60 - 99 knots. If I spin the cups by hand, it still shows ZERO.

Do I need to replace the whole head unit? Or is there an alternative. The instrument has worked fine until this past winter, when some severe wind was blowing and it gave up the ghost!

Any helpful suggestions would be much appreciated.

No you do not have to replace the whole head unit, if your going to take it down I would suggest replacing the cups and wind sensor at the same time.

You will need a set of long nose pliers as the screw or locking washer are not the easiest to get off and do not overtighten them when you replace them.

Took me about an hour two months ago and take care NOT to drop the little nut or lock washer as they are a sod to find again but new ones also come with the replacement cups and sensor and instruction of how they fit, it's by no means rocket science.

I would guess these are your problem and not the dispay, BUT, also remember to re-calibrate them when you have finished, point the wind sensor in line with the bows and get someone to hold all three buttons on the display 'in and hold' at the same time, then release buttons first! Instructions are also in handbook.

I disagree with others and find Nasa equipment reliable and does the job, as for the wind cups and sensor yes of coarse they need replaceing now and then so would anything else thats working 24/7 for years!!

Mike

 

[Daydream believer]

I had problems like the op & i bought new cups. I then noticed the spindle was loose
I solved the problem by drilling out & fitting a 2mm bolt epoxied in place on the inside. I used the old cup centre to hold it all square when epoxying
I drilled out the cup centre on a pillar drill
I re assembled & ------ Hey!!! It works

 

[kieronriley]

just send it back they are very very good at carying out repaires,and not expensive in fact very reasonable.Kieron

 

[Gwylan]

NASA and wind

My NASA Clipper wind instrument has decided to malfunction.

The wind direction is displayed correctly, but the wind speed, for most of the time shows ZERO. The cups are spinning freely, but seem a little 'loose / wobbly'

On occasion the wind speed will display, but not the correct speed. For example in a 15 knot wind it would fluctuate between 5 - 8 knots then suddenly show 60 - 99 knots. If I spin the cups by hand, it still shows ZERO.

Do I need to replace the whole head unit? Or is there an alternative. The instrument has worked fine until this past winter, when some severe wind was blowing and it gave up the ghost!

Any helpful suggestions would be much appreciated.

A popular[?] topic here.

The rest of their kit represents good value for money and their service levels can be amazing.

Sadly the 'wind section' leaves a lot to be desired. Given the randomness of the operation it could be better used to predict lottery numbers rather than provide any information regarding the strength, direction or any other information regarding the wind.

Complete load of rubbish, definitely a Friday afternoon in the development department on this one. More annoying they do not seem inclined to make any product improvements to recognise the conditions under which this unit is expected to operate.

Look forward to someone suggesting a suitable alternative. Have even considered the Taktik unit despite its dreadful price.

 

[Gwylan]

Dangerous or ambitious use of the plural of year in regard to the lifespan of NASA cup for the wind unit.

 

[Burnham Bob]

okay so what does the forum suggest instead of NASA wind instruments? I've seen lots of posts on the ST60 masthead unit going wrong for example. I may need a new set of instruments but a dealer with no axe to grind said they sell more NASA units than any others and percentage of complaints/breakdows is no higher than other systems. Maybe - because they are cheap - there are many more units around and so more failures in absolute terms but not percentage terms. If anyone wants to post alternatives maybe we could get subsequent posters to comment. For every recommendation I'll bet there's someone who will tell you a failure story.

Let's have some ideas and coments please!

 

[gerryraby1]

I am afraid I experienced this. I got the mast unit repaired three times in 8 years.
When the depth gauge started intermittently double reading I gave up and fitted Raymarine units.
BTW I have no connection to either company!

Gerry www.sadler32forsale.com

 

[rivonia]

If you look up my previous threads on this subject you may find the answer that you are looking for. Our problem was similar to yours. Now all done and dusted. Thanks to the excellent response from NASA Marine.

 

[Seajet]

okay so what does the forum suggest instead of NASA wind instruments? I've seen lots of posts on the ST60 masthead unit going wrong for example. I may need a new set of instruments but a dealer with no axe to grind said they sell more NASA units than any others and percentage of complaints/breakdows is no higher than other systems. Maybe - because they are cheap - there are many more units around and so more failures in absolute terms but not percentage terms. If anyone wants to post alternatives maybe we could get subsequent posters to comment. For every recommendation I'll bet there's someone who will tell you a failure story.

Let's have some ideas and coments please!

Simple - ( I was daft enough to try 2 NASA clipper wind jobs ) - put wool telltales about 6" long on the shrouds, they are in the line of view like a head up display in a fighter.

Combined with a windex on the masthead - which shows what's going on if in a lock and is illuminated at night by the masthead light - away you go.

 

[PeterGR]

I had problems like the op & i bought new cups. I then noticed the spindle was loose
I solved the problem by drilling out & fitting a 2mm bolt epoxied in place on the inside. I used the old cup centre to hold it all square when epoxying
I drilled out the cup centre on a pillar drill
I re assembled & ------ Hey!!! It works

A quick Google revealed this post.
I have the exact same problem with a loose cups spindle.
Is a quick epoxy job the solution?

 

[Beneteau381]

A quick Google revealed this post.
I have the exact same problem with a loose cups spindle.
Is a quick epoxy job the solution?

Yes or drill out and fit a thicker spindle

 

[Daydream believer]

A quick Google revealed this post.
I have the exact same problem with a loose cups spindle.
Is a quick epoxy job the solution?

The original bolt is something like 1 or 1.5mm.( long time ago) So the thicker 2mm bolt was the answer, as confirmed in post #15 by Beneteau381

 

[Spirit (of Glenans)]

On my previous boat the cup assembly fell off and the spindle disappeared . Luckily this was when the boat was on the hard with the mast down.
Being in the tattoo and piercing business I had access to titanium barbells (i.e. bars of 1.0 mm, 1.2m, 1.6mm, diameter and larger, threaded on both ends and with balls of 3.0mm, 4.0mm, 6.0mm etc., screwed on) . I dismantled the head unit and inserted a bar of the appropriate length, ( I think it was 1.6 x 25mm), with a 6mm ball on one end. I offered the cup assembly up on the outer end and screwed on the ball. I used thread sealer on the threads so that they would not unscrew themselves. The arrangement remained intact and the instrument fully functional until I sold the boat 4 or 5 years later. Your local piercing shop would probably give you a selection of such barbells on a "sale-or-return" basis. They're not particularly expensive, less than €10.00.
I have had my current boat for 10 years and fitted a Nasa wind instrument in the first year of ownership and it has worked perfectly during that time.

 

[Rappey]

as for the wind cups and sensor yes of coarse they need replaceing now and then so would anything else thats working 24/7 for years!!

Well .... I have a seafarer voyager wind instrument.. bought it new back in 1990. Its been spinning non stop since that date other than when i took it off one boat and fitted it to a new one.
Never had to replace any of the masthead parts , until maybe now..
I get wind speed but no direction, and a week later the display decided to not turn on some times..
Ive taken the masthead unit down and pleasantly surprised to see the 30 yr old cups are showing no sign of brittleness and the bearings still seem good !
the display and head unit are now with tinley electronics to test/repair? . It could be the mast cabling thats had it?
I did jokingly say to tinley "bet youve not seen an original mastehead unit that old?" to which they replied " we have many much older"
Maybe i should have asked what brands that are still made they have as modern ones just dont seem to last like older ones do ?

Another item that constantly spins yet can easily do 25 yrs are aerogens ! and sadly another defunct product.

 

[MJWB]

I believe the NASA units are either analogue or digital or something. Mine is u/s as well. Need to establish which before buying a replacement. A helpful person on here told me un plug the connection at the base of the mast and count the pins, then check on the NASA site.

 

[eddystone]

Interesting to read this as I have a NASA Clipper wireless wind instrument waiting to be fitted. Whereas I bought Raymarine for a new depth instrument to replace old spinning diode a wind instrument is in the nice but not essential category. The i50 depth with in hull transducer cost me around £450 on ebay; the Ray i60 wind or Tactic are between £800 and £900 and as any masthead unit is going to have a short life given local birdlife not justifiable for a non essential instrument. NASA complete cost me £273