Replacing a wireless wind speed indicator

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

A few years ago I installed a Nexus wind instrument that connects with the display in the cockpit via wireless. This was replaced (under warranty) by a Garmin unit after Nexus was bought out by Garmin. Since then I have had the battery (charged via a tiny solar panel) in the masthead unit. The unit consists of two AAA batteries (no idea of mAH) costing around €25. Unfortunately, climbing the mast is beyond me at my age and so I had the Garmin agent to send his people to do the work. Not exactly cheap, even after a discount! After two years it seems that it is again due to repeat the same hassle.

My question: Is it possible to alter the set-up to communicate via a cable that links the MHU to the Display? Is it feasible? Is it viable? Alternatives?

TIA.

 

[pvb]

A few years ago I installed a Nexus wind instrument that connects with the display in the cockpit via wireless. This was replaced (under warranty) by a Garmin unit after Nexus was bought out by Garmin. Since then I have had the battery (charged via a tiny solar panel) in the masthead unit. The unit consists of two AAA batteries (no idea of mAH) costing around €25. Unfortunately, climbing the mast is beyond me at my age and so I had the Garmin agent to send his people to do the work. Not exactly cheap, even after a discount! After two years it seems that it is again due to repeat the same hassle.

My question: Is it possible to alter the set-up to communicate via a cable that links the MHU to the Display? Is it feasible? Is it viable? Alternatives?

I don't think you'll be able to modify the unit, so your best alternative is simply to replace it with a wired unit (and sell your wireless one on eBay). I can't understand the appeal of these wireless transducers when they require a trip up the mast every 2-3 years.

 

[lw395]

I don't think you'll be able to modify the unit, so your best alternative is simply to replace it with a wired unit (and sell your wireless one on eBay). I can't understand the appeal of these wireless transducers when they require a trip up the mast every 2-3 years.

It's easier to climb the mast and change a battery than to get a cable up the mast in many cases.
Seems to me you could put the battery at the bottom of the mast on long leads....
I have a ten year old Tacktick, solar powered, original battery.

 

[pvb]

It's easier to climb the mast and change a battery than to get a cable up the mast in many cases.

But if you have to go up the mast every 2-3 years, it would surely be better to have a simple cabled transducer? I won't ever, at my age, go up the mast, so the costs involved in paying someone to do it would soon be recovered by swapping the unit for a wired transducer.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

Seems to me you could put the battery at the bottom of the mast on long leads....

That would still leave the problem of the transmitter/receiver that decodes the signal and passes the data relating to speed and direction to the Garmin display (via a gadget that converts the old Nexus 0183 (?) to NMEA2000). I was hoping that a new MHU could be wired directly to the Garmin multi display (iG10 ?).
I suppose that - when I am mobile again - I could go and discuss the matter with the Garmin agent.

 

[PaulRainbow]

The wireless masthead unit cannot be converted to N2K. You would need to buy the complete wired version, which includes all that you need, it still uses the GND10 black box, which is also included. So you'd only need to install the masthead unit and run the cable to the existing GND10, leaving you with the new one to put with the wireless MHU to sell and get some of your money back.

You'll need to spend just over £400 http://www.cactusnav.com/garmin-gwind-sensor-wired-with-gnd10-p-13049.html

You could also fit any standard N2K MHU, maybe one of these (never used one, so can't comment on their functionality etc) https://jgtech.com/NMEA2000-wind-transducer.html

Either option should work fine with your GMI10

 

[[70521]]

I don't think you'll be able to modify the unit, so your best alternative is simply to replace it with a wired unit (and sell your wireless one on eBay). I can't understand the appeal of these wireless transducers when they require a trip up the mast every 2-3 years.

Do you not inspect the masthead annually?

 

[pvb]

Do you not inspect the masthead annually?

No.

 

[PuffTheMagicDragon]

I did some quick calculations.
Assuming €400+ for the wired MHU and comparing that with the cost of replacing the re-chargeable battery after 2 years I see a 'break-even' point of 8 years (more if the batteries last longer than 2 years).
In eight years I'd be eighty... if I am still around.
My mistake was in allowing myself to be persuaded to go wireless; BIG mistake!
I guess I'll just have to learn to live with what I have.
Thanks for all the opinions.

 

[LadyInBed]

Is it viable? Alternatives?

TIA.

Try this for an idea:
Tap off the 12v from the Masthead light
Feed it through a voltage dropping circuit to output say 3v
Feed that into the wind unit batteries so you can recharge them by turning on the Masthead light.
If you do a lot of night sailing, you might have to put in one of the Remote Control On/Off switch units as well !

PS Another thought, use the Remote Control On/Off switch unit and do away with the batteries, but that would mean sailing with your Masthead light on during the day

 

[pvb]

Try this for an idea:
Tap off the 12v from the Masthead light
Feed it through a voltage dropping circuit to output say 3v
Feed that into the wind unit batteries so you can recharge them by turning on the Masthead light.
If you do a lot of night sailing, you might have to put in one of the Remote Control On/Off switch units as well !

Recharging the batteries isn't the problem! The solar panel does that. The problem is that the batteries wear out after about 700 charge/discharge cycles (ie 2 years) and have to be replaced.

 

[LadyInBed]

Recharging the batteries isn't the problem! The solar panel does that. The problem is that the batteries wear out after about 700 charge/discharge cycles (ie 2 years) and have to be replaced.

Then use the option in my PS.