Replacing st60 speed sensor

[Bathdave]

I have a st60 set up dating from 2002. I managed to break off one then both of the ‘wings’ that guide the water over the paddle wheel in the speed and log over the last 2-3 years while washing and anti fouling. This made the speed readings somewhat variable but I recalibrated the sensor and it gave approximately accurate readings.

It’s now given uo the ghost completely and I realised when I removed it that the wheel had disintegrated completely. I considered buying a replacement log wheel (available though eBay) but it seemed a stupid amount of money for a small metal wheel, so I decided to bite the bullet and get a whole replacement unit so I got the wings to channel the water.

I know people also recondition and sell original Raymarine kit, but I got an after Market product made by Airmar

While reading through the installation and operating instructions I note that it says you should remove the sensor and wheel and replace with the blank when leaving the boat more than a week ! Whilst it’s not a huge job to do, and I get a weird adrenaline rush as I pull the plug and swap over the blank and minimise the size and duration of the jet, it’s something I normally only do a few times a year to clean it, rather than every time I take the boat out.

So a couple of questions

1. Does anyone remove their log wheel and replace with the blank when leaving the boat?

2. How have other people fared using Airmar after market components in a Raymarine ST 60 environment?

3. Any observations on quality and longevity of Airmar ..is it likely to degrade faster than a Raymarine original if left in situ under the boat?

 

[RunAgroundHard]

Just replaced the same ST60 with Airmar.

1. Yes, when I leave the boat at the end of a voyage, every time.
2. It does what it says on the tin. Airmar is the original manufacturer for Raymarine.
3. It will degrade exactly the same if left in the sea when you’re away. If you leave it in, expect years of service. Taking it out is only to keep marine growth off.

 

[Bathdave]

Just replaced the same ST60 with Airmar.

1. Yes, when I leave the boat at the end of a voyage, every time.
2. It does what it says on the tin. Airmar is the original manufacturer for Raymarine.
3. It will degrade exactly the same if left in the sea when you’re away. If you leave it in, expect years of service. Taking it out is only to keep marine growth off.

Thanks

 

[RunAgroundHard]

I should add, that after a months install and not removing, mine stopped working. I removed it and it was just slime, cleaned and all working again. The paddle is a square profile, compared to the tear drop profile of the original, so it may be more susceptible to clogging. Hence remove at and of voyage.

 

[jwilson]

Always remove. Where I am it only takes 2 to 5 days of being moored static for micro-shrimps to take up residence and stop it spinning properly and giving a sensible reading. Much over an week static and there is also some slime and it often stops spinning altogether. I often do not even put in the impeller: just use GPS SOG.

 

[cpedw]

I rarely used to remove mine when I had one. It needed cleaning several times i a season. Now that it's been replaced with a NASA EML 3, it doesn't even need to be removed for lifting in/out even though the strop lays on it.