Stowe Instruments

[jvb]

I have a number of Stowe instruments e.g waypoint, depth/log, wind/ speed units and the display/ cover has "frosted up" and are difficult to read. could anybody tell if the display section of the units can be replaced. The units are working perfectly

 

[Eccles]

This guy stocks spares for stowe:-
Alan Williams / AWMarine.com / Email - awmarine@tiscali.co.uk
But it will cost you! (I was quoted £240 for a new mast head unit!)

Good Luck

 

[jkim1]

If you really get stuck I have a windspeed and direction and a depth available. I was going to get a masthead unit but they are so expensive that I would buy the Clipper one instead. Stowe are very good but a bit expensive. my charge would be a couple of bottles of wine.

 

[jerryat]

Hi! I'm surprised they've turned 'cloudy' as I felt sure mine had glass vision panels. However, rather than scrap perfectly good instruments, why not look into whether the vision panels could be replaced. Removing the electronics is very easy (there are four screws eqi-spaced round the body of the instruments) and after that bit is removed, you may be able to cut out the grazed panel and superglue a new section into place.

It's probably not that easy, but what have you got to lose - unless you can find someone with the opposite problem - defunct electronics and good, clear panels and use them.

I am puzzled though, as my Stowe instruments, recently sold, had lasted in perfect condition throughout several trips to the Med and Caribbean and I would have expected them to have suffered hugely in al that sun!!

Good luck anyway.

Jerry

 

[Coppershield]

Hi,
My instruments have the same problem(Stowe) I am planning on polishing it. If you live nearby a large metropolitan area you can look in the Yellow Pages phone book for plastic dealers they should have what you need.
In the past I was successful in polishing polycarbonate and acrylic materials with 1000 and 1500 grit wet sandpaper.
If you don't have access to the above materials I have also heard toothpaste does a good job. If I were trying the toothpaste I would try with a cotton ball in a circular motion on the worst of the instrument only.
Regards
Muzaffer Develioglu

 

[jerryat]

Hi Coppershield!

I don't know whether you have Farecla Products in the States (I know, someones gonna tell it's an American company now!!) but they produce a special acrylic polish that is simply excellent at removing scratches and abrasions on any type of plastic. It will not, however, in my experience, remove the deep crazing caused by prolonged exposure to UV light.

Using a damp cloth, a small amount of the product is worked across the plastic, which is a bit un-nerving at first as is sounds very 'rough', but the constituents are designed to break down finer and finer as you polish. When you feel there is no more 'friction', stop. Polish to a superb shine.

Hope this helps

Jerry

 

[rudolph_hart]

I would be interested in these items, as my Robertson/Stowe Speed/Depth & Windspeed/Direction Displays are both suspect.

 

[jvb]

Thank you all very much for your suggestions I will try some of them and report back as to which suggestion was more successful