Stowe masthead wind transducer

[Vamoose]

I have a Stowe databox , instruments and a masthead wind direction & speed transducer on top of the mast. All works ok apart from the wind transducer which does not revolve anymore. Last year when the mast was down i played around with it and got it working again, but after 10 mins on top of the mast packed up again.

To replace the masthead unit with a new Stowe unit will require me selling my family into the slave trade.

QUESTION .... Does anyone know if other manufacturers masthead units are compatible with Stowe ?

 

[Houleaux]

I can't answer your question re compatibility of other manufacturer's masthead units, but I did have the same problem and spoke to these people http://www.tinleyelectronics.com/ who offer a repair service.

They had successfully repaired a faulty autohelm for me previously and offered to repair my masthead unit. For a new pivot pin, new windspeed bearings, recallibrate and full test the estimate was £125 + VAT. In my case, they also identified a jumpy potentiometer with dead spots and, whilst I hadn't noticed this problem, I bit the bullet and went for the new unit (I didn't want to go through the whole hassle again if the potentiometer gave up the ghost altogether soon after).

 

[pvb]

Tinley will fix it for you, but it sounds like it just needs new bearings. These are standard items (and inexpensive) and it's a DIY job if you're fairly careful.

 

[Stork_III]

I can't answer your question re compatibility of other manufacturer's masthead units, but I did have the same problem and spoke to these people http://www.tinleyelectronics.com/ who offer a repair service.

They had successfully repaired a faulty autohelm for me previously and offered to repair my masthead unit. For a new pivot pin, new windspeed bearings, recallibrate and full test the estimate was £125 + VAT. In my case, they also identified a jumpy potentiometer with dead spots and, whilst I hadn't noticed this problem, I bit the bullet and went for the new unit (I didn't want to go through the whole hassle again if the potentiometer gave up the ghost altogether soon after).

Tinley set up the revived Stowe Marine, so repairs may not now be advised.