Stowe wind direction instrument not sitting straight

[MattS]

Does anyone else’s Stowe masthead unit sit lopsided like this?

Whilst I’ve got my mast down, I’m reviewing all the instruments and wiring.

It’s got quite an old Stowe wind instrument installed (at least I believe it to be quite old). 5 wire connection directly into the display panel.

as I’m a new owner I haven’t really had the chance to test the instrument in anger, but the previous owner assured me it worked at least reasonably well.

however looking at the masthead unit, the vane very clearly sits lopsided, which I’ve worked out is due to the magnets pulling it down in particular places around the rotation. It still spins, but it feels to me like this must be adding some bias / friction to the rotation?

Does anyone else have the same Stowe masthead unit, and is this common or is it time to be replacing it whilst the mast is down...

 

[[70521]]

I had the same Stowe kit and replaced it a few years back. Spares were silly prices and with more modern kit I get all the readings on the chartplotter.

 

[MattS]

I had the same Stowe kit and replaced it a few years back. Spares were silly prices and with more modern kit I get all the readings on the chartplotter.

What did you replace with? I’m not likely to be doing anything particularly hardcore in this, so was planning to just go Nasa Wind V2, which I’m hoping might have dealt with some of the previous reliability issues...

 

[[70521]]

I went for Garmin as the chartplotter was Garmin. Last boat had NASA kit and it worked well.

 

[Topolino]

Belltech Engineering in Christchurch will undertake repairs to your Stowe Wind Monitor. Their charges are not ureasonable. I have no association aside from being a satisfied customer.

 

[Boathook]

Does anyone else’s Stowe masthead unit sit lopsided like this?

Whilst I’ve got my mast down, I’m reviewing all the instruments and wiring.

It’s got quite an old Stowe wind instrument installed (at least I believe it to be quite old). 5 wire connection directly into the display panel.

as I’m a new owner I haven’t really had the chance to test the instrument in anger, but the previous owner assured me it worked at least reasonably well.

however looking at the masthead unit, the vane very clearly sits lopsided, which I’ve worked out is due to the magnets pulling it down in particular places around the rotation. It still spins, but it feels to me like this must be adding some bias / friction to the rotation?

Does anyone else have the same Stowe masthead unit, and is this common or is it time to be replacing it whilst the mast is down...

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Can have my old stowe set for a donation to the RNLI. Wind vane was refurbished due to similar problems. Where are you?

 

[MattS]

Can have my old stowe set for a donation to the RNLI. Wind vane was refurbished due to similar problems. Where are you?

I’ll DM you @Boathook