Suitable bearings for ST50/early 60 wind vane

[cpedw]

I have found from several sources that the bearings I need for this are 4 of S693ZZ. Googling this, I get a vast range of prices from £16 each VXB to £1.75 RC Bearings. There are several others in the band £1.80-2.60. I've still to look at quantity reductions and delivery. Any advice what's appropriate would be gratefully received. I also found these ceramic bearings at £11.50. Would they be any good?

 

[rotrax]

I used Koyo brand, C3 wide clearance spec. Worked very well. AFAIK, they still are 14 years later.

 

[Alex_Blackwood]

I have found from several sources that the bearings I need for this are 4 of S693ZZ. Googling this, I get a vast range of prices from £16 each VXB to £1.75 RC Bearings. There are several others in the band £1.80-2.60. I've still to look at quantity reductions and delivery. Any advice what's appropriate would be gratefully received. I also found these ceramic bearings at £11.50. Would they be any good?

Bearing in mind That you usually get what you pay for, I would be inclined to go for upper mid range pricing, from UK supplier. Possibly RS Components. Usually good stuff.
I have in the past found that bearings can vary a lot for no apparent reason. you can have two identical from same supplier, same batch, one will outlast the other by years. Bit of a coin toss IMO.

 

[Boater Sam]

The manufacturers will use the cheapest that they can buy unless they have or find a problem with bearings.
Cheap bearings are usually cheap because they make vast numbers of that type not because they are substandard.
Alternator bearings are a case in point. I use low priced because they are made in the millions and the last just fine.
I would not use ceramic bearings for this low stress part.