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Latest Cumulus MX V3 release 3.28.6 (build 3283) - 21 March 2024
Cumulus MX V4 beta test release 4.0.0 (build 4019) - 03 April 2024
Legacy Cumulus 1 release 1.9.4 (build 1099) - 28 November 2014
(a patch is available for 1.9.4 build 1099 that extends the date range of drop-down menus to 2030)
Download the Software (Cumulus MX / Cumulus 1 and other related items) from the Wiki
Lubricate anemometer?
- KarlS
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue 30 Nov 2010 3:01 pm
- Weather Station: Ecowitt GW1003 / WH32 / WH41
- Operating System: 64bit Bookworm on Pi4
- Location: Bridge Lake, BC, Canada
- Contact:
Lubricate anemometer?
My anemometer is stuck for nearly a week now. Below zero temperatures and unusually high humidity (together with day-long fog periods) produce this:
This is an older picture of the anemometer; because of the fog it’s barely visible at the moment. It sits on top of a power pole about 10m above ground, so it’s not easy to “give it a push”. I’m sure it will start spinning again as soon as the sun comes through sometime later this week ...
Anyway, has anybody any experience or suggestions with lubricating this thing to prevent the freeze up? I know WD40 is not so good at lower temperatures. How about silicone spray? Or should I just leave it alone?
This is an older picture of the anemometer; because of the fog it’s barely visible at the moment. It sits on top of a power pole about 10m above ground, so it’s not easy to “give it a push”. I’m sure it will start spinning again as soon as the sun comes through sometime later this week ...
Anyway, has anybody any experience or suggestions with lubricating this thing to prevent the freeze up? I know WD40 is not so good at lower temperatures. How about silicone spray? Or should I just leave it alone?
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- Posts: 1124
- Joined: Sat 26 Feb 2011 1:58 pm
- Weather Station: Fine Offset 1080/1 & 3080
- Operating System: Windows XP SP3
- Location: SE London
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
Hi Karl,
Note that Fine Offset have now changed the design of the anemometer so that there is a larger gap between the rotating and stationary parts. For example, see the Maplin Spare Part, but sadly they don't export from UK and I've never seen anybody else sell it at such a low price.
But if wonder if any design (or the vane) can resist that degree of frost. Perhaps a "hydrophobic" spray such as WD-40 or "Rain-X" (primarily intended for car windows) could help, but it will presumably need to be applied at least before every winter.
Cheers, Alan.
Note that Fine Offset have now changed the design of the anemometer so that there is a larger gap between the rotating and stationary parts. For example, see the Maplin Spare Part, but sadly they don't export from UK and I've never seen anybody else sell it at such a low price.
But if wonder if any design (or the vane) can resist that degree of frost. Perhaps a "hydrophobic" spray such as WD-40 or "Rain-X" (primarily intended for car windows) could help, but it will presumably need to be applied at least before every winter.
Cheers, Alan.
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- Posts: 505
- Joined: Wed 17 Aug 2011 2:58 pm
- Weather Station: WeatherDuino Pro2
- Operating System: 2008
- Location: Canberra
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
I was thinking that it might be an idea (good or bad, dunno ) to get some heating elements retro fitted somehow.
Interested in building your own Weather Station? Maybe check out the WeatherDuino Pro Project Here
Conder, Canberra Weather
Conder, Canberra Weather
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- Posts: 1124
- Joined: Sat 26 Feb 2011 1:58 pm
- Weather Station: Fine Offset 1080/1 & 3080
- Operating System: Windows XP SP3
- Location: SE London
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
Hi,
Well, the FO wind sensors are easy to dismantle, so you could simply insert a "watty" resistor or perhaps a small car/auto bulb. I don't know the optimum power, but perhaps 2 watts (for each sensor) might be enough.
However, it would be necessry to run a "power" cable, which rather defeats the "wireless" feature of the station. Also, by running a ("grounded") cable up to the wind sensors you would be potentially creating a "lightning conductor", so some caution is required.
But before somebody suggests a solar panel, I've just estimated that you'd probably need around 1 square meter! It happens that the Latitude of Bridge Lake (51 degrees) is almost identical to mine in London, so it was easy to check (in Cumulus) that the peak mid-winter illumination (with a clear sky) is 250 watts/m2 (if the panel is tilted at 50 degrees), say 150 watts for an average of 4 hours a day. With a 15% panel efficiency that would be less than 4 watts continuous, averaged over 24 hours.
Of course you'd (also) need a backup/standby battery, but even a car battery would be only good for less than a week (say 600 watt-hours) without charging.
Cheers, Alan.
Well, the FO wind sensors are easy to dismantle, so you could simply insert a "watty" resistor or perhaps a small car/auto bulb. I don't know the optimum power, but perhaps 2 watts (for each sensor) might be enough.
However, it would be necessry to run a "power" cable, which rather defeats the "wireless" feature of the station. Also, by running a ("grounded") cable up to the wind sensors you would be potentially creating a "lightning conductor", so some caution is required.
But before somebody suggests a solar panel, I've just estimated that you'd probably need around 1 square meter! It happens that the Latitude of Bridge Lake (51 degrees) is almost identical to mine in London, so it was easy to check (in Cumulus) that the peak mid-winter illumination (with a clear sky) is 250 watts/m2 (if the panel is tilted at 50 degrees), say 150 watts for an average of 4 hours a day. With a 15% panel efficiency that would be less than 4 watts continuous, averaged over 24 hours.
Of course you'd (also) need a backup/standby battery, but even a car battery would be only good for less than a week (say 600 watt-hours) without charging.
Cheers, Alan.
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- Posts: 10
- Joined: Sat 26 Nov 2011 9:29 am
- Weather Station: Fineoffset
- Operating System: Windows XP Pro 64-bit
- Location: Burray, Orkney
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
It would be useful to free it sooner than later. My unit started sticking at low wind speeds so it wouldn't turn but was ok once the wind got up. It eventually seized totally and before I could get to it we had some severe gales which ripped the cup section totally off the sensor and landed in the field next door. The resident cows took a liking to it and chewed two of the cups off.
I have just taken delivery of a replacement unit plus a spare just in case of future problems.
Just need the wind to die down enough to get out and drop the pole, swap the units and get it back up again.
I have just taken delivery of a replacement unit plus a spare just in case of future problems.
Just need the wind to die down enough to get out and drop the pole, swap the units and get it back up again.
It's only a breeze until the windspeed gets into 3-figures then it's windy.
- KarlS
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue 30 Nov 2010 3:01 pm
- Weather Station: Ecowitt GW1003 / WH32 / WH41
- Operating System: 64bit Bookworm on Pi4
- Location: Bridge Lake, BC, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
- jpsc
- Posts: 179
- Joined: Tue 23 Aug 2011 6:06 pm
- Weather Station: Davis Vantage Vue, belfryboy USB
- Operating System: Raspbian Bullseye
- Location: Wye valley, Herefordshire, UK
- Contact:
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
My N96FY anemometer stopped after two months, not ice but a wind gust. I don't know if it snapped or bent something.
Maplin mail order will arrive by the weekend and I'll just replace it and then see if anything can be salvaged for spares.
Maplin mail order will arrive by the weekend and I'll just replace it and then see if anything can be salvaged for spares.
- gluepack
- Posts: 460
- Joined: Tue 22 Jan 2013 9:20 pm
- Weather Station: PCE-FWS 20
- Operating System: Win 7 Pro
- Location: Zlatina, Bulgaria
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
Mine stuck in mildly freezing conditions almost immediately after it was installed. I used WD40 on it at that time, which resolved the problem, and I have had no problem since. Third winter now and recent temperature was -16C with no negative effect.
PWS links: Wunderground➤IVARNAPR3…CWOP/APRS➤E(W)2048…PWSWeather➤ZLATINABG…Awekas➤10631…Twitter➤@Zlatina_weather
Station type: PCE-FWS 20…Webcam link: View south to edge of Provadisko plateau
- mcrossley
- Posts: 12766
- Joined: Thu 07 Jan 2010 9:44 pm
- Weather Station: Davis VP2/WLL
- Operating System: Bullseye Lite rPi
- Location: Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK
- Contact:
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
Well, you've got no shortage of 'free' power there!KarlS wrote:I guess I will check out some method of "heating" like Alan suggested as soon as I can get to it next spring.
- KarlS
- Posts: 137
- Joined: Tue 30 Nov 2010 3:01 pm
- Weather Station: Ecowitt GW1003 / WH32 / WH41
- Operating System: 64bit Bookworm on Pi4
- Location: Bridge Lake, BC, Canada
- Contact:
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
Ahhh Mark, you're right about 'no shortage' (at least most of the time), but I wonder about the 'free' part. I'll have to talk to the local power company about that.mcrossley wrote:Well, you've got no shortage of 'free' power there!
- KD0RII
- Posts: 2
- Joined: Wed 29 May 2013 5:11 am
- Weather Station: WS-1090 Aspirated
- Operating System: Win 7
- Location: Melvern, KS
Re: Lubricate anemometer?
I found "PB™ Penetrating Catalyst" to be a superior lubricant for the purpose. Available everywhere.
"...displaces moisture, does not evaporate. It remains on the surface as a lubricant and rust inhibitor."
http://www.blastercorp.com
If you leave a gap when reassembling instead of snapping it all the way back on, you can avoid the frozen surface tension problem.
"...displaces moisture, does not evaporate. It remains on the surface as a lubricant and rust inhibitor."
http://www.blastercorp.com
If you leave a gap when reassembling instead of snapping it all the way back on, you can avoid the frozen surface tension problem.