[TowerTalk] Wired Anemometer for Tower?

[David Gilbert]

Not to pound the InSpeed drum, especially since I have no connection to 
them at all other than as a long ago customer, but InSpeed also sells a 
high resolution anemometer for $89 that puts out 8 pulses per 
revolution.  The response of either Vortex version is of course limited 
by the time between pulses, but at 2.5 mph per revolution and 8 pulses 
per revolution for the hi-res version the ability to almost instantly 
track wind gusts would be limited primarily by the mass of the rotating 
cups (no spec that I am aware of) ... and they are very light weight.

73,
Dave   AB7E




On 4/27/2014 9:23 PM, Kim Elmore wrote:
> I can't speak to the Pro2 model, but any anemometer must average over a period. I was incorrect about the Vue: it yields 4 s averages in each packet. Sonic anemometers average over something like 10 pulses. Depending on the brand, that's anywhere from 1 s to 0.1 s. So, if you really need wind speed resolution better than 2 or 4 s, you need to obtain a sonic anemometer. Because of the mass of our antennas and towers, I'd be surprised if they have a significant response to frequencies much higher than 0.25 to 0.5 Hz, but to know that requires an engineer's analysis.
>
> Low-end sonic anemometers can be had for a few thousand dollars. They can, however, require periodic maintenance due to bird pecks (birds peck at the transducers) and bird droppings that contaminate the transducer surfaces.
>
> If you must have higher resolution than this you need very deep pockets indeed and a lidar anemometer.
>
> As for radar: the NEXRAD (WSR-88D) requires 5 min to complete a volume scan, but the latency for each radial of data is on the order of a second or so. So, it's available in real time.  Thus, there's no significant latency once a volume is complete. It does take a few seconds to move the antenna back to the 0.5 deg elevation and start the next volume, but it moves pretty fast in elevation -- several degrees per second.
>
> Kim N5OP
>
> "People that make music together cannot be enemies, at least as long as the music lasts." -- Paul Hindemith
>
>> On Apr 27, 2014, at 22:29, "tomkd8deg" <kd8deg at centurytel.net> wrote:
>>
>> The unit I have is the Davis Vantage Pro2 wired, and the 4 second delay is what Davis tech support told me when I questioned the accuracy of the wind readings that were being displayed.
>>
>>
>>
>> Tom KD8DEG
>>
>>
>>
>> From: Kim Elmore [mailto:cw_de_n5op at sbcglobal.net]
>> Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2014 8:08 PM
>> To: tomkd8deg
>> Cc: EZ Rhino; <towertalk at contesting.com>
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Wired Anemometer for Tower?
>>
>>
>>
>> I'm not sure that's true about the wind. I have a Davis Vantage Vue. The remote unit does some processing to generate a 2 s mean speed and a peak gust value within the 2 s window. Data are then sent in packets every 2 s to the base unit.
>>
>>
>>
>> Mine is up 10 m (a WMO standard height). During calm winters nights it will measure an anomalously high minimum temperature. The anemometer is shielded a bit by the tower structure when it's downwind of the tower and so the wind speed is biased low. Direction appears unaffected.
>>
>>
>>
>> The rain gauge is a tipping spoon with a 3" diameter catchment. It under samples only at high rain rates. The temperature sensor and dew cell are not aspirated in this unit and so temperature is biased a bit high due to radiation errors on calm, clear Summer days.
>>
>>
>>
>> I highly recommend any of the Davis units, but the Peet Bros. Ultimeter 2100 is also a very fine unit. Both are comparable in price (~$400).
>>
>>
>>
>> Kim N5OP
>>
>> "People that make music together cannot be enemies, at least as long as the music lasts." -- Paul Hindemith
>>
>>
>> On Apr 27, 2014, at 18:29, "tomkd8deg" <kd8deg at centurytel.net> wrote:
>>
>> The Davis wired version, which I am using, has a 4 second delay for wind,
>> and direction display. That can mean the loss of 10 to 20 mph in a gust
>> situation.
>>
>> Tom KD8DEG
>>
>> -----Original Message-----
>> From: TowerTalk [mailto:towertalk-bounces at contesting.com] On Behalf Of EZ
>> Rhino
>> Sent: Sunday, April 27, 2014 4:10 PM
>> To: towertalk at contesting.com
>> Subject: Re: [TowerTalk] Wired Anemometer for Tower?
>>
>> I should mention one other thing about the "cheap" weather station
>> anemometers that drive me crazy.  The first WX station I had only updated
>> the wind speed about every minute.  The LaCrosse updates about every 12
>> seconds.  This is almost worthless...I want to know the wind speed NOW!  The
>> stuff from Inspeed is real time, very nice.
>>
>> Chris
>> KF7P
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 27, 2014, at 14:03 , Roger (K8RI) on TT wrote:
>>
>> On 4/27/2014 3:15 PM, EZ Rhino wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> I have tried a few different weather stations, so I can unequivocally tell
>>
>> you what NOT to get.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> DON'T buy anything under $300.  *sigh*
>>
>>
>> Mine cost 40 something, works fine, is made of cheap plastic. Uses plain old
>> Duracell non rechargeable. Last 2 years or more outside. The ones indoors
>> only last 6 mo to a year.  Probably cost twice that much now...if available
>>
>> Mounted on the tower where I can just reach it with an 8' stepladder.
>>
>> Does nothing except report wind speed, direction,temp, humidity, and
>> relative temp.
>>
>> 73
>>
>> Roger(K8RI)
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Unfortunately the cheap ones are total garbage.  The recent one I got is a
>>
>> LaCrosse station, purchased from Costco.  Junk!  Junky cheap plastic, the
>> rechargeable batteries in the solar powered wireless anenmometer/wind vane
>> unit went bad in the first year, and the rain bucket stopped working in the
>> first few months after purchase.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> The Davis units are good, have a buddy with one and it is quality stuff.
>>
>> And about $300.  You pay for what you get.  I agree, I think the wired units
>> are more reliable and last longer.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Ok now take a look here:  www.inspeed.com  These guys make anemometers
>>
>> that are decent quality and not expensive.  They also have a cool computer
>> hookup version that allows your PC to track all the data and put it in a
>> spreadsheet.  AND it has the wind switch option, where you can program the
>> system to turn an appliance on or off (read:  lower your tower!) if the wind
>> goes above a preprogrammed speed.  Pretty neat.  I don't have this option
>> yet.  I think AB7E has one of the inspeed units too, maybe he can provide
>> some feedback.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> Chris
>>
>> KF7P
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> On Apr 27, 2014, at 11:01 , Steve Jones wrote:
>>
>>
>>
>> Can any of you recommend a wired anemometer or weather station unit?
>>
>>
>>
>> I want to install an anemometer to monitor the wind speed at the top
>>
>> of my tower.  All I can find online are wireless units.  On this
>>
>> reflector I have seen a number of bad reviews of wireless weather
>>
>> sensors, because their little wifi transceivers get damaged by the RF
>>
>> from a ham antenna.  I have a spare CAT5 cable at the base of the tower
>>
>> available.
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
>> 73,
>>
>>
>>
>> Steve
>>
>> N6SJ
>>
>>
>>
>>
>>
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