Yes, I'll have to look into it. Fun to play with those features! Still, it won't correct for deviations caused by the bad air.
Wind sensor positioning
- Thread starter Scott T-Bird
- Start date
Not to get too technical, but all modern marine wind systems use sophisticated damping algorithms to greatly reduce that effect. It introduces a small amount of hysteresis, but thats an OK tradeoff.
But to your other point, you're right. Wind instruments are really only good for: TRUE wind speed, and TRUE wind direction going downwind (polar sailing). Everything else, feel and eyeballs are better.
That's what I thought too. I looked in the manual last night and could not find a reference to it. There was reference to calibration and dampening options if the boat has the H5000 Computer installed. There may be an option for how often the angle and windspeed are updated, say every second, every 5 seconds etc. That will take some of the variation due to turbulence out of the reading.
Ideally, you should have two wind sensors. One in front, one behind the mast. For a cruising sailor, I would dare to claim that behind the mast is a better location. I would rather have good wind reading when broad reaching under a spinnaker, instead of close hauled which is always easier to trim just by looking at the sales. That being said, mine is forward mounted for now.
I wonder if you would have to wire it backwards to get the proper wind direction?
Maybe in Australia it would work that way.
Well, no. The instrument has a setting where you tell it to adjust 180 degrees. You can mount it sideways and adjust it 90 degrees if you want!
So, based on recent comments, it seems like I will leave it alone!
Check the Installation manual instead of the Owners manual. Our current Zeus3 and previous NSS8 both mention the option there.
You have to remember it’s not turbulence. It’s a angle deflection and speed delta based on apparent wind speed and angle. Turbulence might oscillate around a mean, and you could null all that out. Deflection you can’t.
I did a survey here at this marina, all the sailboats have them facing forward. Four ospreys in the trees across the creek but not interested with sitting on mastheads. I just did a list for repairs when we haul next week and transducer fixing is on it.
Talked to a friend at B&G. He says ALWAYS forward. Not only the updraft is much less, but (dah) the wand is not in the way to disrupt windspeed readings. Want the best of the best? the new WS700 sensor with a 1.8 meter carbon wand. Only $4200. The long wand doubles the price but it really helps. No self-respecting TP52 sails without one!
https://www.bandg.com/bg/type/instr...40s-ocean-spec-vert.-wind-snsr-1.8m-755e688b/
https://www.bandg.com/bg/type/instr...40s-ocean-spec-vert.-wind-snsr-1.8m-755e688b/
Cheaper to buy this weather station, wind, direction, humidity, temperature, and GPS. https://www.weathershack.com/product/new-mountain-nm150wx.html
And no little whirly cups for birds to break.
And no little whirly cups for birds to break.
Thats actually an Airmar product.
http://www.airmar.com/weather-description.html?id=6000
While that version is marine rated, the unit weights almost a pound. That's a TON to suspend on the end of a fiberglass or carbon wand.