Anemometer is sluggish

[Windborne]

I have an older Raymarine ST60 wind vane and anemometer. The owner's handbook is dated 1999. The anemometer cups don't spin at low wind speeds and can sometimes take up to 8 or 9 knots of wind to start spinning. Because of that I'm not certain how accurate it is either but mostly I would just like to get it to work in light air. Is this fixable? Corrosion, salt maybe. Pull the cups and spay with silicon? Does the masthead unit need replaced? Can the old cable be used if so? Don't want to have to run a new one. Are they repairable and is that worth it? Thanks for the help.

Len

 

[Don S/V ILLusion]

Had a similar experience and sprayed Sailcote McLube on the bearing which worked for a year or so before finally replacing the unit. It can't hurt to try.

 

[RichH]

Sluggish anemometers are usually not fixable at reasonable cost.
Most good ones use 'jewels' as their bearings, once the jewels are worn through - that's it.

 

[Ted]

I had a Raytheon/Raymarine ST60 Wind meter with a sluggish anemometer. I purchased it new in 1999. In 2009 it started showing signs of being sluggish in low wind speeds as you are experiencing. I removed the vane and cups and generously sprayed the shaft with a silicone spray a few times while aggressively spinning the shaft by hand between applications. Still working fine 4 years later. Don't use anything like PB Blaster or WD40 as they will remain sticky and tend to attract dirt. The original Raytheon ST60 Wind transducer has small rectangular shaped cups. The newer style transducer has cups that look like half spheres. The newer style transducer will work with your older style instrument. You do not have to change the wire. You will have to recalibrate your wind instrument because the new style transducer spins at a faster rate in the same wind conditions. Calibration is simple and is explained in the user manual.

 

[Allan Frey]

I sprayed the bearing area with sailcote a few years ago and it is still working well.

allan

 

[Windborne]

Gents, thanks for the replies. Sounds like cleaning and lubricating has had mixed results but I think it is worth a try. Even if I get just 1 more year I'd consider that a success. -- Len

 

[arf145]

I had the same problem with our ST60 and it definitely wasn't accurate! I replaced the anemometer and all is good. BTW, playing around with the old unit, I can definitely see that in my case no amount of lubrication was going to help.

 

[Captn TJ]

Gents, thanks for the replies. Sounds like cleaning and lubricating has had mixed results but I think it is worth a try. Even if I get just 1 more year I'd consider that a success. -- Len

If you do need to replace and have the time - you can send it back for rebuild. It's a lot cheaper than a new unit.

 

[Joe2954]

Defender lists a masthead transducer service kit for raymarine st60 for 47.99
Model A28167.

 

[jibes138]

Also look at the condition of the connector. After a lot of years corrosion may make the connector unserviceable. I had my transducer rebuilt once many years ago, now it barely turns at all but at time of rebuild they noted the connector wasn't looking too good. I use the wind direction functionality a lot more than I need wind speed. Wind speed is pretty apparent by the sea conditions and heeling pressure. Even the wind direction you can just get a Windex but with dodger and bimini hard to see up there. Time for an upgrade but I have to decide if I want to part with the cash.

 

[Windborne]

Gentlemen, once again I thank you for the additional replies. The cost of a new transducer unit is over $300. I am curious to find out what Raymarine would charge to rebuild. Jibes, how many years did you get out of the rebuild? Joe, the service kit is for a new vane or cups but doesn't include the transducer. I bought it last year to replace my vane which lost its tail in a 35 knot blow at the dock. It was dried and cracked and finally gave out. Regarding the "need" for an anemometer ... I agree. -- Len

 

[Captn TJ]

I seem to recall the rebuild was about 150-175

 

[ifmdalvey]

At the boatshow i bought an Airmar 200wx, no moving parts at all, so will hopefully never have your problems.

 

[Ron20324]

This, and the other thread from Doug, make me wonder if it might be a good idea to hoist a pig stick during the off season to stop rotation, and thus wear on the bearings? We take sails off for the same reason.