Wind Instrument Troubleshooting

[SailingErrant]

The wind instrument and gauge on my Catalina 310 have stopped talking to each other!

They have been functioning properly all season long, but two outings ago I began experiencing a problem. The gauge operated correctly on a starboard tack, but it registered no wind on port tack. Actual wind was fluctuating between the high single digits and low teens. When wind speed was not registering on the gauge I toggled the true/apparent button it showed the boat speed suggesting that the data was not being received from the mast-top instrument. This scenario continued throughout the day.

By the next outing the gauge wasn't showing windspeed at all, but the cups were still whirling around in a blur!

So at this point wind speed is no longer registering on the gauge but the both the wind vane is tracking properly and the cups are spinning. I'm heading out in an hour to see if I can further diagnose the problem, and hoping Somebody might have an idea what's going on? Any suggestions on what I should be looking for? Time to dig out the mast climber?!?!

Thanks in advance.

 

[Sandy Stone]

What brand instrument? Have you checked every connection you can reach at deck level?

 

[Joe]

Have you posed your question to the instrument manufacturer?

 

[SailingErrant]

Good question. The gauge is Raymarine, but I haven't actually checked the instrument. It was installed prior to my ownership, and I don't seem to have inherited a manual. Last time I was up in the bosun chair I didn't yet have the problem, so didn't check.

That said, here's an interesting update. Today's first long, steady, 5–10 knot starboard reach the wind gauge was working perfectly. After the first tack, it's zeroed out, and didn't work again.

Later I noticed that there was water in the bilge. The boat is normally dry-dry, but it seems that a fair amount of soapy water somehow leaked into the bilge the last time I cleaned the exterior (another mystery, perhaps lazerette?) Incidentally, the wind instrument problem first appeared after that last washing, suggesting the possibility that there's a connection between the water in the bilge and the buggy wind instrument/gauge. I pumped the bilge and noted that the wiring harness exiting the base of the mast then heading aft was submerged. I will check back tomorrow to see if everything is dry.…

Hypothesis: wet connection in the bilge between the wind instrument and the gauge is causing a short. Thoughts?

 

[Joe]

You can get a manual for your unit at the Raymarine site.

Here's a manual for an ST60 Wind & Closehauled Wind Instrument.

Don't do random troubleshooting. Start at one end and work backwards to the other.

 

[DougM]

Sounds to me like the masthead plug has loosened. Still I would check everything reachable below. The tiny connecters at the instrument itself may look fine but a wire could easily have parted at the connecter. Be sure that they are all the way home as well.

You may be onto something with the bilge water/ short theory too. If there is a breaking the insulation water could be intruding. Is there a connecter or a junction box in the bilge to allow wiring disconnection for mast removal too? That would be another possible weak link

 

[JamesG161]

The first thing in my trouble shooting guide for ST50 wind...

Check the wiring...

Jim..

 

[SailingErrant]

Wet bilge must have been shorting the wiring. Dry bilge = no problems with wind gauge. Now, I need to find the freshwater system leak. Seems to be small since it only leaks when the freshwater is turned on...