Author Topic: Super Soaker for Anemometer Freeze Up (Read 5349 times)

Gerald · « **on:** November 28, 2015, 04:56:09 PM »

After having my anemometer freeze up during Thanksgiving's evening ice event and after driving all over the place I managed to track down the last available Super Soaker in the greater DSM area. It was on clearance at a small Toy's r Us mall store.
What is the recommended ammo, anti-freeze, alcohol, windshield fluid or........?
The little cups are spinning again after it only warmed up to 29° but I need to be prepared as a similar storm is predicted for Monday.
Also, I would imagine the Soaker needs to be emptied after each use and cleaned out with water, or not?

Aardvark · « **Reply #1 on:** November 28, 2015, 05:17:35 PM »

I used this long pole I used to use to change outdoor flood lights. I used it to thwack the cups. If they don't move I don't fuss with them.

What to use, you have to be careful not to use anything corrosive. What I did was install a second anemometer lower with an anemometer transmitter. That way if one is frozen but good, then I can use the other.

Freezing rain in Iowa sucks big time. I can deal with rain, snow but freezing rain sucks as bad as Iowa State does in Football. (personally? I think it is the players, not the coach.). Anyway You might try washer fluid. Anti-freeze tends to be sweet and animals will consume it and subsequently croak. If you live in town, you could toss them over the neighbors fence.

Washer fluid might be the safer... At least that is my opinion from my side of the corn patch.

twcmaster · « **Reply #2 on:** November 28, 2015, 09:15:57 PM »

I have no experience with this whatsoever, but a thought just came to mind. Maybe you can try pool antifreeze. It contains Propylene Glycol which is non-toxic and even used in some food as a preservative. It is completely different than car antifreeze, please don't use that. Just a thought and wanted to share....

Mtn_man · « **Reply #3 on:** November 28, 2015, 09:16:47 PM »

Anti-freeze is poisonous to animals. Anti-freeze or alcohol doesn't thaw, just prevents freezing when in solution with water.

ValentineWeather · « **Reply #4 on:** November 28, 2015, 10:19:40 PM »

The pink stuff you put in your RV drinking water lines at end of season is non toxic. Look in the camping section.
http://www.splashwash.com/product/antifreeze/rv-marine/

thomas · « **Reply #5 on:** November 28, 2015, 10:40:47 PM »

I have used the super soaker in the past with windshield washer fluid. I warm the fluid up some before spraying the cups.

Gerald · « **Reply #6 on:** November 29, 2015, 12:19:32 AM »

First of all thanks to all for reminding me that anti-freeze is poisonous to animals. I knew that but the mind was only operating on a single rail when I wrote my post. The other fortuitous outcome was the many suggestions of using windshield washer fluid. I have about a gallon of same for my '92 S-10 so the solution is at hand.

Was pleasantly surprised to get a reply from a station owner near me, Aardvark. So we're going up against Mich State and I'm sure we'll once again inherit the underdog role which suits me just fine. We gotta hand something to the 'Clones though, they held up their #4 ranking today in BB.

ValentineWeather · « **Reply #7 on:** November 29, 2015, 12:32:59 AM »

Not everyone recommended windshield wiper fluid its poison also. The RV antifreeze would be the safest way to go.

http://www.poison.org/articles/2013-feb/windshield-washer-solution

Aardvark · « **Reply #8 on:** November 29, 2015, 04:50:07 PM »

From the weather report out now, I think you will have the opportunity to try out a little of everything. It was raining when I left Casey's on 63rd and Grand.

ValentineWeather · « **Reply #9 on:** November 29, 2015, 05:44:41 PM »

I may need some too. Freezing rain mention tonight before it turns into snow tomorrow.

virusdunil · « **Reply #10 on:** November 29, 2015, 05:47:15 PM »

i may have a solution...

a 12 volt solenoid mounted on the vane's mast...when its frosen,you send power to the solenoid and it hammers the mast a few time

a few toc's and its freed

dalecoy · « **Reply #11 on:** November 29, 2015, 05:52:35 PM »

Wouldn't a short length of heater wire be just as effective?

virusdunil · « **Reply #12 on:** November 29, 2015, 05:55:16 PM »

hummm...when youll turn of the power ,it may froze again...i think...

dalecoy · « **Reply #13 on:** November 29, 2015, 07:26:17 PM »

Quote from: virusdunil on November 29, 2015, 05:55:16 PM

hummm...when youll turn of the power ,it may froze again...i think...

And the solenoid would not have the same problem?

virusdunil · « **Reply #14 on:** November 29, 2015, 07:34:30 PM »

its not a heating device...its like giving a hammer hit on the post to break the ice

dalecoy · « **Reply #15 on:** November 29, 2015, 07:42:13 PM »

Quote from: virusdunil on November 29, 2015, 07:34:30 PM

its not a heating device...its like giving a hammer hit on the post to break the ice

Yes, I know what a solenoid is. I understand that it hammers the post to break the ice.

A heater wire would melt the ice.

Why would either method have different results after the power was turned off?

Aardvark · « **Reply #16 on:** November 30, 2015, 12:02:35 AM »

This time of year, in Iowa, you don't want to be running electricity up a metal pole in the yard. The ground here is saturated at least 3 feet down, spongy and it is raining now. The best method would be to wait for the sun to come out and do it's job. The next best is a long pole and gently tap. That has one big disadvantage, breaking plastic.

The next is the super soaker and all the guy wanted to know was what fluid should he try . He gets a complex solution. Neither of you guys are from these parts, so probably it isn't a good solution.

Altoona is just East of me about 17 or less miles as the crow flies.

The real solution would be a better drip shield that Davis doesn't make. Maybe he could put a modified umbrella on a wire over the top of the windvane and cups. He could use a frisbee on a metal rod. Attach that to the top of the mast.

dalecoy · « **Reply #17 on:** November 30, 2015, 10:11:02 AM »

Quote from: Aardvark on November 30, 2015, 12:02:35 AM

Neither of you guys are from these parts, so probably it isn't a good solution.

I absolutely agree with you about the best solutions - and particularly about letting the sun do it's job.

However 1 - I currently live in the Kansas City area, and have lived in the Chicago area and in Northern New Mexico. So I do sorta understand the conditions.

However 2 - Neither of us was suggesting running dangerous voltages "up a metal pole in the yard".

However 3 - Davis sells a Rain Collector Heater (part #07720) that is a 24-watt, 24-volt heater. There don't seem to be safety problems with that device. [Not suggesting it would directly apply to the anemometer situation]

thomas · « **Reply #18 on:** November 30, 2015, 01:26:43 PM »

I live in Michigan with plenty of winter weather. The cups just don't freeze up that often. Even with freezing rain if the wind is blowing they tend to stay operational. The main problem is calm winds with heavy wet snow or freezing rain. From my past experience the super soaker with your choice of deicer is an easy solution. Planes also seem to like that method in the winter before takeoff.

Aardvark · « **Reply #19 on:** November 30, 2015, 02:09:21 PM »

he has a solution that can be used in the immediate time frame. perhaps the electrical during the summer. considering the Iowa Caucus is not far away, get the GOP to hold a debate in Altoona, plenty of hot air.

George Richardson · « **Reply #20 on:** November 30, 2015, 04:42:50 PM »

Has anyone actually used a "Super Soaker" on an anemometer over 30' in the air? Will they actually shoot that high?

George

Aardvark · « **Reply #21 on:** November 30, 2015, 05:32:32 PM »

Quote from: George Richardson on November 30, 2015, 04:42:50 PM

Has anyone actually used a "Super Soaker" on an anemometer over 30' in the air? Will they actually shoot that high?

George

He's from Iowa. He can do anything.. heh, heh. heh.

tshattuck · « **Reply #22 on:** November 30, 2015, 05:41:45 PM »

Folks:
What's really needed is a heated anemometer. I made this suggestion to Davis a year ago. Their reply was they had never given that serious thought.
The technician stated he would keep that in his list of customer suggested improvements. My anemometer freezes up several times each winter. I usually lose about 12 hours worth of wind data before it thaws and starts spinning again.

Regards,

chief-david · « **Reply #23 on:** November 30, 2015, 05:56:31 PM »

True. If they can heat my steering wheel, why not an anemometer.

miraculon · « **Reply #24 on:** November 30, 2015, 09:03:16 PM »

Vaisala makes a heated anemometer.

I was wondering about ultrasonic. That one has a 250W heater option.

They are not "Davis", but heated anemometers do exist.

Greg H.

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Author Topic: Super Soaker for Anemometer Freeze Up (Read 5349 times)