WMR 968 anemometer issues

[Julianjym]

About two years ago my anemometer went bad or at least wasn't transmitting to the base after years of steady use. I haven't had the time to troubleshoot the problem until recently.I've gotten it to work intermittently but it will only read for about 20 minutes max both direction and speed. but sometimes it only reads direction for 20 minutes.Here's what I've done so far:

Swapped out the sending/power units from the temp sensor and anemometer - same result
Did repeated resets on the console and individual unit
Cleaned all contacts on anemometer circuit board/phone jack with ProGOld

The red power lights are blinking at the correct intervals
Tried total power down on the console for ten seconds or more then restart numerous times
rain, temp, etc units working fine

I know it's hard to pinpoint an intermittent problem but I would like to narrow it down, i.e. is it just the anemometer or just the power/solar unit or both...By the time I buy both items will would be close to half the cost of a new unit so I'm wondering if I should just bite the bullet and buy all new....Many thanks in advance for any help,  jim

[SoMDWx]

Jim,
  Make sure your anemometer is grounded properly. I am assuming this was done since you stated that it had been working for years. But just to be safe, check the grounding connections....

Jim

[Julianjym]

Jim,
     It's properly grounded to a spike I have for the direct TV dish - 3ft. copper rod in the ground....this is connected from the grounding tab on the unit with 18 gauge wire...right now the directional vane is working fine for the last 20 minutes but now the wind speed indicator is not...

[sam2004gp]

I am on my third WMR-968 Anemometer.  It seems that some sort of electrical malfunction occurs on them about every 1.5 years (at least for me)  I have tried swapping units sensor units and transmitter.  One time it was the sensor or the Anemometer itself, the other time it was both units.  I have the mast grounded well, and even clean the unit every few months.  I am under the opinion that the electronics in the units are very sensitive to static discharge even though it is well grounded.  I have had to bite the bullet, and purchased a new setup twice now, to keep my website going.  I am considering switching over to a new name brand and weather station sometime in the summer months. 

But the lowest price for new units that I was able to find is Ambient's website, but you can purchase them together, saving a few dollars. 
http://www.ambientweather.com/wmwmwmanwtr.html

[Julianjym]

I figured as much...I'm torn between replacing what I already have or just breaking the bank on a Davis system...Thanks for your input...

[DanS]

Sam, is there a transmitter in the area? A neighbor with a ham antenna?

[sam2004gp]

No Dan, I have a police scanner as well.  I listen to the Amateur radio guys some too.  But there is nothing near the area except for a commercial radio station a few blocks away that use microwave transmissions to beam to the tower on a mountain 20 miles away.

[sjr_1946]

We have somewhat the same issue with the anemometer.  It is not grounded at present, but I will fix that the next time I'm at the location of the unit.  What is the best way to ground it.  The console will read/display the wind and direction for several hours then lose contact.  I will reset the transmitter then it reconnects.  It is within 100 to 150 ft of the console.  The console is next to a window.  We sometimes have a cell phone of Verizon Myfi unit in the window for better cell reception.  Thanks for the help.  We gave up on the outside temp when it went bad and just bought a cheap outside temp gauge.  The rain always stays connected.
Thanks,
Steve