Durablility of ISS

[kanewolf]

I wondered how long the ISS has lasted for other TX, AZ, OK members?  These 100+ days (70+ last year) and the high UV are really taking a toll on the plastic.  My station is about 4.5 years old, and I wondered how many more years before I should budgeting for a replacement.  I guess I could take advantage of Davis's $100 refurb instead of getting a new station.

[justin470]

Good question!

I am located in Texas and my station is also 4.5 years old.

So far (knock on wood) no problems.

I am hoping to get a few more years before I need a new one or have to send it in.

Justin

[dalecoy]

In August 2002, I installed a VP1 in New Mexico.  It worked fine.  After replacing it with a VP2 (below), I eventually gave it to a friend, who installed in in Creede, Colorado, and it's still working fine.

In September 2005, I installed a VP2 in New Mexico. 

In July 2007. I moved to Missouri, and so did the VP2.

It's still working fine.

[archae86]

These 100+ days (70+ last year) and the high UV are really taking a toll on the plastic.

What effects are you seeing?  Cracks, crazing, warping, surface whitening?

My VP2 has just over a year of NM UV at 6216 feet elevation (lots), though my temperatures run 10 to 20 below Phoenix, which may help.  Also my solar and UV sensors are only half a year old.  So far I've not noticed plastic deterioration, and am interested in what to watch for.

[Aardvark]

I notice that the side facing the sun, the black plastic is a little more gray, and the real white is becoming a bit cream color, but so far the original annometer is still up there and chugging along in this heat.

[Skywatch]

Mine seems to be holding up well after going through last summer. I've only owned my VP2 for less than a year and a half. So far it's taking this Texas weather pretty well.

[vcbmoore]

My VP2 has handled the dry heat and monsoons in Tucson for 7 years without any problems.  It's down at the moment waiting for us to move into our new house next month.  I am replacing the anemometer because I was to old and lazy to climb on the roof to get the old one down.

[kanewolf]

The white plastic of the solar panel cover seems to be "aging" most.  The white plastic cover is a more pliable plastic to start with.  The rain collector has surface cracking, but I waxed the inside to minimize the friction.   I also wonder about the antenna plastic getting brittle and being damaged.  Of course, I can look forward to an "opportunity" to upgrade should the plastic fail....

[txagwx]

My Vantage Pro lasted from 2002 - 2009 in SE TX.   I could have replaced the temp/humidity sensor, and it would have lasted longer.

[neondesert]

Here's what the ISS and solar panel looked like on my VP2 after about 6 years of service in the Las Vegas sun.



Primarily, the worst wear and tear was crazing on the solar panel and some pitting of the white plastic.

Sent the station in for a refurb in the beginning of May this year.  Davis replaced the cover and nearly
everything else.  A great value for the price. 

[Aardvark]

mine looks about the same, I have the dual for the daytime Fars.  I asked Davis and they said it should be fine.  I do have my original one just in case the dual dies.  However, that is normal.

Durability?  I suppose it wouldn't survive an attack by a baseball bat or golf club..

[d_l]

Here's what the ISS and solar panel looked like on my VP2 after about 6 years of service in the Las Vegas sun.

Larry, it is surprising that the plastic film covering your solar panel didn't haze over and crack after that time in the sun.  Several of us here reported the hazing/cracking problems after a few solar exposure years in a thread last year.  I don't think the problem significantly reduced the power output, but I replace the panel anyway.

The inside of the rain cone definitely oxidizes in the sun after a year or so.  This make the plastic surface hydrophilic so that a few rain drops from a light shower might just wet the surface and then evaporate.  If you are in the desert trying to measure every last bit of rain, then you might miss some with an oxidized cone.  RainX or Plexus will make the surface hydrophobic so the rain beads have a chance to roll down and collect in the tipping bucket.  I don't think those products last more than a few months before they need to be reapplied.

[Aardvark]

Here's what the ISS and solar panel looked like on my VP2 after about 6 years of service in the Las Vegas sun.

Larry, it is surprising that the plastic film covering your solar panel didn't haze over and crack after that time in the sun.  Several of us here reported the hazing/cracking problems after a few solar exposure years in a thread last year.  I don't think the problem significantly reduced the power output, but I replace the panel anyway.

The inside of the rain cone definitely oxidizes in the sun after a year or so.  This make the plastic surface hydrophilic so that a few rain drops from a light shower might just wet the surface and then evaporate.  If you are in the desert trying to measure every last bit of rain, then you might miss some with an oxidized cone.  RainX or Plexus will make the surface hydrophobic so the rain beads have a chance to roll down and collect in the tipping bucket.  I don't think those products last more than a few months before they need to be reapplied.

Just remember to coat the outside of the bucket, not the inside and do take it off the ISS you don't want that stuff on the mechanical parts  underneath.   

[d_l]

Just remember to coat the outside of the bucket, not the inside and do take it off the ISS you don't want that stuff on the mechanical parts  underneath.   

I definitely coat the collecting surfaces of the funnel.  In between major maintenance servicings, I unplug the tipping bucket and then spray the Plexus on a soft cloth to wipe down the funnel surface.  For major maintenance work, the ISS is taken down and brought inside for cleaning.  Then I wipe everything with a Plexus wetted cloth including the tipping bucket collection surfaces.

[neondesert]

Here's what the ISS and solar panel looked like on my VP2 after about 6 years of service in the Las Vegas sun.

Larry, it is surprising that the plastic film covering your solar panel didn't haze over and crack after that time in the sun.  Several of us here reported the hazing/cracking problems after a few solar exposure years in a thread last year.  I don't think the problem significantly reduced the power output, but I replace the panel anyway.

Yeah, not too shabby for the solar beating it took all those years.   

The inside of the rain cone definitely oxidizes in the sun after a year or so.  This make the plastic surface hydrophilic so that a few rain drops from a light shower might just wet the surface and then evaporate.  If you are in the desert trying to measure every last bit of rain, then you might miss some with an oxidized cone.  RainX or Plexus will make the surface hydrophobic so the rain beads have a chance to roll down and collect in the tipping bucket.  I don't think those products last more than a few months before they need to be reapplied.

I've been using a carnauba was on the exterior plastic as well as the interior of the rain cone and the tipping bucket.  I'll be continuing the same ritual with the new parts from the refurb.
Haven't had any issues at all.

I'm curious about the Plexus, Dave.  What are it's advantages/disadvantages over wax?

[d_l]

Larry, Plexus is a cleaner and a polishing wax in an aerosol can.  It is also supposed to have anti-static properties to repel dust which is important around here. Apparently airplane owners use it on their windshields.

I suspect a carnauba waxing might last longer if the applied coating is thicker, but an application of Plexus is quick and easy.  Either spay it on directly or wipe it on from a sprayed cloth and then wipe it off with a dry cloth. That's it. 

The MSD Sheet lists Alipathic Petroleum Distillates as what I believe are the "active" ingredients.  They are probably dissolved in the aerosol's propellants.  Plexus claims that its wax seals the pores in plastic. The dissolved nature of the wax may do so better than a manual application of the more viscous carnauba wax.  Eventually heat evaporates the Plexus propellants and some of the distillates leaving the thin wax coating behind.