Topic: ultrasonic WS80 lifespan

[Rocketman]

How long do you expect the WS80 to last ?

[broadstairs]

I think the life span will depend on the various components. My current one has had two temp/hum sensors inside 12 months, the previous WS80 lasted less than 12 months and was replaced under warranty.

Stuart

[slybarman]

3-5 years would be my expectation. no idea if that is realistic or not.

[Gyvate]

mine is close to 3 years without any issues - expectation is of course 5-10 

[Rocketman]

I would expect the lifespan to be longer than a conventional weather station as there no moving parts

[broadstairs]

My Davis VP1 lasted 15 years with moving parts 

Stuart

[Rocketman]

My Dallas 1 wire weather station lasted about 12 years , the bearing in the anemometer failed eventually .

[slybarman]

i feel like the solar panel will fail first.

[Rocketman]

i feel like the solar panel will fail first.

yes , I agree - slight fading of the solar panel  (only time will tell )

[Ra1nman]

I hope that they would last 3-5 years and maybe more, my more realistic outlook is to expect 2-3 at best. I guess it is mostly luck, we've got stories of parts being changed within 1 year and others lasting 5+ without anything. I know a Davis owner who has had sensors replaced every few years, then you read others who had no problems for 10-15 years. My main concern with the more budget orientated stations if lifespan, technically they should last for many years.

The downside of the more 'all in one' units vs a modular setup, parts cannot so easily be replaced without incurring more cost. If the solar or uv fails it requires the main unit to be changed, likewise if the ultrasonic fails, temperature, etc. We can't have it all ways so choices have to be made when purchasing

If the plastic covering the solar panel on the WS80 begins to age it could potentially be polished, since I believe it is a smooth surface, either by hand or machine polished.

[Ra1nman]

My Davis VP1 lasted 15 years with moving parts 

Stuart

That is a great result, was the VP1 a wired or wireless unit, excuse my ignorance.

[broadstairs]

That is a great result, was the VP1 a wired or wireless unit, excuse my ignorance.

Mine was wireless but could be either.

Stuart

[Ra1nman]

That is a great result, was the VP1 a wired or wireless unit, excuse my ignorance.

Mine was wireless but could be either.

Stuart

Thanks, that makes it an even better result in my opinion, I read quite a few Davis owners who got 10+ years service. Hope the Ecowitt units can get close to that

[mark014]

Ecowitt gave me the WS80 for testing in Fall 2019 and the ultrasonic anemometer worked until Spring 2022. During the downpour, the upper part lost its seal, the circuit board under the water leakage had a short circuit - although the anemometer worked, the batteries ran out after a few days. Ecowitt sent me a new top part with a solar panel to replace but that didn't help. They finally sent in a whole new copy and it's fine for now. They have improved the resistance of plastic parts to sunlight and you can see better sealing of the edges. Unfortunately, during Saturday's gale, the WS80 crashed and I had to get on the roof to restart it. However, it still remains sealed.
By the way, I think the latest update V1.2.4 measures slightly higher wind speeds for me (I have a comparison with WS68, but it's too early to be sure).

[hiljo]

The downside of the more 'all in one' units vs a modular setup, parts cannot so easily be replaced without incurring more cost. If the solar or uv fails it requires the main unit to be changed, likewise if the ultrasonic fails, temperature, etc. We can't have it all ways so choices have to be made when purchasing

I do not agree with you in this. The temp/hum sensor is replaceable in for example the WS90 unit, and so is the solar/uv top part. This could also be replaced if necessairy.
Replacing the wind sensors is not possible, agree to that. Then the whole unit needs to be replaced. But for the rest, I'd say that e.g. the WS90 is a pretty modulair device.

Same is for the WH40 raingauge, I had to replace the circuit board once, which was easy to do.

[Ra1nman]

The downside of the more 'all in one' units vs a modular setup, parts cannot so easily be replaced without incurring more cost. If the solar or uv fails it requires the main unit to be changed, likewise if the ultrasonic fails, temperature, etc. We can't have it all ways so choices have to be made when purchasing

I do not agree with you in this. The temp/hum sensor is replaceable in for example the WS90 unit, and so is the solar/uv top part. This could also be replaced if necessairy.
Replacing the wind sensors is not possible, agree to that. Then the whole unit needs to be replaced. But for the rest, I'd say that e.g. the WS90 is a pretty modulair device.

Same is for the WH40 raingauge, I had to replace the circuit board once, which was easy to do.

Well if you look at it from that angle, then anything is 'modular', but, there has to be some boundaries, at least for the definition. As such a unit like the Davis VP2 is close to being truly modular, failed sensors can be purchased and unplugged/replaced, wind, rain, temperature. Once you start disassembly of a product with screwdrivers, unplugging cables on circuit boards, breaking factory seals and so on, this is no longer a modular product to my eyes at least.

Getting off topic, short answer, opinions differ

[Rocketman]

I also had the Davis vantage pro 2 , but the anemometer bearings in this unit also failed ( and the data logger unit failed )

[Bashy]

My Davis VP1 lasted 15 years with moving parts 

Stuart

Yeah but, i bet it was like triggers broom bearings, reed switches etc

[eliteweathernz]

I also had the Davis vantage pro 2 , but the anemometer bearings in this unit also failed ( and the data logger unit failed )

Is your Davis unit still operational.??

[broadstairs]

My Davis VP1 lasted 15 years with moving parts 

Stuart

Yeah but, i bet it was like triggers broom bearings, reed switches etc

No only batteries and a good clean. I did have to replace solar sensor but that was because a builder broke it, it was mounted separately from the ISS 

Stuart