Topic: Charleston SC setup

[SmittythePirate]

I am looking to improve my station (Davis VP2) a bit and would like some advice.  I live in a suburb in Charleston SC and as such I have some complications with where I can put the station.  The current setup has worked well with tropical winds (largest gust registered was 44 mph). Here is my current setup



My current pole is decent but it is a little thin and I'm not able to clean it easily as the screws push into the rain cap/funnel.  This means I have to take the entire ISS down when it needs to be maintained.  I am looking at installing a 12ft 4x4 with the anemometer mounted on the top with 2 feet of the post buried and concreted. The main problem with this setup is that it would then put the ISS in the middle of the pole.  Would this be okay? I know most of the setups I've seen are mounted on the top to avoid any interference with rain collecting. Would it make sense to try and mount it past the pole a little more?

Any advice would help!

[alexstaar]

Looks like you've got quite decent exposure there! Keep in mind that you can mount the anemometer and ISS to different poles and at different heights since the anemometer comes with a 40' cable. Getting the anemometer will definitely get you better wind measurements. The ISS Looks to be a good height as it is (~6 feet). I would probably recommend getting a taller pole (or post as you've described) to mount the anemometer to and leave the ISS on the metal post you have as is. I recently mounted my anemometer to a flag pole, but those can get quite pricey. Also consider that a wooden post can warp over time exposed in the weather.

Do you follow me there? Anyone else have any recommendations?

[illinimatt81]

I'm in Mt Pleasant. I know of this challenge. What I ended up doing was seperating the ISS and the anemometer. The ISS is on a 6ft 4X4 pole out of the rain shadow of any trees. The pole is in the ground with a 30" 4X4 stake. Very secure and makes it easy to move or remove if the big hurricane comes, because weather station would be useless with a power failure and only able to be damaged.

The anemometer is actually mounted on a conduit I inserted into an old satelitte TV J mount on the roof. I buried the cable back to the ISS. Extension cable is available or you can get another transmitter. I have this all grounded and it's on the back of my house sticking up just enough to get above the roofline but not the attention of the HOA. You may also try a chimney mount that would be used for a TV antenna and put a conduit there and mount the anemometer to it.

Short of that, I see no issue with a taller 4x4 as long as you keep the rain guage above the post or you will create a rain shadow. You may also do two 4x4s, one with the ISS and the other with the anemometer higher. If you have a privacy fence perhaps you can mount a conduit to the fence for the anemometer and get it higher and have the ISS nearby.

Lots of options.

[CW2274]

Very secure and makes it easy to move or remove if the big hurricane comes, because weather station would be useless with a power failure and only able to be damaged.

As long as you have decently fresh batteries in your console, a power failure is inconsequential as the console can last up to 8 months on batteries alone. Granted your equipment, but a hurricane would be exactly when I'd want it out doing it's thing. It's well documented that a VP2 years back survived and recorded a 199 mph wind.