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Weather Station Hardware => Davis Instruments Weather Stations => Topic started by: CW2274 on March 22, 2019, 09:30:32 PM
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I've noticed for some time now that the vane doesn't seem to rotate as freely as it should, so I pulled it down after ~4 years of not being touched. Holy crap, the thing was stiff as a board. I see now why it took 6-7 mph to move it, cause it did. Took out the CRC QD cleaner and gave it a good bath, problem solved! The vane literally now moves before the cups will even spin (they got the bath too, but really didn't seem to need it). If your anny hasn't been serviced in a while, perhaps it's due, mine sure was.
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Interesting. I have used the CRC QD for cleaning contacts for years with great success.
I have heard not to use oil, WD40, etc. because it captures dust. The thing that I like about the QD is that it leaves no residue.
Great tip. [tup] I'll keep this in mind for the future.
Greg H.
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Yes, thank you for sharing. I never knew about this either. I see two kinds at Home Depot. I wonder what the difference is? Red can and a blue can.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-11-oz-QD-Electronic-Cleaner-05103/205021975
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-QD-11-oz-Contact-Cleaner-02130-6/202262505
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Yes, thank you for sharing. I never knew about this either. I see two kinds at Home Depot. I wonder what the difference is? Red can and a blue can.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-11-oz-QD-Electronic-Cleaner-05103/205021975
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-QD-11-oz-Contact-Cleaner-02130-6/202262505
I have the blue can, but it almost seems that it is just "NEW PACKAGING!!!"..... :shock:
I only see the red can on www.crcindustries.com.
Greg H.
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I also found this... WD-40 leaves residue, but not this version:
https://www.amazon.com/WD-40-Specialist-Electrical-Contact-Cleaner/dp/B00AF0OFVU/
Looks like a copy of CRC QD
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I have had good luck with the CRC QD for many years. I wasn't aware of the WD40 contact cleaner until your post.
Some of the Hams in our local club swear by DeOxit, but that leaves an oily residue that I don't like in certain circumstances. I suppose that it might inhibit future oxidation.
The best solution for electrical contacts for me has been to clean them with the CRC QD, then put dielectric grease on the terminals. (I know that this doesn't apply to the anny)
Greg H.
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Yes, thank you for sharing. I never knew about this either. I see two kinds at Home Depot. I wonder what the difference is? Red can and a blue can.
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-11-oz-QD-Electronic-Cleaner-05103/205021975
https://www.homedepot.com/p/CRC-QD-11-oz-Contact-Cleaner-02130-6/202262505
The red can for me. I've used this stuff for years on anything and everything I can think of (car MAF, all stereo stuff, TV, ect. and yes, EVERY SHT sensor I've had), and never disappoints. I know what Sensirion (and everyone else here) says about using chems, but my 2.5 year old SHT31 still works just fine, along with every other sensor I've used. The blue can doesn't say "sensitive electronic equipment", may be fine...never used it. The WD40 I guess would be fine too, but I'll stick with the CRC red, it always does the job and have never had a problem getting it at Ace.
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An update on the new cart: Even after a thorough cleaning I deemed the old cups were hanging up at very slow speeds and purchased a new speed cartridge to see if it would fix my perceived problem....well I was right, and it did. The old cart would never consistently acknowledge a mere 1 mph, but the new one certainly does. No more huge gaps of reporting CALM wind, this actually reports down to 1 mph consistently. There's probably an improvement overall, but without a side by side, I'm merely making a logical assumption.
So, if your cups haven't been serviced in a while and you've got a Jackson burning a hole in your pocket, I highly suggest a new speed cart to see how slow your wind blows.
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Another update: As I compare to my other sites, I think there's no doubt that this new cart is superior to the one it replaced, not just slow speed but faster stuff too. Granted, the other was "worn" but this new cart is undoubtedly better (certainly at least with the slow stuff.) Like I said in that other thread, well worth $20 to the door and just one screw to replace it.
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CRC contact cleaners...
Different colored cans = different formulations:
Red is petroleum/alcohol based, plastics safe and extremely flammable.
Green is non VOC, non chlorinated, non flammable and easy on plastics.
Blue is low ozone, non flammable but not plastics safe.
I use green.
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I've noticed for some time now that the vane doesn't seem to rotate as freely as it should, so I pulled it down after ~4 years of not being touched. Holy crap, the thing was stiff as a board. I see now why it took 6-7 mph to move it, cause it did. Took out the CRC QD cleaner and gave it a good bath, problem solved! The vane literally now moves before the cups will even spin (they got the bath too, but really didn't seem to need it). If your anny hasn't been serviced in a while, perhaps it's due, mine sure was.
Next time I bring my mast down, I want to clean the wind direction vain as well. Did you remove the vane or just spray underneath with it still attached?
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I've noticed for some time now that the vane doesn't seem to rotate as freely as it should, so I pulled it down after ~4 years of not being touched. Holy crap, the thing was stiff as a board. I see now why it took 6-7 mph to move it, cause it did. Took out the CRC QD cleaner and gave it a good bath, problem solved! The vane literally now moves before the cups will even spin (they got the bath too, but really didn't seem to need it). If your anny hasn't been serviced in a while, perhaps it's due, mine sure was.
Next time I bring my mast down, I want to clean the wind direction vain as well. Did you remove the vane or just spray underneath with it still attached?
Removed. All it takes is a tiny hex (Allen wrench) to remove the vane, so a no-brainer. Be sure to work the mechanism as you spray.