Author Topic: Ugh, the anemometer in my Vantage Pro2 keeps dying in big storms (Read 1186 times)

wrybread · « **on:** January 04, 2023, 08:05:53 PM »

Well shoot, as the "bomb cyclone" rolls through northern California, the anemometer on my Davis Vantage Pro2 crapped out yet again, just as it was getting interesting:

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It happened during the last storm too:

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This is with two different anemometers (both same model, from Davis), one just a few weeks old, the other is older but with brand new bearings.

And this happens about every time we get a big storm. In every case it still actively reports wind direction, so I don't think it's a cabling issue. And it comes back to life when the storm passes.

I don't imagine anyone has any ideas?

shimon · « **Reply #1 on:** January 06, 2023, 01:40:57 PM »

I don't have an answer for you but the anemometer is rated as "wind-tunnel tested to 200 mph/322 kph". Have you contacted Davis tech support? I have found them to be helpful and knowledgeable. I would call as you get a quicker response but e-mail works too.

https://www.davisinstruments.com/pages/contact-us

wrybread · « **Reply #2 on:** January 06, 2023, 02:05:40 PM »

I haven't yet, but it's a good idea.

And as per usual, the anemometer came back to life yesterday, around 12 hours after the storm.

Mattk · « **Reply #3 on:** January 06, 2023, 04:00:29 PM »

So is a storm that is local, are you right in the thick of it, does it come with the works, lots of rain, lightening, wind etc or are you on the storm edge or just off, bit of wind, can see lightening, no rain etc?

wrybread · « **Reply #4 on:** January 06, 2023, 04:48:34 PM »

Yes rain, no lightening.

I don't think the rain etc is affecting communication though, it still actively reports winds direction.

Mattk · « **Reply #5 on:** January 06, 2023, 05:04:16 PM »

Quote from: wrybread on January 06, 2023, 04:48:34 PM

Yes rain, no lightening.

I don't think the rain etc is affecting communication though, it still actively reports winds direction.

If this only occurs when it is raining then comes back after (things have dried out?) it tends to indicate a water/moisture issue? And yes wind direction could still be active with no wind speed as they are different circuits. If it is a simple moisture issue then it could be in the anemometer head or the ISS connector? Is this a new (cartridge) type anemometer or the old version? If replaceable cartridge then it can be removed and checked. Have you checked the ISS connector for moisture or cleaned it, added a smear of Vaseline etc

wrybread · « **Reply #6 on:** January 06, 2023, 05:48:17 PM »

It's a good idea, but the junction box where the anemometer plugs in remains bone dry, even after a big storm. It doesn't go out after every big rain, only when there's wind, which could point to water ingress somewhere, but it's not the junction box. And I can't think of anywhere else where water could get in. Hmm.

I put dielectric grease in the connectors awhile ago but it doesn't seem to have helped.

CW2274 · « **Reply #7 on:** January 06, 2023, 06:00:24 PM »

Quote from: wrybread on January 06, 2023, 05:48:17 PM

The only time it goes out is if there are very very strong winds, I'd say over 30 knots.

Is this observed in only one fashion? In other words, does the console reflect this as well, or other ways of seeing the data?

ocala · « **Reply #8 on:** January 06, 2023, 06:06:30 PM »

You said you don't think it's a cabling issue.
Have you inspected the cable itself. I mean unwind it completely and check for any damage.
I am assuming you are referring to the cable that runs from the anny to the ISS.

wrybread · « **Reply #9 on:** January 06, 2023, 11:47:09 PM »

Yup, cable looks fine. And it's happened with two different anemometers (each with the cable integrated, so two different cables).

And when the wind speed goes out the console shows 0mph wind.

Mattk · « **Reply #10 on:** January 06, 2023, 11:53:54 PM »

Then that tends to maybe indicate something within the ISS, ISS itself, and if only the wind drops (if ext temp/humidity, rain etc is all good) then wind Modular plug/Wind jack?

CW2274 · « **Reply #11 on:** January 07, 2023, 12:33:06 AM »

If it were the jack, it would affect both, I would think. At this point, I'm leaning to a bad PCBA.

wrybread · « **Reply #12 on:** January 07, 2023, 02:50:17 AM »

> If it were the jack, it would affect both, I would think.

Me too.

What's the PCBA?

wrybread · « **Reply #13 on:** January 07, 2023, 03:10:05 AM »

Aha I see that the PCBA is the transmitter. What's odd though is that it's still transmitting wind direction when it's done transmitting wind speed. And again when I open it up after it dies it's still bone dry inside. I agree though, the fact that this happens through two anemometers does point to the PCBA, assuming it's not a problem with the anemometers themselves.

But it seems odd that the only thing that would go out is the wind speed, and only when it's high.

CW2274 · « **Reply #14 on:** January 07, 2023, 03:20:55 AM »

The PCBA is not just the transmitter, it's the electronic "guts" of the ISS. I think it may be a quirk...

wrybread · « **Reply #15 on:** January 07, 2023, 03:29:20 AM »

> I think it may be a quirk...

If so I'd think this same quirk would affect other ISS's as well?

davidmc36 · « **Reply #16 on:** January 07, 2023, 05:06:12 AM »

The ISS puts power into the anny and when the speed reed switch closes it flows back to the ISS.

Is some component on the PCB overheating/breaking down when current flows almost continually during high, sustained wind speeds?

Does it show the high wind for a while before it goes blank?

Regardless of whether the other functions on that connector work fine, is there a solder fault of the wind connection pin where receptacle connects to board?

cruff · « **Reply #17 on:** January 07, 2023, 11:16:23 AM »

My Pro2 doesn't have any problems registering gusts over 55 MPH, the highest I've had was 76 MPH about a year ago.

Aardvark · « **Reply #18 on:** January 07, 2023, 11:49:50 AM »

Check the yellow wire for breaks.

shimon · « **Reply #19 on:** January 14, 2023, 01:05:35 PM »

Quote from: wrybread on January 04, 2023, 08:05:53 PM

the anemometer on my Davis Vantage Pro2 crapped out yet again, just as it was getting interesting:

Did you ever resolve this issue?

wrybread · « **Reply #20 on:** January 14, 2023, 01:20:03 PM »

I didn't, it's still happening at the peak of most storms. And in last night's storm it threw a new curveall at me, the wind speed worked but the direction got pinned at north...

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I've got a rebuilt anemometer (new bearings), I'm going to install it when we get a break in the storms.

shimon · « **Reply #21 on:** January 14, 2023, 01:29:35 PM »

Quote from: wrybread on January 14, 2023, 01:20:03 PM

I didn't, it's still happening at the peak of most storms.

Have you tried any of the suggested troubleshooting steps recommended by other users above? Results? Have you contacted Davis for their take?

wrybread · « **Reply #22 on:** January 14, 2023, 01:39:54 PM »

I instpected the cable (looks fine) and opened the main housing to check for water ingress, no issues there. I haven't contacted Davis support yet.

Aardvark · « **Reply #23 on:** January 14, 2023, 02:31:28 PM »

Well it seems not to be in the cable or unit as you implied you have a different unit. It could be with your ISS board ,

davidmc36 · « **Reply #24 on:** January 14, 2023, 04:01:26 PM »

Quote from: wrybread on January 14, 2023, 01:39:54 PM

I instpected the cable (looks fine) and opened the main housing to check for water ingress, no issues there. I haven't contacted Davis support yet.

Inspected? Looked?

Did you pull the connector to look for corrosion? Wiggle the receptacle to detect bad connection?

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Author Topic: Ugh, the anemometer in my Vantage Pro2 keeps dying in big storms (Read 1186 times)