Airmar PB200 WeatherStation

[Extemporaneous]

Very nice!!
Thanks guys for the Ideas.

Best Regards,
Extemp.

Originally Posted by Patrick_DeepPlaya

Here's a writeup and pic of my Maretron WSO100 mount, but you could use the same parts to mount an Airmar PB200 Mounting the Maretron WSO100 Weather Station | S/V Deep Playa - Pearson 424

[North26West80]

In order for the Airmar sensor to work, don't you have to run a NMEA 2000 network cable to it? So doesn't that make your electronics network essentially a lightning rod?

[s/v Jedi]

Originally Posted by North26West80

In order for the Airmar sensor to work, don't you have to run a NMEA 2000 network cable to it? So doesn't that make your electronics network essentially a lightning rod?

I think the mast itself will do that job for you already Most modern wind instruments on the masthead have an electrical cable...

cheers,
Nick.

[Patrick_DeepPlaya]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I think the mast itself will do that job for you already Most modern wind instruments on the masthead have an electrical cable...

cheers,
Nick.

Yeah, what he said. ;-)

[North26West80]

Originally Posted by s/v Jedi

I think the mast itself will do that job for you already Most modern wind instruments on the masthead have an electrical cable...

cheers,
Nick.

True, and wind instruments are often just a smoking stub after a lightning strike. But traditionally, wind instruments were just one instrument so the damage is limited. Now we're talking about running a 5 volt signal level N2K network cable that also gets connected to many other electronic devices. Even if the strike goes down the mast to an external ground plate (you have one of these?), the magnetic field will induce very high voltages in every wire in the vicinity as far out as the standing rigging.

[s/v Jedi]

It is the induction you mention that can even kill a hand GPS which isn't connected to anything. It doesn't really matter if something has a wire up the mast or not.

Also, all nav equipment have DC as a common connection. Lightning doesn't really care if a breaker is open or closed as it can easily jump a gap. Once lightning strikes, anything that survives is a bonus.

cheers,
Nick.

[AnsleyS]

That is why I disconnect the electronics and put them in the oven during a lightening storm.