Maretron WSO 100 : does this wind sensor pass the test of time ?

[Safc]

Hi everyone,

I am looking for recent Maretron WSO 100 ultrasonic wind sensor experiences.
My garmin GWS-10 sensor died on me (again), and I want a sensor without moving parts this time. My mast cable is a NMEA 2000 backbone which I prefer to re-use.

I don't want to spend more than 700 usd on a wind sensor, so airmar is no option. Does anybody have any solid reasons why NOT to buy this sensor ?

Thanks a lot !

Safc

[Dockhead]

If they have not resolved the water intrusion issue, then not recommended.

I have been using these for about six years. They work great until they die from water intrusion. Maretron are pretty good about repairing out of warranty, but that's not much comfort when you are far from civilization and need your wind data.

[RobTryon]

I've just installed one two months ago. Plug and play w/ our Garmin GMI-10 displays. We had the same problem replaced two masthead sensors, so far great!

[Safc]

Originally Posted by Dockhead

If they have not resolved the water intrusion issue, then not recommended.

I have been using these for about six years. They work great until they die from water intrusion. Maretron are pretty good about repairing out of warranty, but that's not much comfort when you are far from civilization and need your wind data.

Any idea whether they improved this issue ? I contacted the French dealer, but he never heard of this problem... "Unless people try to clean it with a karcher / high pressure cleaner"....

I was thinking of treating the sensor with PLASTIK 70 before moiunting it... think the sensors would still work then ?

Also, what are you using instead now ?

Brgds,
Safc

[Safc]

Originally Posted by RobTryon

I've just installed one two months ago. Plug and play w/ our Garmin GMI-10 displays. We had the same problem replaced two masthead sensors, so far great!

Hi Rob,

Great to hear ! I also have the GMI-10. Did you need to calibrate / offset the sensor and was this possible via the GMI-10 ?

How did you mount it on the mast ?

[Dockhead]

Originally Posted by Safc

Any idea whether they improved this issue ? I contacted the French dealer, but he never heard of this problem... "Unless people try to clean it with a karcher / high pressure cleaner"....

I was thinking of treating the sensor with PLASTIK 70 before moiunting it... think the sensors would still work then ?

Also, what are you using instead now ?

Brgds,
Safc

I don't know whether it's been solved or not.

It was a very common and well known issue, and Maretron (to their credit) were dealing with it pretty well, replacing them even out of warranty.

I am still using one, a replacement. Two years and still working.

And when they work, they do work very well, so worth finding out whether they have solved it or not.

[Seman]

I installed mine in 2014, no problems.

[RobTryon]

Originally Posted by Safc

Hi Rob,

Great to hear ! I also have the GMI-10. Did you need to calibrate / offset the sensor and was this possible via the GMI-10 ?

How did you mount it on the mast ?

Very simple plug and play. There is an offset in the display but we got the unit mounted very true so no cal needed.

I used a short length of 1" SS tube w/ a threaded end and the mount that comes with the sensor screwed right on.

[CHRIS V CLEMENT]

You may want to try the Garmin gWind Wireless wind sensor. Mine has been working perfectly for over 5 years, and it talks to all of my other Garmin instruments, including the auto pilot....

[smac999]

I have replaced a few of them. one was full of water. that was a few years ago. have not seen one for a while. so maybe a good sign.

[Opie91]

Installed one in 2015 while the mast was down. Within an hour of installing it on the mast, the top fell off like it wasn't even glued on.

At first Maretron suggested I had something to do with it, but did fix it under warranty. Was a bit aggravated that they made me pay the shipping it to them.


Has worked ever since though. Fingers crossed.....

[a64pilot]

Mine has been up since about this time last year.
It really took a lot of wind and water during Irma but has survived so far.
I assume the weak link water intrusion wise may be the humidity sensor, but that is a guess.
Of course if the top isn’t well sealed well then that of course would do it.

[notz]

I had the WSO100 on my previous sailboat and it did not weather well. I had it at the masthead for a little less than 2 years and it needed to come down at that point because of water intrusion. The plastic housing also looked like it had aged 10 years, and I'm in the Seattle / Puget Sound region, not Florida.

I just replaced my old Raymarine wind instrument with a LCJ Capteurs C7 and have been very happy so far, but time will tell. They seem to have a great reputation.

[Safc]

I just bought a WSO100, we'll see how long it holds... I am planning to add a few extra protective layers though b.m.o. PLASTIK 70 spray. As long as I cover the sensors before spraying it, I guess it can't hurt.

Trying to find measurements of this particular installation now: https://www.flickr.com/photos/deeppl...7622982027254/
I know it's a 1" SS pipe, but no idea how long / high it should be. . .


Brgds,
Safc

[tanglewood]

I have had two WSO100s fail on me in 4 years. I know a few other people first hand who have also had multiple failures. In fact, every single person I know directly who has tried a WSO has had at least one fail, and one person has had three fail. And these are current, as in the past 12 months, so no excuses about "old designs", and "problems that have been fixed". I'm generally a Maretron fan, but in my experience the WSO is a total lemon.



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