420: Wind Speed not registering on ST70

[peterwilliam]

The wind speed stopped working on all My ST70 instruments. Any suggestions on where to start looking and most likely problem

[van demon]

Originally Posted by peterwilliam

The wind speed stopped working on all My ST70 instruments. Any suggestions on where to start looking and most likely problem

have you checked that the wind cups are still in place?
ours flew off in a high wind and had to be replaced

[peterwilliam]

Hi van demon, I can see the anemometer spinning freely. All looks well from the deck. Must have been a shock to see them missing.

[van demon]

Originally Posted by peterwilliam

Hi van demon, I can see the anemometer spinning freely. All looks well from the deck. Must have been a shock to see them missing.

found this on raymarine site, hope its of help

Masthead Test:
Using a digital volt meter you should see the following readings:
Red to Screen: 8V
Blue to Screen: Variable 2 to 6V
Green to Screen: Variable 2 to 6V
Yellow to Screen: Variable 0 to 5V
If any one of the readings are out of spec. then the masthead is at fault.

[2Wind]

I have just replaced the cable from the wind instrument to the head to solve this problem on my boat. The solution is via incremental exclusion as I'm unconvinced by the utility of the voltage parameters in genuinely sorting out cable versus masthead faults.
As it is easiest to check the connections at the mast step junction box and to the back of the head, I'd do that first. Then, suggest you connect a second anemometer and cable to the head and see if it works. If obtaining one is problematic, I'd suggest you simply purchase the cable at about $55-75, make a trip to the mast head, unplug your anemometer, bring it down and plug it in using the faultless new cable connected directly to the head. Thus, for less than 30 minutes of technician labour costs, you'll know if its the cable (in which case you've wasted nothing becuase us need it), or otherwise. My bet is it will be in the cable or in the connections. Differentiating between the anemometer and the head will likley require a tech who has a spare to substitute.

Good luck.

[DotDun]

Originally Posted by 2Wind

I have just replaced the cable from the wind instrument to the head to solve this problem on my boat. The solution is via incremental exclusion as I'm unconvinced by the utility of the voltage parameters in genuinely sorting out cable versus masthead faults.
As it is easiest to check the connections at the mast step junction box and to the back of the head, I'd do that first. Then, suggest you connect a second anemometer and cable to the head and see if it works. If obtaining one is problematic, I'd suggest you simply purchase the cable at about $55-75, make a trip to the mast head, unplug your anemometer, bring it down and plug it in using the faultless new cable connected directly to the head. Thus, for less than 30 minutes of technician labour costs, you'll know if its the cable (in which case you've wasted nothing becuase us need it), or otherwise. My bet is it will be in the cable or in the connections. Differentiating between the anemometer and the head will likley require a tech who has a spare to substitute.

Good luck.

Note: The ST70 doesn't connect directly to the anemometer, there is either a transducer pod or ITC-5 in between them. (or daisy-chained off older ST60/50 displays)

[peterwilliam]

Thanks for the help so far, I am amazed at the quality, helpfulness and speed of advice from the lagoon community. Hopefully I'll be able to contribute myself soon. I'll do some work on it and report back later.

[peterwilliam]

I climbed the mast and removed the transducer (wind vane & anemometer), cleaned the contacts with a proprietary contact cleaner and reconnected with a silicon lubricant with di-electric properties for contact and sealing and wind speed is now operational.