I’m thinking of ‘upgrading’ to the ultrasonic anemometer as my mechanical one needs replacing yet again. It’s on a beach and doesn’t tend to last more than a couple of years before breaking. It’s been replaced quite a few times now. Does anyone have any experience of the ultrasonic anemometer? Is it more reliable? Is it accurate? Also, the specs state that it’s range is 0-78 knots. What happens above 78 knots?
Thanks,
Al.
do you mean for Davis stations or for say Ecowitt stations?
Sorry, should have mentioned that. Davis VP2.
i am guessing that over 78 kts the accuracy decreases?
The Davis 6415 anemometer is made by LCJ Capteurs in France. You might get the answer by asking them direct. See eg:
AIUI each 6415 is individually calibrated/checked in a wind tunnel at LCJ and it may be that the top specification speed is the maximum speed that the tunnel can run at and for which the anemometer is checked. But that’s just a guess and there may be some other limitation of the sensors or circuitry. TBH 78kn/90mph is as high a wind speed as most private sites are ever likely to experience unless you live in a hurricane belt or have an unusually good 10m exposure for your anemometer.
Thanks, I’ll get in touch with them, but for now I’ll replace it yet again with the standard anemometer until I know more about the ultrasonic ones. I do of course realise that 78 knots is pretty windy but we usually hit at least that once or twice a year here. The highest wind speed I’ve recorded so far has been 89.9 knots so it would be a shame not to record a higher speed should the next storm bring such winds.
Al.
I queried Davis about the internal battery. I was concerned that it might not be replaceable as there are no instructions for doing so in the downloadable user manual. Davis support responded that it is a replaceable LiFePO4 battery with a part number of DZP_BATT however it is not currently listed on the Davis parts web site.
Steve
Hi.
i have used heated darrera Ultrasonic Anemometer for Vantage Pro2â„¢ since 2017, located by the windy coast of norway.
i have stopped using it during winter time, not able to messure wind under heavy snow storm or windy, sluggis snow/rain.
Also during rest of year under hevy rain together with high wind its not able to messure.
normaly noted in graps as flattlined and spikes in wind to 50 m/s.
there is no fix for this issue, but belive the vaisala station is better at this since the sensors are on top fully open.
https://www.darrera.com/wp/en/product/3r-uav01-ultrasonic-anemometer-vantage-pro2/
Recomendation:
better to use the god old spinning anemometer.