Model 05103 Wind Monitor Originally developed for ocean data buoy use The Wind Monitor is well suited for a wide variety of wind measuring applications. Simplicity and lightweight corrosion resistant construction were principal design considerations. Slip rings and brushes have been eliminated resulting in improved reliability with lower cost.

The wind speed sensor is a helicoid shape propeller molded of polypropylene plastic. The propeller is four blade, 18 cm diameter x 30 cm pitch with a distance constant of 3.3 meters (10.5 feet). Threshold of the propeller is 0.4 m/s (0.9 mph). Rotation of the propeller produces an a.c. sine wave voltage signal with frequency directly proportional to wind speed. The a.c. voltage signal is induced in a centrally mounted coil by a six pole magnet mounted on the propeller shaft. The coil is located on the non-rotating central portion of the main mounting assembly, eliminating the need for slip rings and brushes.

The vane assembly has a threshold below 0.8 m/s (1.8 mph) with a damping ratio of 0.23. Vane position is transmitted through a coupling to a precision conductive plastic potentiometer which is located in a sealed chamber in the center of the main housing just below the wind speed transducer coil. The potentiometer requires a regulated excitation voltage. With a constant voltage applied to the potentiometer element the output signal is an analog voltage directly proportions to azimuth angle.

All transducer leads terminate in a junction box on the mounting post for convenience in making sensor cable connections. Four conductors are required. The tail assembly is thermoformed of rigid U.V. stabilized plastic. The main housing, nose cone assembly, and other internal parts are injection molded. Propeller shaft bearings and the vertical shaft bearings are stainless steel precision grade ball bearings. The instrument mounts on standard 1 inch iron pipe - outside diameter 34 mm (1.34").

Product Specification Sheet:  Model 05103 Wind Monitor

National Data Buoy Center (NDBC)