Windpoint gauge is not working???

[SanDiegoChip]

Anyone know how this Windpoint gauge works?

It must be a computer and get its info from atop the mast?

Our Windpoint gauge is not working.
The needle never moves. The light works

This has not worked in the year and a half we have owned our 1978 sail boat.
We are just getting around to finding out why.

We would like to trouble shoot it but beside from tracking the electrical cables\wires a I am not sure what to look for.


Thanks
Chip

[sailingfool]

I'd say there is no computer in this puppy, all analog.

Two things:
1. is there a little windvane on a strut at the top of the mast?
2. if there is, are all the colored wires (six I think) coming out of the mast making a proper connection to the same color wires connected to the back of the instrument.

Next these guys may be able to repair it DMI Marine, Inc. but it'd probably be smarter to just get a new unit.

[SanDiegoChip]

We are going to add new instruments in one year.
Radar, chart plotter\GPS, depth and AP.
We have a hand held chart plotter\GPS now for getting back in the fog.
We usually just sail without instruments.
We do have wind speed but am not sure how accurate it is.
We just got the boat speed working (I think) it was clogged.
I guess I am being thrifty if that is the correct word and would just like to use what we have and add a chart plotter, radar display at the helm.
I will check the wiring and the mast for the connections. There are some coaxial cables going into the mast.
There is a wind vane on a strut at the top of the mast but I am not sure if it is just that or is for the instrument.
Thanks
Chip

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoChip

...
There is a wind vane on a strut at the top of the mast but I am not sure if it is just that or is for the instrument.
Thanks
Chip

Look at the vane with binoculars to see if it has a cable coming to it...

[hellosailor]

No computer, that's analog. There will be something like a small generator/motor assembly up on the masthead and a cable coming down. If the cable has broken or decayed, it can be repaired or replaced. If the sending unit has failed (after 35 years?!) it is time to scrap and replace, unless you think you can find a spare from somewere.

I'd just call it "all used up" and start writing that letter to Santa.

[SanDiegoChip]

We looked atop the mast this weekend and saw what looks like a wind vane. It is not moving. So I guess that’s that.
We recently looked at our main halyard and the splice to the shackle is worn to the point of breaking. It has survived a sail from Ventura Cal to San Diego and lots of local sails. It is however not something I would bet anyone’s life on.
The rigger we hired when we surveyed the boat went up on it though.
So until we put a new main halyard on we will not be going up the mast for a peek.

[sailingfool]

Originally Posted by SanDiegoChip

We looked atop the mast this weekend and saw what looks like a wind vane. It is not moving. So I guess that’s that.
We recently looked at our main halyard and the splice to the shackle is worn to the point of breaking. It has survived a sail from Ventura Cal to San Diego and lots of local sails. It is however not something I would bet anyone’s life on.
The rigger we hired when we surveyed the boat went up on it though.
So until we put a new main halyard on we will not be going up the mast for a peek.

If the line is otherwise in good condition, you might just cut the current splice off and splice a new one,,,or even just tie a bowline.

[JimsCAL]

The unit extending aft from the top of the mast is the wind sensor. The piece with the three cups is the wind speed and there should be (can't see from your photo) a vane on top of that for the wind direction. Without a manual and wiring diagram, its going to be very difficult to troubleshoot. Could be the wind direction vane is missing, bad direction sensor, problems in the cable from top of mast to display, bad display, etc.