Novalynx 200-WS-04 User manual

DOC 200-WS-04 UM 20210413
200-WS-04
User Manual
WeatherPort
Wind Direction Sensor
200-WS-04
Phone [phone]
Email no[email protected] Website www.novalynx.com

NovaLynx Corporation________________________________________________________________________________
200-WS-04 Page 2 April 2021
Receiving and Unpacking
Carefully unpack all components and compare to the packing list. Notify NovaLynx Corporation
immediately concerning any discrepancy. Inspect equipment to detect any damage that may have
occurred during shipment. In the event of damage, any claim for loss must be filed immediately with
the carrier by the consignee. Damages to equipment sent via Parcel Post or UPS require the consignee
to contact NovaLynx Corporation for instructions.
Returns
If equipment is to be returned to the factory for any reason, call NovaLynx between 8:00 a.m. and 4:00
p.m. Pacific Time to request a Return Authorization Number (RA#). Include with the returned
equipment a description of the problem and the name, address, and daytime phone number of the
sender. Carefully pack the equipment to prevent damage or additional damage during the return
shipment. Call NovaLynx for packing instructions in the case of delicate or sensitive items. If packing
facilities are not available take the equipment to the nearest Post Office, UPS, or other freight service
and obtain assistance with the packaging. Please write the RA# on the outside of the box.
Warranty
NovaLynx Corporation warrants that its products are free from defects in material and workmanship
under normal use and service for a period of one year from the date of shipment from the factory.
NovaLynx Corporation's obligations under this warranty are limited to, at NovaLynx's option: (i)
replacing; or (ii) repairing; any product determined to be defective. In no case shall NovaLynx
Corporation's liability exceed product's original purchase price. This warranty does not apply to any
equipment that has been repaired or altered, except by NovaLynx Corporation, or that has been
subjected to misuse, negligence, or accident. It is expressly agreed that this warranty will be in lieu of
all warranties of fitness and in lieu of the warranty of merchantability.
Address
NovaLynx Corporation
431 Crown Point Circle, Suite 120
Grass Valley, CA 95945-9531 USA
Phone: [phone]
Email: [e-mail]
Website: www.novalynx.com
Copyright © 1988-2021 by NovaLynx Corporation

NovaLynx Corporation________________________________________________________________________________
200-WS-04 Page 3 April 2021
CONTENTS
1 FORWARD ....................................................................................................................................................................... 4
2 INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 4
3 PRECAUTIONS ................................................................................................................................................................. 4
4 SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................................................................................. 5
5 SITE SELECTION ............................................................................................................................................................... 5
6 MOUNTING OPTIONS ...................................................................................................................................................... 6
7 TAIL ASSEMBLY ................................................................................................................................................................ 7
8 INSTALLATION ................................................................................................................................................................. 7
9 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................................................................................................ 8
10 FUNCTIONAL TESTS ..................................................................................................................................................... 9
APPENDIX A Tripod Dimensions ............................................................................................................................................ 10

NovaLynx Corporation________________________________________________________________________________
200-WS-04 Page 4 April 2021
1 FORWARD
Thank you for purchasing NovaLynx products. NovaLynx has been designing and manufacturing
weather instruments since 1988. NovaLynx represents several well-known brands of quality
manufacturers, including Gill Instruments, RM Young, Kipp & Zonen, and Vaisala. It is our hope that our
products will meet all your monitoring requirements.
2 INTRODUCTION
WeatherPort 200-WS-04 Wind Direction Sensors are moderately priced and designed for general
applications up to 125 mph (56 m/s). The sensors are easy to install and maintain. They are
constructed of injection molded thermoplastic, anodized aluminum, and stainless steel for reliable
operation in adverse environments.
The base of the sensor is designed to mount on a vertical 1.07" (27 mm) diameter mast. If the sensor
cannot be mounted at the top of the mast, an optional side-mount boom (NovaLynx 200-153) is
available. Each sensor includes 40-feet (12 m) of cable.
The 200-WS-04 is a vane-style direction sensor. Air movement (wind) impinging on the tail fin causes
the vane to align with the wind direction. Fluctuations in the wind direction are measured by the
sensor as the aerodynamics of the counterweight and the tail try to keep aligned to the path of the
wind.
The wind vane is coupled to a 20K ohm single turn potentiometer. When connected to a well-regulated
voltage source the output voltage of the sensor is proportional to the wind direction and can be read
by a single-ended analog input channel.
The potentiometer has a “dead band” of approximately 5 degrees between the ends of the resistive
media in the potentiometer. This gap is aligned to the north indicator on the body of the sensor.
3 PRECAUTIONS
Handle the sensor carefully to avoid undue stress on the potentiometer. The shield wire in the sensor
cable is electrically connected to the shaft holding the vane assembly. The purpose is to bleed off static
that would otherwise affect the sensor output. Therefore it is important to earth ground the shield
wire for best results.
Installations where nearby lightning strikes are likely should include a properly grounded lightning rod
above the level of the sensor, preferably on a separate tower.

NovaLynx Corporation________________________________________________________________________________
200-WS-04 Page 5 April 2021
4 SPECIFICATIONS
5 SITE SELECTION
WARNING: Avoid overhead power lines whenever possible. If there are overhead power lines, use
extreme care to prevent contact with the power lines while installing the equipment.
Choose a mounting location for the wind sensor that is free of obstructions since nearby objects can
create eddy currents that will affect the wind measurements. Try to locate the wind sensor so that the
nearest object is 10 x T away from the wind sensor mast, where T is the height of the object.
Roof mounted sensors should be placed on the upwind side of the building and away from all exhaust
vents. If the sensor is located on top of a building the sensor height should be 1.5 x H, where H is the
height of the building.
In all cases when the wind sensor data is to be correlated to National Weather Service data or World
Meteorological Organization data, the standard exposure is 33 feet (10 meters) above the ground.
Birds of all sizes find the shaft of the wind vane a desirable place to land. The weight of a large bird can
easily damage the potentiometer by breaking it loose from the body of the sensor. The best way to
reduce this hazard is to provide an alternate landing site nearby that would be more attractive to the
weary bird.
Measurement Range 0-360 degree azimuth
Potentiometer Gap 5 degree (approximate)
Accuracy ±3 degrees
Vane Threshold 1.2 mph (0.5364 m/s)
Distance Constant 1.5 feet (45.72 cm)
Time Constant 2 seconds
Damping Ratio 0.4
Transducer Type 20k ohm, 20% tolerance, 1% linearity, bushing type bearing
Maximum Rating 1/4 watt
Turning Radius 10.5 inch (26.67 cm)
Cable 40 feet (12 m), 3 conductor, 24 AWG, shielded, tinned leads
Mounting 1.07 inch diameter by 0.82 inch socket (27 mm dia x 21 mm)
(fits standard 3/4" IPS pipe)
Assembled Dimensions 11.4" H x 15.2" W x 1.6" D (29 x 39 x 4 cm)
Weight / Shipping 1.65 lbs (0.75 kg) / 2 lbs (0.9 kg)
200-WS-04 Wind Vane Specification