Anemometer

[Joel Corrigan]

Anyone got any recommendations for a robust & sensibly-priced device?  Don't want to reinvent the wheel unnecessarily....

 

[Bob Smith]

Are you looking for a handheld or permanent one?

 

[alastairgott]

Going to need to do a bit more searching due to price ?250... But first find: http://www.force4.co.uk/department/electronics/instruments/wind/nasa-meteoman-masthead-unit.html#.VbFIVHCkqrU

 

[alastairgott]

Maplin ?40
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/wireless-weather-station-n25fr

 

[alastairgott]

Or i guess you could take a punt on some of the handheld orange ones for under a tenner when you look on google for 'wind speed indicator' though they could be quite plastic...

Or there's one of these: https://www.atbshop.co.uk/kitesurfing-accessories/weatherflow-ios-and-android-wind-meter?gclid=CPyFxIuJ8sYCFXQatAodccsCnw
If you've got one of those smartypants things. It does look good at ?30

 

[Bob Smith]

The maplin ones cannot be described as robust or reliable. I do have a Davis vantage pro anemometer that could be of use for a semi permanent setup. It's sat in my shed awaiting a suitable project.

 

[Joel Corrigan]

Thanks for the replies, gents.  I should have been a bit more specific: it's for the Dachstein which is why we ideally need to find something that can take a bit of a kicking & has been tried & tested.  One of our projects involves trying to connect two caves & as the Poles failed we need a bit of an advantage.  Fairly remote location so looking for something very portable.... 

I Googled the Davis Pro, Bob: that seems far too fancy for a technophobe like me to attempt to use!!  Is it idiot proof & would it survive?  Not sure if we classify as a suitable project, though?! 

 

[Bob Smith]

The davis is meant for prevailing weather conditions, so far too fancy, I'm guessing that you're looking for something very sensitive for draught tracing? If so a hot wire anemometer is the beast for you. I believe one of these has been used by the BEC, but I have no idea how successfully

 

[Joel Corrigan]

A hot wire?  If i googled that i dread to think what would appear!!  Yeah, draught tracing in a huge chamber....

 

[Bob Smith]

Here's one

http://www.coleparmer.co.uk/Product/Digi_Sense_Hot_Wire_Thermoanemometer_with_NIST_Traceable_Calibration/UY-20250-16?referred_id=3482&gclid=CjwKEAjwocKtBRCf9d_Q5ovcyHASJAAHhJYOeIDqbYdQktSULWplgF8Qme63A520DrsDbMcZby1KIxoCog3w_wcB

very sensitive.

there's always the low tech joss stick method. Jrat also favoured the Benson and Hedges draught tracing method.

 

[Les W]

I believe UCET have a hot wire anemometer but not sure what make, nor how much.
I reckon somebody from the club will be along soon enough with some info though.

 

[Joel Corrigan]

Holy shit, Bob: that's a bit over budget!!  I'm looking for a Mini Moke, not a Ferrari!! 

 

[Les W]

Joel, I believe they have a Testo 405-V1 although I don't know how well it performs.
There is one on Ebay at the moment for ?50 second hand
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/like/321803954179?limghlpsr=true&hlpv=2&ops=true&viphx=1&hlpht=true&lpid=108&chn=ps&device=c&rlsatarget=&adtype=pla&crdt=0&ff3=1&ff11=ICEP3.0.0-L&ff12=67&ff13=80&ff14=108&ff19=0

 

[Bob Smith]

That's the tobacco tax for you. Joss sticks it is then.

Seriously though, I suspect you'll need something fairly sensitive to determine airflow in a large chamber. The spinning vane sort probably won't cut the mustard.

 

[TheBitterEnd]

I'm guessing you want something fairly quickly but if not have a look at CREG Journal 88 or this thread

http://ukcaving.com/board/index.php?topic=16123.50

 

[caver.adam@outlook.com]

I hear stories from cavers in the 60's and 70's using cigars to detect wind direction and rough speed.