Davis RJ-15 wire insulated?

[xairbusdriver]

Since you are already using WeatherCat, perhaps you could use another "Kat" product to protect those zip ties from UV: <BeautyKat Sunscreen>

[Bull Winkus]

Thanks Blick! The feeling is mutual, too.

For some reason, I never want to give up the day. I don't know how many, but I'm sure there are too few left. Of course, after midnight I'm burning up the next day's allotted time, but for some reason at 2 AM that doesn't seem to matter much. 

Morning always brings new challenges. Make the coffee. Feed the cat. Check the stock market. Get breakfast and take the pills. Then I'll try and find something to fix or at least improve. Better to better things as I leave my wake on time's surface.

Hummm? must be philosophical Thursday morning? Lol

We are supposed to get some much needed rain for the next 3 days, then a pause and then more rain on Tuesday.

I plan on enjoying it.

 

[Bull Winkus]

Since you are already using WeatherCat, perhaps you could use another "Kat" product to protect those zip ties from UV: <BeautyKat Sunscreen>

Well now, I hadn't thought of that. Perhaps as part of an annual maintenance update? ? Rub, rub, ? rub, rub.

I believe in using cream. It makes coffee more nourishing, banana splits more attractive, and mashed potatoes perfectly delicious!

And I'm told, by Dr. John R. Lee, that this little cream will make old people grow strong bones, calm women down, old men shrink prostates, sleep better, and get their testosterone back to normal in a natural way so they can grow muscles again. (No joke. Look him up.) Seems to be working with the prostate, even though I've only been using it for 7 weeks. The bones thing takes more than 6 months. But, I AM more energetic, too. Stayed with that pick and shovel trench digging operation, that was more than 30 feet long, for 3 days. Took me 3 days to recover, too! Lol

 

[xairbusdriver]

30 feet long, for 3 days

...10 feet a day ...1 foot an hour (10 hour work day) ... Next time, rent a backhoe! 3 hours to go get it, 1 hour to unload it, 1 hour to figure out how to use it, 1 hour to dig the trench, 3 hours to take it back! And you'll still have 1 hour of extra sleep!

You do have a dump truck, right?

[Bull Winkus]

Oh, I'd do that just to play with the backhoe. I'd have so many holes in the backyard, you'd think it was a war zone! 

It was gravel most of the way (hard packed limestone gravel), and I had to dig up the old 4" thin wall and drop in some 4" schedule 40 PVC. The previous owner, for some reason, had buried one end of the pipe really good, but kept digging shallower as he got to the other end. About 10 feet of the run was showing above ground. It was blue, and it was ugly. Now, it don't show at all, but if it did it would be white ? and ugly.

 

[HantaYo]

Since you are already using WeatherCat, perhaps you could use another "Kat" product to protect those zip ties from UV: <BeautyKat Sunscreen>

Hmm, sunscreen.  Is it just applied once? 

Yep. When sun exposure is a factor, only Ty-Rap that will do is Ultraviolet Resistant Black Nylon.



A little expensive at $19.90, but light and roomy at 6x6x4. PVC Junction Box

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Herb

Ties are expensive in general, so weather resistant ones would be well worth it.  The junction box I could actually mount to the mast, nice and safe from the dogs 

Thanks for the ideas!  I'll have to think a long time on the sunscreen idea though.  Might be a good idea on New Year Eve 

[Blicj11]

Thanks for the ideas!  I'll have to think a long time on the sunscreen idea though.  Might be a good idea on New Year Eve 

A lot of stuff sounds better on New Years Eve! 

[HantaYo]

Hi everyone,

The wind speed on my VP Vantage Pro is not reporting.  Davis recommended removing/putting back the wind cups as well as checking the cabling.  Took down the mast and to my surprise found numerous instances of the plastic cable conduit being compromised.  In places you can see metal (not copper but silver color).  I am wondering if the Davis RJ-15 cable is shielded?  Likely a moot point; the cable needs replaced.

Thanks!

Picked up the 100 Scotchlok connectors, and did a quick splice (one reason it is nice to leave extra wire at both ends- in my case LOTS of wire on the mast and about 1' at the weather station)

AND

"Houston, Columbia is landing with all systems reporting"   

I have both wind speed and direction.

Ran out of daylight so put the spliced wires in a plastic bag.  Still not sure about what conduit to use near for the base.  The wire from the station goes through 1/2" buried PVC pipe.  The PVC pipe stops about 18" from the mast.   Bought an circular outdoor electrical box that I could wire to the mast (not sure wire from station is long enough for the box to be on the mast- it might have to go on the ground) as a secondary holder for the Davis coupler cylinder.   Looking around the yard I still have about 6' of 1/2" PVC pipe, lots of 1/2" flexible water irrigation pipe, and lots of 1/2" flexible irrigation soaker hose.  Looked at flexible metal electrical conduit at the hardware store but it leaves a jagged edge at the cut.

This will have the wait till next weekend     At least the anemometer is 100%

[Blicj11]

Nice to have the hardware back in functioning mode, isn't it? Nice work.

[elagache]

Dear Jeff, Blick, and WeatherCat caregivers,

Glad to hear you have repaired your anemometer and it wasn't either expensive or a real pain to do.  Davis stations are tough but the don't last forever, so we all need to keep an eye on our instruments.

Cheers, Edouard

[HantaYo]

Finished the wire conduit work:

Conduit box for wire splice:



Base of mast:



Pipe along mast:



Wood wedge between mast and steel pipe.  I am not sure this is a good idea.  It reinforces the mast to the steel pipe at about 6' high.  Any thoughts on this?  Just not sure on this.

[xairbusdriver]

Hard to tell from the images... is that 'regulation' bailing wire at the top of the short post? Depending on the capabilities of the local critters, it might be better to use some "U" bolts in that area, as you did at the bottom. I assume that short pipe is actually in the concrete holding the tall pole/mast upright.

Not sure what the weather will do to the "wood wedge". Rain might cause it to swell, even with "U" bolts, it may deteriorate from it's exposure even if it's "marine-grade" particle board.

Only possible additional step I would suggest is to fill the hole in the upper 90? PVC joint with some kind of silicon sealant to (1) prevent wasps/spiders/etc. from using the tube for 'home building' and (2) prevent the wind from moving that section of cable on the edge of the PVC.

Only other comment is about all those large rocks in your yard. I really think you may damage your mower if not very careful... maybe just paint them Da-Glo orange?

[HantaYo]

Hard to tell from the images... is that 'regulation' bailing wire at the top of the short post? Depending on the capabilities of the local critters, it might be better to use some "U" bolts in that area, as you did at the bottom. I assume that short pipe is actually in the concrete holding the tall pole/mast upright.

Not sure what the weather will do to the "wood wedge". Rain might cause it to swell, even with "U" bolts, it may deteriorate from it's exposure even if it's "marine-grade" particle board.

Good ole bailing wire.  Growing up on a ranch, it is kinda like duct tape to a lot of red necks    Just looking around the yard and garage scraps the exterior particle board fit nicely.  If I go with a wood wedge, I'll cut up some redwood.  But you make a good point about swelling wood.  The gap between pipes is about 14/16".  I was hoping 1" PVC would fit but it just slightly too large.  I have to be carefully that I do not un-plumb the mast.  I'll look around for more "U" bolts pipe mounts.

 Yes, the short, steel pipe holding the mast is set in a whole lot of concrete.

Only possible additional step I would suggest is to fill the hole in the upper 90? PVC joint with some kind of silicon sealant to (1) prevent wasps/spiders/etc. from using the tube for 'home building' and (2) prevent the wind from moving that section of cable on the edge of the PVC.

I was thinking along those lines.  I was thinking of using Good Stuff to fill the 1/2" gap- not sure silicon would work for a large gap.  It will have to wait for another warm day though.  Looks like it takes 8 hrs to cure and it will be well below freezing tonight.

Only other comment is about all those large rocks in your yard. I really think you may damage your mower if not very careful... maybe just paint them Da-Glo orange?

Those aren't rocks - just pebbles.  These are rocks 

[xairbusdriver]

Duct tape has almost replaced bailin' war. But duct tape won't hold up a draggin' tailpipe or seal a hole in the muffler, assuming you actually have one...

I think "Good Stuff" would probably be better, I just wish they made it in much smaller cans. I usually need a table spoon of it somewhere every two years, but once it starts coming out, anything still in that long tube  dries out and you're stuck (no pun intended, of course) with 90% of the contents forever unavailable!

The gap between pipes is about 14/16".  I was hoping 1" PVC would fit but it just slightly too large.

Even if you filed away a 1/16" on opposite sides of that 1" PVC, the warm (hot?!) part of the year could cause the pipe to become flattened a bit and eventually just fall out. I'd suggest buying a couple of pounds of Walnuts. Sort though those and I'll bet you can find an exact fit. Those things are harder than any rocks on your place and not even a squirrel can chew through one! It will last longer than the pipes!! Might paint it red so you can find it next time you lower the mast and you forget to catch the nut!!

One of those rocks looks like a petrified log! I hope the handle resting on it is (was!) not to one of your better axes!!

[HantaYo]

I think "Good Stuff" would probably be better, I just wish they made it in much smaller cans. I usually need a table spoon of it somewhere every two years, but once it starts coming out, anything still in that long tube  dries out and you're stuck (no pun intended, of course) with 90% of the contents forever unavailable!

I would even pay more for a smaller can just not to waste so much.   Working on insulating the garage and will be using it there but it will be too cold for outside use.  Gotta get that garage done last July.

I'd suggest buying a couple of pounds of Walnuts. Sort though those and I'll bet you can find an exact fit. Those things are harder than any rocks on your place and not even a squirrel can chew through one! It will last longer than the pipes!! Might paint it red so you can find it next time you lower the mast and you forget to catch the nut!!

Even better than walnuts, ROCKS 

One of those rocks looks like a petrified log! I hope the handle resting on it is (was!) not to one of your better axes!!

It is what they call a mattock.  My go to tool working the rocky soil around the yard.  As well as the iron bar you can just barely see in front of the wheel barrow.  It is similar to a Pulaski wild-land firefighters use.  Unfortunately not a piece of petrified wood.  Just some rocks I dug up in the yard.  They make great landscaping rocks but a little on the heavy side.  They keep my chiropractor, physical therapist and back doctor gainfully employed.  Should of listened to my wife and  not used my back as a skid loader