Awning Anemometer Amiss

[Bill Lampkin]

Awning wind gauge (anemometer) is making a racket. Has anyone replaced the anemometer with Girard's motion sensor? I have a call into Girard asking the same, but I thought I'd ask here first.

[David T. Richelderfer]

Try doing a search using "anemometer" as the search argument.  There are over two-dozen posts to look at.

[Bill Lampkin]

Thanks for the reminder, David; Previous posts not on point; will have to wait to hear from Girard.

[Fred Brooks]

   Bill, quickie history about Girard's anemometer. Original design was for a patio in case the wind came up. Girard's replacement with the curved fingers have better engineered bearings to endure mile after mile of 60 mph wind. Hope this helps, Fred

[Scott Shearer]

Bill,

I contacted Girard a year ago or so inquiring about the motion sensor conversion. They do sell a kit, I believe it was around $1100.

We are at the coast and my information is at home, but as I recall you must convert to Girard's G-Link system & new remote. It appeared to be a fairly straightforward installation.

Apparently, you get fewer "false retractions" with the motion sensor. Our current setup works ok so this upgrade has been moved further down the list.

[Bill Lampkin]

Thanks  Scott, All works here as well except for noise from the whirligig.

[Bill Lampkin]

A replacement anemometer for my creaking and groaning whirligig is available online at amazon, but reading the reviews makes me stop and wonder.(4 out of 5 reviews are one star!)  Anyone actually replaced their Girard anemometer with the one on Amazon? Is the part somehow different if ordered thru Girard (and likley more expensive!).

https://www.amazon.com/Girard-Wind-Sensor-Anemometer-9800151-01/dp/B00U1SNPZI

[Bill Lampkin]

Heard from Girard: Replacement anenometers are available: $143 (thats $20 cheaper than Amazon or Ebay!) Girard says "part number 9800151-01 and we have them in stock. Use the 800# below and follow the prompts to the parts department"

.(800) 382-8442 Toll Free

[George Harwell]

Guys,
         I got a new unit installed by Gerard factory years ago and it failed in 4 or 5 months. Since it was dead I decided to open it up to see what was the probable cause. It was full of corrosion. I contacted Andre at Girard with the bad news and photos. He sent a new unit and I realized the problem when I inspected it. The top portion simply slides into the base and was not sealed. I sealed the seams with silicone and it is still working since July 2014. Andre told me back then that they switching to a new style of anemometer. Don’t have a clue what it looks like, haven’t seen one.

[Scott Shearer]

Bill,

Here is the information that I received from Girard regarding the motion sensor upgrade, the price is three years old.

Yes, you can upgrade to the motion sensor system. Is you coach pre 2012? Does it have LED’s on it?

You would have to purchase an electronics upgrade kit,

98GCK-19 Single Awning Electronics Kit w/ 12v Motion Sensor (Motor Control, Remote, Wall Switch, 12v Motion Sensor. $959.00 + shipping. In Stock

If you don’t have LED’s then you want to specify to include the wiring harness with the motion sensor so you have the wiring and parts necessary to run a wire down the motor side arm to the lead rail for the sensor. The sensor hooks up to 12v constant power and communicates wirelessly with the new control box.

So, all that would be left is labor to install.

[Bill Lampkin]

My creaking, groaning anemometer is now spinning in blissful silence! I got out my ladder and sprayed up under the cone with Tri-Flow and the noise for now has stopped. Takes about 15 minutes for the oil to work its way down the shaft to the bearing. I had tried silicone spray (It was my Roadmaster silicone spray I use on the towbar) and Kwik-Lube (which I use for my steps). Neither worked, but the Tri Flow seems to be doing the job after two applications over two days. Plenty of wind here on the coast in Oregon so its getting a good test.