Nasa Weatherman System

Description

For a yachtsman planning a voyage, the ability to predict the weather is essential.

The rate of change of barometric pressure and history of wind speed can be an invaluable indicator of imminent conditions.

Many sailors rely on low cost domestic barometers, which are inaccurate, have low resolution and very poor history. Several quality paper recording instruments exist but are delicate, fiddly to use and rely on paper which can jam when damp. The MeteoMan overcomes all these problems. It provides an accurate, high resolution barograph recording in excess of five days data on barometric pressure and wind speed. It is easy to use, reliable, rugged and draws very little power from the boat's battery.

The Meteoman is available with an optional NMEA Wind sensor which provides wind direction, wind speed and external temperature. The Meteoman provides reliable meteorological information for the yachtsman. The main display shows the wind speed and direction, the ambient temperature and the barometric pressure.

To assist in predicting future trends the unit also displays a precision barograph and an anemograph showing barometric pressure and wind speed for the previous five days.

In addition to the meteorological functions the unit includes a marine chronometer, a stop watch, a race countdown timer, display of internal temperature and battery voltage.

MeteoMan can be connected to an NMEA Clipper Wind system where it will get wind speed/direction data via the Clipper wind output.

NMEA Wind Sensor supplied with mounting brackets and 20 metres of two core screened cable.

NMEA 0183 sentences: Wind speed/direction MWV Temperature XDR

Technical Specifications

Atmospheric pressure range
850 to 1100mb (user adjustment to compensate
for altitude)

Pressure history
Range 1 950 to 1050mb
Range 2 980 to 1030mb with 0.5mb resolution

Recording time
0 to 120 hours
0 to 60 hours
0 to 30 hours

Wind speed (when fitted with NMEA wind sensor)
Maximum speed 100 knots
Wind speed history

Range 1 0 to 100 knots
Range 2 0 to 50 knots
Range 3 0 to 25 knots

Recording time
0 to 120 hours
0 to 60 hours
0 to 30 hours

Wind direction (when fitted with NMEA wind sensor)
0 to 360 degrees (in relative mode)
Port 180 degrees to Starboard 180 degrees (in
nautical mode)
Displayed in analogue and digital format
Resolution 1 degree

Real time clock
12 or 24 hour format
Race countdown timer 10 and 5 minutes
Stop watch with split timing

Temperature
Outside temperature (when fitted with NMEA wind sensor)
Cabin temperature
Resolution 1 degree centigrade

Supply voltage
9.0 to 15.0 volts
The voltage is shown on the display with a resolution of 0.1 volts

Supply current
Operating current 100mA (when fitted with NMEA wind sensor)
Operating current 150mA (with backlight illuminated)
Standby current – less than 10mA