Wind Direction Vanes
D5C Series Compact Wind Direction Vane
The D5C Series Compact Wind Direction Vane has all of the great features of our larger D5 wind vane, but in a lightweight, more compact profile for ease of installation. It shares the same heavy duty, stainless steel welded vane and hub assembly for use in high wind speed applications, or on heavy equipment such as cranes, radial stackers, and ship loaders.
All D5C wind vane components are manufactured from stainless steel bar stock for superior strength and corrosion resistance. The D5C vane assembly rotates on two precision grade, shielded, ceramic ball bearings. These bearings can be replaced in minutes right in the field with a simple screw driver, and without disconnecting the sensor cable or the wind sensor from its mounting.
Wind Monitor Features
D5C-1263-1
Rugged wind direction vane with all precision machined and welded stainless steel construction. Double sealed electronics for protection from the elements.
- Creates an analog DC voltage output signal for directional degrees using a robust sealed 10k potentiometer element
- Welded stainless steel vane
- Solid stainless steel bar vane shaft
- Solid stainless steel bar machined counter weight
- Sensor mounts on standard .5″ O.D. tubing or C-MMA-16-06 mounting adapter
- Replaceable vane assembly
- Comes with integral 10 foot sensor flexible arctic cable
Our Products Are Built to Last.
Arklay S. Richards is serious about our customer support and high quality delivery. When something goes wrong, we will replace your product no matter what – with the exception of bearings, which can be serviced and recalibrated in our wind tunnel. We place the highest priority on having a complete understanding of the particular wind monitoring application, site conditions, and our customer’s individual requirements.
Solid Construction
Stainless steel and titanium construction to perform in the most severe high-wind conditions.
Tested up to 230 MPH
Wind tunnel tested up to 230 MPH, and destructive testing industry customers run our wind sensors over 200 MPH regularly.
Precision Manufacturing
Precision machining and manufacturing with exacting standards for the most critical of applications.
FAQs
How do the D5C and D5 wind direction vanes measure wind direction?
Answer
D5 and D5C series wind direction vane models use a precision balanced stainless steel vane assembly mounted on a stainless-steel shaft with ceramic ball bearings, ensuring exceptionally low friction and fast response to changing wind directions. A CNC machined stainless steel counterweighted pointer on the vane shaft provides accurate directional alignment, while the welded stainless-steel vane delivers longterm mechanical stability in harsh environments with high wind speeds.
What output signal do the D5C and D5 vanes provide?
Answer
The D5C and D5 wind direction vanes are available exclusively with a 10 kΩ potentiometer output, offering a simple, reliable, and widely compatible analog signal for the Richards 490-A industrial wind monitor, PLCs, and crane wind safety systems.
What maintenance is required for the D5C and D5 wind direction vanes?
Answer
These wind direction vanes are engineered for long service life with minimal upkeep. The ceramic bearings resist wear, corrosion, and environmental contamination, but periodic inspection of the vane assembly, cleaning of debris, and verification of electrical connections once or twice per year help ensure optimal performance in industrial, marine, and installations with high wind speeds.
How does the 10 kΩ potentiometer inside the D5C and D5 wind vane provide a wind direction measurement?
Answer
Protected inside the wind vane housing, the vane shaft is mechanically linked to a 10 kΩ rotary potentiometer. As the wind rotates the vane, the wiper inside the potentiometer moves along a resistive track. This movement changes the resistance between the wiper terminal and the fixed end terminals. Your monitoring system reads this varying resistance and converts it into a corresponding 0–360° wind direction value. Because the potentiometer is continuous and mechanically coupled to the vane shaft, the output changes smoothly and proportionally along with the vane’s physical orientation in the wind.
Superior Design, Superior Performance
From the peak of Mount Everest to 300 feet below the ground, our anemometers and wind direction vanes are built for resiliency, precision, and durability.
Technical Specifications
Wind Direction Vane Part Numbers
- D5C 1263-1 – Compact Industrial Wind Vane
Wind Direction Vane Output and Range
- Analog DC voltage output proportional to wind direction angle with excitation voltage supplied by data logger, 360º continuous mechanical rotation, direction range, 10k potentiometer, 352º electrical 8º open or dead band.
Wind Direction Vane Performance
- Threshold – 0.9 mph or .402 m/s
- Accuracy – Potentiometer linearity within 1%
- Life expectancy – 50 million revolutions or 4-6 years operation
Component Materials of Construction
- Shaft tower – 316 stainless steel
- Shaft – Hardened 316 stainless steel
- Wind vane housing – 316 stainless steel
- Wind vane and hub assembly – 316 stainless steel
- Bearings – Ceramic
Electrical Technical Data
- Direction range – 352º electrical with 8º open or dead band
- Signal – Analog DC voltage with precision conductive potentiometer, resistance 10k Ω
Power Requirements
- Regulated potentiometer excitation – 1 VDC to 15 VDC
- Power rating – 1.5 Watts @ 70ºC
If you are looking for the finest industrial high speed wind sensors made, look no further.
With stainless steel and titanium construction, our anemometers outperform all others on the market. Current applications of our anemometers and wind vanes include military and defense, asset protection, mining, oil rigs, meteorology, and much more.