FAQ

General

Where can I buy parts for my YOUNG sensor?
Parts for all current YOUNG wind sensors are available from YOUNG.  Parts diagrams are typically included in the instruction manual.   Many parts are stocked by YOUNG International Distributors.

How do I get my YOUNG product repaired?
Follow the instructions in the “Returns” section of this site.

Are your products CE approved?
Yes, CE labeling is located on the product and the certificate of conformity is available upon request.

What type of anemometer is best for high wind speeds?
The Wind Monitor is especially suited to high speed measurement.  A Wind Monitor sensor can measure speeds 40% higher than sonic type anemometers.

Why aren’t International prices on the web site?
Non-USA pricing is established by the individual distributor.  With our suppliers, we strive to offer competitive pricing in each region and market.  This pricing often includes additional expenses such as transportation, duties, stocking and handling costs.

Do I have to worry about UV exposure of my instrument?
YOUNG products make extensive use of high quality engineering thermoplastics.  These materials are highly UV resistant.

Where can I find recommendations on the siting, installation, and calibration of weather instrumentation?
The US Environmental Protection Agency provides the following on line document with recommendations on how to make accurate and quality meteorological measurements. This can be used as a guideline with the customer’s application and space limitations taken into consideration.

US EPA document: Quality Assurance Handbook for Air Pollution Measurement Systems Volume IV: Meteorological Measurements
http://www.epa.gov/ttn/amtic/files/ambient/met/Volume_IV_Meteorological_Measurements.pdf See Young in Action.

Where can I find the serial number?
Your serial number is either stamped into the plastic housing or printed onto a label. See this document for some examples.

Ordering

How can I pay for my order?
Payment can be made by major credit cards (Visa, Mastercard, and American Express). Credit card information can be submitted by telephone or fax, but will not be accepted by email. This is to protect the customer’s information. Payment can also be made by Bank Wire Transfer. Contact us to obtain our banking information.

Does the item pricing shown include shipping?
Prices shown on published price lists and our Web site are EXW (Ex Works) Traverse City, Michigan USA and do not include shipping cost. Ex Works is an internationally recognized term which is similar to the commonly used term FOB Origin.

When is my credit card charged?
Your credit card will be charged at the time your order is shipped from our factory. The invoice will be sent by email.

How will my order be shipped?
UPS (United Parcel Service) is preferred. We will prepay shipping costs and add them to the invoice. We can also ship on the customer’s UPS account if requested. UPS ground service is standard with other expedited UPS shipping methods available.

How do I know if my order has been received?
After your order has been entered into our system, an Order Verification will be sent to you by email. This will usually occur within 24 hours of your order being received. It is important to review this carefully to make sure your order is what you require.

How do I know when my order will be shipped?
The Order Verification that you receive will clearly indicate the estimated shipment date from our factory.

Can I obtain a Certificate of Origin for my ordered products?
Yes, we can supply a standard R.M. Young Company certificate at no charge upon request. For a certificate issued by the Chamber of Commerce there is an additional fee; contact us for pricing.

How do I obtain terms other than prepayment?
For customers who have not ordered from us previously, their first order is prepayment. Should you want to obtain payment terms on future orders, the credit application can be completed and submitted for processing. This process can take up to several weeks.

Mechanical Wind Sensors

Which model Wind Monitor should I choose?
The standard Model 05103 is recommended for general meteorology use.  A number of special models exist to satisfy unique applications:


Wind Monitor-HD
Heavy Duty sensor with enlarged shaft and ceramic bearings for extended bearing life

Wind Monitor-MA
Marine use and exposure to saltwater, features ceramic bearings and waterproof cable.

Wind Monitor-AQ
Meets air quality monitoring requirements established by US EPA for PSD

Wind Monitor-SE
Serial output with digital encoder for wind direction (no potentiometer)

Wind Monitor Alpine
Ice-resistant coating aids performance in freezing temperatures

Wind Monitor-IS
Intrinsically-safe for use in hazardous environments


How do I calibrate my Wind Monitor?
The best method of calibrating any wind sensor is using a Wind Tunnel.  This can be done at YOUNG or other facilities for a nominal fee.  A field evaluation of Wind Monitor sensors can be done using the Anemometer Drive and other calibration accessories available from YOUNG. 

How often should I replace ball bearings in my wind sensor?
Bearing replacement interval will vary depending on use.  In normal use, bearings will often last 5 years or more.  Exposure to harsh environments such as high wind, sea water and dust will shorten bearing life.  Good practice is to inspect bearings annually.  Replacement is indicated if bearing rotation is abnormally noisy or if high torque is noted.  Wind speed bearing replacement is a simple procedure that can be performed in minutes.  Instructions are in the manual. Your YOUNG supplier can assist with service.

The bearings in my Wind Monitor are noisy.  Is this normal?
Ceramic bearings are used in the Marine (MA), Heavy Duty (HD), and Intrinsically Safe (IS) Wind Monitors.  These bearings tend to be noisier than the bearings used in other Wind Monitor models, which have little to no noise.  The most important feature with the bearings in any Wind Monitor is that they are able to spin freely and do not slow abruptly.  Propeller and Vane Torque devices can be used to verify sensor operation. 

Ultrasonic Wind Sensors

How do I calibrate my sonic anemometer?
An accurate sonic anemometer calibration can only be done in a Wind Tunnel.  This can be done at YOUNG for a nominal fee. A “zero wind” check can be done to verify that sonic electronics are operating properly with no wind present.

What is a “zero wind chamber”?
One functional test of sonic anemometers is to confirm that they report zero when no wind is present.  This test is performed in a zero wind chamber.  The “chamber” can be as simple as a plastic bag placed over the sensor or it can be a more elaborate fitted case;  the function is the same. Remember, this check confirms a correct reading only at zero wind.

Can I repair my sonic anemometer?
Sonic anemometers are very complex instruments that require specialized equipment to service.  If the problem cannot be solved through changes to operating settings, then the sensor must be returned to the factory. 

Displays and Indicators

Can I repair my YOUNG display?
Repairs to electronic products (displays, barometers, etc…) must be done by a qualified technician.  Only YOUNG personnel or trained suppliers should perform these repairs.  Any attempt to repair a circuit board will void the warranty.

My Wind Tracker is displaying either half or twice the expected value.  Why?
This is typically caused when the unit is inputting a 4-20 mA current and the input selection is incorrect.  An input selection of ‘Ldi’ converts the 4-20 mA to a value of 0-50 m/s (or equivalent).  An input selection of ‘Ld2’ converts the 4-20 mA to a value of 0-100 m/s (or equivalent).  It is important to match the sensor output to the correct input setting (ie: ‘Ld2’ setting with a 05103L that has a 0-100 m/s output scaling).

Temperature and Humidity

Can the Temperature/Humidity filter be cleaned and/or how often should it be changed?
Periodic inspection of the filter is recommended to ensure that no dust or particulates have accumulated on the surface that could impair performance.  It is suggested that this be performed on an annual basis.  More frequent inspections may be necessary in an environment with more dust/particulates in the air.  Once dust or particulates have accumulated on the filter it is recommended that it be replaced.  Although it may be possible to clean the surface of the filter the pores that allow the filter to ‘breathe’ are nearly impossible to clean and, as a result, may still impair the performance of the sensor.

Precipitation and Pressure

My barometer doesn’t agree with the barometer at the airport. Is something wrong?
Since air density varies with altitude, barometers are commonly normalized to give the equivalent sea-level value.  Instructions about how to correct your barometer can be found here.

 My Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge is not reporting precipitation correctly.  What could cause this?
Side to side motion of the gauge could inadvertently cause the sensor ‘bucket’ to move prematurely depending upon its orientation.  Care must be taken upon installation to ensure the mast/pole has no vibration and that if there is any tendency for vibration the ‘bucket’ is perpendicular to such movement.

 My Siphoning Precipitation Gauge is not reporting precipitation correctly.  What could cause this?
A YOUNG siphoning gauge measures the precipitation volume inside a measuring chamber.  As water enters this chamber air must be allowed to vent to allow the chamber to fill.  Should this vent become obstructed the chamber will not fill properly.  This vent is located near the top of the measuring tube (inside the outer jacket).  The design of the sensor allows for adequate ventilation, but should the customer disassemble the sensor care must be taken to ensure the vent is not blocked.

The use of a YOUNG siphoning gauge requires an initial volume of water to be put into the sensor to cause it to siphon.  If this initial volume of water (or water that is put in to test its operation/calibration) is entered too quickly it could result in the intake to ‘back up’ possibly causing water to enter the circuit chamber potentially causing permanent damage.  Under normal operating conditions the volume of water entering the sensor is no more than a trickle.  This ‘back up’ can also happen as a result of the vent described above being obstructed.

Accessories

Coming Soon!