Instruction manual

Appendix C. Wind Direction Sensor
Orientation
C.1 Determining True North and Sensor Orientation
Orientation of the wind direction sensor is done after the datalogger has been
programmed, and the location of True North has been determined. True North
is usually found by reading a magnetic compass and applying the correction for
magnetic declination; where magnetic declination is the number of degrees
between True North and Magnetic North. The preferred method to obtain the
magnetic declination for a specific site is to use a computer service offered by
NOAA at www.ngdc.noaa.gov/geomag. Magnetic declination can also be
obtained from a map or local airport. A general map showing magnetic
declination for the contiguous United States is shown in FIGURE C-1.
Declination angles east of True North are considered negative, and are
subtracted from 360 degrees to get True North as shown FIGURE C-2 (0° and
360° are the same point on a compass). For example, the declination for
Logan, Utah is 14° East. True North is 360° – 14°, or 346° as read on a
compass. Declination angles west of True North are considered positive, and
are added to 0 degrees to get True North as shown in FIGURE C-3.
Orientation is most easily done with two people, one to aim and adjust the
sensor, while the other observes the wind direction displayed by the datalogger.
1. Establish a reference point on the horizon for True North.
2. Sighting down the instrument center line, aim the nose cone, or
counterweight at True North. Display the input location or variable for
wind direction using a hand-held keyboard display, PC, or laptop.
3. Loosen the U-bolt on the CM220 or the set screws on the NU-RAIL that
secure the base of the sensor to the crossarm. While holding the vane
position, slowly rotate the sensor base until the datalogger indicates 0
degrees. Tighten the set screws.
C-1