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Appendix c. wind direction sensor orientation, C.1 determining true north and sensor orientation, Ee appendix c) – Campbell Scientific 034B-L Met One Windset User Manual

Page 27: Appendix c, N appendix c

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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