Windsensor_Yachta: A C++ repository from norbert-walter

Windsensor Yachta

Image: Wind Sensor Yachta

The initial idea for the Yachta wind sensor is based on a work by the user Yachta. He presented and published the wind sensor on Thingiverse. Udo took up the idea of Yachta and modified the mechanics a little. The arms of the cup wheel have been separated. This makes 3D printing easier to implement. The electronics were completely redesigned by him. The microcontroller was removed and replaced with an ESP8266. A DC/DC converter module was installed so that the wind sensor can also be operated at 12V. The circuit board was created with the Windows software Sprint Layout and converted into Gerber files. Now is a new BCP available from Norbert.

Image: PCB board

The PCB project is listed on Open Source Hardware Lab an can be edited with the webbased online layout program EasyEDA.

The board without components can be ordered from Aisler or direct in EasyEDA.

There are different firmware for the wind sensor. Both Udo and Julian (Jukolein) have created their own firmware versions with different functionality. Udo has also designed another wind sensor, which is a further development of the Yachta wind sensor. The functional principle and the electronics are identical. But you need a different board because the wind sensor is slimmer. Julian published the whole thing on Github and wrote his own firmware for the wind sensor, which can also be used for this wind sensor.

The WiFi 1000 firmware is a firmware that can be used universally for various wind sensors and was originally developed by Norbert for the WiFi 1000 wind sensor. The current versions of the firmware can be found in the respective own repositories at Github and GitLab.

A lively exchange of experiences takes place in the German-speaking sailing forum. You can also participate in English.

If you like to help or consider this project useful, please donate. Thanks for your support!

Technical characteristics

Measuring wind speed and wind direction
Robust mechanics
Without special metal parts
All parts can be found in the hardware store
Easy 3D parts
Weight app. 210g
Weatherproof and UV stable
No cabling for sensor signals
Digital signal transmission with WiFi only
12V power supply utilizing top light power cable
Using a ESP8266 for WiFi and data handling
Update rate 1 samples per second
No onboard instrument required
Visualisation in OpenPlotter via laptop, mobile fone or tablett
Web interface for operation
No extra software required (display is the browser)
Supporting NMEA 0183 protocol
Firmware update via Internet

Create your own code

You have the option of creating your own code using the online software development environment Gitpod. Follow this link and a finished development environment similar to PlatformIO will be created that runs in your browser with all code components. To compile the software, enter bash run in the terminal. In the workspace you will find the compiled binary code under .pio/build/d1_mini/firmware.bin. With a right click you can download the binary file.

Device flash process

With the Web Flash Tool you can very easily flash the device with the firmware from the web browser. You need a Chrome or Edge browser and a USB connection cable. If the device is connected to the USB port of the computer, the serial connection can be selected and the flash process can then be started.

Firmware characteristics

Wind Sensor Yachta Firmware

Web configuration and graphical visualisation
Webserver port 80
TCP port 6666
TCP NMEA0183 telegram MWV, VWR, VPW, INF
JSON http://192.168.4.1/json
Firmware update via Internet
Android App

How can I use it?

I use the windsensor in combination with OpenPlotter on a Raspberry Pi 3B. OpenPlotter serves as access point for WiFi devices. The windsensor connects to OpenPlotter via WiFi and transmits the NMEA0183 data telegrams every second. The windsensor sends NMEA0183 telegrams. Check here link for more information.