Aneroid Barometer repair
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 25 авг 2024
- This video shows an old Aneroid barometer that I picked up at the Teifi Valley Vintage Preservation Society's 28th "STEAM & VINTAGE" Show
30th May 2011
The Barometer's 8 inch dial is march Walter Bushnell Calcutta & Simla
The pointers return spring had completely rusted away in several places but I have repaired it with the spring from a balance wheel from an old clock that I had taken to pieces some years ago. I wasn't setting out to carry out a faithful restoration; I was simply setting out to see if I could breathe some life back into the old instrument.
As an inventor I have designed a lot of special purpose machines and I have designed, built and sold machines that have been used in the manufacture of capsules for aneroid barometers and barometric sensors used in ejector seats but I have never owned a barometer.
I love tinkering and fixing things and I think that now I've got this barometer working I might modify the case and just have a round dial, but that's for another days playing.
The spring I used in the video was back tempered by putting it on a hotplate (cooker) with some silver foil over it for a few minutes. Not very technical I know but all my working live I've had to be precise, now I can please myself and the spring was adequately "let down" for my needs.
By the way pressurizing the air in a plastic bag the way I do in this video is only a guide to the fact that the capsule is working if there were the tiniest of tiny holes in the joints or body of the capsule it may still respond to quick changes of pressure but would never track the slowly changing weather conditions.
Here are some links to a mercury wheel barometer that I fixed
Here's a link to this video • Barometer...A quick lo...
Here's a link to part 1 • Part 1 of 2 fixing a m...
Here's a link to part 2 • Part 2 of 2 fixing a ...
Thanks for watching, I love to hear your comments.
Kind Regards ... Andy
Ihave been watching this for the past 9 years for some reason It puts me in a good mood 💕💕💕
Maybe need to watch The Repair Shop! :D. Cheers!
Andy, thanks very much for the guidance. Knowing mine was likely a push fit gave me the confidence to use a bit of WD-40 in the center hole of the dial pointer, along with a small flat pry bar that put an even force on both sides of the shaft. A gentle pry was all it took to pop off the pointer w/o causing any damage to the pointer or dial. I was then able to remove the porcelain dial to observe the mech, which appears to be in good condition and working well! Cheers - Stuart
Wow fascinating, you were very brave taking a risk on that barometer!!! Can’t believe you fixed it, I had a similar problem with my barometer but being a very very quick logical thinker I took it upstairs where there would be more pressure (due to my boiler leaking carbon monoxide). Unfortunately I tripped over the socks on the stairs that I was waiting to pair up. Tragically this led to my barometer braking completely and my dreams shattered along with it. I tend to just look out of my window now to get the weather which is less than ideal.
Many thanks
Dr. Grimsby
I had nothing to lose in fixing it but in actual fact it was more accurate than a mercury barometer that I have, the mercury is of course accurate in as much as an inch of mercury is an inch of mercury but the indicator dial on the front of the instrument is turned by a cord that is fixed to a float that rides on the mercury. The problem with the mercury barometer is that the little pully that drives the pointer is just a little too big so the swing of the pointer is always lees than it should be. the local MET Office is just down the road from me at, more or less, the same level, they update the pressure at very frequent intervals so it's extremely easy to calibrate an instrument based on the Met Office readings. I sold an old stone built house in New Quay, Wales and I left the old barometer on the wall in the hall for the new folks, I hope the enjoy it. Regards . . . Andy
Thank you very much, you seem like a nice guy and very informative! Good luck on RUclips
Many thanks
Dr. Grimsby
where do i go to get my barometer glass fixed
Hi there, that’s great. I love to hear that I’ve been able to help someone to fix something; it’d be good to think that after I shed this mortal coil my image might still be rattling around the ether on RUclips telling folk how to fix old stuff.
Thanks for the feedback and well done on the repair.
Kind Regards ... Andy
Wow,well done mate,
Thanks Andy. Very interesting
Happy New Year to you too. I started out collecting clocks (before that watches and old staplers), and now I am going into all sorts of scientific instruments.
Thank you for sharing. I just found a vintage hoffritz barometer at a thrift store for 2 dollars and I am dying to get it to work!! Your video will no doubt help me trouble shoot!
Nice interesting find and save. That's great that you got it is working again and amazing that it is still quite accurate too.
Fantastic video! Extremely interesting, thanks
Thank you .
Regards . . . Andy
Hi Stuart
I’m glad you’ve managed to sort things out.
Kind Regards ... Andy
Thanks for the post Andy. Have just bought a rather cute post war-ish Barigo set into a ships wheel - approx. 2.5 inch face. As the needle has been stuck on' Stormy' for the day I've had it I was assuming it was a no goer but your sealed plastic bag trick has demonstrated that it does indeed work so I suppose it is more a calibration issue. I'm sure a little more research will unearth a fix. Thanks again
Man this was an excellent video! Glad to know how to test one with that bag method! :D
I have an old Welby barometer that belonged to my grandfather that is over 50 years old. The internal mechanism looks very similar to yours. I have to tap on the glass to get the needle to deflect properly.
@Scubarod 1 of 2
The calibration screw can be very sensitive.. With all things like this there is a problem of ‘Stiction’ that is a resistance between the fixed part and the moving part of the device. It’s because of the ‘Stiction’ that you have to tap the barometer to get the needle to settle on the true reading.
Re calibrate the unit and tap it to settle the needle on the new reading.
Andy
@AndyDaviesByTheSea
the info at the airport site i updated every hour. this device is new to me...i could send u a picture if u like. i have kept an eye on it and it does fluctuate. im sure it works. what is interesting is that hen i got it...few days ago..it was out of calibration...following instruction i adjusted the brass screw at the rear an made it read a current reading. 2 days later it as off by 4 bars...mine to has 10 bars of reading between each whole number.
@AllAmericanFiveRadio Hi Rich
It's amazing that the capsule has held a vacuum for so long. I used to own a company that manufactured Induction Heating equipment and when I was working with fridge manufactures they said one of the main considerations of the 12months guarantee was the soundness of all the welded and brazed joints that hold the pressurised gas. Vacuum can be even more problematic to hold in small metallic structures. There's not a lot of vacuum held and it's soon lost.
Andy, thanks. I think I'll carefully try the heat approach. Also, I did send a query to a barometer expert and am hopeful for a reply. I'll let you know the outcome. Cheers - Stuart
thanks for posting
@Scubarod 1 of 2
Hi again.
High pressure squeezes the capsule and the mechanism drives the pointer down to show lower pressure. If there were a leak the capsule would not be squeezed as the pressure would be the same inside and outside and the pointer would show a higher reading. Have you had this device long or is it new to you? If it’s new to you watch it for a few days and see if it changes at all. ... see part 2
Higher pressure on the capsule must be reflected by the pointer moving “UP” to the right ( as you can observe when testing it with a plastic bag) not “DOWN”. Thank Andy you for a very informative video.
@Scubarod Hi there
Compressing the air I a bag tells you that the barometric capsule responds to the short term or quick change of pressure but it doesn’t confirm that the capsule is leak free. If there was an extremely small leak in the seal of the capsule the bag test wouldn’t show it up. Where as if the barometric pressure changes slowly the air would have time to leak out and depending on the size of the tiny leak. I think such a problem would soon show up. Regards ... Andy
@Scubarod The other point to note is that I live within a few hundred yards of the Met Office and I’m even at the same level. Remember that barometric devices are used to measure height so are you taking account of all issues that could affect the reading.
Kind Regards Andy
I have an old Everest barometer- I have no idea how old this is, could be maybe 20-30 years old. It's one of 3 gauges in a block of wood, comprising also a thermometer and what was a humidity meter. I have converted the humidistat to a clock now! Anyway, I have been monitoring the barometer & comparing to my local online weather website, and so far it seems fairly accurate.. At the moment, I'm adjusting the length of the main lever which pushes on the other lever which pulls on the chain around the pointer spindle. It's a very fine adjustment..
the4 device is new to me. there is now date on manufacture on it but it is german made fisher instruments. i have a few pics of it if u want to see it. i have not been able to find out any info on it.
Rod
Great idea to test your barometer by sealing in a plastic bag & squeezing..
If the pointer is removed, should the bellows be at low, medium or high expansion when replaced? I can make it read correct with the adjustment wherever the bellows and mechanism are positioned.
Hi, happy New Year.
I'm not familiar with that barometer but it sounds like a very easy and practical way of allowing you to calibrate the scale.
Kind Regards ... Andy
@Scubarod 2 of 2
If the airport is so close you could drive over and get an accurate reading at that level but remember that any published information could be delayed so they are telling you what the pressure was, or maybe they are giving it to you live?
You could always phone up and ask to talk to their Met guy; you never know they might be helpful.
Regards ... Andy
Hi Paul I'm no expert on these things, as a designer/inventor I simply work from first principles. In this barometer the spring and fine chain had rusted up. I live by the sea and it’s amazing just how corrosive sea air is. My barometer would have been ok if someone put a little light oil on the fine ferrous components. I think a little light oil wouldn’t harm anything but I’d say don’t spray stuff in that could get on the dial or glass as you’ll have to open it up to clean it.
... Andy
THANK YOU 👍🏽
hi....great vid...i have question about accuracy...i have a fisher german made barometer. i have calibrated my barometer but it still does not read actual air pressure. i tested the barometer in a bag an it does respond to pressure. today the preessure is 103.31kpa but mine reads 33.2 In of mercury....the conversion does not fit. what could be the problem?
Rod
@Scubarod 2 of 2 You say that it’s new to you but I still don’t know how old the unit is.
It could simply be the newness of the device that the surface hasn’t ‘bedded in’ yet.
I’m not an expert on these things I simply work form first principles and I know that the movement of a few thousandths of an inch in the capsule is amplified to give the reading and it’s very sensitive.
... regards ... Andy
Where would you find replacement glass for this type of barometer?
The swivel pointer ( on the glass) of my barometer is loose , it simply hangs down,how do I tighten it?
It has a square shaft fitted with what appears to be push fit arrow/pointer. I thought I could simply push it down the shaft but it didn’t want to go. I tried to gently tap it down and (DOH!!!!!!! ) broke the glass!
Now that I have a new glass, does it hold in position on the inside of the glass simply by friction?
Advice please. As you may have guessed I am an amateur.
How did you back temper the spring coil? And how do you know how to control how much back tempering you need to do?
@AndyDaviesByTheSea
if u mean our levation..we are at *481.5 m* (*1580 ft*) here in saskatoon,
canada. not sure if im taking into account anything...but i do know the
reading of pressure is at the airport...and that i only 3 km away. i just
dont understand why it would give a funny reading like that after i
calibrated it....following instruction from youtube. and im guessing that if there as a leak it would read a negative pressure not a higher pressure right??
Hi Stuart, my pointer is a simple push fit like the second hand of a clock. I guess the pointer of your barometer could have been incorrectly replaced but I somehow doubt it. It cloud be wear or simple a calibration issue. I’ve only dabbled with these things but you might find a good web site where you can get so professional advice, been a bit of a ‘brute force and ignorance guy’ myself I’d be inclined to try and get a bit of heat on it without marking it and pull.
Kind Regards ... Andy
Can you tell me who could repair an old small barometer please. I unscrewed three screws on the back trying to repair it. I live in bucks....
Andy, how did you remove the dial pointer from its shaft? Is it a friction fit, or screw on? I ask, because I recently purchased an old English aneroid barometer... The mechanism appears to be working, but the dial pointer seems to be installed backwards (i.e., the tail end points to the correct barometric pressure, not the pointer end!). I tried some gentle pressure to pry off the pointer, but it didn't budge. I was afraid of being too aggressive for fear of damaging the movement. Thanks!
I have a 26cm wooden rope ships barometer, the name on it is, T W Parrot=St Andrews Dock, Hull England. Hull being a very large fishing port on the East coast on the River Humber. I think it dates from c1910 to c1950 as it was given to me by an old ex deep sea fisherman.
Hello. Thanks for the video. I have got an old barometer which doesn't move, so I assume that the spring is broken. Unfortunately, I don't have any springs, so the question is: can I solder the spring (assuming that it's in no more than two pieces)?
I have a similar mechanism but smaller and I think the chain connecting the lever arm to the dial is broken. Any suggestions on what to replace the chain with? Does it need to flex in all directions or would a wire work, the top section of chain is intact and I'm assuming that's the bit that flexes around the central dial shaft.
I also have the chain missing on a Taylor Stormoguide. Any ideas where to fine the chain?
Regards,
Bob
I have this barometer movement as one of 4 faces on a Lecoultre 8 Day Desk Clock. To regulate to the correct pressure for my location, can I just pull out the "hand" and reattach it back to the correct pressure reading (for my city)? I suppose any "change" will move the hand from that regulated point?
Is this still working? I was wondering if the heavier spring caused extra wear on chain and mechanism
If we make a one kilometers big mechanical barometer so how much pressure ot feel ❓❓❓
10x power per second ❓❓❓
Manu thousands of kilowatt electricity formed from it 🛐🛐🛐🕉
Brilliant video, some great tips!I have one almost identical but slightly different carving in the woodwork.The problem with my one is the brass bezel holding the glass is badly cracked in several places and right through in one or two.I wondered whether replacements are available anywhere?Otherwise it's great. Any advice would be appreciated.
You might find a replacement, or you may look to see if there is a similar barometer on eBay (a broken one would be ideal) I'd look to see if it was the same brand or maker.
@@asbestosfiber Good idea,many thanks!🙂
Hi Andy, I bought one Schatz barometer from 1975 but missing the pointer, Can U help me with one?
Sorry my friend I can't help but if you look on line I'm sure you'll find someone supplying clock and barometer parts. Good luck. Regards . . . Andy
How did you remove the glass? I have a Taylor Stormoguide and cannot figure it out
Michelle Goodwin
Hi Michelle on the barometer in the video it was easy as there
are three tiny screws that go through the front of the brass bezel,(that holds
the glass,) into the wooden body. I don’t
know how yours is fixed. Maybe if you try to slide something like a very thin
strip of plastic, (like a strip cut from a pop bottle,) between the bezel and
the body it might give you a guide as to where the fixings are located. But I guess
that the bezel could simple have serrated teeth around its edge that are
pressed into the body? I'm sorry I can’t be more helpful. Good luck.Kind Regards . . . Andy
Hi. did you get the glass removed. I've got a West German barometer and I've got the same problem. Cant get to the mechanism. removed every screw I can see but no go. unless the screws are under the glass and the copper cover is crimped around the glass then the glass is probably gonna get broken.
+Eric Bleeker hey Eric, I never did get the glass removed, since mine was a 1927 Taylor Stormoguide, the ship wheel edition. My brass was crimped around the front watch glass, so it wasn't a repair job I could do on my own. However, I discovered a month ago that almost all Taylor 1927 barometers have the same face, so I bought a different style, popped out the whole barometer piece, and popped it in my ships wheel one. I would suggest looking for a different model with the same barometer face, and doing the same. :)
I just finished bending the face open with a small pliers, not a pretty job. So now I can get to the mechanism. Planning on building it into another case. Thanks for getting back to me.:-)
Hi Andy! I inherited a barometer from my Grandad, and I'm trying to figure out what type it is, and aneroid barometer is the closest I've gotten. But it has a wheel / fan on the side of it with lots of angled metal parts that spins round in the wind. It has 'FEET' written on it, so I thought some kind of altitude or pressure barometer. Do you know what it is? I can send photos if you have an email address. Thank you! Chloe
I have a barometer in my room its a brand new but i set on 1000 then i return to my after 2 hrs does not turn please help to fix it i have no idea what im goona todo its stock in 1000 so annoying
0:32 a gun?
Hi there, I'm guessing that your barometer is calibrated in millibars.
1 inch of mercury = 33.86 millibars
so one millibar = 0.0295334 inches of mercury
That gives you a range of about 20 to 26 inches of mercury; mine has a range of around 25 to 32 inches. I'm no expert in these things but Google ‘convert inches of mercury to’ and you should see a list of options for you to select but I'm pretty sure it’ll be millibars.
I hope that helps
Kind Regards ... Andy
where do i go to get my barometer fixed
موجود للبيع صنع الماني قديم
Hi Stuart, my pointer is a simple push fit like the second hand of a clock. I guess the pointer of your barometer could have been incorrectly replaced but I somehow doubt it. It cloud be wear or simple a calibration issue. I’ve only dabbled with these things but you might find a good web site where you can get so professional advice, been a bit of a ‘brute force and ignorance guy’ myself I’d be inclined to try and get a bit of heat on it without marking it and pull.
Kind Regards ... Andy
Hi Stuart, my pointer is a simple push fit like the second hand of a clock. I guess the pointer of your barometer could have been incorrectly replaced but I somehow doubt it. It cloud be wear or simple a calibration issue. I’ve only dabbled with these things but you might find a good web site where you can get so professional advice, been a bit of a ‘brute force and ignorance guy’ myself I’d be inclined to try and get a bit of heat on it without marking it and pull.
Kind Regards ... Andy
Hi Stuart, my pointer is a simple push fit like the second hand of a clock. I guess the pointer of your barometer could have been incorrectly replaced but I somehow doubt it. It cloud be wear or simple a calibration issue. I’ve only dabbled with these things but you might find a good web site where you can get so professional advice, been a bit of a ‘brute force and ignorance guy’ myself I’d be inclined to try and get a bit of heat on it without marking it and pull.
Kind Regards ... Andy