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Calling all Kestrel owners!

Grizzdude

Grizzdude

Sergeant
Full Member
Minuteman
Sep 2, 2011
784
3
sites.google.com
#1
Hi guy's I just picked up a used Kestrel 3500nv. I noticed that the impeller is noisy and vibrates past 5mph wind, it is only silent on a light breeze. To me it seems that this would affect the accuracy of the wind reading. I've never owned one and can't find anything about this on the net, so Kestrel user's I'd appreciate your input!
 
#2
Re: Calling all Kestrel owners!

Dont have that model, mine doesnt make these "noises". You can alway replace the impeller or send it in to be re-calibrated.

Another quick solution,is to find someone else with one and sit it in front of a 3 speed fan at the samee distance and compare
 
#3
Re: Calling all Kestrel owners!

The impeller has jewel bearings in it, which are beautifully set up (when new).

You either have one that got some crap in it, (no easy to do) and it is affecting the mating surfaces, OR:

You have one that has a bent/misshaped/scratched impeller blade that is throwing the whole lot out of balance. Either way, the impeller section is "push-out-able" so that in itself could be sent back to Kestrel to be checked and/or replaced.

Those are my thoughts, anyways.
 
#4
Re: Calling all Kestrel owners!

I have a 4500NV and a spare impeller and while one makes a little more noise than the other but it hasn't seemed to affect the readings at all. I was out yesterday comparing the Kestrel to another brand and both were reading the same wind speeds, I even had the noisy impeller in the Kestrel lol. It's been my experience that most impellers are going to make some noise while they're spooling up.

I forgot to mention that if you have any other questions you can contact GasGun here on the Hide. He's a consultant for Kestrel and helped me out just the other day when I had an odd Kestrel question that even stumped Rachel at Nielsen Kellerman.
 
#6
Re: Calling all Kestrel owners!

Checked it again this morning and the vibration of the impeller really vibrates the WHOLE meter when the wind is 7MPH and up, starts making noise at 4MPH. Kinda sucks because it was advertised here as practically new. I know this can't be accurate due to the excessive vibration. Since I don't have a receipt I don't think kestrel can honor their 5 year warrenty. I sent the guy a PM and hope he'll make good on it.
 
#7
Re: Calling all Kestrel owners!

<div class="ubbcode-block"><div class="ubbcode-header">Originally Posted By: Grizzdude</div><div class="ubbcode-body">Checked it again this morning and the vibration of the impeller really vibrates the WHOLE meter when the wind is 7MPH and up, starts making noise at 4MPH. Kinda sucks because it was advertised here as practically new. I know this can't be accurate due to the excessive vibration. Since I don't have a receipt I don't think kestrel can honor their 5 year warrenty. I sent the guy a PM and hope he'll make good on it. </div></div>

Just order a new impeller. They're cheap and take all of 5 seconds to swap out. It's quite possible that it got out of whack in shipping. Especially fi you got a deal on it, it's not worth getting a refund from the guy when impellers are $20 and you'll have it within a couple days.
 
#13
Re: Calling all Kestrel owners!

Here we go...before GasGun gets a ton of PM's going "my impeller makes a noise" this is from the manufacturer.

<span style="font-style: italic">"<span style="font-weight: bold">My impeller is making a rattling/clicking/whirring noise, is that normal?</span>

It is common for the Kestrel to make a rattling noise with a wind speed from 5 to 10 miles per hour. This is completely normal and accurate.

To better understand why the impeller rattles, one needs to know what is inside. Inside the plastic housing, there are four separate parts. The fan, two sapphire jewel bearings and a metal pin. The fan rotates around the metal pin which is held in the plastic housing by the jewel bearings. For the fan to move freely (to not cause excess friction) there is a small space (on either side) between the end of the metal pin and the jewel bearing. The space between the metal pin and the jewel bearing is what causes the rattle. Some impellers can be louder that others, but the accuracy will be the same."</span>

Found here:

http://nkhome.com/support/kestrel-faq.php
 
#14
Re: Calling all Kestrel owners!

It was advertised as practically new because it is. I took it with me one time to sight in my rifle so I could record the zero conditions. I put it up and haven't had time to use it since. It had a buzz to it the day I used it. As far vibrating the whole meter I dunno. Never been in dirt, water, mud or anything. Been in the box in my safe.
 
#15
Re: Calling all Kestrel owners!

Trigger Monkey is spot on. But if you still feel that your impeller is somehow damaged, just send it in and will take care of it.

I have two Kestrel units and I just ran them in some wind and both units put out exact reads, but one unit was a tad louder. So again, it's normal but will take care of you if needed.
 
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