Removing Heater Power from IceFree and Hybrid Sensors

The IceFree and Hybrid heaters are self regulating constant temperature devices.

In warm weather the heaters draw minimal current, while in colder weather the heaters will draw more current as needed to maintain constant temperature. It is not necessary to switch the heaters on and off for different weather conditions, and ideally, (especially in icing conditions) the heaters are never shut off.

However, in some remote icing prone sites, the heater power may inadvertently shut off for periods of time if the (external) power source goes off line.

While this situation is not ideal for maximum data recovery, no damage will occur to the sensor bearings if the sensors are left unpowered for some time.

Another thing to consider is that when the heater power does come back on line, it may take considerable time to de-ice the sensor depending on the conditions.