Cupola Installation Method Without Internal Cross Brace – Large, Extra-Large and Super-Large Installation Rods
Cupola Installation Method without Internal Cross Brace – Large (¾” dia.), Extra-Large (1” dia.) and Super-Large (1-¼” dia.) Installation Rods
Requires internal cupola access. This installation is much easier with two people.
Cupola install – Larger Sized Spires
without cross brace
Click image to enlarge
IMPORTANT: In order to send you the correct length spire (vertical installation rod) and/or spire extension, we need to know the internal distance from the peak of the cupola to the roof below it. That way we can make sure that the correct amount of spire sticks out the top of the cupola to receive the vane sculpture & its components.
We do not recommend having the internal span be too great or you may get some flex in the section of rod inside the cupola when high winds are present.
NOTE: The maximum shipping length allowed by FedEx Ground Service is 108” (~274 cm) long, including packaging. A galvanized steel pipe can use used to extend this length.
If you are in construction now, we can send out the installation hardware as soon as the order has been placed. It can then be installed prior to the roof being sealed off. The sculpture piece and remaining components will follow when completed to slide down over the already installed weathervane hardware.
Tools and supplies recommended for installing your weather vane:
- Drill with a long shanked bit the same diameter as the vane’s spire (vertical installation rod)
- Level
- Medium sized Phillips screwdriver
- Heavy grease (a small tub is included in the price and is sent out with the finished sculpture piece)
- Roof Caulk
- Compass
Instructions for installing your weathervane using the Cupola Installation Method:
1. Drill the correct sized diameter hole in top of cupola roof.
2. From outside, slide spire (vertical installation rod) down into hole in roof for inside access person to guide onto mounting surface.
3. Using a level, outside person lets inside person know when the spire is plumb.
Note: the rod itself does not turn, only the sculpture piece. NEVER TUG OR PULL ON SPIRE (vertical installation rod).
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| Figure 1: Installed rod sticking up out of cupola Click image to enlarge | Figure 2: Using level to make sure rod is plumb Click image to enlarge |
4. Tighten cupola flange set screw against spire (vertical installation rod). Secure cupola flange to mounting surface.
5. Caulk roof around secured spire (vertical installation rod) to seal the hole.
6. Assemble ring, globes and directionals on spire (vertical installation rod)
 Figure 3: Assembling Harness Click image to enlarge  Overhead view of interlocking directionals Click image to enlarge |
 Note: Some weathervane designs come with the smaller copper globe attached to the sculpture piece. If this is the case with yours, skip last two steps mentioned above. |
7. Coat the section of the spire (vertical installation rod) that will be covered by the vane sculpture piece with grease (Use small tub of grease included with weathervane).
8.Optional Security Device Assembly: Skip this step if your vane does not have a security device
Note: The security device is physically attached to the weathervane sculpture piece and must be added at the time the weathervane is being constructed. It cannot be added after the weathervane has shipped.
Installing a Weather Vane using a V Bracket (Printable PDF)
Security Device Assembly:
- Locate security ring in small parts box.
- Holding the weathervane sculpture piece upside down, dab grease inside mounting tube, push down one pivot ball, then add more grease. Note: The remaining steel ball is a spare in case you drop the first one during the installation.
- Before sliding the weather vane over the vertical installation rod, back off but don’t remove set screw(s) and align the security ring just below the copper mounting tube that extends down out of the weathervane sculpture piece. Make sure security ring’s arm(s) are positioned around the ring soldered to the bottom of the copper weathervane mounting tube. (See above). Don’t bend arm(s).
- Hold your finger over the base of the tube containing the steel ball to keep it from falling out and slide the vane over the top of vertical stainless steel installation rod and gently slide sculpture down. Note: If your stainless steel rod is beveled and reduced from ¾” (1.9 cm) to 3/8” (.95 cm) for the top 10” (25 cm), check to see that the vane clears the beveled section of the spire. If it does not, add the second chrome pivot ball and check again.
- Tighten security device set screw(s).
- Turn weathervane to see that it is not rubbing on the security ring.
- Skip to step 10.
9. Insert ONE steel ball into the mounting tube at the base of the weather vane sculpture piece.
 Figure 3: Assembling Harness Click image to enlarge | (The remaining steel balls are spares in case you drop the first one during the installation.) Holding your finger over the base of the sculpture piece tube containing the steel ball carefully transfer the vane over the top of spire (vertical installation rod). Then gently slide sculpture down. Note: If your stainless steel rod reduces from ¾” (1.9 cm) to 3/8” (.95 cm) on the top 10” (25 cm) of your rod, check to see that the vane clears the beveled reducer section of the spire. If not, add a second ball bearing and check again. |
10. Now slide harness components detailed in #6 above into place and tighten with a screwdriver. See image below for suggested proportions. Use your compass to orient the brass directional letter N to true north. (Depending on how accurate you want your Directionals to be, please see our Magnetic Declination webpage for details on how to precisely orient the directional letters.)
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| Correct Harness Assembly & Placement Directionals are interlocked Click image to enlarge | Incorrect Harness Assembly & Placement Directionals are not interlocked Click image to enlarge |