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PERSONAL WEATHER STATIONS: Queries and Advice

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Comments

  • Registered Users Posts: 222 ✭✭horsefarm


    The wireless Maplin one, I was thinking of getting this for Chrimbo. I'm not very IT savvy so is it fairly straightforward? I live in a fairly exposed spot so i'm curious to get wind readings etc
    thanks


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,466 ✭✭✭Lumi


    horsefarm wrote: »
    The wireless Maplin one, I was thinking of getting this for Chrimbo. I'm not very IT savvy so is it fairly straightforward? I live in a fairly exposed spot so i'm curious to get wind readings etc
    thanks

    The wireless N96GY is a great little starter station- there's nothing really to match it in that price bracket and it's very easy to set up.
    The picture on the Maplin site is a little misleading - you will be mounting the anemometer separate to the rain gauge etc
    I also recommend that you download and use the free Cumulus software rather than the supplied Easyweather software. It's very straightforward and the instructions are easy to follow. Anyway, if you need any help/advice with the setup or run into any trouble just ask :)


  • Moderators, Motoring & Transport Moderators Posts: 6,522 Mod ✭✭✭✭Irish Steve


    The IT side of it is not difficult,and there is an alternative software package from Sandaysoft (Cumulus) that is more flexible and capable than the standard package that comes with the Maplin units, and it's well supported with it's own forum.

    The Fine Offset units have their moments, most users end up replacing the bearings on the wind direction and speed indicators at some state, (very cheap and easy to get locally) and the rain gauge has to be very carefully positioned to prevent shakes, which can badly distort the rain totals.

    I got mine some while ago, so I don't know if the newest versions have changed, the older ones needed some screening around the rain gauge as well to prevent wind getting into the unit and tipping the measure, and to help prevent spiders from getting in through the vent grids on the bottom of the unit, which then nest in the moving parts section and cause inaccuracies there.

    To avoid excess temperature readings, the sensor unit is better mounted in a piece of 6" rainwater pipe to act as a screen and prevent direct sun shine onto the unit.

    I've had to replace a couple of the reed switches over the years, but they are easy enough to get and fit, but the other alternative now is to get a complete replacement sensor, as the prices are not expensive, and that's a quick and easy fix to do.

    Due to being very sheltered here, I ended up putting my wind sensors on a much higher pole that normal, an extension lead using Gel crimps was easy, and to make for less work with the transmitter, I put dummy cells in it with wires connected externally to a pair of batteries that are mounted in an accessible location, they are rechargeable batteries with a mains power PSU keeping them alive, and the batteries provide power if the mains goes off for any reason, so I don't lose the signal.

    I'm just in the process of setting my unit up again, I had to take it down due to problems with the mast, I need it for advance warning of high rainfall amounts, due to flooding risk issues, and last weekend came as a very big reminder to get it sorted, we might not be so lucky next time, and from comments elsewhere, next time could be as soon as next weekend, so it's going to be a busy week.

    Shore, if it was easy, everybody would be doin it.😁



  • Banned (with Prison Access) Posts: 3,288 ✭✭✭mickmackey1


    You get what you pay for though, my N96 rain gauge packed up after a few months (following some heavy rain!) and was full of spiders, also my sensor got jammed in the screen thingy & couldn't be replaced. The rest of it did work well enough however to make me want a more serious set-up.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,802 ✭✭✭✭joujoujou
    Unregistered Users


    Just keep your rain gauge clean. What I do - once a month (sometimes more often, depends on my laziness) unplug rain gauge and put a bottle of water through it.


  • Registered Users Posts: 34 Philburns


    That is good advice, my rain gauge stopped working after the dry spell in September, I tried putting water through but still no go, when I popped the cover off a spider had set up camp inside and tied the see-saw mechanism up.


  • Registered Users Posts: 518 ✭✭✭garroff


    I've got a Vantage Pro2.... My rain console reading is half the figure on the Weather link site. Anyone any idea what has happened. Does not make sense.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,951 ✭✭✭✭Villain


    garroff wrote: »
    I've got a Vantage Pro2.... My rain console reading is half the figure on the Weather link site. Anyone any idea what has happened. Does not make sense.

    One set to mm and other inch?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,174 ✭✭✭pauldry


    tipping gauge may only be reading on one side


    mine was reading 0.3mm for every tip instead of 0.6mm and it turned out there was a spiders web in the darn thing. working fine now


  • Registered Users Posts: 518 ✭✭✭garroff


    I took off the funnel and checked the tipping. Seems to be reading on both side.

    Where does web site get correct? reading (Weatherlink) if consore is showing half reading. I,d have thought that both get reading over air from outdoor weather station. Therefore if 1 side of tipping bucket only is working then console and Weatherling should both show half reading.
    Am I missing something?

    Thanks for input, Appreciated.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,092 ✭✭✭KAGY


    garroff wrote:
    Where does web site get correct? reading (Weatherlink) if consore is showing half reading. I,d have thought that both get reading over air from outdoor weather station. Therefore if 1 side of tipping bucket only is working then console and Weatherling should both show half reading. Am I missing something?

    Try pouring a known quantity of water through, slow enough that it's read properly. Then divide that volume of water by the area of the collector (width x length)
    Use cm for the lengths and ml for volume and you should get the rain height in cm.
    You could be in a micro climate, rain blocked by the house etc.
    You could also calibrate by using a jar to directly measure how much fell


  • Registered Users Posts: 518 ✭✭✭garroff


    KAGY
    Thank you for your detailed reply.

    Where does my Weatherlink web site get "correct" raimfall reading from?. This morning console 0.9mm,,,,,,,Website 1.8mm.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,466 ✭✭✭Lumi


    garroff wrote: »
    I've got a Vantage Pro2.... My rain console reading is half the figure on the Weather link site. Anyone any idea what has happened. Does not make sense.

    Are you absolutely sure that both Weatherlink and the Davis Console are configured to know that its a 0.2mm gauge and that they are both set to 0.2mm units?
    The readings on both are calculated from the number of tips of the gauge and both the Davis Console and Weatherlink need to be configured separately to read the same units.
    The fact that one is reading half of the other suggests that the Weatherlink software is set to 0.2mm and the Davis console is set to 0.1mm.


  • Registered Users Posts: 518 ✭✭✭garroff


    Lumi
    well done. Console was exactly as you suggested. Have reset it to conform. Website and console now reading same.
    Many thanks.
    Happy Xmas to all who contributed. Appreciated.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,827 ✭✭✭fred funk }{


    Anyone know the cheapest place to buy a Davis station?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 986 ✭✭✭Jambo


    Anyone know the cheapest place to buy a Davis station?


    http://www.forster-grosshandel.de/ in Germany appear to be one of the cheapest. (Its Where I sourced a vantage pro 2 station for work courtesy of their recommendation earlier on this thread)


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,827 ✭✭✭fred funk }{


    Jambo wrote: »
    http://www.forster-grosshandel.de/ in Germany appear to be one of the cheapest. (Its Where I sourced a vantage pro 2 station for work courtesy of their recommendation earlier on this thread)

    Thanks Jambo. They're a tad cheaper on Amazon at the moment. I was hoping there was a bargain somewhere in the sales.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 7,174 ✭✭✭pauldry


    Is there any thing that reads wind gusts accurate

    My weatherstation is way below showing gusts of 20 to 30kph


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,542 ✭✭✭Tactical


    What and where are you comparing gusts to?

    What height is your anemometer mounted at?


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  • Registered Users Posts: 222 ✭✭horsefarm


    I got the basic maplin weather station a few weeks ago. I've only been concerned about temp and dew point so far in my fruitless hopes for snow. Anyway with a windy day approaching I guess it's time to figure out the wind gauge! What is the unit of measurement? It's like single figures and not very impressive at all

    Thanks!


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,092 ✭✭✭KAGY


    horsefarm wrote:
    I guess it's time to figure out the wind gauge! What is the unit of measurement? It's like single figures and not very impressive at all

    In single figures it's probably metres per second. Multiply by 3.6 to get to km per hour.


  • Registered Users Posts: 222 ✭✭horsefarm


    KAGY wrote: »
    In single figures it's probably metres per second. Multiply by 3.6 to get to km per hour.

    Thanks a mil for the reply, I figured out how to change it to kph, it was in Beaufort!


  • Registered Users Posts: 73 ✭✭Gvork


    Hi,
    I Purchased a HomeMatic wireless weather station WDC7000:HM-WDC7000 and a HomeMatic radio-controlled weather data sensor (OC2):HM-WDS100-C6-O.
    My problem is when I 'teach in' the sensor and it comes up 'used', temperature and humidity come up but not wind, sunshine duration or rain.
    Anyone know how to reset it? I've tried but no joy.
    Thanks.


  • Registered Users Posts: 75 ✭✭funkhouser


    Any opinions on this?

    It has the UV index light meter, solar recharging and wind direction over some cheaper models from Maplin and the 2083.

    http://www.amazon.co.uk/Weather-Station-Wireless-Internet-Beginners/dp/B00C9MFQ1A/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1455217311&sr=8-1&keywords=


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 15,951 ✭✭✭✭Villain


    Looks like an upgrade from the usual Maplin and 2083, they are a great starter station I had the old model as my first station, a strong gust took it off on journey :D The temp sensor isn't great in that if Sun hits it then your temps will be well off and trying to stop wind gusts from recording rain by moving gauge can be hard but other than that its good value for money.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 262 ✭✭onmebike


    Does anybody know of any way to use Blogger to display Cumulus weather information? I've had a look but can't find anything particularly recent or useful.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,227 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    Looking for advice on a good accurate weather station, with a Rain Gague, Barometer, Anemometer and an outdoor thermometer included. (Also a wind dial if possible).

    Any recommendations of a good one and what price should I expect to pay?


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,466 ✭✭✭Lumi


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    Looking for advice on a good accurate weather station, with a Rain Gague, Barometer, Anemometer and an outdoor thermometer included. (Also a wind dial if possible).

    Any recommendations of a good one and what price should I expect to pay?

    It really depends on your budget Carnacalla.
    If you spend a bit of time tweaking it and position it properly, the Fine Offset stations sold by Maplin make reasonably good, starter-level weather stations for under €100.
    If you can afford to spend a bit more then either a Davis Vantage Vue or a Vantage Pro if you can go up to €1000 plus are probably the best amateur weather stations on the market.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,227 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    I'd set the budget at €100, but it can be stretched.

    I'll have a look in Maplin.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,802 ✭✭✭✭joujoujou
    Unregistered Users


    Lumi wrote: »
    [...]
    If you spend a bit of time tweaking it and position it properly, the Fine Offset stations sold by Maplin make reasonably good, starter-level weather stations for under €100.
    [...]

    Being an owner of Fine Offset station I have to add something. Better buy two stations and keep one for spares. Their relaibility is actually a lottery. I currently have 3 indoor units (displays): two of them with knackered barometer and third one with faulty hygrometer. Additionally, wind gauge goes offline very frequently despite my endless efforts.

    If I could start again from scratch (I mean: doing kinda time rewind thing) I'd get more money and buy dearer, but more reliable piece of equipment instead.


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  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,227 ✭✭✭✭JCX BXC


    I have the remnants of an old weather station with the Anemometer and Rain Gague still working, everything else is fecked.

    Is this the one ye are referring to?

    http://www.maplin.ie/p/wireless-weather-station-n25fr


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,466 ✭✭✭Lumi


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    I'd set the budget at €100, but it can be stretched.

    I'll have a look in Maplin.

    I'd recommend the N96GY as a starter station with that budget. I had the same one myself for over 3 years before I upgraded and as I said, if you spend time positioning and setting it up correctly it should do fine.

    There's lots of advice on this thread if you search back through it or, once you have it post here and I'm sure there'll be plenty of help on offer.

    Its currently selling for £79.99 on maplin.co.uk
    or
    you can pick it up in Ireland for €119.95 from maplin.ie

    With current exchange rates its cheaper to order from the UK
    joujoujou wrote: »
    Being an owner of Fine Offset station I have to add something. Better buy two stations and keep one for spares.

    Maplin stock and sell a full range of spares now jou which makes life a little easier :)


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,466 ✭✭✭Lumi


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    I have the remnants of an old weather station with the Anemometer and Rain Gague still working, everything else is fecked.

    Is this the one ye are referring to?

    http://www.maplin.ie/p/wireless-weather-station-n25fr

    No, the N96GY is a much better option - see above


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,802 ✭✭✭✭joujoujou
    Unregistered Users


    Carnacalla wrote: »
    [...]

    Is this the one ye are referring to?

    http://www.maplin.ie/p/wireless-weather-station-n25fr

    Me? No.

    I bought one (WH1080) from PJ Bonner in Dublin (they used to have them on their webshop in decent prices), and another one (WH1090) from (currently cheapest place in the net IMO) Froggit.de - they have their ebay shop as well.

    Edit: N96GY is actually a WH1080 clone. And buying a whole station for spares is actually a lot cheaper than buing spares separately. :p


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,466 ✭✭✭Lumi


    joujoujou wrote: »

    Edit: N96GY is actually a WH1080 clone. And buying a whole station for spares is actually a lot cheaper than buing spares separately. :p

    Yep, I had the WH1080 but its been replaced by the N96GY - I set one of those up for my Dad last year and its been trouble free tbh

    The only part I ever had to replace was the anemometer BUT that was because I hit it with a largish stone - on purpose!!
    It had gotten stuck and I was trying to free it the lazy way :D


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 1,991 ✭✭✭sword1


    My Davis is underrecording the wind speed. It is not in the ideal spot but should record southerly winds correctly but seems to be only halfspeed.Any tips ?


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,802 ✭✭✭✭joujoujou
    Unregistered Users


    Lumi wrote: »
    [...]
    It had gotten stuck and I was trying to free it the lazy way :D

    The dearest spares are (obviously) display unit and outdoor transmitter unit. And (apart from situation you just mentioned) these are the only ones breaking frequently (from my own experience). But the biggest problem is to get a matching spare. Not only in terms of radio frequency they're using, but also the way they transmitting data between each other.

    Example:

    http://www.froggit.de/product_info.php/info/p218_ersatz-hydrosensor-pass7.html
    http://www.froggit.de/product_info.php/info/p141_ersatz-hydrosensor-pass14c.html
    http://www.froggit.de/product_info.php/info/p222_ersatz-hydrosensor-pass18.html


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,466 ✭✭✭Lumi


    sword1 wrote: »
    My Davis is underrecording the wind speed. It is not in the ideal spot but should record southerly winds correctly but seems to be only halfspeed.Any tips ?

    Mine packed in completely last summer - I took it down and cleaned it (just loosen the cup set screw,remove cup assembly and clean out the spider webs, insects and/or any dirt from the unit). Touch wood, its worked fine since then so maybe try that and see if it fixes the under recording issue.

    At the time I was afraid that the reed switch had failed because that would have involved replacing the anemometer. Apparently its an issue with Davis units


  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    joujoujou wrote: »
    The dearest spares are (obviously) display unit and outdoor transmitter unit. And (apart from situation you just mentioned) these are the only ones breaking frequently (from my own experience). But the biggest problem is to get a matching spare. Not only in terms of radio frequency they're using, but also the way they transmitting data between each other.

    Example:

    http://www.froggit.de/product_info.php/info/p218_ersatz-hydrosensor-pass7.html
    http://www.froggit.de/product_info.php/info/p141_ersatz-hydrosensor-pass14c.html
    http://www.froggit.de/product_info.php/info/p222_ersatz-hydrosensor-pass18.html
    This has been one of the most frustrating issues that I have experienced over recent years, I now have three perfectly working display units and incomplete sets of sensors.

    Each time I went to replace a failed sensor, it was out of production.
    Maybe the more professional units have a longer support period for their systems.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 233 ✭✭slayer91


    Hi,

    Had a WRM962 for a 2 years and it lasted ok but once it stared giving trouble, it broke my heart.
    From reading it seems Davis are the best but most expensive.

    Anybody recommend the best site to buy a Davis Vantage Pro 2 (6152).

    Regs


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  • Moderators, Science, Health & Environment Moderators Posts: 12,068 Mod ✭✭✭✭Meteorite58


    I bought mine off The Weather Shop,https://www.weathershop.co.uk/shop/weather-stations/commercial-weather-stations good service . Did have problems with the Thermometer/ Humidity sensor after maybe 4 years and replaced the sensor with a compatible one. Also had an issue with erroneous rainfall readings after a few years but got resolved with advice from Davis and other owners and a bit of tinkering with it.

    Overall have enjoyed very much using it on a daily basis for over 5 years now. Would have liked it to be perfect but I suppose nothing is especially when out in all weathers and especially right up next to the Atlantic.

    I know some have bought the station from Germany, not sure of the address but maybe somebody will post it up.

    Best of luck with the purchase.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,591 ✭✭✭SafeSurfer


    Hi, I am looking for a weather station with a weather proof outdoor display. It is for a small pier on a lake to alert boat users to wind speed, direction etc. I have looked at weather vanes as a simple solution but working out wind speed is guesswork with them.
    Thanks in advance.

    Multo autem ad rem magis pertinet quallis tibi vide aris quam allis



  • Posts: 31,118 ✭✭✭✭ [Deleted User]


    SafeSurfer wrote: »
    Hi, I am looking for a weather station with a weather proof outdoor display. It is for a small pier on a lake to alert boat users to wind speed, direction etc. I have looked at weather vanes as a simple solution but working out wind speed is guesswork with them.
    Thanks in advance.
    Just buy a simple hobby one and put the display unit in a weather proof box with a window on it.


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,591 ✭✭✭SafeSurfer


    Just buy a simple hobby one and put the display unit in a weather proof box with a window on it.

    Thanks dolan baker. Is there any particular model you would recommend?

    Multo autem ad rem magis pertinet quallis tibi vide aris quam allis



  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 18,617 ✭✭✭✭_Brian


    Looking for some help..

    My WH1080 weather station has stopped receiving from the out door station. I presumed it was a battery problem but I now think the transmitter is kaput as with new battery the red LED stays constant on, there is some water staining inside the unit also :o

    I'm having problems sourcing a replacement 868.3mhz transmitter. I've found an identical part as a replacement on another brand of weather station..

    My thinking is these parts are all identical/interchangeable as long as the frequency matches, would this make sense..

    images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSDf-kopWXktxJB8yiZ2QeXJpaOYeao0yLUfSIHB3bAqpRP9_-b6g


  • Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 13,802 ✭✭✭✭joujoujou
    Unregistered Users


    The answer's just few posts above:

    [post]100753958[/post]


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 2,039 ✭✭✭force eleven


    I have a Davis Vantage Vue station last 3 years, no problems at all until a couple weeks ago. The outside temperature and humidity readings are just dashes on the console now. I went out and cleaned the shield around it from dirt and a few bugs and exposed the pcb tip. Put everything back and it worked for a few hours then went again. I want to take it out and see if there is any loose connection or otherwise but after looking at it again ( without removing) it hasn't worked. What are your experiences with this sensor? Everything else ( wind, rain)reading normally.


  • Closed Accounts Posts: 6,466 ✭✭✭Lumi


    I have a Davis Vantage Vue station last 3 years, no problems at all until a couple weeks ago. The outside temperature and humidity readings are just dashes on the console now. I went out and cleaned the shield around it from dirt and a few bugs and exposed the pcb tip. Put everything back and it worked for a few hours then went again. I want to take it out and see if there is any loose connection or otherwise but after looking at it again ( without removing) it hasn't worked. What are your experiences with this sensor? Everything else ( wind, rain)reading normally.

    Meteorite58 had the same problem so maybe drop him a PM for some advice?
    I Did have problems with the Thermometer/ Humidity sensor after maybe 4 years and replaced the sensor with a compatible one.

    There's also some possible solutions with step-by-step advice and pictures over on the WX forum http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=24701.0


  • Registered Users Posts: 518 ✭✭✭garroff


    Had the same problem. Eventually had to replace the module. I was referred to a supplier in Cork. Very easy to deal with
    Good customer service.


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  • Registered Users Posts: 186 ✭✭shmaupel


    Anyone spot any black Friday weather station deals?!

    I had that basic wireless one from Maplins until is got struck by something during a gale.

    Was thinking of getting the same one again unless I found a good deal on a better one.


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