PERSONAL WEATHER STATIONS: Queries and Advice

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.