Trixology

WeatherCat => WeatherCat General Discussion => Topic started by: allyenw@gmail.com on July 27, 2018, 03:57:25 AM

Title: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: allyenw@gmail.com on July 27, 2018, 03:57:25 AM
Hello,

I have used WC for many years. Finally got a new Envoy to try to correct my out of calibration barometer. Got the new Envoy set up with WeatherLink on PC. Weatherlink successfully starts recording data. I move the Envoy to my Mac (OSX High Sierra). WC doesn't update with current weather.

Log keeps saying something like "can't downlaod data will retry in 30 seconds." I tried resetting station comms and when I select Vantage Pro 2 it shows the comms port as "/dev/cu.bluetooth-Incoming-Port" It won't let me select another port.

I did not change anything on the Mac, just swapped Envoys.

Thank you for your help,
Allyen
Title: Try updating your driver (Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy )
Post by: elagache on July 27, 2018, 11:21:51 PM
Dear Allyen and WeatherCat troubleshooters,

Since this is your first post on the WeatherCat forum let me first welcome you to the forum! . . . . (http://www.canebas.org/WeatherCat/Forum_support_documents/Custom_emoticons/welcome_smiley.gif)

I have used WC for many years. Finally got a new Envoy to try to correct my out of calibration barometer. Got the new Envoy set up with WeatherLink on PC. Weatherlink successfully starts recording data. I move the Envoy to my Mac (OSX High Sierra). WC doesn't update with current weather.

Log keeps saying something like "can't downlaod data will retry in 30 seconds." I tried resetting station comms and when I select Vantage Pro 2 it shows the comms port as "/dev/cu.bluetooth-Incoming-Port" It won't let me select another port.

Your problems suggest to me that your driver to connect to Davis data logger might be out of date.  We have troubleshooting information for the Davis stations on the WeatherCat Wiki:

http://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Davis (http://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Davis)

Included there is the current location where you can download the latest drivers.  At the moment this link will take you to the current driver for Macs:

https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers (https://www.silabs.com/products/development-tools/software/usb-to-uart-bridge-vcp-drivers)

You will need to scroll down past all the Windows drivers to reach the Mac drivers.

Try updating that and see if that solves your problem.

Do let us know what you discover.

Cheers, Edouard  [cheers1]
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: dweeks on August 23, 2018, 09:39:21 PM
Edouard,

I have an almost identical problem.

I migrated my WC files from a Macbook Air to a Mini. The Mini is connected to a Weather Envoy, which I configured using Weatherlink Mac.

Weatherlink Mac sees the Vantage Vue, and gets and displays data

But WeatherCat gives the same error the OP is getting.

I've checked to make sure the USB driver is correct for the OS X version on the Mini.

After two hours of troubleshooting, I'm running out of ideas.
Title: Still could be a driver issue (Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy )
Post by: elagache on August 23, 2018, 10:39:14 PM
Dear dweeks and WeatherCat troubleshooters,

I have an almost identical problem.

. . . .

Weatherlink Mac sees the Vantage Vue, and gets and displays data

But WeatherCat gives the same error the OP is getting.

I've checked to make sure the USB driver is correct for the OS X version on the Mini.

After two hours of troubleshooting, I'm running out of ideas.

Which driver are you using?  You can get information on the available drivers on this page of our WeatherCat Wiki:

http://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Obtaining_the_latest_drivers_for_use_with_Davis_data_loggers (http://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Obtaining_the_latest_drivers_for_use_with_Davis_data_loggers)

If you download the latest driver, there are versions for MacOS 10.11 and later and a legacy version for MacOS 10.10 and 10.9.   Whenever possible, try to use the latest driver that is available for the version of MacOS that you are running.

Let us know what you uncover.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: dweeks on August 23, 2018, 10:49:05 PM
Edouard,

The Mini is running OS X 11 El Capitan, and the USB driver is the right one. This is from the release notes:

CP210x Macintosh OS X VCP Driver v5 Release Notes
Copyright (C) 2017-2018 Silicon Laboratories Inc.

This release contains the following components:

* SiLabsUSBDriverDisk.dmg - Image containing the VCP Driver Installer
* ReleaseNotes.txt (this file)
* uninstaller.sh - a bash shell script for removing the driver

Known Issues and Limitations
----------------------------

   This release includes the Macintosh OSX driver for 64 bit Intel
   Macintosh computers running MacOS X 10.11 or greater.
Title: EMI issue? (Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy )
Post by: elagache on August 23, 2018, 11:12:50 PM
Dear dweeks and WeatherCat troubleshooters,

The Mini is running OS X 11 El Capitan, and the USB driver is the right one. This is from the release notes:

Okay, then the next things to check is whether or not something is interfering with the cable itself.  WeatherCat requires more data than WeatherLink so it could be that something is interfering with the data coming from your Envoy to your Mac.  What sort of devices to you have around the Envoy?  If you have a lot of other electronics, you might try relocating the Envoy as far as the cable will permit you to go.  There is some more information on this sort of problem on the Davis page of the WeatherCat Wiki:

http://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Electronic_Interference_Effects_on_Station_Hardware/Data_Logger/USB_Cable (http://wiki.trixology.com/index.php?title=Electronic_Interference_Effects_on_Station_Hardware/Data_Logger/USB_Cable)


Something else that is well worth considering is Ferrite Cores.  My Weather Envoy is in the same room as 4 computers, but I don't have any problems with the signal.  I have had the cores described on the Wiki page since 2010 or so. 

Let us know if relocating your Envoy helps.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: cabut on August 25, 2018, 06:15:20 PM
I am having the same unresolved issue with a mini running El Capitan (10.11.6)


http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2808.0

Let me know if you have success.

Cabut
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: cabut on August 25, 2018, 08:19:42 PM


Found the fix.

1. Uninstall WC 3.01

2. Install WC 2.44

Driver: Latest from SiLabsUSBDriver v. 5.05

Works like a charm.

Cabut
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: Blicj11 on August 26, 2018, 02:37:36 AM
Found the fix.

1. Uninstall WC 3.01

2. Install WC 2.44

Driver: Latest from SiLabsUSBDriver v. 5.05

Works like a charm.

I love it when stuff works. Thanks for the report and for working it until it worked. However, it ought to also work on WC 3.01
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: cabut on August 26, 2018, 05:55:24 PM
No one is more pleased than I [rockon]!

If you ever discover why 3.01 did not work on 10.11.6 using the latest SiLab driver (5.05) please let me know!

Thanks,

Cabut
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: wurzelmac on August 26, 2018, 06:29:40 PM
If you ever discover why 3.01 did not work on 10.11.6 using the latest SiLab driver (5.05) please let me know!

Cannot help in this one, but there is clearly a very lower macOS working with V3.02, look at the WeatherCat Tags Reference site:
http://live.trixology.com/custom/

 :-[

By the way, did you try V3.02?

Cheers,
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: cabut on August 28, 2018, 02:54:43 AM
No, it wasn?t available when I start my quest. But after going over everything to make 3.01 work with an expert(Xair) for two days I was just relieved to have WeatherCat working no matter what version!

Cabut
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: wurzelmac on August 28, 2018, 07:32:11 AM
... I was just relieved to have WeatherCat working ...

Fully understand!  :)
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: dweeks on August 29, 2018, 03:49:39 PM
If you ever discover why 3.01 did not work on 10.11.6 using the latest SiLab driver (5.05) please let me know!

Cannot help in this one, but there is clearly a very lower macOS working with V3.02, look at the WeatherCat Tags Reference site:
http://live.trixology.com/custom/

 :-[

By the way, did you try V3.02?

Cheers,

Where can I find 3.02 to download? It does not show in the download page, nor does WC 3.01 Update command show it.
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: Blicj11 on August 29, 2018, 04:36:44 PM
It is a development build, still under construction. So if you are going to run it, make sure you have everything backed up, etc.

https://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=2754.msg26944#msg26944
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: dweeks on August 29, 2018, 06:44:57 PM
Found the fix.

1. Uninstall WC 3.01

2. Install WC 2.44

Driver: Latest from SiLabsUSBDriver v. 5.05

Works like a charm.

I love it when stuff works. Thanks for the report and for working it until it worked. However, it ought to also work on WC 3.01

FYI, I'm in the other thread as well.

I tried 2.44 no help, and then 3.02 no help either. Silabs 5.05 driver...

What's interesting is that the Davis WeatherLink 6 software operating on the same El Cap Mini is getting data from the ISS via the Weather Envoy just perfectly.

I just can't get Weather Cat to get any data using the same hardware.

I'll next try moving the USB data logger back to the console and taking the Envoy out of the equation. That's not a long term solution, as I have no good place to put the console within the length of the USB cable.


EDIT 10 minutes later. I put the data logger back in the console, taking out the Envoy, and WeatherCat works perfectly.

This means probably I did not set up the Envoy correctly or the new WeatherCat installation correctly to see the Envoy. But I have verified the Comm settings that Silab is being used and the ISS is a Vantage Vue/Envoy.

The Envoy DOES send data to the Mini and Davis Weatherlink sees it.

I'm about stumped.
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: Blicj11 on August 29, 2018, 07:01:28 PM
Our Envoy expert (Edouard) will login later this afternoon and might have some insight. You can just stick with this thread. Looks like the issue is with the Envoy setup. Let's see what Edouard has to say.
Title: Exchange Envoy? (Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy )
Post by: elagache on August 29, 2018, 10:37:41 PM
Dear dweeks, Blick, and WeatherCat troubleshooters,

What's interesting is that the Davis WeatherLink 6 software operating on the same El Cap Mini is getting data from the ISS via the Weather Envoy just perfectly.

I just can't get Weather Cat to get any data using the same hardware.

I'll next try moving the USB data logger back to the console and taking the Envoy out of the equation. That's not a long term solution, as I have no good place to put the console within the length of the USB cable.


EDIT 10 minutes later. I put the data logger back in the console, taking out the Envoy, and WeatherCat works perfectly.

This means probably I did not set up the Envoy correctly or the new WeatherCat installation correctly to see the Envoy. But I have verified the Comm settings that Silab is being used and the ISS is a Vantage Vue/Envoy.

The Envoy DOES send data to the Mini and Davis Weatherlink sees it.

I'm about stumped.

I agree this is a very strange situation, but given that WeatherCat does work fine with your console that seems to rule out any problem with your Mac, its software, WeatherCat, or your data logger.  Since the Weather Envoy is the new piece of hardware in the system there are two possibilities:


I recall something about some firmware upgrades that could lead to your data logger having a problem with a new Envoy.  When did you buy your Console and Data logger?  If they are relatively old, you might call Davis technical support and see if there is any possibilities of incompatibility.

I realize that it might seem odd for WeatherLink to work while WeatherCat doesn't, but WeatherLink isn't anywhere as demanding on the Davis hardware as WeatherCat is.  So a sporadic problem might not be sufficient for WeatherLink to fail to connect while WeatherCat detects this error and stops.

If I remember correctly, you purchased this Weather Envoy recently.  If you cannot find any other explanation, I would temporarily return to connecting to your station using the console and seek to exchange this Envoy for another one.  Hopefully the next one will behave as they are supposed do.

Sorry, that's the best advice I can offer.

Edouard
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: dweeks on August 29, 2018, 10:42:56 PM
Edouard,

Thanks.

I did see bits about firmware upgrades for older Envoys, but mine is new.

I might try backing up the Mini, and upgrading it to High Sierra and see what happens.

As I had mentioned in an earlier thread, I had been running successfully on a Macbook Air El Cap before the house move and switch to the Envoy. I tried that machine with the Envoy and it did not work. Same problem...no comms.

The network is different, obviously, but that should not make any difference to WeatherCat talking to the ISS via an Envoy.

I'll let you know if I ever solve the problem.
Title: Old data loggers won't work. (Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy )
Post by: elagache on August 30, 2018, 11:20:27 PM
Dear dweeks and WeatherCat troubleshooters,

I did see bits about firmware upgrades for older Envoys, but mine is new.

. . . . .

The problem isn't with Envoy but potentially with your data logger.  I had to replace my Weather Envoy in 2015.  My data logger was purchased at the same time as my weather station back in 2009.  When I attempted to use the older logger in the 2015 Envoy, it wouldn't work at all.  According to the outfit where I bought the Envoy (Scaled Instruments (https://www.scaledinstruments.com/) https://www.scaledinstruments.com/ (https://www.scaledinstruments.com/)) there was a known problem with older data loggers and newer Weather Envoy units.

I called Davis Technical Support and explained my problem.  They sent me a newer data logger that would work in the Envoy I had purchased for free.  How old is your data logger?  It is definitely a potential explanation of your problem.

Let us know.

Cheers, Edouard
Title: Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy
Post by: kmatley on March 04, 2019, 08:48:28 PM
I just got a new Envoy and ran into the same problem as the OP. I called Davis Instruments and they verified that my data logger, which was manufactured in 2008, is not compatible with the newer Envoys, but they wanted $50.00 to replace it with a new one. I called up the dealer and he said that he had always heard that they swapped the old loggers out for new, as Edouard said they did with his. Has anyone else had a recent experience with swapping out an old logger?
Title: Exchange back in 4/2015 (Re: Weather Cat won't connect to New Envoy )
Post by: elagache on March 05, 2019, 12:10:50 AM
Dear kmatley and WeatherCat seekers of hardware harmony,

I just got a new Envoy and ran into the same problem as the OP. I called Davis Instruments and they verified that my data logger, which was manufactured in 2008, is not compatible with the newer Envoys, but they wanted $50.00 to replace it with a new one. I called up the dealer and he said that he had always heard that they swapped the old loggers out for new, as Edouard said they did with his. Has anyone else had a recent experience with swapping out an old logger?

Unfortunately, I just checked my records and I was able to make that swap all the way back in April of 2015 - so almost 4 years ago.  That is plenty of time for Davis to change their policy.  Have you contacted the company that sold you the Envoy.  I contacted Ryan of Scaled Instruments before contacting Davis and Ryan told me they would replace the data logger for free.  You might need some help from your vendor to avoid the $50 exchange fee.

Sorry, that's all I can add on this one.

Edouard