WeatherCat > WeatherCat General Discussion
Newbie: Sampling Interval?
atnbirdie:
I'll be converting from WeatherLink on a PC to WeatherCat on a Mac shortly. As I peruse the WC manual, I am curious as to how often folks are sampling the data (Preferences/Misc2)? I intend to set sampling to 'adaptive' so I can sample less frequently to conserve disc space, but am not sure how long to go. If I have adaptive set, does it make sense to stretch sampling to the max since the program will adjust anyway?
Thanks for any insights you may have on this.
Steve
elagache:
Dear Steve and WeatherCat fans,
--- Quote from: atnbirdie on July 10, 2012, 08:06:44 PM ---I'll be converting from WeatherLink on a PC to WeatherCat on a Mac shortly. As I peruse the WC manual, I am curious as to how often folks are sampling the data (Preferences/Misc2)?
--- End quote ---
Unfortunately, I don't know the answer to your second question because of how I responded to the first. At the time, I was told that the WeatherCat data files weren't that large so why not spurge and collect relatively frequently. I have my sampling interval set at 5 minutes. My "WeatherCat" database for 2010 takes up a bit less than 69 Mb. 2011 is more hefty at 92 Mb. Still since disk drive space is relatively inexpensive, I don't see any reason to be miserly with respect to this sort of thing.
Since you are using WeatherLink, it is safe to assume you have a Davis station. In this case there is one additional consideration. You want the Davis data logger to sample at the same rate as WeatherCat so that you get continuous data even if your computer is down. Somewhere we have a way to calculate exactly how many hours can be stored in a standard Davis data logger. However, I've gone well beyond 12 hours without losing any data using a 5 minute sampling interval on my Davis logger. Unless you hope to leave your station without your computer connected for extended periods of time, setting the Davis data logger to 5 minutes will also work fine.
Of course it will depend on where you are at and the sort of weather you encounter there. Hopefully other folks will provide additional perspective on this question.
Feel free to ask additional questions if anything is unclear.
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
Steve:
Hi Steve, and welcome to the WeatherCat forum!
I convinced Steve to give WeatherCat a try when he was looking for a way to get his webcam images onto Weather Underground. I first suggested EvoCam, but then suggested dumping WL altogether and joining us here!
One thing to try before you jump in whole hog, Steve. If your data logger is from a WeatherLink for PC give it a try with LWC or WeatherCat first. I think it works with both, but I'm not absolutely positive. You will also need to install the latest driver from Silicon Labs here: http://www.silabs.com/products/mcu/Pages/USBtoUARTBridgeVCPDrivers.aspx
Welcome to the asylum,
Steve
atnbirdie:
Edouard,
Thanks for that perspective. I had just read what the capacity was of the logger the other day. Here it is:
The WeatherLink Data Logger can store up to 2560 archive records (one 52-byte record per archive interval) for later transfer to a computer. Archive records are stored in 128K of non-volatile memory; protecting the data even if the console loses power. Maxima, minima, averages, and totals are taken over the archive interval, which is user-selectable in increments of 1, 5, 10, 15, 30, 60, or 120 minutes. The data logger archive storage capacity (the amount of time before the archive is completely filled) is as follows:
1 Minute Archive Interval - 42 hours
5 Minute Archive Interval - 8 days
10 Minute Archive Interval - 17 days
15 Minute Archive Interval - 26 days
30 Minute Archive Interval - 53 days
60 Minute Archive Interval - 106 days
120 Minute Archive Interval - 213 days
Looks like you have an 8 day buffer at a 5 minute archiving interval.
Steve,
I'm sure my logger will work as I purchased it with the WeatherLink for Mac software (it's a model 6520). So I just need to return to the Silabs site and ensure our iMac gets the latest driver.
Thanks again to all.
Steve B.
elagache:
Dear Steve and WeatherCat fans,
--- Quote from: atnbirdie on July 11, 2012, 04:41:32 PM ---5 Minute Archive Interval - 8 days
--- End quote ---
Thanks for going through all the math to figure that out. I had gotten this info somewhere, but honestly, I run my weather station computer 24/7, so it didn't seem worth too much effort to figure out the duration. However, back in the Winter of 2010, the house was hit by lightening and I my computer was damaged as well as the link to the weather station. I made sure to download the data every 12 hours just to be safe. It is good to know that in an extreme emergency I can go over a week and still not lose any data.
Thanks again!
Cheers, Edouard [cheers1]
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