Noobie Davis hardware question

[xairbusdriver]

I've downloaded the manual for the Console, but have not read it thoroughly, yet. Since I will be using a mini for running WeatherCat and probably nothing else, the only purpose of the envoy would be to locate the Console some place other than in the "computer" room. When we built the house 18+ years ago, we had two coax cable runs installed; only thinking about  TV and media, not computer networks! [headbash]

I did notice that the Mac version of the Davis software included the USB hardware. I assume (always dangerous, I know!) that the hardware (data logger) was to be placed in either the Console or the Envoy. Is that correct?

Since it would be difficult to place the Console in another room (without hole drilling), it sounds like the Envoy is an unnecessary expense. I am slowly figuring out, I hope, exactly what is needed through everyones comments! Thanks!!

[Blicj11]

I did notice that the Mac version of the Davis software included the USB hardware. I assume (always dangerous, I know!) that the hardware (data logger) was to be placed in either the Console or the Envoy. Is that correct?

Yes, you are correct. The data logger plugs into the back of the Vantage Pro2 console and is then connected via USB to your mini. If you employ the Envoy next to your computer (so that your console can be moved to a central location in the house), then the data logger plugs into the back of the Envoy. If you use the Envoy - Vantage Pro2 combination, the two consoles communicate with each other wirelessly.

A less expensive option is to just get the 6152 console and use the iOS client on either an iPhone or an iPad to see what's happening (assuming you already have one of those iOS devices - if you don't that is a more expensive route!).

[xairbusdriver]

A less expensive option is to just get the 6152 console and use the iOS client on either an iPhone or an iPad

Thanks for the idea. My wife and I both have iDevices and they are usually close by, even at home. I'll have to investigate those apps.

Also, the Console is part of the 6152 'kit', as far as I know. The expense of the Envoy is certainly not required, in my situation.

I just hope you and Bull don't get into trouble bucking the "we'll help you spend your money" pledge! Do we 'sign' that 'pledge' automatically or after so many posts or do I need to show a purchase receipt?

[Blicj11]

I just hope you and Bull don't get into trouble bucking the "we'll help you spend your money" pledge!

Herb doesn't need money. He gets a commission for selling batteries to Edouard. 

[elagache]

Dear xairbusdriver, Herb, Blick, and WeatherCat station design consultants,

First, Edouard, I most say you have a very unusual shaped house! It must be fun trying to hang pictures on those curved walls!

Alright, alright! . . . . Touch?!!

Extra stuff to move the anemometer to the roof:

• Envoy (Part # 06316 $175 ^?)
• Anemometer/Sensor Transmitter Kit (Part # 06332 $150 ^?)
• Mast, tripod or wall-mounts

Gang correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can use the secondary transmitter for the anemometer if you want to have that data appear in WeatherCat or be uploaded to other services.  I think you have to find a way to connect the anemometer to your station transmitter that will be with the rain gauge.  That's why I was suggesting that you look into how you could run that cable from the roof-mounted anemometer all the way to the rest of your instruments on the wood mount you are planning.

There is another possibility for mounting the anemometer that avoids putting it on the roof.  You could put it at the top of a flag pole near where you want to put the rest of the instruments.  There are two Davis station installations in our neighborhood that are set up that way.  There is some advantage to it.  You avoid touching your roof at all and you can put the flag pole close to the rest of the instruments so that what cable that needs to be buried or protected is minimal.  I don't know how easy it is to lower the flag pole to maintain the anemometer though.  It may sound like an eye-sore, but it really isn't so bad.  If you like I could take a picture of the each installation so you would have an idea of what that looks like.

The only purpose of the envoy would be to locate the Console some place other than in the "computer" room.

You might try setting up the console in the computer room just to get everything working and get used to having this sort of data.  If it turns out to be desirable to have the console somewhere else, you can always buy the Weather Envoy later on and swap the data logger.  It is a quick and easy thing to do.  So this is an idea just to keep in the back of your head for the moment.

Thanks for the idea. My wife and I both have iDevices and they are usually close by, even at home. I'll have to investigate those apps.

The apps are very nice and work well.  However, you may nonetheless decide eventually to want to move the console into a location with easy access.  It is a convenience that most of us expect to have from a weather instrument.  You want to know what the temperature is outside you just look and the number is right there.  Until recently, we didn't have all these computers and to check the temperature - you looked at a thermometer!

Herb doesn't need money. He gets a commission for selling batteries to Edouard. 

Well da' dreaded ISS battery eatin' syndrome appears to have been finally banished, but there was one more twist to the tale.  I had to put the original ISS transmitter board that came with my station 5 years ago back into the 6382 enclosure.  The new transmitter board was - still - shutting down during the early hours of the morning!!   At least one fellow on the WXForum had a problem with Davis transmitter shutting down like that.  I wonder if I didn't damage the new board by connecting it to a temperature/humidity sensor with such a long cable extension.  Even after I eliminated that, it still wasn't working properly! 

I haven't had a problem in about a week, but - no fooling - I've had enough of this nonsense!! 

Cheers, Edouard  [/list]

[xairbusdriver]

You could put it at the top of a flag pole near where you want to put the rest of the instruments.

Hey, that would also enable me to have 39+ foot high anemometer! US Railroads are slowly moving to a new monitoring/control system that requires pretty tall radio antennae along the tracks. They look to be close to 40' high. They are built with a pivot point maybe 15' ADL so they can be unlocked and swiveled down to access the antenna. Of course, these things are probably using 6" diameter pipe on the bottom support and ? x 6 x 12 inch steel slabs to mount the pivot/hinge bolt. And they still may be rather unstable at the very top! But that might be modified and shortened for uses like ours. After all, there's already ~40' of cable for the anemometer that comes with the Vantage Pro2!

I do worry a bit about intentionally punching holes in my roof!

Until recently, we didn't have all these computers and to check the temperature

I just use the "Honey, do you mind going to get the morning paper?" And then I ask her what the temps were like. I can also find out if it's raining or very windy just by looking at her hair...

[Steve]

Gang correct me if I'm wrong, but I don't think you can use the secondary transmitter for the anemometer if you want to have that data appear in WeatherCat or be uploaded to other services.  I think you have to find a way to connect the anemometer to your station transmitter that will be with the rain gauge.  That's why I was suggesting that you look into how you could run that cable from the roof-mounted anemometer all the way to the rest of your instruments on the wood mount you are planning.

Edouard,

The anemometer transmitter kit's signal, when received by the console, is used in lieu of the anemometer channel from the ISS. So WeatherCat and/or any other software or service digests the wind data as if it came from an anemometer wired to the ISS. That's what makes it so handy to mount remotely. My anemometer is on the ten foot mast on the tripod on my roof, and the anemometer transmitter is mounted down by the kitchen window, easily reached when any battery maintenance is needed.

Steve

[LesCimes]

I use the anemometer transmitter kit as well. Works like a charm. I put up a utility pole which I got free from the telephone company (Around here, they lay them out in their maintenance yard and are free for the taking, first come first served). I snatched the longest one I could find and then added a pipe extension to which I attached the anemometer. Comes out about 40 ft.

Note, Davis also sells a repeater kit which does not work with the anemometer. Must purchase the transmitter specially for the anemometer.

[xairbusdriver]

they lay [the poles] out in their maintenance yard and are free for the taking

I guess that means they don't deliver/install! Last Spring I decided to buy some rubber mulch; getting tired of buying more shredded bark every year, not to mention hauling and 'installing'! Ordered a ~75 cu. ft. bag. Had to be delivered by truck. Truck arrives, bag has smashed the pallet it sat on to allow a forklift to move it, no forklift on truck. Bill of lading says the bag weighs ~1200 pounds!!! The driver, even though he looked like a NFL linesman, could barely budge the huge sack. He even called for backup and the two men still could not get it to the end of the trailer. It went back to the dock for high-level planning! When another truck finally returned, the sack was very near the door, we just cut open the sack and spilled/shoveled the mulch on the driveway! It was quite a show!! By the time I need more mulch, I'll probably be too old to even drive the wheelbarrow!! If I do ever get that much again, I'll have it delivered to the Home Depot store and let them get it off the truck!!

I do have a little 8' long trailer... that would leave about 32' of that pole hanging out the back... prolly have to put two red flags on that sucker!

[elagache]

Howdy Steve, LesCimes, xairbusdriver, and WeatherCat Davis fans,

Gang correct me if I'm wrong . . . .

The anemometer transmitter kit's signal, when received by the console, is used in lieu of the anemometer channel from the ISS. So WeatherCat and/or any other software or service digests the wind data as if it came from an anemometer wired to the ISS. That's what makes it so handy to mount remotely.

Okay, I really wasn't sure so that's why I asked for the "backup."  Thanks! 

Does anybody know if the anemometer is the only instrument that can be set up in this way?  I could have saved myself a ton of work if you could get the temperature/humidity data from a 6382 station to substitute for the ISS temperature/humidity probe.

You could put it at the top of a flag pole near where you want to put the rest of the instruments.

Hey, that would also enable me to have 39+ foot high anemometer!

Well, yes you could go that way, but that just might be goin' about it da' hard way!!  

I was thinking more about the 10 foot or so flag poles that can be bought from any serious flag supplier.  I don't know if your house is a two story house or not.  If it is then you get better data from the roof obviously.

I do worry a bit about intentionally punching holes in my roof!

Actually, the way I put my anemometer might be interesting if you can find a spot on your house where the roof is flush with a wall.  Here is the photo from earlier in this thread:



If you look at the anemometer mast it is actually attached to an "L" shaped wooden bracket that is bolted to the wall.  Here is a close up of the bracket:



That's one way to get a mast above your roof without having to get on the roof at all.

Until recently, we didn't have all these computers and to check the temperature

I just use the "Honey, do you mind going to get the morning paper?" And then I ask her what the temps were like. I can also find out if it's raining or very windy just by looking at her hair...

  . . . Hmm, why do I get the sinking feeling that selling this project to - SWMBO - is going to be a tougher proposition that it would first appear! . . . 

Cheers, Edouard 

P.S. Let me know if you want those photos of a Davis anemometer mounted on a flag pole.  It could be useful information when you finally confront . . . SWMBO

[xairbusdriver]

We have what is called a story and a half. That sounds like one of the contest categories at the <Annual Liars Contest> in eastern Tennessee!

I had thought about using the wall of couple of rooms that jut out of the back roof. That would lower the anemometer a good 8', however, putting it, even on a 10' mast, barely above the peak of the roof. I'd really like to get it out/above of the turbulent air coming over that peak. A taller/longer mast would work, but it would also need to be stronger/heavier. However, mounting the transmitter kit low on that wall is entirely doable and would negate having to 'walk' on that 12/12 pitched roof!

[elagache]

Dear xairbusdriver and WeatherCat station caregivers,

We have what is called a story and a half. That sounds like one of the contest categories at the <Annual Liars Contest> in eastern Tennessee!

  . . . . What!?!?! . . .   Ya' mean in eastern Tennessee they have managed to force people to lie no more than once a year!  Amazing!!!! 

I had thought about using the wall of couple of rooms that jut out of the back roof. That would lower the anemometer a good 8', however, putting it, even on a 10' mast, barely above the peak of the roof. I'd really like to get it out/above of the turbulent air coming over that peak. A taller/longer mast would work, but it would also need to be stronger/heavier. However, mounting the transmitter kit low on that wall is entirely doable and would negate having to 'walk' on that 12/12 pitched roof!

Is this a multi-story house?  If so, then your best bet is indeed putting the actual anemometer mast at the highest point on the roof.  On a single story house, you can get some flag-poles or equivalent that will get high enough to be comparable to the highest point you would be likely to reach using a tripod on the roof.  The houses I was referring to in our neighborhood are indeed doing this.  I think pole approach makes for easier installation and maintenance.

I gave up on trying to collect decent wind data because we are in the wind shadow of a steep slope with lots of trees all around.  I would need at least a 100 foot mast to get above all that and I think the neighbors would consider that an eyesore!!   

One other thing to keep in mind when setting up your station layout is the distances between the station transmitter and the various receivers.  I am continuing to have some trouble with my station and I just turned on the repeater feature of my console.  My Weather Envoy is now far away from the main station transmitter and I had some sensor errors last night.  The distance between the station transmitter and the Envoy is now close to 100 feet and this house is definitely not the most radio signal friendly structure in the world.

Cheers, Edouard 

[Blicj11]

Here is a closeup photo of the homemade bracket that I used to install a 3-meter pole so as to get the the anemometer above the highest point of my roof. You can read all about it here: http://athena.trixology.com/index.php?topic=1333.0

[xairbusdriver]

Is this a multi-story house?

It appears to be a single story from the front, with a very high peaked roof. However, there is a large "dog house" extension on the back of the roof for a couple of bedrooms overlooking the back yard. You can see the roof of that extension in the image in post #20, it's under the upper half of the "W" circle. (Is there a way, with the forum software, to link to a specific post?)

Unfortunately, with the house facing south, the remote anemometer kit will be on the north side of the roof. That makes access, without climbing onto the roof, very difficult if it is to remain in Sunlight for the majority of the year. OTOH, since the lit solar array doesn't have to be as solidly mounted as the anemometer, it might be possible to affix it to a movable boom that is accessible through one of the many windows on that "dog house". In other words, the location of the anemometer is pretty simple, mounting the kit is the main problem.

[elagache]

Dear xairbusdriver and WeatherCat station design consultants,

Unfortunately, with the house facing south, the remote anemometer kit will be on the north side of the roof. That makes access, without climbing onto the roof, very difficult if it is to remain in Sunlight for the majority of the year.
. . . . .
In other words, the location of the anemometer is pretty simple, mounting the kit is the main problem.

You might need to check up on this, but Davis equipment is supposed to be able to operate on battery power alone.  I thought Herb's and Steve's remote anemometer kits must be set up this way because both need to replace the battery every few months.  If the solar panel was working that shouldn't be necessary.

If there is no easy way to get the solar panel reaching sunlight then trying to use battery power alone is an option worth checking out.

Can anybody else can confirm my hunch?

Cheers, Edouard 

P.S. Another scheme would be to extend the anemometer cable far enough so that you could reach the ground and could mount the remote anemometer transmitter in a location that was easily accessible and still got some sunlight.  You would have to call Davis technical support to get exact figures, but I recall something like 120 feet cable lengths for the anemometer is still acceptable.  That's would give you many more options for where to put that transmitter.