There's always something...

[xairbusdriver]

I've had my new Vantage Pro2 up and running for about 24 hours. Just bolted the anemometer to the post holding the main station until I could get the permanent pole-above-the-roof set up. I opened the box holding the Anemometer Kit (6332) to see what I might need to mount it on a bracket that arrived today.

First thing I noticed when moving the un-open box was a rattling. "Must be the hardware nots/bolts/u-bolt/etc." However, what I found was that the solar array was not attached to the door panel! I assumed there must be some instructions about how to do that; maybe even some 'professional' glue included in the box. Uh... nope. Looks like Davis might have forgot that step along the way to the boxing department.

I called them and very quickly 'Jerry' said he was sure that the solar panels was supposed to be permanently attached to the door. Made me feel a little less foolish! They are sending me another door, hopefully with the solar array attached... permanently.

I can start assembling the pole and its mounting brackets, but I may wait for the replacement door. I'd hate to get things set up only to find that the location needed changing and I don't want to carry around the transmitter with a lose solar panel/array. With my luck, it would fall out, break, and/or destroy the jack.

Question: Has anyone attempted to remove the door on these boxes? They are hinged (unlike the 'lid' on the ISS boxen). Of course, Jerry said, "Yeah, they are a little tight, but that's what has to be done." Any bets on what the next part I'll need?

[Blicj11]

Dang. You don't like to start out your new adventure with that kind of quality control. I don't use that kit so have no experience with the door. Hang in there; things will get better. Or not. 

[xairbusdriver]

Here's my first thoughts on a "fix".

Transparent duct tape?

The tricky part will be getting the door separated from the box... without breaking the box's, molded in hinge pin! I already no how to do it the 'other' way. [Colors/contrast edited to better show witch part of the hinge is molded into the door and the box.] I think a bit of 'lubricant would also help, lithium, probably. That would match the batteries!

[elagache]

Dear xairbusdriver, Blick, and WeatherCat Davis station troubleshooters,

Question: Has anyone attempted to remove the door on these boxes? They are hinged (unlike the 'lid' on the ISS boxen). Of course, Jerry said, "Yeah, they are a little tight, but that's what has to be done." Any bets on what the next part I'll need?

I don't have one of these transmitters either, so I'm not of much help.  Your scheme to pry the clips free is probably a good plan-A.  I assume that this existing door is broken merchandise - correct?  If you cannot get the old door off by prying, you might try sawing the clip until you weaken it to make it easy to remove the door.  You'll still have a fight to get the replacement door on, but that has to be the way the door was installed in the first place, so with care the housing should survive the ordeal. 

I really find this trick of using the elasticity of plastic to make connections like this is just depraved.  I realize it saves money, but it sure makes maintenance miserable.

Good luck!

Cheers, Edouard 

[xairbusdriver]

Thanks! I now have a plan A and a plan B. Unfortunately, I will probably need a plan C, and maybe D!

it sure makes maintenance miserable.

Maintenance is not a problem for the manufacturer, they just throw the bad stuff away and raise the prices enough to cover those losses.

[xairbusdriver]

Door removed. No damage to either half. Used Canola oil applied sparingly with Q-Tip. Still required a good deal of effort. Probably a specialized tool available at Tool Central or Grainger for only $54.95 + tax, shipping, and handling! "Order now and get a second one free!"

[elagache]

Dear xairbusdriver and WeatherCat station caregivers,

Door removed. No damage to either half. Used Canola oil applied sparingly with Q-Tip. Still required a good deal of effort.

Well at least clean living prevailed and you are now all set to put on the undamaged door when it arrives.  Now that you know how much effort it took to remove the door, you'll have some idea of the effort required to put the door back on.

Best of luck with that!

Cheers, Edouard 

[xairbusdriver]

I may need to check with Davis as to what brand of Canola oil they recommend... I discovered that the removal was a bit easier with the door almost closed. I hope to remember that when installing the new one. I think it may put more support on the hinge pin also because more of the pressure will be at right angles to that side of the main box. Fortunately, the box/lid are about 1/8th in thick. I think the box on the Vantage Pro was much thinner, but it doesn't have hinges, just sliding 'fingers' and 'slots'. It would be easier to lose that door when opening it on top of a roof, also. Good idea to have the hinged door, IMHO... as long as one needn't have to remove it!

[Bull Winkus]

I would'a went with chicken fat, being from Arkansas. But, Canola fat is good?

 

[xairbusdriver]

Or Razorback BBQ?

[xairbusdriver]

Got an email with a tracking number for the replacement door with attached solar panel. Only took three business days to get it moving. Oh well... it will likely come Wednesday... before we get back into town from a two-day trip to St. Louis.

"When I have a 50/50 chance on something, 90% of the time I get it rong!"

The good news is that the station is humming along nicely. I'm hoping it will also have some words soon...

[Bull Winkus]

Nobody here wastes razorback BBQ on lubrication, ? uh, 'cept maybe perverts. Too sticky anyway, and it draws aunts? and uncles.

Can't you set it up and let it start reporting, without the solar electric door? Do like my uncle did for my auntie when it started raining and they lacked the forethought of carrying an umbrella, put a bag over its head. They also make very nice boots!

One of them nice fancy drawstring trash bags would do it and be easy to access when necessary.

[xairbusdriver]

Excuse me, Bull, did you rite sum thin it thet last post? I didn see nothin but sum pichers!!! 8-)

Wait I kin c yor rites now. I'm quite familiar with that use of plastic trash er... shopping bags! BTW, I do NOT recommend those 'draw string' types for use over the head!!!

Took a trip the England/Europe many years ago and while in London with our 13 year old. We decided to visit the Tower of London. We walked from our B & B, it was a nice day and stopped at St. Paul Cathedral. Had a pleasant visit at the Tower, with the Beef Eaters and the Ravens, decided not to by the Crown Jewels (or even the replica's), and it was time to return to our B & B.

Unfortunately, the same day of this adventure was also the Tube drivers decided to strike. No problem for us! We planned on walking and maybe taking a bus at the end. After all, those Brits almost speak our language! However, we also didn't remember how often it rains there. With the Tubes not running, the only public transport left were the buses and cabs... which were absolutely packed with people trying to avoid the rain! We felt so smart because we always carried at least one trash bag for each traveller! We were also fortunate that the pizza place we ate dinner in had tile floors, otherwise, we would probably have been thrown out for destroying any wooden floor! They had to put "Caution! Wet Floor around these Yanks!" signs next to our table!

[xairbusdriver]

Monday came the tracking info for the replacement door with a 'permanent' and correctly installed solar panel. FedEx Ground. Should be here by 4/5, might be as early as tomorrow. Only problem with that is we're out of town until late tomorrow.

Today, I get an email from Davis Sales with an invoice for an Anemometer Kit. 65 bucks worth of invoice!!! What? I did not "order" anything!

Of course, the RMA number is on my desk 377.835 miles south of me. Called Tech support but they could not find anything with my name, they really need to know that RMA number and the other number I got last week. I haven't bothered calling Sales, they'll need those same numbers, I'm sure. I hope to get the confusion corrected Thursday... along with a screwed up 1099-R from the company "caring" for most of my retirement funds.

[Blicj11]

... along with a screwed up 1099-R from the company "caring" for most of my retirement funds.

Better late than never, but why so late? There are laws covering this type to thing.