WeatherCat forwarding UV sensor data to PWS – hano UV sensor and it is unchecked

[xairbusdriver]

Once again, your Live data and Console are showing the Davis hardware problem. The ISS 'thinks' there is a UV sensor attached (Live Data shows: "UV Index    1753    -8     Valid"). Your Console is NOT showing "-.-". WC is simply reporting what the Console is recording.

BTW, I'm sure you have Preview installed. It is a great, easy to use and free app that can make uploading images to forums such as these faster and easier for folks to view. It can make images much smaller so it saves up/down times as well as space used by the forum's web space. But more importantly, making images smaller stops the dreaded and usually disliked horizontal scrolling. Make images "user-friendly" by not showing irrelevant details and not forcing them to scroll (in any direction). Not all folks are using 'full-screen' windows on 27" iMacs. It will even convert ".heic" images to ".jpg" formats. My Console image was originally 4,032 x 3,024 pixels same as yours!

Here are my results:

[bob2k2]

Your position was the the position I took with Davis when called.  The data stream cannot be modified and WC is just a pass through. I don't know that for a fact but it seems fairly obvious. They weren't having it.  Easy argument for them to make as they have nothing to do with the interface & SW I use. Ignorance is bliss. I'm am engineer and I have experienced the same kind of finger pointing in programs I managed over the years between devices and/or systems that are interfaced/integrated by various mfgs on teams. In this case I am not the PM though so can't cut through the crap and solve the problem. As I said in another post I feel like I am in the middle of a circular firing squad.

It is confusing that BAR/2nd does not bring up the UV window like shown in your picture - but then again my consult is not a Davis Plus -Is yours a Vantage Pro 2 plus or a Vantage Pro 2. If I should be seeing a blank UV box I may forward the picture back to Davis and say WTFO?

As for Preview yes I use it. the pcture I uppaloaded SMALLEST versiion of picture I could make in Jpg. After seeing it I realized I should have used  it in TIFF which you can make much smaller file.

[xairbusdriver]

Apologies for unintentionally being any part of a “firing squad”! Rest in the fact that it was nearly 60 years ago that I achieved an “expert” rating at Air Force Basic training! I was never issued anything bigger than a short barreled 45 after that… even while TDY in Viet Nam! We didn’t even bother loading that thing assuming we could do more damage by throwing it than by firing it.

BTW #2: You can specify exact pixel dimensions in the Export menu of Preview.

Your experience and training are often of little use when conversing with “support”. You are simply a “user” in the worst meaning of that word! 

Lastly, have you tried removing the ISS battery and light blocking the solar panel? Might as well do the same with the Console. That should put the hardware back into its “factory” state. Be aware that you will probably lose any data during this downtime.

[bob2k2]

Thanks for the sizing gouge info. Very helpful. I should have looked more carefully.

I did replace the the console batteries two days a ago when I noticed a low battery msg. PITA and had to reset everything up but luckiiy I had screens shots of then so it wasn't a big deal. 

I just bought the Davis improved (hopefully) rain collector (mine always clogs) - when it comes I'll go up on the roof and install it and take the battery out and cycle it. although the solar panel is old and I am fearful it may break from long sun exposure. Last time I took it off it was like welded on from all the sun exposure,

Is your unit a Vantage Pro 2 (or a Plus)? Based on your picture  when you press BAR and 2nd you show a blank UV window, right? If it is the same as mine I am not seeing that - my display does not change from BAR. to BAR  & 2nd. I may call Davis back based on what you see if we have the same console.

After I posted my last I realized I forgot to add info you highlighted in your post that yep am now just the USER. I am sure back in the day when when a poor NAVY sailor sent a CASREP about my system we initially thought they were the problem.NOT our system. Now I am he/she. Karma is a a bitch.

[xairbusdriver]

I have a Vantage Pro2 (Model # 6152) with the old style 'hidden' rain funnel. I believe the "Plus" model (#6162) includes the UV and Solar radiation sensors. BTW, this rain collector has an indentation that allows me to use a "sink strainer" as mentioned in this post. Pictures at 10!

Just another thought on the false sensor data. Inside the ISS (SIM), check the empty jacks for the UV a Solar Radiation sensor cables for "insect construction debris". Also be sure the foam insert hasn't been 'borrowed' for a bird/squirrel nest! If those jack contacts gets connected/corroded they could be providing false 'data'.

Reading through the ISS installation manual also reminded me of something I've probably not done since the ISS was first installed: "Clearing Data Collected During Testing and Installation"

Now that the ISS is mounted outside, any data that was collected in the Vantage Pro2 console during testing and mounting can be cleared.
To clear all the collected data on the console:
1. Press WIND so that graph icon appears adjacent to the wind data on the display.
Confirm that wind speed is displayed on the compass rose.
2. Press 2ND, then press and hold CLEAR for at least six seconds and until you see
“CLEARING NOW” in the console ticker display.

And you won't have to climb onto he roof!

[Steve]

The console is the same for either the VP2 or VP2+. Only the contents of the kit differ. I originally bought the VP2 w/24 hour FARS, and later added the solar and UV sensors. So mine is effectively a VP2+ w/24 hour FARS. I don't think that combination was ever offered as a package.

One possible difference in hardware is that many of us are using the old USB logger (10+ years old.) Sometime about 6-8 years ago, there was a newer logger with an updated firmware that caused some compatibility problems. Some of us never applied the firmware update to our older loggers so that they would remain compatible with older consoles. I have no idea if this comes into play in the situation you are seeing, but I thought I'd mention it.

I was sending to AWEKAS before adding the solar/UV sensors and never got errors from them, but again, that was nearly a decade ago. Maybe something has changed since then.

Not really any help; just offering anecdotal comment.

Good luck,
Steve

[bob2k2]

Well, New News. Davis now indicates it is there a problem. I realized that I was trying to access the UV settings incorrectly on the console – RTFM! When I did I did see the maxed out UV and SOLAR Solar readings on the display I called Davis support and eventually was put in touch with more senior technician. The first thought was there might be a weather station within a half mile causing the issue. They have 19 other accounts in my ZIP Code of Arlington Virginia. I said it still did not explain the maxed out SOLAR and UV readings and he agreed, They recommended I change the station ID which I did to a number 6 most likely out of the range that most people would set their WeatherStation. I also ID'd stations within a mile of my house that I saw on PWS monitor – most of them did not have UV and solar and the ones that did their ranges were normal. They just called me back and told me they believe that my ISS board is the issue. So, they're sending me a new board and I have to replace and send the old one back. My solar panel is on its last legs and the plastic is fatigued - don't laugh SOLAR/UV -so I purchased a new solar cover.  the cover and the new ISS board $119 with shipping. I have 30 days to reinstall the new ISS. I'll report back in several weeks weather this solves a problem – what else could it be?!

[xairbusdriver]

Congrats on getting a more helpful and positive reply from Davis!

[bob2k2]

NEW UPDATE – VERY HARD TO BELIEVE.

As I mentioned previously resetting the station ID did not resolve the problem while I was on the phone with Davis support. But about 4 hrs later I happened to walk by my console and looked at it and the UV and SOLAR area were BLANK and NOT showing any data. WC Live Data now is now showing ZERO for both UV & SOLAR (it's #'s matched the console's when I was on the phone with Davis) and this erroneous data is no longer being passed to PWS Monitor. I've done nothing since my conversation with the Davis support team - and it took an half hour on the phone with they while they documented the issue and then sold me a replacement ISS took - the numbers didn't change.

I just called support back to tell them I may not have to replace my ISS board and they are stumped as to how this would correct itself.  They indicated since the system is so old it might be useful to replace the ISS is weathered and the plastic enclosure i brittle - and besides that they were worried the problem might come back. So I await the replacement ISS which I will install when it arrives.

The only thing I can imagine that corrected this is resetting the station ID - but it still doesn't explain the amount of time it took to resolve the issue after that reset  or the unusually high readings on the console that we're getting passed initially to WeatherCat for my station before that.

I will continue to monitor the situation and let you know what I find out. But it appear the problem imight be solved - without an explanation of why.

[elagache]

Dear Bob and WeatherCat troubleshooters,

Verified that I am not showing you UV data on my counsel(see picture).
. . .

Unfortunately you have not correctly accessed the UV index.  If you had, you would see the word UV display on the console LCD display.  The display should look like this:



You should see the letters UV and the world index as shown in the photo.  Make sure to follow the key sequence for your particular console and keep experimenting with it until you see the UV display.

There are two more things you could check.  What does the WeatherCat Live Data report for the other auxiliary sensors such as the secondary temperature sensors, soil or leaf sensors.  Is anything besides the UV sensor reported as valid for sensors you don't own?

Finally, it would be prudent to open you your ISS and make sure there isn't any debris in the jack for the UV sensor that might be causing a short or other electrical interference.  I recently checked my ISS and was disappointment at how much junk was in that jack.  Perhaps a simple cleaning would make your problem go away.

Edouard

[xairbusdriver]

It appears that with my finagling of my Console yesterday, I managed to leave it in a view/test/paused condition! My first clue was a very early email from AWEKAS that most of my sensors seemed to be "stuck"! Being rather busy today I assumed AWEKAS was just seeing the short intervals when I was looking at the Console yesterday, so I didn't take time to check WC or even my own website! Sure enough, checking my graphs displayed the infamous "flat line" conditions. Duh!!! Only valid data for today started around 4pm local.

Fortunately, Crew 5 did a better job of monitoring their stuff! They have now started their 6 month tour on that other "ISS"!