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Temperature data spikes revisited

Discussion specific to Fine Offset and similar rebadged weather stations
DrMD
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by DrMD »

Voltage regulation seems to be the problem to me with these units, atleast for some problems/differences.
A higher voltage input, maybe 4.5/5v, regulated down to 3 volts might work.
I have not done it, but maybe monitoring the battery voltage will help show
what is going on when the spikes happen.
Gina
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by Gina »

Yes, it could well be affected by battery voltage, I agree. I'm planning to have power nearby later on anyway to run a heater for the rain gauge in the winter, so a regulated 3v supply for the transmitter wouldn't be a problem.
Gina

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hans
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by hans »

have you tried some ferites on both ends of the cable?
that should stop interference picked up by it.

also wind and humidity can create static electricity,
if that affects the cable or the temp.sensor directly,who knows..
grounding would be needed then.

just food for thought.might be all wrong
Gina
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by Gina »

hans wrote:have you tried some ferites on both ends of the cable?
Just the lower end. Had no effect.
also wind and humidity can create static electricity,
if that affects the cable or the temp.sensor directly,who knows..
grounding would be needed then.
Yes, done that. Earthing (grounding) the mast did help as did using shielded/screened cable and earthing/grounding the screen.

Only had very small spikes for the last couple of days. Here's the last 24hrs.
24hrs-Temperature-9-10.png
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Gina

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hans
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by hans »

maybe some chicken wire(?) around the outdoor sensor unit connected to ground? a sort of faraday cage?
Gina
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by Gina »

hans wrote:maybe some chicken wire(?) around the outdoor sensor unit connected to ground? a sort of faraday cage?
The wind sensor units could be screened as could the cable between them but not the main unit (transmitter, temp, humidity) as it would stop or weaken the transmission.
Gina

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hans
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by hans »

silly me ,
overlooked that :bash:

what about the quality of the tempsensor,it could be coming with the type.
Gina
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by Gina »

The temperature sensor is a thermistor. Presumably the microprocessor measures the resistance and computes the temperature from that. Whether it uses a look-up table or a formula I have no idea - all I know is that thermistors produce a non-linear value of resistance with temperature.
Gina

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Gina
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by Gina »

After all the little ones, a BIG spike - reminiscent of Glastonbury Tor :lol:
24hrs-Temperature-only.png
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Gina

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hans
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by hans »

i have looked at the 24 hour graps on your site.
at the same time you see
hum.-fluctuates,
wind -gustpeak,
pressure- at a peak ,tilting from rising to falling.

looks like all is affected,which should rule out a faulty sensor,
so that could mean it is a nag in the data transmission.

improving sending/receiving might help,such as better antennas(which are 1/4 wave,you could extend them to 1/2 wave)

could be as simpel as a dirty pcb of the outside/or inside unit or bad soldering,
which is not uncommon since qualitycontrole is a big no no(to expensive)
wd40
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by wd40 »

A fixed resistor in place of the rtd would rule out the rtd if the spike was gone.

Rising spikes sure would make you suspect a bad connection.

The only way to solve this problem is to eliminate those things that are working properly.

Randy
Gina
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by Gina »

After a quiet period with just very small spikes something seems to have happened! I shall go out and investigate later when the light is better.
24hrs-Temperature-only.png
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Gina

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Gina
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by Gina »

I've been out and checked that the earths are all OK and they are so this is something new. And I haven't got much spare time ATM to carry out extensive investigations.
Gina

Sorry, no banner - weather station out of action. Hoping to be up and running with a new home-made one soon.
Gina
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by Gina »

Think I'll check the batteries in the transmitter unit or, as someone suggested, try a regulated 3v supply. This is really bad!!
24hrs-Temperature-only.png
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Gina

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werribee_au
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Re: Temperature data spikes revisited

Post by werribee_au »

Gina, have you tried a small electrolytic capacitor across the battery?
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