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WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Station

For discussion of DIY weather equipment - sensors, accessories, improvements to existing kit etc
AllyCat
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by AllyCat »

Hi,

The idea was developed (and marketed) by a Dr. Derek Weston, I believe in the '90s. Here's a link to a thread in another forum. I referred to it in post #17 (ao), but it's probably best to first scroll down to my/the final post at #47 (on page 5) which you should be able to read without registering (but not view attachments or pictures). My summary was:

"In conclusion, this method does seem to give viable results, perhaps comparable to FO's separate wind vane. It potentially uses "zero cost" hardware, but calibration is far from easy and I suspect that accuracy may be highly affected by wind gusting and overall stability (long-term repeatability) of the rotation sensor. However, it does offer the potential of measuring wind speed and direction on a single PICaxe pin."

I'll copy the pictures across to this forum if you wish, and of course try to answer any specific questions. Eventually, I may include the code in a more general "enhancement" that I'm still developing for the FO anemometer/vane, but progress is extremely slow.

Cheers, Alan.
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Werk_AG
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by Werk_AG »

Hi,

I had just been curious about how the system would work. I think I could get a idea. It seemed quite complex, especially in reading and processing the data.
Maybe one day I can integrate your code in the project WeatherDuino Pro2... just kidding :D , it is beyond the intent of this simple project and possibly also beyond my knowledge.

Anyway, if possible I would like to see some photos of the modified anemometer.
Thanks

Best regards
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The freedom to choose the weather instruments you want
tumutbound
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by tumutbound »

Earlier this year, I tried to track down information on Derek Weston's vane anemometer. I found reference to a DIY article but couldn't find a copy of it on-line and the email addresses I had for it, were no longer active.
Here's what I did find:
http://georgesworkshop.blogspot.com.au/ ... meter.html
http://homepages.ihug.co.nz/~chris-s/anemometer.html

I believe that the design was sold by Derek/Realtime Systems and developed commercially but no sure by whom.

The closest current product that seems to use the technology is the Raymarine Rotovane (or Rotovector)
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AllyCat
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by AllyCat »

Hi,

Much of Derek's (excellent) original information still appears to be on "the wayback machine" via the links on the PICaxe forum: http://web.archive.org/web/201110221633 ... nemain.htm .

However, it appears that he only sold a pre-programmed (PIC) microcontroller, which seems to have been "lost", and Derek "gone to a better place"?. **

Adding a "Tag" to the FO anemometer was very easy, as was making the pulses "asymmetric", but not in any "predictable" or "controllable" way. Here is a photo of one of my modifications, with the PCB wedged at right-angles to its normal location and the tag on the left-hand cup. The PICaxe code was less that 100 lines of Basic.
AnemometerTag-1628.jpg
Cheers, Alan.

PS: Here are the graphs from my PICaxe forum post, to avod others having to register to see them.
TaggedAnemometerGraphs1.jpg
TaggedAnemometerGraphs2.jpg
** UPDATE: A late update to this "Off Topic" section from the main thread: It appears that Derek is still around and his licensing arrangement with Raymarine has finished. So he has posted the full PIC Source Code in the PICaxe forum thread linked above. But it's still not an "easy" project to construct, particularly to obtain the accuracy that he achieved, requiring several precise and specialised components. Maybe I'll revisit the concept one day, when (if) PICaxe offers the (promised) support for Assembler code.
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Last edited by AllyCat on Thu 17 Nov 2016 2:45 am, edited 1 time in total.
uncle_bob
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by uncle_bob »

Just a heads up that I've started construction of this project and now actually have it working.

You can follow along at home and watch my journey with Arduino and Werk_AG's firmware here http://www.meteocercal.info/forum/Thread-I-m-under-way , even better, jump right in and start building these yourself ;)

Here's a pic of the TX and RX units. (I'm awaiting a PCB for the rear Receiver unit).

Many thanks to Werk_AG for his untiring patience with all my questions :)
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Interested in building your own Weather Station? Maybe check out the WeatherDuino Pro Project Here
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Werk_AG
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by Werk_AG »

Thank you uncle_bob for believing in this project, and for your breadboard drawings.

It is simple but it works, and the results of it can be seen in real time by everyone 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. My [url=http://www.meteocercal.info)]weather station[/url] has been working for more than a year based on WeatherDuino Pro2 system.

The system had some changes over time and will continue to have, but especially in the software. Even when a new board is launched with some improvement of hardware, I have been concerned that the software will be compatible with previous hardware, thus protecting the investment of those who have already built systems.

If I build it, I'll have the best weather station in the world? Of course not! But also not be the worst.
Building it is fun, and very educational. At least for me!

Some photos from a working system:

WeatherDuino Pro2 receiver, TFT version, installed on plastic project box
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TFT alternative format data display
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Solar powered outside TX unit
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More info, specs, etc, please click here.
Last edited by Werk_AG on Sun 16 Nov 2014 11:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.
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The freedom to choose the weather instruments you want
uncle_bob
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by uncle_bob »

I've moved the breadboard over to a veroboard (stripboard) and it's working! haha.

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Still a work in progress but I'm getting there
Interested in building your own Weather Station? Maybe check out the WeatherDuino Pro Project Here
Conder, Canberra Weather
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Werk_AG
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by Werk_AG »

I see you can not wait until the new v3.0 boards arrive. :D

It looks amazing, and everything is removable.
Nice work, and it helps demonstrate how easy it is to build a receiver WeatherDuino Pro2.
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The freedom to choose the weather instruments you want
water01
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by water01 »

Sorry to be thick here, but it is not clear to me what you have to buy to get this project going.

I assume you buy the RX and TX units from werk but do you also need an Arduino starter pack etc. to get this going. And then how do you find out what bits are required for the sensors etc. and who to buy them from if you want to leave your existing equipment running while you build this?
David
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uncle_bob
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by uncle_bob »

water01 wrote:Sorry to be thick here, but it is not clear to me what you have to buy to get this project going.

I assume you buy the RX and TX units from werk but do you also need an Arduino starter pack etc. to get this going. And then how do you find out what bits are required for the sensors etc. and who to buy them from if you want to leave your existing equipment running while you build this?
Hi Water01.

You need three things off Werk_AG, the TX unit PCB, the RX unit PCB and download the sketch files off his website.

All the Arduino bits we purchased off ebay from China. See this post regarding them: http://www.meteocercal.info/forum/Threa ... way?pid=88
Note that I brought enough parts to make 1 TX unit and 2 TX units) one with an LCD and one with an TFT display.

All the sundry components should be able to be sourced from you local electronic shop.

You will need a soldering iron and the ability to distinguish the parts and values. Though the internet has all the answers for that a little electronic knowledge is a real bonus.

If you're serious about building this, I'll help you where possible.

Cheers Bob.
Interested in building your own Weather Station? Maybe check out the WeatherDuino Pro Project Here
Conder, Canberra Weather
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water01
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by water01 »

Thanks Bob (I am David by the way).

I assume you mean 1 TX unit and 2 RX units, which seems a bit strange as surely it would be more flexible to have it the other way around with a TX unit for the ground level items (rain etc.) and the another TX unit for the height based elements (wind direction etc.)? Also if the units that werk supplies do the transmitting and receiving why does your parts list include 1 X 433Mhz RF transmitter and receiver link kit for Arduino/ARM/MC​U remote control ?

In the article you use a breadboard. Is this the Arduino one and you mention Arduino bits, so it is not clear to me if I need an actual Arduino or just werks bits that Arduino based?

I am I must admit seriously thinking of having a go as like you Davis kit is way out of my league and this seems a fun and interesting way of coming up with a custom built weather station.
David
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uncle_bob
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by uncle_bob »

I assume you mean 1 TX unit and 2 RX units, which seems a bit strange as surely it would be more flexible to have it the other way around with a TX unit for the ground level items (rain etc.) and the another TX unit for the height based elements (wind direction etc.)? Also if the units that werk supplies do the transmitting and receiving why does your parts list include 1 X 433Mhz RF transmitter and receiver link kit for Arduino/ARM/MC​U remote control ?
You can do either. I'm doing mine with one TX (for the time being) as this works for me, and the temp sensor can be mounted some distance away if I need to move it. I brought the combined transmitter receiver kit as I couldn't find the transmitter by itself on ebay. I just didn't use the receiver unit as Werk recommended the ASK OOK unit. I'll be having two receivers, one for the server to upload to Cumulus and the interwebs, the other for my office (or maybe even the bedroom if I can squeeze an alarm clock into it ;) )
In the article you use a breadboard. Is this the Arduino one and you mention Arduino bits, so it is not clear to me if I need an actual Arduino or just werks bits that Arduino based?
Werk doesn't supply the components, just the PCB's you need to solder them on to. All the Arduino bits came off ebay (Just google those item codes to find them easily.
EDIT: I made the RX unit on Breadboard at the time as Werk didn't have the RX PCB's in stock.
I am I must admit seriously thinking of having a go as like you Davis kit is way out of my league and this seems a fun and interesting way of coming up with a custom built weather station.
Hell yeah, it's so satisfying to build it, upload the firmware to it and it works!
Interested in building your own Weather Station? Maybe check out the WeatherDuino Pro Project Here
Conder, Canberra Weather
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Werk_AG
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by Werk_AG »

water01 wrote:Thanks Bob (I am David by the way).

... it would be more flexible to have it the other way around with a TX unit for the ground level items (rain etc.) and the another TX unit for the height based elements (wind direction etc.)?
This is exactly the setup I use. Two TX units, one for instruments at ground level, another for instruments above the roof level.
Although everything can be done with just one TX unit, using two TX units allows greater freedom to position the instruments.
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Werk_AG
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by Werk_AG »

Here is a WeatherDuino RX unit built with the new v3.00 board.

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and here, a TX unit

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The freedom to choose the weather instruments you want
uncle_bob
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Re: WeatherDuino Pro2 - Build yourself a full Weather Statio

Post by uncle_bob »

For the folks following along in this thread, here is a picture of the veroboard TFT unit I created. Note, I don't have a inside temp sensor on this at the moment, just so you don't think I'm living in Cryo chamber :)

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Interested in building your own Weather Station? Maybe check out the WeatherDuino Pro Project Here
Conder, Canberra Weather
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