Cumulus Support

I've had my W-8681 for about a year now ,and it seems to be deteriorating by the week ,firstly the rain gauge showed enormous variations (possibly the setting),secondly the wind gauge has stopped recording for over a month now ,and since yesterday the minimum temp seems to be way below corresponding thermometers I have in the garden.
As I am not very technical ,and the kit is not madly expensive should I cut my losses and dump it and buy another ?

Ron

Hi Ron, and welcome to the forum

I have had mine since July 2008 and it is still going strong. I do not have the exact same model but they are all the same (FineOffset, Watson, etc..) Just rebadged.

As you say they are not too expensive and I have a spare one ready just in case

I am only a novice weather geek (sorry all you guys, guru!) and I think it is great for what it is.

Hi Ron,
gradual deterioration sounds like dying batteries
So try with brand new, fresh alkaline batteries (not rechargeable), in the remote unit as well as the console.
Regards,

Why not rechargeable batteries?

Rechargeable batteries are are lower 'start' voltage ( 1.2V), usually less millamp/hours delivery, and suffer more with cold temps !

Sorry guys for not getting back to anyone ,
I had already changed the batteries but the problem didn't go away for several weeks ,but then did ! .
The latest anomaly is the temperature started to read over 4C above the actual air reading ,this is slowly beginning to come down as this morning the extra is only +2.4c...strange thing this machine ,but still fun.

Ron

https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/posting.php ... =16&t=1728#

Ron, you could have a problem with the battery connectors in the transmitter unit.
It's very common to get a poor (high resistance) connections in battery boxes, especially when they are exposed to the elements.

Another possibility is dry joints on the transmitter PC board. If you are competent with electronics and have a small tip soldering iron you could break open the unit and go over all the connections on the board.

I would check the battery connectors first though.

Hope that helps.

Mike.

Thanks Mike ,the transmitter is in a screen so is nice and dry ,but I will check it when the rain stops !

Ron

Ignore this I misread your last post

ronbutton wrote:Thanks Mike ,the transmitter is in a screen so is nice and dry ,but I will check it when the rain stops !

Ron

Ron, a screen will not stop dampness getting into the unit and battery box, especially on foggy or rainy days when the humidity is 100%.
If it did the humidity sensor in the box wouldn't work.

Mike.