VP2 - make extra temp/humidity sensor primary

[smyurick]

Hi,

First time poster, 8 month VP2 owner. Just started using Cumulus instead of WeatherLink. I recently added my 1st extra temp/humid sensor and I see the data on the extra data page. Is there anyway to make this sensor the primary sensor that uploads data to Wunderground/CWOP/Weatherbug? I see that is possible to do use an 'extra' sensor as the primary sensor for Oregon Scientific gear but did not find anything on the forums or wiki about doing this for a Davis station.

Also, not a big deal but I see on the "extra data" page for my extra temp/humidity sensor, the temp reading is given in 'F' (I have the primary sensor set as 'F' as well) though next to the reading, all the columns say 'C' next to my reading for my temp sensor. A little confusing to someone who may not know what they are looking at though I know that its not 67 C outside right now.

Thanks!

[steve]

I recently added my 1st extra temp/humid sensor and I see the data on the extra data page. Is there anyway to make this sensor the primary sensor that uploads data to Wunderground/CWOP/Weatherbug? I see that is possible to do use an 'extra' sensor as the primary sensor for Oregon Scientific gear but did not find anything on the forums or wiki about doing this for a Davis station.

It would be possible to do that for Davis stations, yes; it's just rather more complicated than with OS stations. The best thing to do would be to create an enhancement request (see links above) and then it won't get forgotten. I can't make any promises about when I'll get around to doing it, though; I'm not able to devote much time to adding features to Cumulus at the moment.

Also, not a big deal but I see on the "extra data" page for my extra temp/humidity sensor, the temp reading is given in 'F' (I have the primary sensor set as 'F' as well) though next to the reading, all the columns say 'C' next to my reading for my temp sensor.

I've forgotten to add the code to change the units on that screen when the units are set on the station settings screen. I'll fix that. The units are currently corrected on the next restart of Cumulus.

[smyurick]

Thanks for the quick reply!

Pardon my blindness, I go to the feature request page and look around a bit but cannot find the area to post a new feature request. Maybe I am too new of a forum member to be able to post a feature request?

Does the Davis extra temp/humid sensor data get recorded to a specific file I can look at for the time being?

[steve]

Pardon my blindness, I go to the feature request page and look around a bit but cannot find the area to post a new feature request. Maybe I am too new of a forum member to be able to post a feature request?

That's odd; the link is there on the page, but has no image or button associated with it, so it's invisible. I'll investigate when I get chance, but until then, here's the link: https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/tracker.php?mode=add&p=1

Does the Davis extra temp/humid sensor data get recorded to a specific file I can look at for the time being?

Yes, to the "Extra..." log files. The format is in the Cumulus help, or you can view them from within Cumulus - "View -> Extra data logs".

[steve]

the link is there on the page, but has no image or button associated with it, so it's invisible. I'll investigate when I get chance

This is now fixed.

[sfws]

(deleted)

[steve]

Thanks.

[smyurick]

Hi again,

Another quick question regarding extra temp/humidity sensor data.

I noticed that looking at the external log file that my extra temp/humidity sensor that it only seems to have whole numbers rounded up or down, no tenths of a degree. I know my sensor reports that as it I can see it on my VP2 console.

Are the extra data logs supposed to act like that? If not, how do I make them report to the tenths of a degree?

Thanks.

[steve]

The console reports extra sensor values to software in whole numbers.

[smyurick]

Understood, thank you for clarifying that.

Are the numbers reported by the extra temp/humidity sensor rounded up or down? or is the tenth's degree simply removed from the data?

Just want to make sure I interpret the data correctly.

[steve]

Sorry, I don't know. I assume they are rounded to nearest whole degree, but that's a complete guess. You'd have to ask Davis, or it might be in the documentation somewhere.

[smyurick]

I see in the documentation for the VP2 Console manual it says it measures to the closet whole number, but does not specify if it rounds up/down or just eliminates the tenths place.

Regardless, its kind of a downer that extra temp/humidity sensors from Davis only go to the nearest whole number especially when the sensor looks exactly like the one integrated with the ISS on a VP2.

I emailed Davis support looking for an answer, I will post back here in case other folks would like to know.

[prodata]

I see in the documentation for the VP2 Console manual it says it measures to the closet whole number, but does not specify if it rounds up/down or just eliminates the tenths place.

Just to pick up on the terminology: all the supplementary temp sensors measure to 0.1degF resolution; the limitation is in the format that the data is passed from logger to PC. You can see that the extra resolution is present if you were ever to set a particular temp transmitter to be received as ISS on a console, purely as a test, or if the data were to be received on an Envoy8X console unit.

From memory, I think that the value is then rounded to 1degF resolution (rather than truncated) to fit in the data packet passed from logger to PC.

[steve]

to the closet whole number, but does not specify if it rounds up/down or just eliminates the tenths place.

Doesn't "closest" imply that it rounds up or down as appropriate, e.g. 40.2 would be 40, and 40.8 would be 41? And x.5 would be rounded to the even number usually.

[smyurick]

Just to pick up on the terminology: all the supplementary temp sensors measure to 0.1degF resolution; the limitation is in the format that the data is passed from logger to PC. You can see that the extra resolution is present if you were ever to set a particular temp transmitter to be received as ISS on a console, purely as a test, or if the data were to be received on an Envoy8X console unit.

From memory, I think that the value is then rounded to 1degF resolution (rather than truncated) to fit in the data packet passed from logger to PC.

thanks prodata for the insight about the limitation of the data logger. Seems stupid how the sensor is the same as the ISS and can send ISS temperature values to the nearest .1 F but cannot handle any additional sensors to the nearest tenth of a degree. Any idea if there is any difference using a serial cable instead of usb data logger from a VP2 console into a computer?

Doesn't "closest" imply that it rounds up or down as appropriate, e.g. 40.2 would be 40, and 40.8 would be 41? And x.5 would be rounded to the even number usually.

Sorry, the manual for the console does not specifically say to the closet degree (that was just my interpretation), it simply states the resolution is 1 F, and thats it.