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Latest Cumulus MX V3 release 3.28.6 (build 3283) - 21 March 2024
Cumulus MX V4 beta test release 4.0.0 (build 4019) - 03 April 2024
Legacy Cumulus 1 release 1.9.4 (build 1099) - 28 November 2014
(a patch is available for 1.9.4 build 1099 that extends the date range of drop-down menus to 2030)
Download the Software (Cumulus MX / Cumulus 1 and other related items) from the Wiki
Davis anemometer transmitter problems
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Davis anemometer transmitter problems
I have a separate Davis anemometer transmitter for my VP2 anemometer. Over the weekend I have had to replace its battery twice. The first time was because it was the first replacement I have made in eight years, so assumed the battery had finally given up the ghost. The second time was because I was unsure of whether the first replacement battery had any life left in it. The third (new) battery lasted 24 hours. Does the anemometer transmitter have a super capacitor in it similar to the VP2's ISS? If so, I think it may have failed. If this diagnosis is correct, is it easy to replace?
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Hi Freddie I am no expert on the Davis system as I am, at present, running an Instromet unit. However I have just purchased a Davis Wireless set-up and a Windspeed solar transmitter was part of my kit. From what I have read a 'fully' populated ISS solar unit can run with no sunlight for 8 months on the battery.
The Wind transmitter does have a supercapacitor fitted. I must admit,to me, 24 hours seems too short a time span for a single windspeed/direction unit to run on the battery. Possibly poor battery batch or poor battery connections on the unit itself?
Hope that helps
Dave
The Wind transmitter does have a supercapacitor fitted. I must admit,to me, 24 hours seems too short a time span for a single windspeed/direction unit to run on the battery. Possibly poor battery batch or poor battery connections on the unit itself?
Hope that helps
Dave
- mcrossley
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Agree, that has drained the battery too fast, something is wrong. It could be the capacitor though, depends how it has failed.
It needs opening up and checking for water damage etc.
The caps are pretty easy to replace, just be aware they are fairly delicate. I'd snip the legs of the existing cap after the bend - so that they still have the right-angle in them. Then when replacing you do not need to bend the legs of the new one. Just glue it to the board, and solder the new caps straight legs to the existing stubs then trim off the excess.
You can order them on eBay pretty cheap.
It needs opening up and checking for water damage etc.
The caps are pretty easy to replace, just be aware they are fairly delicate. I'd snip the legs of the existing cap after the bend - so that they still have the right-angle in them. Then when replacing you do not need to bend the legs of the new one. Just glue it to the board, and solder the new caps straight legs to the existing stubs then trim off the excess.
You can order them on eBay pretty cheap.
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Isn't the super cap to hold charge that has built up from solar radiation?
Even if that has failed, shouldn't the battery be able to keep the transmitter going for quite some time?
Even if that has failed, shouldn't the battery be able to keep the transmitter going for quite some time?
- mcrossley
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Indeed, but if it has failed in way that leaves a resistance across the supply it could be draining the battery. We don't have a circuit diagram to be sure though.
It could be corrosion elsewhere of course.
It could be corrosion elsewhere of course.
- laulau
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
A faulty capacitor !
not mine but i had to replace the capacitor a month ago because the transmitter was stopping during night even with a new battery!You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
The anemometer Tx board is identical to the main ISS board and so any issues and features in the ISS also read across to the 6332 Anemo Tx board.
More generally, Davis only make two types of transmitter board for the VP2 stations. One is the ISS type (all wireless VP2 ISS versions; 6332; 6372; 6382) and the other is for the leaf/soil/temperature transmitter (6345).
https://www.manula.com/manuals/pws/davi ... ard-faults
https://www.manula.com/manuals/pws/davi ... cap-faults
Both topics probably need a review & update (but the basic info should be OK) - I wonder when I might have time to do that
More generally, Davis only make two types of transmitter board for the VP2 stations. One is the ISS type (all wireless VP2 ISS versions; 6332; 6372; 6382) and the other is for the leaf/soil/temperature transmitter (6345).
https://www.manula.com/manuals/pws/davi ... ard-faults
https://www.manula.com/manuals/pws/davi ... cap-faults
Both topics probably need a review & update (but the basic info should be OK) - I wonder when I might have time to do that
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Just for info my Anemometer transmitter is still going strong since its purchase in April 2009 from ProData. Located on a ESE wall so it gets a decent amount of sunshine. I replaced the Duracell battery in January. Can’t remember how many times over the years so not that many I guess.
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Further to this - I re-seated the battery in the unit and was rewarded with about two hours worth of data recording. Loose connection?
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Possible, but v unlikely. Whats does a visual check of the supercap indicate - clean leads or some exudate?
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
It looks very clean to my unpracticed eye.
You do not have the required permissions to view the files attached to this post.
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Hmm, that looks OK, but unfortunately it's not a definitive test - if you can see gunge on one of the leads then the supercap is likely to be shot, but it does also sometimes fail without visible signs.
You haven't explicitly said, but I presume that you're losing data from the ISS (ie rather than just getting a low battery warning)? But assuming so, then I'm afraid that a new SIM board (or replacing just the supercap to see if this is the problem) is likely to be the only long-term answer.
You haven't explicitly said, but I presume that you're losing data from the ISS (ie rather than just getting a low battery warning)? But assuming so, then I'm afraid that a new SIM board (or replacing just the supercap to see if this is the problem) is likely to be the only long-term answer.
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Couldn't see any gunge, they looked clean.prodata wrote: ↑Wed 01 Apr 2020 6:30 pm Hmm, that looks OK, but unfortunately it's not a definitive test - if you can see gunge on one of the leads then the supercap is likely to be shot, but it does also sometimes fail without visible signs.
You haven't explicitly said, but I presume that you're losing data from the ISS (ie rather than just getting a low battery warning)? But assuming so, then I'm afraid that a new SIM board (or replacing just the supercap to see if this is the problem) is likely to be the only long-term answer.
Not sure if you get low battery warnings from the standalone transmitter - I have never seen one on my console. I have seen low battery warnings from the ISS in the past ... I think!
I don't understand why I got that 2-hour burst of data when I re-seated the battery yesterday, though.
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
Yes, you should do - the console ticker should say 'Low battery on station 2' or something like that
The sun wasn't out for that 2hr period was it? But otherwise I agree it's a bit odd. However, if you've tried all the obvious things like cleaning the battery contacts then IME while there can be a variety of odd symptoms from a failing SIM board or supercap you often have to end up having to replace either the supercap or the complete board.I don't understand why I got that 2-hour burst of data when I re-seated the battery yesterday, though.
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Re: Davis anemometer transmitter problems
No, it was an overcast day.
Okay, so I have got some other odd symptoms. Replaced the battery yesterday (2nd) at around 1000 UTC. No effect noticed. Then it sprung into life around 1815 UTC and continued overnight until now. This sounds brilliant, but it was a fairly benign night with some breeze during the evening and very little wind in the second half of the night. Yet it has recorded gusts to 13 knots over the past couple of hours. I would've definitely noticed that as I've been outside. Intrigued, I looked back at the last week of values and see that I had some large gusts recorded on Sunday - and when I say large I mean around 70 knots, the sort of values you would definitely notice! There were similar fake gusts on Saturday too. Previous to Saturday all appears well with sensible values.prodata wrote: ↑Wed 01 Apr 2020 7:02 pmBut otherwise I agree it's a bit odd. However, if you've tried all the obvious things like cleaning the battery contacts then IME while there can be a variety of odd symptoms from a failing SIM board or supercap you often have to end up having to replace either the supercap or the complete board.
Do these fake large gusts point to supercap failure as well?