A few CumulusMx questions

[Safety]

Hi all,

Another user migrating from Cumulus version 1 to Cumulus MX, so just a few basic questions based on my newly installed version 3.4.1 b3065.

Q1
Given the version of CumulusMX I am running on a Davis pro with pre 1.90 firmware, do I still need to update the Cumulus.ini file with:-

UseDavisLoop2=0
And as I am using a metric rain gauge one tip is = to 0.2mm. Do I still have to update the Cumulus.ini file with VprainGaugeType=0?

Q2
Could you describe the functionality behind each of the following controls in the Web/FTP settings section?

• Enable Realtime
• Enable Realtime FTP
• Realtime txt FTP

Q3
Is there a dedicated MX help resource, as I can find loads of information relating to Cumulus v1 but CumulusMx is lacking?

Q4
I have attached a screen shot of the bottom of the dashboard could you explain the purpose of this area, as selecting any option i.e. Low temperature does not result in any functionality that is obvious to me.

Best regards

[mcrossley]

Q1
Given the version of CumulusMX I am running on a Davis pro with pre 1.90 firmware, do I still need to update the Cumulus.ini file with:-

UseDavisLoop2=0

It's best too but not essential. Cumulus does attempt to detect the firmware version and automatically disable the option if it finds a version that does not support it.

And as I am using a metric rain gauge one tip is = to 0.2mm. Do I still have to update the Cumulus.ini file with VprainGaugeType=0?

If you have set Cumulus to use mm for rain, then no. CMX assumes a imperial gauge if using inches, a metric gauge if using mm. You only need that ini entry if you have a mismatch between the gauge and units.

Q2
Could you describe the functionality behind each of the following controls in the Web/FTP settings section?

• Enable Realtime
• Enable Realtime FTP
• Realtime txt FTP

Enable realtime - enables realtime processing, without this processing only takes place at the logging interval.
Enable Realtime FTP - what it says, allows you to perform additional FTP uploads (or file copies) at the realtime interval.
Realtime.txt FTP - Automatically uploads the realtime.txt to the root of web folder at the realtime interval.

Q3
Is there a dedicated MX help resource, as I can find loads of information relating to Cumulus v1 but CumulusMx is lacking?

Much of the C1 documentation still applies, and sadly the CMX documentation is spread over this forum and the Wiki. We need some volunteers to generate some decent documentation and "publicity" material.

Q4
I have attached a screen shot of the bottom of the dashboard could you explain the purpose of this area, as selecting any option i.e. Low temperature does not result in any functionality that is obvious to me.

That area shows the status of any alarms you have defined, currently you haven't so they are all greyed out. GUI > Settings > Alarms

[Safety]

Hi
Thank you for the fast reply.
My Q2 was asked in the respect of setting-up realtimegauges and which other options I have to select to make the gauges work.

Regards

[ExperiMentor]

Not sure what your question is. These options are all for sending data from CumulusMX to an external webserver. Normally data is sent at the logging interval (eg 10 mins, adjustable) or you can select to have data sent in real time (every few seconds).

Elsewhere, you need to set up which files you want to upload and where to (external server details).

But from your previous experience it looks like you already knew most of this. So what are you now asking?

[Safety]

Hi

To clarify my question regarding real-time gauges.

I imported my current settings by copying my Cumulus.ini file from V1, my web page worked other then the gauges so looking at the settings found that I needed to enable the Realtimegauges.txt FTP, save and restart CumulusMX and all worked well.

However, as I am now using CumulusMX and have found that it is a lot better than V1 some of my files I used to have to upload I have no need for now, so I have deleted the uploads. Still all works well.

Given that the only real time function I am using now is Realtimegauges.txt FTP and Realtime interval, I find I have got the following all selected so my question related to which ones need to be selected just for Realtimegauges.txt FTP to work correctly in a web page environment, thus if required I have a cleaner configuration.

• Enable Realtime
• Enable Realtime FTP
• Realtime txt FTP

[water01]

In CumulusMX setup under Internet Settings enable "Realtimegauges.txt FTP".

[sfws]

Much of the C1 documentation still applies, and sadly the CMX documentation is spread over this forum and the Wiki. We need some volunteers to generate some decent documentation and "publicity" material.

Since I'm in one of the UK categories being told to stay at home, and I've no longer got the incentive that the quicker I sort out my new home the quicker I can get a social life back, I have made a start at updating parts of the Wiki. Also today it seemed I was stuck under a front that produced rain all day until it was too dark to work in garden, and it is forecast to return back to over me tomorrow.

I believe I have done what I can on FAQ, but that is (in my opinion) too large now to fulfil its original purpose and The FAQ really needs a big re-organise probably into some sort of drill down approach like those key guides to plants and trees. It would be a huge task, but I suspect worth it in the end. Does anyone else agree?

I have also worked through the various log file pages. Some of those pages were very basic before, just repeating what was in the Cumulus 1 help screens. I hope people will find the new content useful, I have tried to cover the needs of people still on old versions of Cumulus 1 (you might be surprised at how many have not updated from what they used when they first started), those on latest version of Cumulus 1, those swapping from Cumulus 1 to MX and those who have been on MX for a while and now want to edit some files. I hope the new style with multiple headings will enable people to skip to bits that interest them. Are you impressed with the new style, or did you never see what was there before?

The big articles that I worked on years ago, I am leaving untouched for now. Somebody else may have spotted deficiencies or have ideas on how to improve them? Alternatively, maybe they are fine, because a lot of work went into them, and any refinements would have been requested back then.

I don't yet use Cumulus MX, although now I have time I may well try it, meanwhile I have been cautiously sticking to adding information that I can find on this forum to update what already exists on the Wiki. It has been my experience in the past that collecting information from many different topics on the forum in one place on the Wiki is helpful.. Unless some action is taken on my idea of restructuring the forum, I believe finding the hints scattered around the forum remains very difficult. Certainly I spend longer scanning through forum topics, than I do typing what I find into the Wiki.

Some of you who have been using MX for a while must have some ideas on what else needs documentation. I am guessing the schema and database side should be a priority, because even the forum does not seem to have much about that, but can you suggest anything else?

FINALLY, WILL ANYONE ELSE VOLUNTEER TO DO SOME DOCUMENTATION.....

[Phil23]

FINALLY, WILL ANYONE ELSE VOLUNTEER TO DO SOME DOCUMENTATION.....

It's Very easy to say Yes, and I've made two very minor changes in the Wiki.

I can see other areas I can make great changes to, but it would be very time intensive and life in general takes priority as it's not that easy a time.

I do spend hours search what could be referred to as the Mash of forum data & most often find what I want.
When I do succeed, I'm just grateful that those post & contributions exist.