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Instromet datalogger

Instromet - weather stations and monitoring specialists using analogue dials.
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brookr
Posts: 110
Joined: Sun 30 Jun 2013 7:41 am
Weather Station: Vanatge Pro2 plus
Operating System: Windows 10
Location: Farsley Near Leeds

Instromet datalogger

Post by brookr »

Hi
Hope someone can help. I have owned an instromet sunshine recorder for 19 years and it's worked extremely well as a stand alone record. I recently purchased their data-logger, but its boxed up ready to return to Instromet - I did not like their outdated software and it's flaky operation. It's a pity this robust piece of equipment appears to have very little support anywhere, as the sensor is brilliant! Surely it must be a simple task to use a datalogger that can recognise the output and then to be able to transfer this data to a PC system and ultimately link it to Cumulus! Detailed sunshine records in hourly or minute formats are difficult to find. I was looking at the Pico data logger to replace the Instromet data-logger, but I am not an electronics expert. Campbell Scientific have a data-logger that could be used, but their entry level costs £620. A price I am not willing to pay for a single digital output!
If anyone has had experience with the task of logging the output electronically as described I would be grateful if you could share.
:?: :?: :?: :groan: :groan: :groan: :groan:
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mcrossley
Posts: 12641
Joined: Thu 07 Jan 2010 9:44 pm
Weather Station: Davis VP2/WLL
Operating System: Bullseye Lite rPi
Location: Wilmslow, Cheshire, UK
Contact:

Re: Instromet datalogger

Post by mcrossley »

There are several people I know of that have the Instromet data logger and are using them with Cumulus.

The Instromet logger is a bit of an odd device in that its serial interface is designed to be used by humans rather than computers, but it does work wit CMX. Note that Instromet changed the serial port speed of their loggers along the way, make sure you set MX for the correct speed value for your unit.
brookr
Posts: 110
Joined: Sun 30 Jun 2013 7:41 am
Weather Station: Vanatge Pro2 plus
Operating System: Windows 10
Location: Farsley Near Leeds

Re: Instromet datalogger

Post by brookr »

I'm returning the logger to instromet and looking at alternatives. I think Instromet are good at instruments, but when it comes to software they are 20 years behind the curve. :(
If you have any ideas on how to interface I would be grateful to find out. Could you please put me in touch with the people you know?
Thanks
Hobbyist
Posts: 83
Joined: Mon 30 Jun 2014 12:02 pm
Weather Station: Instromet Mk 3
Operating System: Raspberry Pi Zero & CumulusMX
Location: Kent

Re: Instromet datalogger

Post by Hobbyist »

Hi I have been running an Instromet weather system for many years now and after the 'decline' of the Instromet software moved over to Cumulus and then CumulusMX.
I have the full Instromet instrumentation but replaced their humdity wet/dry system with another manufacturer.
I use their sunshine module (just the sensor module not the associated stand alone display) connected to my Instromet MetPlus Logger. I run it on a Raspberry Pi set up but it did work on Windows but the RPi is cheaper to run 24 hours a day.
CumulusMX displays sunshine hours in decimal format quite successfully for my use.
My web page displays sunshine and graphs quite well in my opinion.
I also have a Davis VP2 + system running 'hidden' but in some respects I personally find the Instromet system is superior.
Hope that helps
Dave
brookr
Posts: 110
Joined: Sun 30 Jun 2013 7:41 am
Weather Station: Vanatge Pro2 plus
Operating System: Windows 10
Location: Farsley Near Leeds

Re: Instromet datalogger

Post by brookr »

Hi
It's now 3 months since I bought the Instromet data logger and it's been a complete disaster! To give credit to Instromet they have worked extremely well on trying to solve my problems. Instromet have even changed their software to Excel instead of Access on my recommendation, but the data- logger would seem to be the fault as I run a reliable version of Weatherlink through their Control box and this shares the same output. Weatherlink works fine but I've been getting some ridiculous readings on the Instromet logger. It's now been sent back and is currently under test. I'm hoping that they replace it since I'm convinced my problems are with the logger.
At this stage I wouldn't want to start linking it to CumulusMX, but when and if it becomes stable I will consider. I would appreciate any advice and feedback. Would be good to see the output of your system.
Thanks
Rob :)
brookr
Posts: 110
Joined: Sun 30 Jun 2013 7:41 am
Weather Station: Vanatge Pro2 plus
Operating System: Windows 10
Location: Farsley Near Leeds

Re: Instromet datalogger

Post by brookr »

Hi Dave
Is it possible to view your sunshine output using the Instromet logger or any device. I also have a Pi4, but I'm not that techy and am waiting for a moment when I can get my head around interfacing it with CumulusMX. Would be good to have 24/7 coverage from my website, but as you say leaving your PC switched on is a cost that you don't need.
Thanks
:)
Hobbyist
Posts: 83
Joined: Mon 30 Jun 2014 12:02 pm
Weather Station: Instromet Mk 3
Operating System: Raspberry Pi Zero & CumulusMX
Location: Kent

Re: Instromet datalogger

Post by Hobbyist »

Hi I am not sure what you actually wanted to see Rob but the website I run, using a RPi Zero and CumulusMX is located at www.dymchurchweather.co.uk.

The sunshine is shown on the Index page and the cumuluative data on the Charts Sunshine hours page.

As you probably know the sunshine sensor compares the intensity of light against a 'shadow' generated by a central post and if the intensity exceeds a presettable level it deems the sun is shining and counts a 'pulse' which it summates over time to show hours of sunshine.

The Cumulsmx software file counts these pulses over time, in a similar fashion to the rainfall counter to display sunshine hours.( Hope I have that right as I am no expert)

Hopefully that all makes sense.

If you need to see a typical data file of the data stream I may be able to find it :)

Dave
martinjac
Posts: 4
Joined: Fri 24 Jan 2014 3:54 pm
Weather Station: Instromet MetPlus
Operating System: Windows 10 Pro
Location: Harrow

Re: Instromet datalogger

Post by martinjac »

Hi,

I have an Instromet MetPlus data logger running with CumulusMX 3.10.5 build 3122, the latest build. It is working perfectly with the help of Mark Crossley in previous years. I have also just updated to the latest website template and made this website visible on www.harrowweather.co.uk (index.htm) so you may see the new website. I am still tweaking the data.

I have had an Instromet datalogger since 1998 and switched to the original Cumulus from the old Met4Net software way back, then switched to CumulusMX when it first became available.

I have the Vaisala temperature/humidity and the sunshine hours sensors.

Hope this helps.
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