Cumulus Support

Hi,

I have been using a Watson W-8681 for three years now and it has worked great. Unfortunately the transmitter seems to have lost contact with the base station. I have tried new batteries etc and the red LED is just staying on constantly. From searching the forum and reading many posts, I can only conclude that the unit is buggered.

I did read that Maplin stock replacement transmitters and having looked at them they do look similar to mine. Can anyone confirm if Maplins N96FY or N96GY is a direct replacement for my W-8681?

Many thanks in advance for your time.



M.

Hi Mike,

If the original unit was made as many as 3 years ago, then the odds of successful communication are not too good. It's been discussed in various threads on this forum, but in particular see for example: this thread and this one, even if the radio frequencies are the same (433 v 868 MHz) and not a "solar" version.

Certainly the outer boxes all look the same, but it might be possible to (partially) identify the version from the internal circuit board, if you're prepared to "break open" the transmitter box (it has a glued seam which can be opened with a knife or credit card, etc.). See the "photos of the insides" sticky threads at the top of this section.

Cheers, Alan.

Hi Alan,

Many thanks for the reply. I had a feeling someone may say what you did.

I note that a complete new setup is on offer at Maplin for 60 quid, so I (well, village committee to be truthful) may as well bite the bullet and get a fresh one. The existing one has lasted 3 1/2 years and we are very exposed up here, so I would say that it has done well. I will modify the Stevenson screen on the next one by making it larger (I seem to recollect a step by step guide by a forum member a few years ago that used upturned plastic plant saucers)

Thank you for your time.



M.

I can still get parts for the 1081, 433MHz version in New Zealand. Transmitter around NZ$40 but then we are worlds apart for delivery.