Fine Offset / Maplin Help question

[skippyinspace]

After a while my outside sensor has stopped working, So I purchased of ebay a replacement Sensor and a replacement monitor so that I could have a second display.

The question I have is probably a silly one, but I was bored at work so put the batteries into the sender and the monitor.

Expecting to get an outside temperature and well nothing has happened except the Sender light is red not blinking at all, the monitor is showing inside temp and pressure.

And of course Im not getting rainfall or wind as they are not plugged in.

So the question is have I been sent a non compatible unit / faulty unit or is the problem that there is nothing to transmit!

I will when I get home check this with the old monitor

Also can you reminder me what order to the batteries go in. Sender first then Monitor or the other way!

Thanks
Ian

[AllyCat]

Hi Ian,

Welcome to the forum.

The manufacturer, Fine Offset, changed the wireless protocol of the "Maplin" stations about two years ago (there are several relevant threads on this forum). So any "new" Transmitters/Consoles are not compatible with "old" Consoles/Transmitters, even if they use the same (434 MHz) frequency. However, the red LED on the transmitter should flash once every 48 seconds, so if not, then it's faulty (or has bad/no batteries).

Generally, the batteries should be inserted at nearly the same time, or in the Console after the transmitter (because it will immediately start "looking" for a transmitter).

Cheers, Alan.

[skippyinspace]

Ok Im sending it back, thing is I bought a new display from the same people so I would have thought that they had been matched.

Supplier is going to replace or refund the sender so I will wait and see.

Lets wait and see

Ian

[skippyinspace]

Received a replacement sensor and it works ok with the replacement / second monitor I bought from the same ebay user, The original monitor isn't picking up the new sensor at all.

For info the specs are
Original Weather station - WH3801 (Ithink) Its white

Replacement sensor and monitor are the N part number in grey marked Maplin Gadget.

Any chance I can get the original monitor to work?

Thanks

Ian

[AllyCat]

Hi Ian,

Original Weather station - WH3801 (Ithink) Its white

All the "Maplin" stations are basically WH 1081s (which actually covers a multitude of sins, with different radio frequencies and protocols, etc.). The WH 3081 is a Solar Data model with buttons (not a touchscreen), mainly sold in Australia, In the UK it's normally the WH 3080 with a Radio Controlled Clock (that doesn't work in Oz).

Any chance I can get the original monitor to work?

AFAIK, only if you can obtain an "Old style" (wireless protocol) version of the external transmitter/sensor.

Cheers, Alan.

[skippyinspace]

Yep its the 1081

Just debating if I should by another monitor from the same ebay seller!

The unit was bought for the ham shack but the wife snatched it for the conservatory at the other end of the house, So I might have to look into the wifi option mentioned elsewhere

[AllyCat]

Hi,

Just debating if I should by another monitor from the same ebay seller!

It depends on the price, but several users do have multiple Console displays at different locations (usually one tied to a PC). And it also gives a "backup" logger, and an additional set of "internal" sensors, potentially useful for FO kit.

However, the FO radio receiver is very much designed down to a price, so much will depend on whether you get acceptable (434 MHz) wireless reception at both sites. But a "Ham" shouln't need too much advice on those aspects.

Cheers, Alan.