Looking to switch to the Vantage Pro 2 accurate temps?

[johnnygeneric]

OK. I have finally had it with my Fineoffset WH2080 and it's issues. Everyone seems to like the Vantage Pro2 who has one. So, I'm looking at getting one. So, for those that have one, my question has to do with the temperature reading. I liked the WH2080 because I could put the temperature gauge in the shade while the rest of the unit was higher in the clearing.

It looks to me that the Vantage Pro2 is an all-in-one design. I live in Houston and the temps can be pretty brutal. Does the Vantage Pro2 give good representative readings? Is the gauge sensitive to radiant heat from the sun?

Thanks for your help.

johnnygeneric

[steve]

The Davis shield is pretty good - much better than the Fine Offset one - but for places with strong sunshine Davis do "Fan Aspirated Radiation Shields", which come in "24-hour" and "daylight" versions. I don't have any personal experience of these, but others here do have them so will be able to comment on their effectiveness.

[MackerelSky]

When I purchased my VP2 in February of '11, I chose the wireless version with the 24hr aspiration because I knew it was going to be located in the sun, away from my house and trees. Even though I live in a valley and the nearest airport for comparison is 8 miles away and 600 ft. higher in elevation, my temps stay pretty much in tune with theirs. Of course, since cold air settles our night time temps are usually lower but we have to live with that.

The VP2 comes with the ISS and 40' of cable for the anemometer, since the 'optimum' setting for the ISS is 5' to the top of the rain guage and 33' agl for the wind vane. I couldn't get the 33' without support wires down to the ground to keep a mast stable but ended up with a height of 21'. The main thing with the sensor suite(ISS) is to place it over natural surface, like grass and keep it mowed.

There were a couple of reasons I chose the wireless version. One was to get it to a location away from the house and trees, but the other, and maybe the main reason, is that I didn't want lightning to have a free pass to my house. If the unit got fried from a hit, I'd have to live with that, I just wanted it to end there. The solar unit has transmitted very well from approximately 190' to the console in the house thru an outside wall.

Not knowing what your property is like, here's a general 'siting guide' to help you evaluate the location of your unit.

Mine is setup on two posts planted in the ground with concrete and a 20' x 2" galvanized pipe



Your temp readings should be about as accurate as they can get using the VP2 with aspiration.

Brad

[johnnygeneric]

MS, looking at your photo, the temp gauge does NOT look to be integrated with the rest of the unit. Which is good news.

I have a terrible location that I have to live with. I live in a townhouse. Too many trees. Too many buildings. The wind readings are erratic. But the rain gauge and temp (in the shade) are reliable and match up with other units operating in nearby neighborhoods. I have a sling thermometer to check the humidity reading and dry bulb temp.

This looks like a go. I just need to purchase it now! The wireless version is best for me. I don't have to drape wire across other's properties.

Thanks for your help.

When I purchased my VP2 in February of '11, I chose the wireless version with the 24hr aspiration because I knew it was going to be located in the sun, away from my house and trees. Even though I live in a valley and the nearest airport for comparison is 8 miles away and 600 ft. higher in elevation, my temps stay pretty much in tune with theirs. Of course, since cold air settles our night time temps are usually lower but we have to live with that.

The VP2 comes with the ISS and 40' of cable for the anemometer, since the 'optimum' setting for the ISS is 5' to the top of the rain guage and 33' agl for the wind vane. I couldn't get the 33' without support wires down to the ground to keep a mast stable but ended up with a height of 21'. The main thing with the sensor suite(ISS) is to place it over natural surface, like grass and keep it mowed.

There were a couple of reasons I chose the wireless version. One was to get it to a location away from the house and trees, but the other, and maybe the main reason, is that I didn't want lightning to have a free pass to my house. If the unit got fried from a hit, I'd have to live with that, I just wanted it to end there. The solar unit has transmitted very well from approximately 190' to the console in the house thru an outside wall.

Not knowing what your property is like, here's a general 'siting guide' to help you evaluate the location of your unit.

Mine is setup on two posts planted in the ground with concrete and a 20' x 2" galvanized pipe



Your temp readings should be about as accurate as they can get using the VP2 with aspiration.

Brad

[MackerelSky]

MS, looking at your photo, the temp gauge does NOT look to be integrated with the rest of the unit. Which is good news.

Hmmm. I've attached a different angle for you to look at.

You'll notice the black and white parts of the main unit. The black part houses the rain guage, along with any other sensors you might order. The white part holds the fan and temperature unit, thermometer. The fan draws 'fresh' air through the vents at the bottom of the unit up past the thermometer .



So it is in full sun whenever that puppy is shining.

Good Luck with your setup and full sun won't affect your readings to much and will help keep everything charged up on that wireless unit with the solar panels pointing due South.

Brad