Cumulus Support

Hi all,

I bought the Maplin-branded WH1081 exactly two weeks ago, and it has been working fine up until yesterday afternoon when I lost all sensor readings. I went outside and put new batteries in to the transmitter (tried a couple of sets of batteries, too) but it would appear that there's no sign of life from it There's no flashing or solid red LED and obviously no readings on the console.

I've emailed Maplin but I'm wondering in the mean time if this has happened to anyone else and if there's an "easy fix" or anything

We've had quite a lot of rain in the last week or so, but this thing should be shielded from the elements, right...?


If all else fails I'm hoping Maplin will be happy to replace just the sensor without requiring me to dismantle EVERYTHING and send it all back


Cheers!

Can't really help you bcanning, all I can say is I got my WH1081 3 months ago and it's been working without a hitch. Maybe you were just unlucky and got a dud product, hopefully they will replace it for you...

Same thing happened to me. Returned the transmitter unit to Maplin and they replaced it without any problem. I am hoping this was just a one off as I am really pleased with the product although slightly annoyed that just after buying it they reduced price from £100 to £50

Hi guys, got my unit too from maplin
it worked fine for few hrs then the out wind direction, wind speed, humidity & temp stopped dispaying data
I can see the signal flashing every 48 sec where the transmitter is sending signal but all the outer sensors appearing with this - - not outer data
before the icos turn like this -- the data seems freeze and not updating

Any solution? or any hidden master reset? because i have it right now in Greece and for return & come back an other unit (via friends because maplin not posting down here) will take ages

I have take the batteries out for 2 min from the receiver only
tomorrow i will go up to take the batteries out if will help
the back small hall if i press it seems not work for reset

What is could be? Thank you

EDIT

If i take out the batteries then put them back it works for few hrs then freeze again only the outer readings and i forgot i have the 1080

Hi,

If you bring the external transmitter near to the Console (a few metres), does it communicate again? If it does, then you have an issue with the radio link, probably an obstruction, or the distance is just too much. But it might be interference from other equipment such as a mobile phone or computer, etc..

There may be a tiny icon on the Console (perhaps to the right of the external humidity) which shows when the Console expects to receive a signal. Does it flash at the same time as the Red LED on the Transmitter? If they have dropped out of synchronisation then AFAIK there is no "hidden reset" (button), the only solution is to remove the batteries from the Console for a short time.

The transmissions (and thus the expected signals) should be exactly every 48 seconds. With an accurate clock or watch you might be able to determine whether it's the Transmitter or the Console which is "slipping". With a Maplin (1081) there is no Radio Controlled Clock, so the LCD displayed time (but not the Cumulus display) probably would also become incorrect, if the Console is faulty.

Cheers, Alan.

Hello and THANK YOU for fasr reply
Last night (all night) was not displaying out data, this morning worked again for 10 min & then the same issue
I have take the console right down of the transmitter (about 8 meters high) and was not any issue for about 2 hrs
I moved the receiver back inside same problem starts
The transmitter is no more than 12m really far with roof, double glaze window and wall in the middle so is almost on top of my roof

I can not check if the transmitter 's led is flashing same time as the console because is still up
will do next time soon but when i moved the console close was not any issue

From my little understanding with electronics it turns to be (for my opinion) if the console was faulty will not display correct and the indoor (indoor readings works fine)
I blame its wifi ability but i could be wrong because i can see every 48 sec the signal flashing but not data (maybe not enough power to carry the data?)

Because i don't have the original box & due other reasons i am not sending it back
In the worst case i will locate it near to my window but will not be accurate readings because are higher buildings around me
I have seen somewhere was published some inside pics of the unit (1080)
Does anyone knows where inside the board the antenna of the receiver is located to try connect with soldering a small extension antenna to see how it reacts?

Two more question please,

-if i use the transmitter of the 1050
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/wireless-weat ... tion-n25fr
(i currently have and works very good in the same location where the 1080 is now) will work for the 1080 console?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/silver-usb-wi ... ster-n96fy
Both are same size, looking the same & every lan/battery cover, led, wind air paralll air halls etc are in the same place

- is any way once has usb to update its software via my pc? (not the Culumus) but the actual unit

Thanks again

UPDATE
i have bring down the outer,from the pole - took out the batteries for 15 min & checked the cables
one cable seems was not fully inserted (the rain) however was working

Put back everything (register from the begin) and now its working good for 18hrs
I don't know if was conflict because when registered for first time the 1080 was on and the 1050 or because the rain phone jack seems was not inserted fully and due to high winds (the previous days was causing issue)... If it get high wind day again i will find out

... so far so good , great unit & hope will last like my 1050 (maplin one) which i am having since 4 years ago and still works great

Soon will install Culumus, THANK You

Hi,

babis3g wrote: Does anyone knows where inside the board the antenna of the receiver is located to try connect with soldering a small extension antenna to see how it reacts?

The "antenna" (technically a "quarter-wave monopole") is usually just "the piece of (red) wire", often "loose" inside the Console. It possibly can be improved, but NOT by simply making it longer. However, if your transmitter is located "above" the Console, then the wire should be horizontal (normally it would be vertical, for maximum horizontal range).

babis3g wrote: -if i use the transmitter of the 1050
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/wireless-weat ... tion-n25fr
(i currently have and works very good in the same location where the 1080 is now) will work for the 1080 console?
http://www.maplin.co.uk/p/silver-usb-wi ... ster-n96fy
Both are same size, looking the same & every lan/battery cover, led, wind air paralll air halls etc are in the same place

- is any way once has usb to update its software via my pc? (not the Culumus) but the actual unit

I don't know the 1050, but generally any "Maplin" station sold more than about two years ago is NOT compatible with the present models because Fine Offset changed the "wireless protocol".

The N25FR transmitter is definitely NOT compatible with any 1080/1, because it desn't support the wind direction Vane, so uses a different (not compatible) protocol. The (more expensive) N80NF should be compatible with recent Maplin USB Consoles.

AFAIK there is no way to update the software (firmware) in the Console.

Cheers, Alan.

Thanks for the helpful information

The antenna part will try as last choice but finally it does not seems to be the issue ... at the moment works very good for over 24hrs, the long time i 've been watching it, has NOT lost a single transmission

AllyCat
the only solution is to remove the batteries from the Console for a short time.

Removing the batteries for 10-15 min to the big sensor up the pole (the one with the red led), seems done the job but at the moment the last 2 days the wind is 0-1 Beaufort ( i explain below why i mention the wind - that days was loosing signal when i set it up first time, was very high winds)

So summary it does send signal right now every 48 sec, it does update everything, so is not the wifi range, or timing
I have a suspicion where to locate the issue - if will be high wind & start again the problem
Perhaps the main sensor up the pole, is been loosing somewhere with the high wind movements (so perhaps it stops flashing for data) ... if it will ... i have to bring it down again to check if all are tight but i am sure all are correct because my 1050 was not a single problem for 4 years and has meet some really strong winds during that period

I hope all are well because i like this unit ... will update ... just waiting when i will go to town ( i am in a small hill/mountain) get a 2 meter usb to install & connect culumus with my main pc (the usb in the box is very short)

Again Thanks for your time, bye for now

Three Things to consider:

1. Fine Offset 108x and 109x aren't that great for reliability. I has a WS-1090 for three years. First to say I *always* got massive false readings and spikes over two consoles and two transceivers. Ex random 155F readings, random rain rates of 20in/hr. Etc. Over time I have created a VERY strict Spike Removal settings in Cumulus to fix this. First transmitter / humidity / temperature sensor died on me after about a year. It's a known issue with the solder they use cracking on so many heat/cool cycles being outside and all. The console also has major issues. I have two, I swapped them (one is display only, one for computer), same issue. Sometimes it would just stop recieving data from the sensor, but I would reset it by taking the battery out for 5 minutes and it would work. Also, every few weeks I would need to do that in order to get Cumulus to read the data from it. Very goofy. I believe these issues were just to the Fine Offset 1081 and 1090 series. I just replaced my 1090 with a WS-2095 which is a newer design.

2. USB Cable Length. You noted you had a 2m long USB cable. USB specs say a cable can be up to 20 feet, 6m+. However, I found this untrue. I had a 10ft (3m) cable run to my station and constatly had issues with the device showing up in error state in Device Manager on my system. I bought a "Powered USB Extension Cable". Essentially, it's just a single port USB self powered hub with a long cable. This basically amplifies the USB signal to ensure it gets to your computer fine.

3. Signal issues and interference. When i first got my WS-1090 I had simular issues. We had two remote temperature display consoles with outdoor units, simple things. I got rid of both of these and signal cleared up. Pretty sure signal interference was a problem, however one was just within a few feet of where my console was, the other was fairly close to the station. Removing them cleared up most of my issues with that.

Thanks for the info
Electronics was my hobby time ago ... i know the technology is been forward since that time but still i can can get some basic clues

I believe if software had problem will show up from the begin
Hardware (such "cold" soldering) it could be issue
False readings can be an issue if both interfaces are working, i can believe that ... however such the mini UV protector can get little higher temp i am aware but also for humidity the manufacturer does state a 5% +- so i am aware
Rain ... had issue and with the 1050 because i am having it at the pole which with strong wind it does show readings, needs a steady surface, however i still having at the pole

With culumus never tried if have false readings apart the ones i mentioned but i will keep in mind if any issues, thanks
Also thanks about the usb info, they are cheap, if i see issues i will change to the one you mentioned
The one i got seems has enough power because if i set the brightness at 8 is really strong ( i have seen complains about its brightness capability)

WoodburyMan
Sometimes it would just stop recieving data from the sensor, but I would reset it by taking the battery out for 5 minutes and it would work.

Yes the manufacturer does state for reset needs 2 min ... but i am interesting investigate the sensor, i suspect that...
I am not saying all users having same issue but perhaps the wind (making shaking hard the sensor) by time something is loosing connection(soldering? maybe) in there (this is my own suspicion because if was the software of the sensor will have problem from day one)
if a connection inside (soldering or bad position of the rj11 etc) is not working good by time (if keeps happening, keeps loosing a small tiny hardware connection) it is possible to make the unit for needs of reset over time
If will happen to me again during strong wind, i will open the sensor

will keep an eye, Thanks

Hi ... again coming back

While everything are working fine (maybe once - twice a week will report lost of contact sensor for only one time each time) i notice when there is thunderstorm / lighting even if is far distance the culumus is reporting the follow


However the fine offset still works perfect
I close down culumus & take out the usb & back in, open culumus & works great, but after 20-30-60 seconds next lighting is doing the same

If i left culumus on at this stage (long time & keeps coming errors every few seconds) after sometime i getting a blue screen at windows saying "windows closed down check if a program was installed correct) .. of course i need to restart the pc

Is not complaining but just for my own help to slove the issue if possible
the fine offset seems does not need resetting (because still works fine - updading normal every 48sec) .. so my questions are:

- I have not installed culumus in the C: program files but in my documents folder
clould be this the issue?

- do i need to add at the top of the station α a small lightning rod? i have not any because my previous ws-1050 (did not had any problem for 4 years so it seems has not problem even the ws-1080 because it works great with lightning)

the link is from an other local weather station but is just to point if will help one small like this
http://www.corfuweather.info/images/images1.jpg or because i have instal culumus in wrong location?

Thanks

babis3g wrote:- I have not installed culumus in the C: program files but in my documents folder
clould be this the issue?

It's not a very good place to install it, but it's unlikely to be the cause of any of the problems you are describing, which are probably down to spikes on the mains due to the lightning (although I am no expert).

Thanks for reply
i will reinstall some time in the correct place and see if is better, it could be conflict in my windows

Do i really need light rod on top of my sensor? perhaps it helps absorbing some spikes? because logical it should absorb some spikes to ground them but then really may attract more? so maybe is not good idea
We don't have 100 km winds but lightning is very often here winter, like today can be few with in 30 seconds period time

of course i have to try it and see ... but any other opinion or experience from other users? before i go up roof? as you see in the avatar is high and needs all bring down again and reassemble it

Thanks again

Is just a report for the archive ... No complain (if it happens it will happens)

The other day was really bad thunderstorm & a lightning hit very close by this time

I was in the same room with the console and the pc ...
During one of many lightings i heard from the usb jacks (not sure if was the end back of the pc or the one to the console or both) a big zzzzz noise from the electric spike of the lighting

Luckily everything works fine ... however must put some stress to the unit components because it needs more often resettings
(i took out from the electric plug that night till the thunderstorm stops modem,pc, speakers, monitor etc)

Another weather station few kilometers far using la grosse it burn the output serial built in adapter