Newbie advice about Vantage Vue Connectivity

[Bearwolf]

Hello, I am hoping to get my first weather station soon, a Davis Vantage Vue. I became aware of this model and Cumulus software a few years ago after regularly using of your member’s weather website.

I would be grateful for any help in making a decision about wihich version of the datalogger I should get, and what is possible for my needs. I am reasonably computer literate, inasmuch as I have built my own PC from individual components and have reformatted and installed from scratch. However, I feel a complete numpty when I read about ftp, website design and data transmission.

I have a main PC connected to an always on modem. I also have a laptop that is connected wirelessly to the modem. I have just found out that I can wirelessly add to or delete files that are on a USB storage device connected directly to the modem.

I have no interest in using the weatherlink website but I would be interested in eventually having my own weather site and being able to upload to the Met Office’s WOW system

I would like to have the Davis consule kept with the main house PC and modum, and be able to access the weather station on both PC and laptop. Is this possible?

Could the Davis USB logger utilise the USB socket on my modem to send data to my laptop? Indeed, could this socket be used ftp transfer data to a website? I have read that some people have an always-on weather-dedicated laptop. Do I actually need this when I have an always-on modem?

I think I might seem to be a numpty...!

Thank you.

[kybelole]

Hi.

Let me give it a try:

If you are able to hook up your PWS directly to an always on computer/server, what you need is the USB data logger. I think this one is considerably cheaper than a weatherlink IP unit. Personally I am using the WLIP cause I have a cabin up in the mountains of Norway with a 12V solar/wind system disabling me from running a power demanding PC. If you cannot hook up a PC directly to your PWS you need the WLIP connected via a network cable to a switch/router. In any case, if you want to create your own website you obviously need to have a computer constantly running Cumulus or any other suitable software. Cumulus is the best of cause!

Cumulus upload all data you need to your FTP server/PC which can be the same PC you run Cumulus on, the same goes for the website. I have a PC at home with Windows 8.1 acting as a web server, FTP server and it is also hosting Cumulus. My PWS is connected to a GSM router and I access the station via internet. I am using no-ip.com as DDNS host (connecting your dynamic IP address with your domain name).

You cannot access the weather station from any PC as such other than downloading data to Cumulus and change settings via the weatherlink software (cannot be connected to your PWS at the same time as cumulus unless you do some trick). What you can do is to connect to the PC running Cumulus from any other PC you want using remote desktop (embedded in windows) or other suitable software and watch weather live!. If you create a web site you have your PWS with you everywhere

On your last question I think the answer is no. The USB data logger doesn't upload anything automatically as fare as I know and it doesn't log on to your network as a device with a IP address. There must be a software drawing data from it and I doubt your Cumulus can access a USB device via LAN but but here I am not 100% sure.

Hopefully what I say here is basically correct and helpful. Maybe others can confirm.

My site is here: http://www.eikehaugen.org

English is not my native language so I apologise for all the bad spelling and horrible grammar.

Regards from Norway.

Erik

[Bearwolf]

Thank you, kybelole, for your swift reply. It has certainly helped. A cheap, dedicated always-on lap top does seem to be an easy option for me.

Please do not apologise for your English! It is near perfect and far better than English I have seen written by native speakers!

So now, should I go for the USB or serial connector?

[kybelole]

Bearwolf

Thanks.

If I were you, I would have bought the USB logger provided you do not need the weatherlink.com stuff. Cumulus does not demand much computer power so an old lap top would most certainly do the trick. I would have installed both weatherlink and Cumulus on it and used weatherlink to set up the station. You can of cause use weatherlink to download the data from time to time to sort of keep a second database if you like to have more security. But, only one app can run at the time unless you install a third party software called VVP see http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=17493.0 I found that a bit awkward though and gave it up. Cumulus is the thing for me and particularly if you plan to create your own site it is a must!

Good luck and do not hesitate to ask for help if you need it!

Regards
Erik

[Bearwolf]

Thank you. I placed an order for the Vue and USB logger today.
A big upgade on my current kit: it points down when wet and upwards when very dry!

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