Cumulus Support

I belong to a sailing club and we need reliable wind speed and direction data. We have tried a WMR180 but it eats batteries, updates are slow so we cannot see wind gusts and communication with Cumulus is patchy.

The wind sensors are mounted high on a roof and batteries are difficult to change. It would seem a wired station is the best choice because we would not have the battery issue and we would have real time wind data. Can anyone recommend suitable sensors with a proven track record?

The main console will be in an office just below the sensors. We also have a look out cabin some distance from the building with the sensors where we would like to have a remote console. Any options for this?
The distance is within the radio range of the WMR180.

Regards Andy

You haven't said whether you want something which works with Cumulus, or whether you are looking for general advice.

For a wired station which works with Cumulus, I can only recommend a Davis VP2. I don't think there's any way you can have a second, remote (wireless) console with a wired VP2, but you could certainly have two wireless consoles. If you have a reasonable amount of sunshine, you shouldn't have to change the batteries too often, but in any case you could possibly position the ISS (the transmitter with the rain and temperature sensors) in a more accessible location - the anemometer connects to it via a cable and hence doesn't need its own batteries.

Thank you, can I replace either the solar panel or the batteries with a mains pack because here in the UK daylight hours are short in winter and it's often very overcast.

Andy

Here in the UK, daylight hours are much shorter in winter than in London

I don't know anything about powering a wireless ISS from the mains, sorry. Perhaps someone as far south as you will comment as to how often they have to change the battery. I think they tend to last quite a long time with even a small amount of sunlight. Not so much, here...

For alternate AC power for Davis VP2 wireless, may be some help in this discussion http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=13946.25.

I can't speak for UK conditions but many Davis users are going years before the ISS needs a battery replacement - I've done it once so far just because I thought I should.

Enjoy,
Paul

Remember: The only piece of a VP2 station that needs to be up high is the anemometer itself. This joins by means of a 12m cable (extendable) to the main sensor assembly and transmitter, which therefore can be (and indeed should be) located much closer to ground level. So, as far as I can judge from the description, changing the transmitter battery every 18-24 months shouldn't be an issue and so the wireless VP2 should be suitable. More info on request.