Cumulus Support

I'm having some issues with my 6+ year old Zephyr(Fine/Offset) and have started to consider upgrading to the Vantage Vue. The 1st thing I am concerned with is the fact that the sensor is an "all in one" unit. Has anyone who has one of these have any comments about the temperature sensor's shielding? IE: I live at 9,000' and have a lot of clear, sunny days, so I'm concerned if I mount this sensor unit where it can collect rain and be in an area that isn't to obstructed for wind readings, it will probably be in direct sunlight. With my Fine/Offset, that would mean temp readings that are quite high. Also, if I get a Vue, I want to continue with Cumulus absolutely, so do I just need the Davis data logger or do I need the IP logger?

Thanks as always for your comments.....

Hi,
You would just need the standard USB or Serial logger. The IP datalogger is ideal for those that do not want their computer on all the time and want to use weatherlink.com.

Davis does have a pretty fair aspiration shield built in their stations, both Vue and VP2. As you mention the Vue is an all-in-one and there are no optional attachments from Davis for it such as FARS (fan aspirated radiation shield), which is available for the Davis VP2 for those in hot and sunny climates. I have the VP2 and do not have any FARS.

There are many very happy users of the Vue with some having it mounted high for best wind readings and some low for best rain collection (and easier access for cleaning/maintenance), and others mounting it on a compromise.

Good luck on your research, and enjoy.

Paul

PaulMy wrote:Hi,
Davis does have a pretty fair aspiration shield built in their stations, both Vue and VP2.

I suspect that you meant to say a pretty fair (passive) radiation shield here. As you say, there is no fan-aspiration option on the Vue. The other design feature is that the shield is positioned such that it's in the shade of the main body of the sensor assembly for an hour or so either side of solar noon (assuming you have it mounted so that the solar panel faces S), which obviously helps minimise errors in the midday sun.

Yes, "passive radiation shield" built in. Hopefully Vue users will chime in on their experiences.

Paul

I am using a Fine Offset, Davis Vantage Vue and Davis Vantage Pro 2.

The Fine Offset and Davis Vantage Vue are mounted high up and difficult to get to.

Temperature wise they work fine for me and I have not had any issues.

The Fine Offset is in Florida and close to the salt water.

The Vantage Vue is in Illinois (as well as the Vantage Pro 2). The Vantage Pro 2 is mounted low in a field of tall grass a bit over 5 feet or so off the ground.

I was initially concerned with the Vantage Vue ISS rain bucket moving messing with my numbers. I am not today concerned with that.

I do compare the rain numbers between the two Davis devices and do not see much of a difference. I also have connected a Dallas Instruments 1-wire tipping rain bucket, 1-wire temperature and other 1-wire stuff outside (two RG-11's) (well too a 1-Wire AAG weather station still on the roof). (also proprietary temperature sensors plugged in to my security panel).

I do not see differences between the readings on the Davis Vantage Vue up high and the Davis Vantage Pro II mounted low.

That said it is a PITA to have to "service" the Vantage Vue mounted high and I am getting older and just not in to climbing ladders these days.

Last year took down the Vantage Vue ISS for maintenance. Over the winter redid the mast et al (even painted it). Put the Vantage Vue back on the new mast in the spring. I do now need to replace the battery. Buying the battery was the easy part.

have any comments about the temperature sensor's shielding?

No; other than it works fine for me. Personally the Davis Vantage Vue ISS is well constructed. I did take it apart to see how it ticked when I first purchased it.

Also, if I get a Vue, I want to continue with Cumulus absolutely, so do I just need the Davis data logger or do I need the IP logger?

Recently migrating over to running CumulusMX on a Rasberry Pi 2. Works well. I am legacy and prefer RS-232 (da wire) transport over POE/IP/Wireless. I have tacked the RPi2 with Velcro to the back of the Davis console. I am writing about my preference and not that one is better than another here. CumulusMX; from what I am reading works fine with a direct connect or an IP connection.