Data Input Appears to Have Stopped - Davis VantagePro2 with a USB connection

[orfeo]

Hi All


I'm having a similar problem with my Davis VP2+ (+leaf wetness) which is connected via the serial cable into a usb-serial adapter. The Davis program is able to remain connected but when i run cumulusMX (with weatherlink shut down) i end up finding the station stops updating due to

2022-11-08 14:38:15.923 !!! loop data not received, bytes received = 0
2022-11-08 14:40:00.919 *** Data input appears to have stopped

I just disabled the USB selective suspend setting in the power options of windows 10. That didn't help. It seems like it's something with the USB, connection dying or another program accessing the same port. Earlier i had accidentally had the usb-serial port set to 9600 baud whereas the Davis consol and cumulusMX was set to 19200. But i since fixed that. I haven't power cycled since doing that as i'm working remotely but i'll try that next time i'm in.

I do have a physical comm port so perhaps i'll try the Davis VP2+ on that and see if that fixes it but it anyone has any other idea i'd love to hear.

thanks
orfeo






2022-11-08 14:38:04.950 ========================== Cumulus MX starting ==========================
2022-11-08 14:38:04.952 Command line: CumulusMX.exe
2022-11-08 14:38:04.952 Cumulus MX v.3.1.2 build 3055
2022-11-08 14:38:04.955 Platform: Win32NT
2022-11-08 14:38:04.955 OS version: Microsoft Windows NT 6.2.9200.0
2022-11-08 14:38:04.955 Current culture: English (Canada)
2022-11-08 14:38:04.955 Directory separator=[\] Decimal separator=[.] List separator=[,]
2022-11-08 14:38:04.955 Date separator=[-] Time separator=[:]
2022-11-08 14:38:04.955 Standard time zone name: Coordinated Universal Time
2022-11-08 14:38:04.972 Daylight saving time name: Coordinated Universal Time
2022-11-08 14:38:04.972 Daylight saving time? False
2022-11-08 14:38:04.972 2022-11-08 2:38:04 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:04.972 Data path = data\
2022-11-08 14:38:05.007 Creating backup folder backup\20221108143805\
2022-11-08 14:38:05.022 Created backup folder backup\20221108143805\
2022-11-08 14:38:05.115 Reading Cumulus.ini file
2022-11-08 14:38:05.119 ASM=10 AST=00:10:00
2022-11-08 14:38:05.120 Cumulus start date: November 13, 2019
2022-11-08 14:38:05.125 Debug logging is disabled
2022-11-08 14:38:05.125 Data logging is disabled
2022-11-08 14:38:05.125 Logging interval = 5
2022-11-08 14:38:05.125 NoSensorCheck = 0
2022-11-08 14:38:05.170 Calculating sunrise and sunset times
2022-11-08 14:38:05.173 Sunrise: 12:05:25
2022-11-08 14:38:05.173 Sunset : 21:59:45
2022-11-08 14:38:05.173 Tomorrow sunrise: 12:06:44
2022-11-08 14:38:05.173 Tomorrow sunset : 21:58:37
2022-11-08 14:38:05.182 Station type: Davis Vantage Pro2
2022-11-08 14:38:05.182 WindUnit=m/s RainUnit=mm TempUnit=┬░C PressureUnit=mb
2022-11-08 14:38:05.182 YTDRain=0.000 Year=0
2022-11-08 14:38:05.182 RainDayThreshold=-1.000
2022-11-08 14:38:05.182 Offsets and Multipliers:
2022-11-08 14:38:05.182 PO=0.000 TO=0.000 HO=0 WDO=0 ITO=0.000 UVO=0.000
2022-11-08 14:38:05.183 WSM=1.000 WGM=1.000 TM=1.000 TM2=0.000 HM=1.000 HM2=0.000 RM=1.000 UVM=1.000
2022-11-08 14:38:05.183 Spike removal:
2022-11-08 14:38:05.183 TD=999.000 GD=999.000 WD=999.000 HD=999.000 PD=999.000
2022-11-08 14:38:05.183 MR=999.000 MH=999.000
2022-11-08 14:38:05.183 Cumulus Starting
2022-11-08 14:38:05.183 Opening station
2022-11-08 14:38:05.196 Last update time from today.ini: 2022-11-08 1:50:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:05.196 Read today file: Date = 2022-11-08, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 1:50:00 PM, Month = 11
2022-11-08 14:38:05.197 Sensor clock 12:00:00 AM
2022-11-08 14:38:05.197 Station clock 12:00:00 AM
2022-11-08 14:38:05.197 ReadTodayfile: set notraininit false
2022-11-08 14:38:05.204 C:\Users\egbert_uoft\Documents\CumulusMX\data\alltime.ini
2022-11-08 14:38:05.204 Alltime.ini file read
2022-11-08 14:38:05.210 MonthlyAlltime.ini file read
2022-11-08 14:38:05.214 Month.ini file read
2022-11-08 14:38:05.220 Year.ini file read
2022-11-08 14:38:05.223 Finding raintoday from logfile data\Nov22log.txt
2022-11-08 14:38:05.223 Expecting listsep=, decimal=.
2022-11-08 14:38:05.262 Midnight rain found in the following entry:
2022-11-08 14:38:05.262 08-11-22,00:00,5.7,70,0.6,4.5,8.0,360,0.0,0.0,1000.07,333.6,22.6,28,8.0,2.4,5.7,0.0,0,3.10,872.03,0.6,0,7.2,360,0.0,0.0
2022-11-08 14:38:05.265 Setting raintoday from logfile = 0
2022-11-08 14:38:05.265 Calculating rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:05.265 Midnight rain found = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:05.267 Getting rain totals, rain season start = 1
2022-11-08 14:38:05.267 Today = 08/11/22
2022-11-08 14:38:05.273 Rainthismonth from dayfile.txt: 2
2022-11-08 14:38:05.273 Rainthisyear from dayfile.txt: 276.6
2022-11-08 14:38:05.274 Station type = Davis
2022-11-08 14:38:05.274 LOOP2 disabled
2022-11-08 14:38:05.274 Serial device = COM7
2022-11-08 14:38:05.274 Serial speed = 19200
2022-11-08 14:38:05.364 Connected OK
2022-11-08 14:38:05.367 Reading firmware version
2022-11-08 14:38:05.738 FW version = 1.73
2022-11-08 14:38:05.738 Last update time = 2022-11-08 1:50:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:05.739 Reading console time
2022-11-08 14:38:06.253 Console clock: 2022-11-08 2:38:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:06.254 Reading history data from log files
2022-11-08 14:38:06.254 Loading last N hour data from data logs: 2022-11-08 1:50:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:06.293 Loaded 13 entries to last hour data list
2022-11-08 14:38:06.332 Loaded 37 entries to last 3 hour data list
2022-11-08 14:38:06.375 Loaded 289 entries to graph data list
2022-11-08 14:38:06.512 Loaded 2017 entries to recent data list
2022-11-08 14:38:06.520 Loaded 29 entries to daily data list
2022-11-08 14:38:06.520 Reading archive data from logger
2022-11-08 14:38:06.546 631 web tags initialised
2022-11-08 14:38:06.560 HTML root path = C:\Users\egbert_uoft\Documents\CumulusMX\interface
2022-11-08 14:38:06.624 Get Archive Data
2022-11-08 14:38:06.625 Rollover hour = 0
2022-11-08 14:38:06.625 Last Archive Date: 2022-11-08 1:50:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:06.625 Date: 11624
2022-11-08 14:38:06.625 Time: 1350
2022-11-08 14:38:06.926 Sending DMPAFT
2022-11-08 14:38:06.958 Received response to DMPAFT, sending start date and time
2022-11-08 14:38:06.959 Sending: 68-2D-46-05-EF-49
2022-11-08 14:38:06.989 Waiting for response
2022-11-08 14:38:06.989 Response: 03 00 04 00 57 18
2022-11-08 14:38:06.989 Reading data: 3 pages , offset = 4
2022-11-08 14:38:06.989 Reading archive page 0
2022-11-08 14:38:06.990 Waiting for response
2022-11-08 14:38:07.146 Reading response
2022-11-08 14:38:07.149 Loaded archive record for Page=0 Record=4 Timestamp=2022-11-08 1:55:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.149 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 1:55:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.170 Page=0 Record=4 Timestamp=2022-11-08 1:55:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.175 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 1:55:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.176 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 1:55:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.181 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 1:55:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.183 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.195 1 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.195 Reading archive page 1
2022-11-08 14:38:07.196 Waiting for response
2022-11-08 14:38:07.376 Reading response
2022-11-08 14:38:07.376 Loaded archive record for Page=1 Record=0 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:00:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.376 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 2:00:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.376 New monthly record, month = 11: 2022-11-08 14:00 1008.500 "High barometer" 2022-11-08 13:49 1008.467
2022-11-08 14:38:07.386 Page=1 Record=0 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:00:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.386 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 2:00:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.387 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 2:00:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.401 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 2:00:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.402 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.403 2 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.404 Loaded archive record for Page=1 Record=1 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:05:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.404 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 2:05:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.404 Page=1 Record=1 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:05:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.404 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 2:05:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.405 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 2:05:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.421 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 2:05:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.422 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.422 3 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.422 Loaded archive record for Page=1 Record=2 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:10:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.423 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 2:10:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.423 Page=1 Record=2 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:10:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.423 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 2:10:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.423 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 2:10:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.431 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 2:10:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.432 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.432 4 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.432 Loaded archive record for Page=1 Record=3 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:15:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.432 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 2:15:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.433 New monthly record, month = 11: 2022-11-08 14:15 1008.568 "High barometer" 2022-11-08 14:00 1008.500
2022-11-08 14:38:07.445 Page=1 Record=3 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:15:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.446 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 2:15:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.446 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 2:15:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.454 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 2:15:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.455 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.456 5 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.456 Loaded archive record for Page=1 Record=4 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:20:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.456 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 2:20:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.457 Page=1 Record=4 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:20:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.457 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 2:20:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.457 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 2:20:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.465 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 2:20:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.466 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.473 6 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.473 Reading archive page 2
2022-11-08 14:38:07.474 Waiting for response
2022-11-08 14:38:07.629 Reading response
2022-11-08 14:38:07.629 Loaded archive record for Page=2 Record=0 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:25:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.629 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 2:25:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.629 New monthly record, month = 11: 2022-11-08 14:25 1008.636 "High barometer" 2022-11-08 14:15 1008.568
2022-11-08 14:38:07.633 Page=2 Record=0 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:25:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.633 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 2:25:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.634 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 2:25:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.643 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 2:25:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.643 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.651 7 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.652 Loaded archive record for Page=2 Record=1 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:30:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.652 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 2:30:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.652 Page=2 Record=1 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:30:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.652 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 2:30:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.654 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 2:30:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.674 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 2:30:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.675 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.684 8 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.684 Loaded archive record for Page=2 Record=2 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:35:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.684 Processing archive record for 2022-11-08 2:35:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.684 New monthly record, month = 11: 2022-11-08 14:35 1008.670 "High barometer" 2022-11-08 14:25 1008.636
2022-11-08 14:38:07.693 Page=2 Record=2 Timestamp=2022-11-08 2:35:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.693 Writing log entry for 2022-11-08 2:35:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.693 Written log entry for 2022-11-08 2:35:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.702 Writing today.ini, LastUpdateTime = 2022-11-08 2:35:00 PM raindaystart = 333.6 rain counter = 333.6
2022-11-08 14:38:07.703 Log file entry written
2022-11-08 14:38:07.704 9 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.704 Loaded archive record for Page=2 Record=3 Timestamp=2022-10-30 5:20:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.704 Ignoring old archive data
2022-11-08 14:38:07.706 10 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.707 Loaded archive record for Page=2 Record=4 Timestamp=2022-10-30 5:25:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.707 Ignoring old archive data
2022-11-08 14:38:07.712 11 archive entries processed
2022-11-08 14:38:07.715 Get Archive Data
2022-11-08 14:38:07.717 Rollover hour = 0
2022-11-08 14:38:07.717 Last Archive Date: 2022-11-08 2:35:00 PM
2022-11-08 14:38:07.717 Date: 11624
2022-11-08 14:38:07.717 Time: 1435
2022-11-08 14:38:07.999 Sending DMPAFT
2022-11-08 14:38:08.030 Received response to DMPAFT, sending start date and time
2022-11-08 14:38:08.030 Sending: 68-2D-9B-05-8C-32
2022-11-08 14:38:08.062 Waiting for response
2022-11-08 14:38:08.062 Response: 00 00 00 00 00 00
2022-11-08 14:38:08.062 Reading data: 0 pages , offset = 0
2022-11-08 14:38:08.063 Logger archive reading thread completed
2022-11-08 14:38:08.063 Updating highs and lows
2022-11-08 14:38:08.064 Start normal reading loop
2022-11-08 14:38:08.068 Start Timers
2022-11-08 14:38:08.068 Starting 1-minute timer
2022-11-08 14:38:08.068 Starting Realtime timer, interval = 30 seconds
2022-11-08 14:38:08.068 Normal running
2022-11-08 14:38:08.442 New monthly record, month = 11: 2022-11-08 14:38 1008.771 "High barometer" 2022-11-08 14:35 1008.670
2022-11-08 14:38:15.923 !!! loop data not received, bytes received = 0
2022-11-08 14:40:00.919 *** Data input appears to have stopped
2022-11-08 14:41:00.352 *** Data input appears to have stopped

[PaulMy]

Hi,
Your CMX version is quite old and many changes and fixes over time.

Code: Select all

2022-11-08 14:38:04.952 Cumulus MX v.3.1.2 build 3055

It may not fix your issue but worth a try. Be aware of the changes that have been made as per the Update.txt in the new version \CumulusMX folder - i.e. different default website and changes in update process.

The station seems to be detected so that is good.

Code: Select all

2022-11-08 14:38:05.274 Station type = Davis
2022-11-08 14:38:05.274 LOOP2 disabled
2022-11-08 14:38:05.274 Serial device = COM7
2022-11-08 14:38:05.274 Serial speed = 19200
2022-11-08 14:38:05.364 Connected OK
2022-11-08 14:38:05.367 Reading firmware version
2022-11-08 14:38:05.738 FW version = 1.73

Hopefully others can comment further.

Enjoy,
Paul

[The PIT]

If you've got serial port on your pc always use that rather than third party serial to usb convertors. Updates to the operating system can cause issues with drivers.

[orfeo]

Hi Guys

I've visited the station, i switched it over to the physical serial port (com1) but the same behavior occurs. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the fact that i've got an extra leaf wetness sensor installed on the Davis VP2+.

The main issue appears to be

2022-11-23 20:57:49.727 Sending: 77-2D-07-08-CF-50
2022-11-23 20:57:49.758 Waiting for response
2022-11-23 20:57:49.758 Response: 00 00 00 00 00 00

oddly is asks for loop even though loop2 is disabled

2022-11-23 20:57:47.590 LOOP2 disabled

2022-11-23 20:57:49.762 Normal running
2022-11-23 20:57:57.984 !!! loop data not received, bytes received = 0


I wasn't sure about the extra leaf wetness settings, i checked the extra sensor option in the webserver gui but in the cumulus.ini i see

PrimaryRainTxId=1
PrimaryTempHumTxId=1
PrimaryWindTxId=1
PrimarySolarTxId=0
PrimaryUvTxId=0
ExtraSoilTempTxId1=0
ExtraSoilTempIdx1=1
ExtraSoilTempTxId2=0
ExtraSoilTempIdx2=2
ExtraSoilTempTxId3=0
ExtraSoilTempIdx3=3
ExtraSoilTempTxId4=0
ExtraSoilTempIdx4=4
ExtraSoilMoistureTxId1=0
ExtraSoilMoistureIdx1=1
ExtraSoilMoistureTxId2=0
ExtraSoilMoistureIdx2=2
ExtraSoilMoistureTxId3=0
ExtraSoilMoistureIdx3=3
ExtraSoilMoistureTxId4=0
ExtraSoilMoistureIdx4=4
ExtraLeafTxId1=0
ExtraLeafIdx1=1
ExtraLeafTxId2=0
ExtraLeafIdx2=2
ExtraTempTxId1=0

I wondered if all of these should be set to equal zero except for one extra leaf wetness sensor

ExtraLeafTxId1=0
ExtraLeafIdx1=1

I found it odd that many of the extra soil temp and soil moisture sensors are given a value whereas the extra temp and humidity sensors are all set to equal zero.


i've tried running the command windows as with administrator rights but that makes no difference.

I'll try running a more recent version than the 3055 i've got. I've downlaoded 3215 and i'll see how that goes.

I've attached the mxdiags file, and cumulus.ini and stationstrings.ini. I removed username, and location information for privacy.

thanks
orfeo

[PaulMy]

Hi orfeo,
Not sure if I can help getting it running, but a couple of things:

Code: Select all

2022-11-23 20:57:47.452 C:\Users\-------\Documents\CumulusMX\data\alltime.ini

It is recommended that CumulusMX not be installed in \Program files folder and instead in its own folder like C:\CumulusMX. Not sure if using in C:\Users folder is also not recommended.

Code: Select all

2022-11-23 20:57:47.590 Station type = Davis
2022-11-23 20:57:47.590 LOOP2 disabled
2022-11-23 20:57:47.590 Serial device = COM1
2022-11-23 20:57:47.590 Serial speed = 19200
2022-11-23 20:57:47.595 Connected OK
2022-11-23 20:57:47.597 Reading firmware version
2022-11-23 20:57:47.910 FW version = 1.73
2022-11-23 20:57:47.910 Last update time = 2022-11-23 8:45:00 PM
2022-11-23 20:57:47.911 Reading console time

This looks good as to correct connection.

But then

Code: Select all

2022-11-23 20:57:49.762 Normal running
2022-11-23 20:57:57.984 !!! loop data not received, bytes received = 0
2022-11-23 20:59:00.338 *** Data input appears to have stopped

and nearly continuous

Code: Select all

2022-11-23 21:00:00.821 *** Data input appears to have stopped
2022-11-23 21:01:00.239 *** Data input appears to have stopped
2022-11-23 21:02:00.688 *** Data input appears to have stopped
2022-11-23 21:03:00.121 *** Data input appears to have stopped
2022-11-23 21:04:00.548 *** Data input appears to have stopped
2022-11-23 21:05:00.973 *** Data input appears to have stopped
2022-11-23 21:06:00.416 *** Data input appears to have stopped
2022-11-23 21:07:00.821 *** Data input appears to have stopped

Your Cumulus.ini has some items like location not yet included. When you are updating t current version it would be good to run the Config Wizard to make sure all the needed settings are done.

Enjoy,
Paul

[mcrossley]

All those extra sensor settings in cumulus.ini are for the Davis WLL stations where you can multiple transmitters of each type, they do not apply to the VP2.

Regarding LOOP: that is the primary means of getting live data out of the VP2. LOOP2 is similar, but only supported on later firmware versions. It does provide some data that is missing from the older LOOP response.

The log file seems to show that the VP2 never sends *any* loop data!

Can you create another MXdiags log file with both debug and data logging enabled?

[orfeo]

Hi All

So i installed the newer cumulusmx version, 3215 . That seems to have fixed the problem. I've left the install directory in Users folder for the time being.

I did note that MS Edge wasn't able to load the settings webpage, i had to use firefox.

I ran the wizard, those location settings were set but now everything should be fine.

The extra leaf wetness sensor appears to be working. I did wonder if it's possible to remove all the sensors i'm not using from the ExtraLogYYYYMM.txt. Seems silly to record ~30 zero values and one useful value. Perhaps i'll just post process it and delete the original.

thanks again
orfeo

[mcrossley]

I did wonder if it's possible to remove all the sensors i'm not using from the ExtraLogYYYYMM.txt. Seems silly to record ~30 zero values and one useful value. Perhaps i'll just post process it and delete the original.

Not possible, it is wasteful, but unfortunately that is the way it works.
You could disable the standard extra log and create a custom log with just the data you want.

[orfeo]

Mark,

Interesting, does this custom log need to contain all weather variables or just the extra sensor variable? Is there a description in the wiki? I tried to find details but haven't found anything yet.

cheers
orfeo

[mcrossley]

It contains just the data you define.

I do not think it is in the Wiki (though I could be wrong). The settings screen is fairly self-explanatory I think?
Settings | Custom Logs