Solar Data for v1.9.1

[Terry]

Hi, I'm new to Cumulus. I just installed a Maplin N96GY weather station which I understand from reading this forum is made by Fine Offset. I also understand that it is the same as the Watson W-8681. Radioworld.co.uk sell the Watson with an optional ST1 Solar charger and transmitter unit (£30). My question is - will this unit supply the solar data needed for v1.9.1? Will any Fine Offset unit supply this data? Or do I need a different unit? Thanks in anticipation.

[Orion]

Hi Terry
As far as i am aware the ST1 Solar charger only charges the TX batteries
I do not know of any fine offset WX stations that supply solar data

http://www.nevadaradio.co.uk/weather-st ... #downloads

[beteljuice]

Interesting - the advert implies that it is a generic 'add-on', although atm we haven't had a good investigate of the solar power circuit / connection.

The shroud which it attaches to is different - so maybe worthwhile contacting the supplier to see what exactly is 'in the box', and if it includes a new thermo / hygro unit are different frequences available ?

http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/w86 ... 3952b4ac47

Cumulus doesn't yet support solar data from FO stations - but Steve is on-the-case

[captzero]

I do not know of any fine offset WX stations that supply solar data

The new FO WH3080/3081 supplies UV data. Thread is here https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=13&t=3833

[steve]

Cumulus doesn't yet support solar data from FO stations - but Steve is on-the-case

Indeed. I'm working with Glen Day and we've so far got Cumulus reading the solar data correctly. However, the logger entry sizes are 20 bytes instead of 16 bytes (to allow for the solar data), so I've had to do some adjustments for that. This confirms that it will not be possible to get a solar data addon for existing stations.

The next puzzle is what happens when the logger address gets above two bytes (which it must with 4080 20-bytes entries), because I don't currently know how to do that; the USB commands I use only have space for two byte addresses. Glen's station will reach that point next Wednesday, so we're waiting to see what happens.

[Terry]

This confirms that it will not be possible to get a solar data addon for existing stations.

Thanks everyone for your input on this. Steve, are you inferring that my unit will not/never be able to supply this data?

Terry.

[Terry]

Interesting - the advert implies that it is a generic 'add-on', although atm we haven't had a good investigate of the solar power circuit / connection.

The shroud which it attaches to is different - so maybe worthwhile contacting the supplier to see what exactly is 'in the box', and if it includes a new thermo / hygro unit are different frequences available ?

http://www.radioworld.co.uk/catalog/w86 ... 3952b4ac47

A friend of mine has the Watson WX with the ST1 addon. As far as we can tell it does have a new thermo/hygro unit but this is compatible with the Maplin mounting arms. The wind and rain sensors plug into this unit as normal so I'm pretty sure this is a generic upgrade.

An interesting point - and probably for a different thread - I woke up this morning to find that my LCD panel had lost contact with the remote sensors. I have to admit that in my haste to get the thing up and working last week when I bought it, I installed "new" duracell batteries but they had been in the box for several months. However, it seems that after replacing these, the only way to get the two units communicating again is to remove/replace a battery from the LCD panel to force a handshake. I'm not impressed with this as the panel then loses all its stored data and the clock and date reset to factory defaults. Maybe I will get the ST1 addon - I don't want to go through this every few weeks.

An unimpressed Terry.

[steve]

Thanks everyone for your input on this. Steve, are you inferring that my unit will not/never be able to supply this data?

Yes; the logger entries are a different size in the new 3080/1 models, so at the very least this would require a different firmware. Unless they've done something clever in the existing firmware which anticipates the availability of the solar/UV sensor, and is able to detect it and switch modes to cater for it; but I think that's unlikely.

[nking]

An interesting point - and probably for a different thread - I woke up this morning to find that my LCD panel had lost contact with the remote sensors. I have to admit that in my haste to get the thing up and working last week when I bought it, I installed "new" duracell batteries but they had been in the box for several months. However, it seems that after replacing these, the only way to get the two units communicating again is to remove/replace a battery from the LCD panel to force a handshake. I'm not impressed with this as the panel then loses all its stored data and the clock and date reset to factory defaults. Maybe I will get the ST1 addon - I don't want to go through this every few weeks.

An unimpressed Terry.

I believe you’ve been very unlucky as most users of this unit get 12 months or more from good quality alkaline batteries. I understand that the lithium batteries are particularly good in very cold temperatures as you will read in this forum.

[Terry]

I believe you’ve been very unlucky as most users of this unit get 12 months or more from good quality alkaline batteries. I understand that the lithium batteries are particularly good in very cold temperatures as you will read in this forum.

Neil, yes I had read this in another thread. I may try Lithiums first as a cheaper option. I'm reluctant at the moment to invest in the ST1 for another £30 if my WX is incapable of supplying solar data. I may as well wait and invest in a newer WX later on.
Incidentally, how do you embed your weather data into your signature??

[nking]

The coding for the banner comes from Kevin (clever chap in USA) at this link http://cumulus.tnetweather.com/projects. You need to have PHP5 available on your hosting service for it to run and whilst I did manage it myself, I will be quick to say I'm a novice that follows instructions from those much wiser than me on this forum. Look to download PHP-GD Banner.

You may find it very easy or if you need help just post on the forum

[Terry]

Yes; the logger entries are a different size in the new 3080/1 models, so at the very least this would require a different firmware. Unless they've done something clever in the existing firmware which anticipates the availability of the solar/UV sensor, and is able to detect it and switch modes to cater for it; but I think that's unlikely.

Steve, in your opinion, what would be the best budget WX to get in order to make use of the Solar data facility in v1.9.1?

[steve]

Steve, in your opinion, what would be the best budget WX to get in order to make use of the Solar data facility in v1.9.1?

The Davis is several hundred pounds, so for a 'budget' station it would have to be the new Fine Offset, when it's available in the UK.