Solar Shield on PCE-FWS20 station

[nickjwhite]

Good morning World

I have a Fine Offset PCE FWS20 mounted on 2 poles on the corner of my house. I have read various comments about, and have experienced that the solar shield on the temp sensor for this is not great (understatement). As soon as the sun comes out, the temp shoots up as this shield is not doing the job properly. In early Feb, for example, I recorded temps of 18 degrees on a day of 6-7 degrees for the period the sun was directly on the sensor. Heaven knows what we will get in the summer. 45 degrees? In the East UK?

Has anyone out there come up with a diy outer shield that can be attached, leaving the solar charger exposed at the top but allowing airflow around the sensor, but reducing the direct sun effect?

I can take pics of my mounting and post if it will help. Thanks guys in advance. I know you will all rush to my aid. )

[Super-T]

Nick
I mounted my transmitter under the eaves so that it doesn't get direct sun. I don't have the Solar charger so it wasn't a problem but isnt the Solar Cell removable so you could mount it on the gutter? If not, make it extendable.
My transmitter is also blocked, by some trees, from receiving setting sun and on opposite side of the house for rising sun.

[nickjwhite]

Hi and thanks for your thoughts. I will shin up the ladder again this weekend and see if can see a way to remount the solar unit and hide the sensor. You would think they would make these things better wouldn't you?

[Super-T]

I guess that 5 metres in the air is not the best place to measure my temperatures but these things are always a trade-off.

[nickjwhite]

yeah that is always a problem as they don't give you anything like enough cable to do the job properly. I want the wind up high so it is unobstructed, and the temp at ground level where it is correct.... all with 3 metre cables. Hmmmmm.. that ain't gonna work.

Tried to buy exterior quality long cables but there doesn't seem to be such a thing. I always think it a shame when potentially things are made well, but they miss out on obvious plus points like the solar shield and cabling. Hey... it's a relatively cheap system...we shouldn't complain. My old LaCrosse kit was 3 times the price and a piece of junk.

Okay....rant over.... honest guv. )

[steve]

Could you do a modified version of one of the homebrew radiation screens (plant pot saucers/picnic plates etc), but arrange for the solar panel to stick out of the top?

[nickjwhite]

Hi Steve

Yes I guess I will have to do something like that. I am not very imaginative when to comes to the design, and how to fix the whole assembly to the pole but I will sit and try and fathom something. If anyone knows anyone who has already done something and can send me some pics, or drawings, it would help immensely.

I like the plant pot base idea as a foundation, just need to think of a material for the barrel to let air flow but no sunlight in.
Thanks

[sparky]

Done this:

[steve]

I don't know why those images don't work; it's possible that the forum is configured not to allow images on other sites, so you could either upload them here as attachments, or change them to be links (using the url bbcode tags) instead.

Edit: actually, I'll do them as links for you:

http://img718.imageshack.us/i/dscn0739g.jpg/
http://img684.imageshack.us/i/dscn0742a.jpg/
http://img706.imageshack.us/i/dscn0747x.jpg/

[nickjwhite]

wow...that's impressive... thanks

[Orion]

Did you see this one that I recently finished have now added a small solar fan as well
am very pleased with the temp readings I have been getting so far
https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewtopic.php?f=16&t=5023

[werribee_au]

yeah that is always a problem as they don't give you anything like enough cable to do the job properly. I want the wind up high so it is unobstructed, and the temp at ground level where it is correct.... all with 3 metre cables. Hmmmmm.. that ain't gonna work.

A tardy reply, but I must have missed your post Nick.
This thread may help you with extending the cables.

https://cumulus.hosiene.co.uk/viewtopic.php?p=42031