Cumulus Support

Here's an upgrade to my WS-2080 station, with a much larger screen. The factory screen is sitting on top of the replacement.

A used solar panel provides 12-volt DC to the used computer aspirator fan inside the screen.

In the picture, the rig looks like it is really close to the wooden fence, but it is about two meters away actually. (camera angle)

Have a nice day.

Looks very clean! I do have a few Q's though. Do you have before/after data results? Does the new screen make any difference? Did you make or buy the new screen?

After I installed the new screen my temps were running 2-4 degrees lower, now in line with the weather stations in my neighborhood. However, it is very hot here now... almost 100-degrees F. every day.

Yes, it did make a big difference in the very hot afternoon sun. I run the little fan 24-hours a day with battery backup.

I bought the screen at a pretty low cost from Ambient Weather in AZ, USA:

http://www.ambientweather.com/amwesrpatean.html

Gulfcoast wrote:Here's an upgrade to my WS-2080 station, with a much larger screen. The factory screen is sitting on top of the replacement.

A used solar panel provides 12-volt DC to the used computer aspirator fan inside the screen.

In the picture, the rig looks like it is really close to the wooden fence, but it is about two meters away actually. (camera angle)

Have a nice day.

Looks great. I'm in the same step now myself. Made a screen but need a good 12v panel. Where'd you get that one?

I use a cheap 5-watt solar panel that really works well. If I were going to buy a new one, I'd get the CDT (brand) panel from Amazon.com. It's only $36 US and a real good one too.

A one or two watt panel would be plenty to run a tiny computer fan, but I already had the larger panel so I'm using it.

Best wishes

Gulfcoast wrote:I use a cheap 5-watt solar panel that really works well. If I were going to buy a new one, I'd get the CDT (brand) panel from Amazon.com. It's only $36 US and a real good one too.

A one or two watt panel would be plenty to run a tiny computer fan, but I already had the larger panel so I'm using it.

Best wishes

Actually, the computer fans I use all need over 3W to work. There might be other fans on the market - not sure - but a 1W or 2W panel will not work for me (ask how I can be sure )

I use a 0.10 amp motor... it works fine for me in the sunny south.

Gulfcoast wrote:I use a 0.10 amp motor... it works fine for me in the sunny south.

Here's my plan:

Fan: 1.2 W
http://www.amazon.com/Cooler-Master-80m ... 0PA5RG93X3

Solar Panel: 5 W
http://www.amazon.com/CDT-CDT-5w-watt-S ... JXMW97ODWR

As I'm in the so-so north, should this thing run in the winter too? My shield will be remote located under and eve out of sun light. But in the winter, is it really necessary to flow air through it? Begging the question, should I put a switch or thermostat on this thing?

I really like that panel, it should work well for you. I'll probably just disconnect my fan during the winter.

Gulfcoast wrote:After I installed the new screen my temps were running 2-4 degrees lower, now in line with the weather stations in my neighborhood. However, it is very hot here now... almost 100-degrees F. every day.

Yes, it did make a big difference in the very hot afternoon sun. I run the little fan 24-hours a day with battery backup.

I bought the screen at a pretty low cost from Ambient Weather in AZ, USA:

http://www.ambientweather.com/amwesrpatean.html

How do your dewpoints compare with others in your area? Both before and after the new shield? Mine are always higher.

Thanks

Late tonight all six stations in my town are around 74 dewpoint, mine is 73.4

Oh well, it just changed to 74 while I was typing the above.

Hi,

Just out of interest how do you intergrate the transmitter/temperature
unit into the Screen?

1.
Do all the dishes have a central hole in them, or is the bottom one a full dish without a hole.

2.
Is there a built in way to mount the transmitter/temp sensor into the screen or do you have to use the
original mounting arm that comes with the weather station. If you use the original mounting arm
do you have to modify it to get it to intergrate with the screen.

Solorize wrote:Hi,

Just out of interest how do you intergrate the transmitter/temperature
unit into the Screen?

1.
Do all the dishes have a central hole in them, or is the bottom one a full dish without a hole.

2.
Is there a built in way to mount the transmitter/temp sensor into the screen or do you have to use the
original mounting arm that comes with the weather station. If you use the original mounting arm
do you have to modify it to get it to intergrate with the screen.

I'm rebuildingf my screen and plan to have a fan and solar panel to drive it. I have 10 dishes in mind, 8 will have a 4" hole cut in them, 1 will be solid (top) and one will have a 3" hole for the 12V, 1.2W pan fan (second disk from top). So on the thrid dish, I'll install a stiff wire across the hole and on the trans unit, I'll affix a hooking mechanism of some type. Wires out the bottom zip tied cleanly. I'll hang mine in in a shady area and run wires up to my other sensors above the house.

The screen I bought has a closed top and bottom plate, the rest have a hole cut in them. The bracket came with the new screen and it simply clamps on the pole whereever you wish.