Can't Communicate with new Davis VP2

[N5IEX]

So I've been using Cumulus for over a year or more with a Oregon Scientific WMR200A. Cumulus ROCKS! Unfortunately, the WMR200A has been flaky (intermittent rain gauge and wind sensors), which I attributed to being a wireless device and I have a steel-siding house. So, I splurged and upgraded to the VP2. Nice device. I just added the Weatherlink USB data logger and port option so I could communicate with the computer. The Weatherlink software can communicate in either USB or the simulated serial mode, but I can't get Cumulus to communicate with it.

Anyone got any clues on how to make this work? I really like the Cumulus functionality and really don't want to use the Weatherlink software.

Windows 7 Pro w/SP1
Cumulus Ver 1.9.2

[steve]

If you have Weatherlink communicating with the station using the virtual serial port, then Cumulus should be able to do the same with the same settings, as long as you're not trying to run them both at the same time. What serial port number are you using in Weatherlink? Do you have 'serial' set for the VP Type, and the correct COM port number set? Are you using the VSP drivers from Davis, or the latest ones direct from Silicon Labs? What actually happens when you run Cumulus?

If you're sure you have Cumulus configured correctly, zip up the diags folder and attach it and I'll take a look.

[N5IEX]

Thanks for the offer of assistance. My problem was simply not reading enough of the FAQ and help files. For those setting up a VP2 with Cumulus, just remember these steps.
1) Set up the VP2 in serial mode. This will require running the Davis CP210X USB to Serial utility.
2) Determine the Com port assigned (Control Panel>Device Manager>Ports)
3) Run Cumulus as "cumulus.exe noUSB"
4) In Cumulus (Station Settings) select Serial mode and enter the Com Port number from step 2.

Step 3 seems to be optional, dependent on the computer you're using. I've tried three different computers, and only needed to do it for one of them.

Also, it seems that the CP210X utility only needs to be run once. After system reboots it still seems to be in effect.

I've also noticed that the New Record red LED doesn't always work on one of these computers, though the data is being recorded and uploads properly to Weather Underground. Just the vagaries of software, I suppose.

[steve]

I've also noticed that the New Record red LED doesn't always work on one of these computers, though the data is being recorded and uploads properly to Weather Underground. Just the vagaries of software, I suppose.

I'm not aware of any issues with the 'new record' light. Are new records actually being set? http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/a/FAQ#My_.E2 ... d_flashing

[N5IEX]

The "New Record" light used to illuminate every time a record was read from my old WMR200. It blinked a bit when I transferred over to the Davis, and then stopped. Based on your FAQ it apparently ISN'T supposed to blink except when a weather record (extreme measurement) is read. I original thought that "New Record" actually referred to a new data record being transferred. That clears up my confusion.

[archae86]

The "New Record" light used to illuminate every time a record was read from my old WMR200.

I had the same initial misunderstanding. If just one parameter is trending into new territory, then that light blinks very regularly in early use. One time it can be temperature rising higher than ever before, another pressure dropping, and so on. So it can appear regularly for days not just the first hour of use. But after a while, new territory is not routinely explored.