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Strange behavior-sensor breakdown WH 1080/Jenkinsbird?

Posted: Fri 20 Apr 2012 5:57 pm
by MrBodil
A week ago i noticed that my dewpoint showed v e r y strange values. -25 degrees celsius. At the same time the outside temp showed normal and, as far as i know, the right temp (~5 degrees celsius average).
I also noticed a couple of days later that the relative humidity were 10% and the cloudbase way over 2000 m and i think that it has been like that for as long time as the dewpoint values shown wrong.

I guessed it had to do with the batterys in the transmitter so i replaced them with no change in values. Cumulus show rel hum as 10% while the station shows --
It seems that wind, wind dir, rain and temp is right. Is it possible to have a sensor breakdown and are there any spareparts for my Jenkinsbird?

All suggestions are taken gratefully received :)

//M

Re: Strange behavior-sensor breakdown WH 1080/Jenkinsbird?

Posted: Fri 20 Apr 2012 7:49 pm
by AllyCat
Hi,

It sounds as if the external humidity sensor has failed. The specification quotes a minimum of 10% so if a lower value is "measured" then Cumulus probably shows 10% but the Console shows "--".

There are photos in the two sticky "... inside ..." threads at the top of this FO section, but AFAIK nobody has found a replacement sensor. A few weeks ago I believe somebody here reported moving their internal humidity sensor board to the outside (transmitter) but it was necessary also to put the external sensor PCB into the Console because it carries a memory chip (calibration table?).

A few sellers offer replacement external transmitter units, in particular Clas Ohlsohn (868 MHz), but you must ensure that you get the correct radio frequency (434, 868 or 915 MHz) and also NOT one which is intended to receive Solar data.

Cheers, Alan.

Re: Strange behavior-sensor breakdown WH 1080/Jenkinsbird?

Posted: Fri 20 Apr 2012 8:51 pm
by MrBodil
AllyCat wrote:Hi,

It sounds as if the external humidity sensor has failed. The specification quotes a minimum of 10% so if a lower value is "measured" then Cumulus probably shows 10% but the Console shows "--".

There are photos in the two sticky "... inside ..." threads at the top of this FO section, but AFAIK nobody has found a replacement sensor. A few weeks ago I believe somebody here reported moving their internal humidity sensor board to the outside (transmitter) but it was necessary also to put the external sensor PCB into the Console because it carries a memory chip (calibration table?).

A few sellers offer replacement external transmitter units, in particular Clas Ohlsohn (868 MHz), but you must ensure that you get the correct radio frequency (434, 868 or 915 MHz) and also NOT one which is intended to receive Solar data.

Cheers, Alan.
The one i´ve got are the same as Clas Ohlson but not bought at the very same store. I had no idea that Clas Ohlson got replacement units, so its very good news. Thank you very much!
By the way, it seems that you´ve got yourself a wh 3080. Is that right? Is it the "next generation"? Should i upgrade to such?

//M

Re: Strange behavior-sensor breakdown WH 1080/Jenkinsbird?

Posted: Fri 20 Apr 2012 9:48 pm
by AllyCat
MrBodil wrote: Should i upgrade to such?
Hi,

At the moment perhaps not. The first versions have had major problems both here and in Australia (Here it seems not enough sun, in Oz too much!). My first Solar Pod "killed" two sets of batteries within 6 months, but the replacement seems ok. One seller here in the UK had hundreds in stock but refused to sell them because of too many problems/returns.

Also IMHO FO has made some major design errors. The Solar Pod is attached to the Transmitter Solar Screen. However, the Pod needs to be in direct sunlight, ideally as high as the wind sensors, but the Transmitter in the shade preferably near ground level for accurate temperature measurements.

So, although the 308x has a few good features, such as a much clearer and neater LCD/Console, I'm personally working on a "homebuilt" project to add a "Sunshine" reading to my standard (Clas Ohlson) 108x.

Cheers, Alan.