Cumulus V1.9.2 with Davis Vantage Vue - questions

[DanielF]

Having experienced ongoing problems with wireless reception from a number of Fine Offset AWS models (probably 433 MHz interference from a neighbour's recently-added equipment), I was forced to fork out more dough for a Davis Vantage Vue (Metric) with datalogger (serial), which operates in the 900 MHz area.

In the 'old' days, I was unable to get recent versions of Cumulus to install/run. But after a major crash necessitating a reformat/reinstall of Windows 2000 Pro SP4, I tried a recent version (1.9.2 build 1030) and was pleased to see that it now works!

I had initial problems after installing the Vantage Vue, with Cumulus not communicating via the serial port. Eventually I noticed that Cumulus had defaulted the serial port to a non-existent COM0! Why would it do that – is it because I was previously using USB with the Fine Offset stations? Once I changed that to COM1 (with the correct bit-rate and data parameters already set), it connected and I am now flying!

But a few other things puzzle me...

In the station configuration, I have turned off 'Cumulus forecast', but a forecast still appears in the third info line near the top! Not a serious problem – I'm just curious about why.

What is the meaning of 'Tx Battery Status: 1-ok 2-ok ... 8-ok' down the bottom of the Cumulus window?

I've configured Cumulus to synchronise the Davis clock to the PC, but after just a few days the Davis console clock display is already out by two minutes! Is this a Cumulus bug, or does it only work on certain Davis models?

PS: I like the Davis gear – better built and more accurate that any of the three Fine Offset models I've tried. And it's great to see the wind speed and direction updating every 2.5 seconds, instead of a laggardly 48 seconds for the FO models.

[steve]

Eventually I noticed that Cumulus had defaulted the serial port to a non-existent COM0! Why would it do that

There is no default, you have to set it correctly.

In the station configuration, I have turned off 'Cumulus forecast', but a forecast still appears in the third info line near the top! Not a serious problem – I'm just curious about why.

If you choose not to have the Cumulus forecast, and your station generates one, you get that instead.

What is the meaning of 'Tx Battery Status: 1-ok 2-ok ... 8-ok' down the bottom of the Cumulus window?

It's the status of the transmitter batteries. Non-existent transmitters show as 'ok'; I have no control over this.

I've configured Cumulus to synchronise the Davis clock to the PC, but after just a few days the Davis console clock display is already out by two minutes! Is this a Cumulus bug, or does it only work on certain Davis models?

It only sets it at start up, and it can only be set to within a minute. I assume it works with the Vue, but I have no way of knowing for certain.

[DanielF]

Steve,

Thanks for the explanations; now I understand.

Interesting about the forecasts - I didn't know the Vantage Vue created such a detailed forecast. I'll keep an eye on it now and see how accurate it is.

It appears that the clock sync feature does work with the Vantage Vue, as I had to reboot recently, and noticed the VV's clock was back in sync with the PC's. Unfortunately I run Cumulus 24/7, so it's not going to sync often. I guess when the VV clock gets too way off, I'll just have to stop and restart Cumulus manually.