Cumulus Support

My station started to act crazy last night. Temperatures started to jump from -40c to +120c and Cumulus flashing errors "Data input appears to have stopped - check your station and connections". I changed all the batteries and reseted the console but it didn't help. All the other outside readings (humidity, wind) seems to be normal. Also, seems like the console doesn't get the readings all the time, console might read --- as temperature for couple of minutes, until it gets some -69c reading again.

Any suggestions?

This keeps getting more and more interesting. I got a spare station. First, I tried the new console with the old stuff, same thing, crazy temperature readings and and console (and Cumulus) keeps having problems reading data.
Then I changed the "main" unit outside. STILL the same problem. This time both of the consoles were turned on and both show the same (crazy) temperature and same problems getting the data.
Wind and rain accessories are still the old ones. Could those somehow interfere? After all, wind was working with the old console...

I haven't tried disconnecting those yet, maybe that's the next thing to try... I'm puzzled.

Might be (radio) interference from some new source - have you or your immediate neighbours got any new toys lately ?

No new toys (unfortunately) for me. The closest neighbour isn't too near, so I doubt that's the problem.
I disconnected the wind and rain gauges last evening and the temperatures seem to be on scale again! I'll try the gauges one by one later today.

Strange... when wind is connected alone, everything works. When rain is connected alone, everything works. But when I connect both of them, temperature goes nuts. And I'm using the new temp/sender -unit.

Hi,

The wind direction and external temperature sensors both use the same Analogue/Digital converter (in the "transmitter" module) and the design is such that the cable is always "live" (for want of a better word). So, if there is a "problem" with the wind cable (in particular water in the cable or connectors) then indeed the external temperature can have "crazy" readings.

As far as I know, the only solution is to ensure that the cable is dry, and perhaps seal the plugs with a suitable grease. However, your problems might have been compounded by poorly aligned contacts in the connectors which can lead to inconsistent (and thus confusing) tests.

Cheers, Alan.

Thanks Alleycat for the explanation. For the time being, I think I'll just swap both windgauges (and cables) and keep the old ones as backup. What kind of grease is suitable for sealing the connectors?

Hi,

Sorry, I haven't tried any specific products myself, but "battery terminal grease" (for cars) might be suitable. Alternatively, you could try "WD40" aerosol (which repels water) but it has been suggested that it might damage some plastics materials.

Cheers, Alan.

AllyCat wrote:Hi,

Sorry, I haven't tried any specific products myself, but "battery terminal grease" (for cars) might be suitable. Alternatively, you could try "WD40" aerosol (which repels water) but it has been suggested that it might damage some plastics materials.

Cheers, Alan.

I'd advise against WD-40. Any automotive or electronics shop should have dielectric grease, which is made specifically for this purpose.