Outdoor temperature never changes and always incorrect

[Jasnick]

Using Cumulus 1.9.3 Build 1059 Windows 7 WS-1081 Touch Screen - Outdoor unit fixed to roof.

Originally set up WS-1081 using EasyWeather instructions that came with the unit. Only have had it set up for a week or so and have now switched to Cumulus which has a nicer interface.

My indoor temp is 25.4c (accurate according to indoor thermometer) - outdoor is showing 7.5c. Not sure where this figure comes from as it is way too low to even be the minumum temp which is about 20c. The outdoor temp should be higher than the indoor at this time of the year. I have tried the touch screen instructions and cannot get it to work - all that tapping gets me nowhere. What I would like to see is the current temp outside.

Is there a way to get this working properly?

Thanks

[steve]

If I understand correctly, the console is showing that figure, so I suspect you have a faulty temperature sensor.

[Jasnick]

Thanks Steve - so I should try and return the kit or is there any other way to fix it?

[steve]

I can't think of anything else to suggest, but someone else may have some ideas. Is the outdoor humidity showing a reasonable value? Wind and rain working OK?

[Jasnick]

Outdoor humidity is correct, wind correct and no rain so can't tell. Indoor temp OK just the outdoor is stuck on 7.5c which we rarely get even in mid-winter and its just the end of summer now.
On the computer it is giving 7.5 as both the min and max temps.

Thanks Steve - I do appreciate the help. My husband is emailing the company we bought it from.

[AllyCat]

Outdoor unit fixed to roof.

Hi,

That's a pity, is it reasonably accessible?

If it is, then try this simple test, although it may sound daft: Unplug the Wind sensor cable from the outdoor unit (transmitter) for a few minutes. Does the (current) external temperature still measure 7.5 degrees (and of course the Wind data drop to zero/no direction) on the Console/Cumulus? If so, then the Outdoor unit is very probably faulty. If the indicated temperature does change, then you may have a problem with the wind cable/sensor.

Also, has it always indicated this temperature or is this a "new" problem?

Cheers, Alan.

[Jasnick]

Hi Alan

Reasonably accessible via ladder - will have to wait until tomorrow though as it is a bit late today to send my husband up the ladder.

Will certainly try your advice.

I think it has always shown this temp as I have been when time permits tapping that section to see if I can adjust it somehow. Though I would have thought I would have noticed the error immediately we set it up if that was the case. So I wonder if I have "tapped" it into error somehow? These senior moments are becoming all too frequent!

Anyway, will try your test tomorow.

Thanks for the help!

[Jasnick]

Did what you said, Alan to no avail. Temp stayed the same and wind came back after restoring sensor cable but not temp. So it must just be faulty.
Thanks for your help!

[AllyCat]

Hi,

Yes (particularly having done that test) it's very likely that the Outside Unit is faulty, so I hope you have a good response from your supplier.

If you don't, it's not impossible to obtain a "spare" or perhaps even repair the unit (bad soldering is quite common), but there are a number of "issues" so contacting the supplier is definitely the best route.

Cheers, Alan.

[Jasnick]

Thanks Alan - no reply from them yet but that is nothing new here. Some companies - particularly online sellers - are not very customer orientated. Will post what happens.

[Jasnick]

Good afternoon

Sent off the email to the supplier with a photo showing the false temperature reading and today got a reply saying they had consulted their technical experts and they will send a replacement part - a transmitter that will fix the problem. Was quite surprised at the quick reply so will see what happens.

[Jasnick]

New sensor part arrived and unfortunately it made things even worse. Now there is no wind information as well. . So replaced the old part and at least got the wind back but still no correct outdoor temperature.

So back to the drawing board - will contact supplier once again.

[Jasnick]

Yesterday my husband tried again putting in the new part again. Nothing happened except no outdoor temp and no wind reading. Not sure what happened but this morning everything is working! Outdoor temp is correct and it all looks good. Only problem was the enormous amount of rain (ten times actual amount) it has registered which is definitely wrong so I deleted all data and am starting again to see what happens.
[Later] We had a power cut. When it came back on, outdoor temp returned to incorrect reading, same reading as before. No idea what is going on. Am thinking of moving the indoor unit to another computer a little bit nearer the outdoor station.

[Charlie]

It sounds like your new unit was not actually paired to the display. It will *sometimes* pair after hours if not started properly, but you might get much older waiting for valid data.

You need to remove all the batteries, then put them back in the right order. First the outside batteries, then the indoor unit. Be careful not to touch the touch screen until it is actually locked and displaying information. If you do, remove batteries from the indoor unit for 10 seconds, then try again. The USB can not be connected during this process. I've found it helps to carry the display outside and do this so that the units are only a few feet apart

Make sure you are starting with a fresh set of batteries, particularly in the outdoor unit. Lithium are the best choice, alkaline second best. Do not use "heavy duty" or any type of rechargeable in the outdoor unit, or you will be changing them again much sooner.

You may wish to look into extending the wires to not only avoid climbing on the roof regularly while you fine tune the station, but also to get the outdoor unit (less the wind sensors) to a more correct location - say about 5 feet above ground, in the shade, and as far as practical from heat sources like the house. Technically, the rain sensor should be close to ground level too. (I've forgotten the exact height and I'm too lazy to look it up - a search of the forum will find it for you I'm sure)

[AllyCat]

Technically, the rain sensor should be close to ground level too.

Hi,

Sometimes also for practical reasons, because the rain sensor must be mounted very rigidly. If it's able to move (for example on a mast swaying in the wind) then the "see-saw" can detect "false rain", which might explain the OP's excessive rainfall measurement.

Cheers, Alan.