Weather Station Information
The weather data is collected by a Davis Vantage Pro Wireless Weather Station (see photos below) and was installed on 12/26/01 in Perry Hall, Maryland, just northeast of Baltimore, Maryland.
Santa brings my weather station!
The solar powered Integrated
Sensor Suite contains the rain bucket plus the temperature and humidity
sensors.
The ISS is attached to my deck about 5 feet off the ground.
The anemometer is attached to a mast which puts it 5 feet above the roof and about 30 feet above the ground.
A little closer view of the anemometer with the optional anemometer transmitter kit. This kept me from running cable to the ISS.
The Vantage Pro console sits on my computer desk amongst the lighthouses.
A close-up of the console.
Jul 18, 2002 Upgraded firmware on Vantage Pro console to Rev B, 4/24/02. "Borrowed" Vantage Pro Updater from Davis Instruments at no charge as my unit is still under warranty. Updater needs to be returned to Davis within 30 days with copy of invoice to avoid being charged.
Per Tech Support (510-732-7814) at Davis the policy is ...
1. You may buy the updater for $100.00, part #6311.
This way you may download firmware updates over the internet as they become available in the future.
2. You may "borrow" an updater if you are still in your warranty period and are in the US or Canada.
Out of your warranty period you may "borrow" an updater for $25.00.
3. Finally, you may send in your console to be updated.
We will do this free within your warranty period or for $25.00 thereafter.
The updater kit includes the Updater itself, Link Program Adapter, Serial Cable, User's Guide, and Firmware Release notes.
To install the firmware update you basically enter setup mode on console, remove power cord and batteries from console, remove data logger, connect Link Program Adapter to data logger port, turn on Updater and press start. The LED flashes yellow for about 15 seconds then turns green when update is complete. Next, unplug the Updater and re-install data logger, power cord and batteries in console.
According to the User's Guide future
firmware updates will be available from Davis' Support section of their
website.
These updates will be loaded into the Updater using the Updater software and the
included serial cable.
Aug 9, 2002 Added the Davis Weather Echo Plus to my system. The data is re-transmitted to the Echo Plus from the Vantage Pro console. When enabling the re-transmit feature on the VP console you need to select a ID code and also input that same ID code on the setup screen of the Echo Plus. A short antenna extends from the top of the Echo to receive the signals from the console. Two versions of the Weather Echo are available. The "Plus" version adds an inside humidity sensor, display backlight and AC-power adapter for use with backlighting. I keep the Echo Plus in the bedroom and normally keep the backlight on for easy viewing during the night. The unit can be unplugged for portable use but when plugging it back in you need to reset it's clock. The backlight does not work when running on the supplied 3 volt lithium battery (the same battery that's in the ISS and Anemometer transmitter kit). You can view the last seven days worth of high and lows by pressing the Mode and +/- buttons. The rain field can show the daily rain or total accumulated rain or both in an alternating fashion. The field that shows the humidity on my display below can be changed to show either outdoor or indoor humidity, wind chill or dewpoint. It's nice and small (5.2" long x 2.25" high x .8" deep) so it doesn't take up much space but I sometimes have a little trouble focusing on the small numbers when waking in the middle of the night and trying to get a quick check on the weather. Overall I've been very happy with the Echo Plus.
Oct 2004 Started receiving "Low Battery on Station 1" which is the ISS. Replaced the battery in the ISS. The low battery message kept coming back and I replaced the battery numerous times.
Nov 9, 2004 Called Davis tech support. The are sending me a retro-fit ISS (newer design). It cost $65 + $7.50 shipping. Should have it in 5 business days.
Nov 17, 2004 My new, improved ISS has arrived from Davis. Installed the new ISS and it seems to be working fine.
Apr 24, 2005 In response to some requests, here is a rear view look of the ISS. Galvanized pipe and fittings from Home Depot were used to attach the ISS to the deck. I painted the pipe to match the color of my deck.
Oct 16, 2007 Called Davis Instruments and placed an order for the "Updater" to update the Vantage Pro's firmware to support the new daylight savings time. The cost is $20 plus $9 shipping (will need to return the unit in 30 days or will be charged and additional $107).
Oct 24, 2007 Received the Davis updater today and did the firmware update on the Vantage console. I am now at Rev B Nov 26, 2006. This corrects the dates for daylight savings time. Installation was smooth following the instructions.
Oct 26, 2007 I'm seeing a "Low Battery on Station 2" error message on the Vantage console. It's from the Wireless Anemometer Transmitter.
Oct 27, 2007 Replaced battery but still getting "low battery" message. Wind data stopped recording after a few hours.
Oct 29, 2007 Installed a 100' 2-pair cat-3 cable between the anemometer and the ISS. Used RJ-11 connectors on each end (straight through) and used a coupler to tie it into the anemometer. Winds data seems to be coming through fine now. Also, the reception rate is now much higher with the wireless anemometer transmitter out of the picture.
