Topic: Hardware questions

[metate]

Hi all,
I sincerely apologize for questions that might seem like repeats, but I’m just stuck and I keep going in circles.  I’ve read and read and read but for the life of me cannot figure out what the best pieces and prices are. (replies that were helpful: http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=23623.0 and http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=21403.0)

• We have a Davis wireless pro 2. 
• I want to get the data online/on my computer without the 24/7 running computer.
• I understand the Davis software lacks severely and am fine with using other software – it’s the hardware that seems to be confounding.
• I need wind speed and rain fall info.  (I’ve read that’s not reported in some places.)
• I need the info in less than 15 min intervals (the winds can pick up quickly here).  (I understand Davis weatherlink website gets the data in 1 min intervals, but that the interface stinks and the interface you’d really want to use is something like weatherunderground and Davis only pushes the data out in 15 mins intervals to WU.)
• I know I could do: weather station -> console w/weatherlinkIP 
• But I’ve read the best set up is: weather station -> console w/usb data logger -> weatherbridge (b/c the usb logger is cheaper and weatherbridge does processing/emailing too)

Here are my questions:

• Does the weatherbridge act as a data logger or not???  In the description it reads that it is (“Simply plug the WeatherBridge data logger into your weather station console or data logger,”) but all the info I read says you need a separate logger.   Do you need a separate logger?  http://www.ambientweather.com/amweatherbridge.html
• What are names of 3rd party loggers/where are they sold?  The only one I’ve seen stated is by belfryboy.  And while I love/applaud the innovation, if something were to go wrong, I personally don’t have the skills to support it and would want something from a company that offers support.   http://belfryboyweatherbits.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-belfryboy-clone-usb-logger.html
• Lastly, what about prices – am I understanding that it’d be:
  o   ~$346 for the best set up:
        o      $137 – Davis usb logger (amazon)
        o      $209 weatherbridge (ambient weather)
  o   If so, that breaks my bank and I’d then have to just settle for the Davis weatherlinkIP for $226 (amazon)?
  o   Or I should just wait, save my money until I can budget the logger/weatherbridge cuz it’s that much better that I’ll be glad for it in the future?......

Thank you for your time....if there are posts that I've missed that would answer these questions, please direct me to them. 

[Beaudog]

Have you looked here? 

http://www.meteobridge.com/wiki/index.php/Main_Page

Metobridge is the same as the ambient bridge. You can buy the router for about $30   the software is about $65.    You can try it for free for a few weeks.   No matter what you will need a data logger of some type. I recommend the USB one.

I do not understand the reluctance to run PC's 24/7.   My weather stuff all runs on an old netbook. It runs 24/7 and has for years. it is 100% reliable and almost never touch it.   I also have a metobridge but I prefer the netbook. It is much more flexable in what it does.

Contrary to what a lot is written there is nothing wrong with the weather link software. There are probably more people using WL than any other program. For the most part only serious users go to other software.

Wl is very good at recording wind and rain.  You can  chart and plot it in several ways.

I do not like the WL IP and Davis Net for the reasons you list.

[metate]

Hi Beaudog,
Yes, I looked at meteobridge - it pointed at ambient (in the US) to purchase the weatherbridge/meteobridge which is $209.  Can you share the link where you can find the router for $30?

Are you supporting the Davis usb logger or a third party one?  If third party, what are some names of those?
Thanks

[Bushman]

For a remote station a laptop is a liability since many of them will not reboot after a power outage. 

[metate]

Hi,
I appreciate the concept of the netbook/laptop, but we won't be going that route.  Any suggestions for my original questions would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks!

    Does the weatherbridge act as a data logger or not???  In the description it reads that it is (“Simply plug the WeatherBridge data logger into your weather station console or data logger,”) but all the info I read says you need a separate logger.   Do you need a separate logger?  http://www.ambientweather.com/amweatherbridge.html
    What are names of 3rd party loggers/where are they sold?  The only one I’ve seen stated is by belfryboy.  And while I love/applaud the innovation, if something were to go wrong, I personally don’t have the skills to support it and would want something from a company that offers support.   http://belfryboyweatherbits.blogspot.co.uk/p/the-belfryboy-clone-usb-logger.html
    Lastly, what about prices – am I understanding that it’d be:
    o   ~$346 for the best set up:
          o      $137 – Davis usb logger (amazon)
          o      $209 weatherbridge (ambient weather)
    o   If so, that breaks my bank and I’d then have to just settle for the Davis weatherlinkIP for $226 (amazon)?
    o   Or I should just wait, save my money until I can budget the logger/weatherbridge cuz it’s that much better that I’ll be glad for it in the future?......

[Bushman]

Weatherbridge - or your own version - is NOT a logger in the Davis/traditional sense.  It does log a few things in memory (yearly high temps etc.) though.  So to get a true logger (like a Davis Weatherlink) you have to PUSH the data to another place (SQL database etc.)

While I have no first hand experience, I am certain Bellfryboy will support the stuff he sells.  He'd be  roadkill here if he did not.    There is at least one other guy on this forum that sells logger/interfaces for IIRC a bit less than Bellfryboy.  (BTW, I think BFB used to work for the Davis distributor in Europe?)

I personally wouldn't consider the IP version but it is an option.

"Buy once - cry once" like Dad used to say. 

[belfryboy]

While I have no first hand experience, I am certain Bellfryboy will support the stuff he sells.  He'd be  roadkill here if he did not

Thanks for the plug! It's true, I will offer any support that I can, via Email or PM on this site, or even openly on a thread.

The price of my loggers is generally not the cheaper option to US buyers because of the current exchange rate, but the benefit is that it's been built by a qualified aerospace assembly technician using the same materials and standards that I employ day to day in my profession.

I do have a MeteoHub on a raspberryPi with Belfryboy logger that is available for £95 ($150 with free shipping)at the moment.

http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=26170.0

let me know if you're interested.

[metate]

Hi BelfryBoy - is that meteohub/logger still available?  If so, PM me with what payment info you'll need. 
Thanks

[belfryboy]

Hi BelfryBoy - is that meteohub/logger still available?  If so, PM me with what payment info you'll need. 
Thanks

I have sent you a private message.

[bchwdlks]

metate:

I have gone through the same questions within the last 2 weeks. I missed your earlier post or I would have replied earlier. I also have the Davis Pro2 Wireless. A solution that required a computer on 24/7 was not the correct answer for me.  I was wanting to post data to Weather Underground & CWOP. I am very happy with this setup:

• 6510USB USB WeatherLink for Vantage - I purchased it with the Pro2 from RainmanWeatherStore. The 'Members Only' pricing is very competitive. Most of the Davis hardware seems to be a better price direct from a retailer rather than through Amazon. I found several online sources for the hardware that were 5-10% cheaper than the same hardware purchased through Amazon. Since the Weatherlink had software, I installed it and ran it for a week. It functioned okay but it did require the Windows computer turned on.
• TL-MR3020 3G/4G Wireless N150 Portable Router. I got this from Amazon for $30. I was initially concerned about the step required to flash it to convert from a router to a Meteobridge. The Meteobridge web instructions are very well written and this was very simple. It worked so well that I went ahead and paid for the license before the trial period expired. At last weeks exchange rate the 65 Euro cost of the license converts to 75.45 USD. This is just 1/2 of what Ambient Weather charges for the same device already flashed.

This combination of hardware & software made it very easy to setup and update these websites. So much so that I am now going to add a camera to the mix.

[MBYWxWatcher]

Excellent information in this thread. I had already decided on the Davis Vantage Pro 2 6163D but had questions regarding logging, meteobridge, etc. I'm looking forward to getting my station and webcam up and running. Thanks for the great info!