Topic: Ws-1400-IP incorrect humidity

[dport]

I've noticed on my 1400-ip that the humidity levels are up to 20-25% lower than other stations in the area, and currently 12% lower than the other station in my backyard (ws-2080).  Ironically, there is a 1400-ip just a few miles away reporting the same humidity as my 1400-ip. We are the only stations in our 5 square mile area with very low humidity values.

I will be contacting ambient and this unit may be getting returned as it states humidity accuracy of +-5% and I can only calibrate up to +10%

[DanS]

I think you may be worrying more than you need to. Humidity readings can vary great amounts just several feet away from each other. My two stations are about 50 feet apart and their readings go their own ways. It's like rain gauges. You shouldn't compare humidity readings with anything more than a couple feet away.

[dport]

Good point. Given my temporary mount for the 1400 I will relocate right next to my other station, or maybe even bring it inside and see if I can match indoor humidity. Thanks for the advice.

[dport]

Well, I had my outdoor units side by side for an hour and the ws-1400 was still 10-15% lower in regards to humidity, so I decided to do some analysis from weather underground. I brought up the map of my local area and compared humidity levels of all stations. I could easily pick out all the ws1400, ws1200, ws1001 stations just by the low humidity levels. Would be quite the coincidence if it was one...

Edit: fyi, I live in a very highly populated area so there are a lot of stations nearby.

[dport]

Another update, it's been raining (freezing rain...) this morning and the humidity level is at 99% on the 1400, so something is working correctly.  It's very odd though that at lower humidity levels, the station is far off from my other unit (right next to it) and all the other stations around me.  Has me puzzled.

[DoctorKnow]

Some brands such as Davis, tend to run on the high side in regard to Humidity in my observations. If yours is reading lower, I would say that is a good thing.

[dport]

thanks for the info.  i did contact ambient and they said one other customer did have concerns about abnormally low humdity levels on the ws-1400.  I can calibrate the system +-10% for humidity, but given how erratic its been, that doesn't seem like the best option.  Will see how everything shakes out once the storm moves away and humidity drops again.