Topic: Lightning detector prices.

[Skywatch]

I want to add lightning to my weather station but the lightning detector systems can be so expensive. Does anyone know where these can be sold for cheaper? I want to interface to Weather Display.

[Bushman]

http://www.carterlake.org/lightningdetector_1-wire.php

[Weather Display]

check out the 1 wire lightning counter from hobbyboards

[miraculon]

I have been using the Hobby Boards LD4-R1-A almost three years now. I am amazed at how sensitive it is, even though it is just a simple darlington transistor circuit and not tuned. When I first installed it, I didn't have a good ground and it didn't "work". Once I ran the ground to my water pipes it works great.

Here is a page with the data from mine: http://www.miraculon.com/GPC.html

The detector is in a PVC conduit body and the antenna wire runs inside the section of PVC pipe.

It is on the mast below the Davis wind set, above my webcam.



I am using one of the General Purpose Counters on Simon Melhuish's OWW with OWWLOG, along with some Linux scripts, a FIFO and a plotting program called trend. Weather Display is probably a lot easier, but I already set this up with my old AAG One Wire system years ago. If you are not familiar with One Wire, you will also need either a serial or USB interface to One Wire in order to use the Lightning Detector.

[svcrews]

I want to add lightning to my weather station but the lightning detector systems can be so expensive. Does anyone know where these can be sold for cheaper? I want to interface to Weather Display.

Greetings!
Try provantage, use their option of a "price quote" as opposed to the on-line price. Saved me a bundle..  I have the LD-350.

[Skywatch]

Thanks. I'm liking the 1 wire.

I want to add lightning to my weather station but the lightning detector systems can be so expensive. Does anyone know where these can be sold for cheaper? I want to interface to Weather Display.

Greetings!
Try provantage, use their option of a "price quote" as opposed to the on-line price. Saved me a bundle..  I have the LD-350.

Thank you. I went to provantage but I couldn't find the LD-350.

http://www.carterlake.org/lightningdetector_1-wire.php

I like what I see but have a few questions. Can this be bought as shown in the photo with the box cable interface and computer connector? I saw something that said normal price 499+200 for software. does it cost 499$ as a set but can be purchased in parts to be built by user? Is so I probably can't do it. Not if it involves circutry and soldering. Also it said 200$ for software. Does it require a special program before Weather Display can use the data? Does it display the distance and direction or number of strikes? Can it be used if I wanted to get on the Wunderground lightning network?

Thanks.

[dalecoy]

I want to add lightning to my weather station but the lightning detector systems can be so expensive. Does anyone know where these can be sold for cheaper? I want to interface to Weather Display.

Do you want direction and distance to the strikes?  And perhaps to contribute your data to http://www.strikestarus.com/  ?

Or just a count (rate) of the strikes, with no indication of distance?

[miraculon]

I like what I see but have a few questions. Can this be bought as shown in the photo with the box cable interface and computer connector? I saw something that said normal price 499+200 for software. does it cost 499$ as a set but can be purchased in parts to be built by user? Is so I probably can't do it. Not if it involves circuitry and soldering. Also it said 200$ for software. Does it require a special program before Weather Display can use the data? Does it display the distance and direction or number of strikes? Can it be used if I wanted to get on the Wunderground lightning network?

The Hobby Boards lightning detector is $32.50 (USD) This is for the completed board. You don't need to solder the parts, there are screw terminals that accept the antenna and ground wire. The One-Wire is on a RJ11 connector.

The USB One-Wire interface is $27.00

I spent about $75 in wiring, PVC, aluminum channel, ground wire, clamps, etc. to install it.

I think that Weather Display directly supports the One-Wire and Lightning Detector. The counter chip in the lightning detector has a unique serial number (Maxim Semiconductor) that you need to put into the appropriate Weather Display setup page.

With the box in the picture, it looks like it needs to be kept indoors. I think that the metal whip antenna would not hold up in the weather and rain. Keep in mind the need for the ground. My outdoor installation is weatherproof and well grounded.

[Skywatch]

I like what I see but have a few questions. Can this be bought as shown in the photo with the box cable interface and computer connector? I saw something that said normal price 499+200 for software. does it cost 499$ as a set but can be purchased in parts to be built by user? Is so I probably can't do it. Not if it involves circuitry and soldering. Also it said 200$ for software. Does it require a special program before Weather Display can use the data? Does it display the distance and direction or number of strikes? Can it be used if I wanted to get on the Wunderground lightning network?

The Hobby Boards lightning detector is $32.50 (USD) This is for the completed board. You don't need to solder the parts, there are screw terminals that accept the antenna and ground wire. The One-Wire is on a RJ11 connector.

The USB One-Wire interface is $27.00

I spent about $75 in wiring, PVC, aluminum channel, ground wire, clamps, etc. to install it.

I think that Weather Display directly supports the One-Wire and Lightning Detector. The counter chip in the lightning detector has a unique serial number (Maxim Semiconductor) that you need to put into the appropriate Weather Display setup page.

With the box in the picture, it looks like it needs to be kept indoors. I think that the metal whip antenna would not hold up in the weather and rain. Keep in mind the need for the ground. My outdoor installation is weatherproof and well grounded.

Okay sounds good. I'm guessing the unit needs to be installed indoors if the PVC isn't installed.

I want to add lightning to my weather station but the lightning detector systems can be so expensive. Does anyone know where these can be sold for cheaper? I want to interface to Weather Display.

Do you want direction and distance to the strikes?  And perhaps to contribute your data to http://www.strikestarus.com/  ?

Or just a count (rate) of the strikes, with no indication of distance?

I don't know. Distance and direction will tell me where the storm activity is. Rate will tell me the intensity. Both sounds good. I call this candy store syndrom where everything looks/sounds good. Need some pointers. Will the 1 wire provide distance and direction or rate?

[dalecoy]

Do you want direction and distance to the strikes?  And perhaps to contribute your data to http://www.strikestarus.com/  ?

Or just a count (rate) of the strikes, with no indication of distance?

I don't know. Distance and direction will tell me where the storm activity is. Rate will tell me the intensity. Both sounds good. I call this candy store syndrom where everything looks/sounds good. Need some pointers. Will the 1 wire provide distance and direction or rate?

As far as I know, the 1-wire does not provide distance nor direction.  It just provides "counts" of strikes somewhere within it's detection radius.  Counts can of course be "added" to provide rate. 

[Skywatch]

Do you want direction and distance to the strikes?  And perhaps to contribute your data to http://www.strikestarus.com/  ?

Or just a count (rate) of the strikes, with no indication of distance?

I don't know. Distance and direction will tell me where the storm activity is. Rate will tell me the intensity. Both sounds good. I call this candy store syndrom where everything looks/sounds good. Need some pointers. Will the 1 wire provide distance and direction or rate?

As far as I know, the 1-wire does not provide distance nor direction.  It just provides "counts" of strikes somewhere within it's detection radius.  Counts can of course be "added" to provide rate. 

Okay.

I've also looked at the Boltek LD-250. Finally found it on Provantage. Now the Boltek stated it included software. Is the Boltek compatible with Weather Display? I couldn't see a setup for boltek. I'l probably have to look harder.

[miraculon]

Will the 1 wire provide distance and direction or rate?

It will only provide "rate". I use the a counter output in OWW called "delta" that gave me better looking results during t-storms. You can kind of infer distance/intensity from the rate counts. It takes some experience watching it for a while and it isn't nearly as intuitive as the Boltek/Nexstorm plots. Nor does it give direction. The Boltek probably has some kind of directional antenna array using RF circuits. The H-B detector is pretty simple, it just amplifies electrostatic impulses and feeds them into a one-wire counter. (right now there isn't any activity in my area so looking at my plot isn't going to tell you anything)
I experimented with the lightning output in Weather Display and it looks similar (but fancier) than what I get on my trend delta plot. I post raw counts, counts since reset, rate, and delta counts numerically on my site, but the most useful is the plot.
I too am interested in the Boltek, I just have trouble justifying the cost.

[Weather Display]

yes you can integrate WD with a LD 250 via Nexstorm (via the flash gate PC)

[dalecoy]

The Boltek Stormtracker (card that plugs into your computer, etc.) is considerably cheaper than the LD-250, but still fairly pricy.

http://boltek.com/stormtracker.html

Here's how the close-in display looks on my site:  http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/nexstorm.png

And the long range display (Java required) http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/StormVue.html

[Skywatch]

The Boltek Stormtracker (card that plugs into your computer, etc.) is considerably cheaper than the LD-250, but still fairly pricy.

http://boltek.com/stormtracker.html

Here's how the close-in display looks on my site:  http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/nexstorm.png

And the long range display (Java required) http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/StormVue.html

Also noticed it's made for a desktop computer. I'm using a laptop. I appologise if I neglected to mention that but I can't plug anything like that into the laptop. Looks like the LD-250 is the one. It will work if I can get the data through a USB port.

[Weather Display]

you can use a serial to USB adaptor
thats what I use

[Skywatch]

you can use a serial to USB adaptor
thats what I use

Okay.

Well this I think lightning is definitly an idea for a VP3 when Davis comes around to it. Display lightning in the wind area. The compass or wind rose displays lightning direction and where wind speed is normally displayed shows the distance. And in the ticker or rain rate displays the lightning rate. I'l see if Davis would be intrested in the idea. LOL. If this seems like a crazy lunatic idea, just accept it as a joke.

[miraculon]

Your suggestion about Davis actually sounds like a good idea to me. I made the same suggestion on the AcuRite board.

[Skywatch]

Lightning detectors are actually easy to make. Just take a maganet, some copper wire, Aluminum foil and an old radio antenna. Attach the radio antenna to one side of the maganet and take a strip of Aluminum foil tape it to the other side and wrap the other end to the antenna. Then take Copper wire and coil it around the maganet. The 2 ends of the wire hook up to an ordinary speaker or audio imput device and you can get lightning in the form of static. I did this in 7th grade. Now if it's hooked up to a device that registers that static interfearence at a lightning strike it could easily be integrated into a home wireless weather station. If wired just right it can even tell you distance and direction by measuring the intensity of the static the closer the lightning strike is the louder the static noise will be and direction is determined by the static impulse coming out of one wire vs the other. An example of this, a small DC motor can be used as a generator. Turn it one way one contact is positive. Turn it the other way they switch. In a few occasions wind vanes use this same mechanism.

[dalecoy]

Well this I think lightning is definitly an idea for a VP3 when Davis comes around to it. Display lightning in the wind area. The compass or wind rose displays lightning direction and where wind speed is normally displayed shows the distance. And in the ticker or rain rate displays the lightning rate.

Almost all of the time, lightning occurs in many directions at the same time, and at many different distances. 

[Garth Bock]

The Boltek Stormtracker (card that plugs into your computer, etc.) is considerably cheaper than the LD-250, but still fairly pricy.

http://boltek.com/stormtracker.html

Here's how the close-in display looks on my site:  http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/nexstorm.png

And the long range display (Java required) http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/StormVue.html

Is it possible to post animated showing like last 5 minutes or such ? I havent seen that but I am sure it exists.

Also funny side note....I am in Springfield, Mo. for a workshop DJ'ing along with another who is from of all places...Lees Summit. She DJ's at Whiskey Tango in Grain Valley. Small world.

[dalecoy]

The Boltek Stormtracker (card that plugs into your computer, etc.) is considerably cheaper than the LD-250, but still fairly pricy.

http://boltek.com/stormtracker.html

Here's how the close-in display looks on my site:  http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/nexstorm.png

And the long range display (Java required) http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/StormVue.html

Is it possible to post animated showing like last 5 minutes or such ? I havent seen that but I am sure it exists.

Also funny side note....I am in Springfield, Mo. for a workshop DJ'ing along with another who is from of all places...Lees Summit. She DJ's at Whiskey Tango in Grain Valley. Small world.

Uses Java.  Go to:  http://www.thecoys.net/stormvue/StormVue.html

Look at the top of the image.  See the 30m/60m, Full/Zoom, and Stop/Run buttons.

Click on Run.

Of course, it's only interesting when there is lightning.

[mackbig]

Didnt see it mentioned in this thread, but just keep in mind, another diff between the 250 and Stormtracker/350 is that the 250 does not display "strike type"

Andrew

Also noticed it's made for a desktop computer. I'm using a laptop. I appologise if I neglected to mention that but I can't plug anything like that into the laptop. Looks like the LD-250 is the one. It will work if I can get the data through a USB port.
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[embayweather]

I know that this is a relatiely old thread but I hae just found it. if you hae not yet got a lightning detector try looking here

http://www.lightningradar.net/

Gives direction and plots on a map, and is affordable.

Best wishes

Mike

[DanS]

I've been playing around with that for a couple of years. It's a great program and it's designed to work with at least two separate stations several miles apart on the Internet to triangulate on the lightning's position. Use it alone, without any other station and the best you can do is pin point two storm locations. One will be right and the other 180 degrees from it. It's got a great map generator program with it.