Author Topic: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?  (Read 8395 times)

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Offline Hammerian

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Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« on: August 30, 2014, 02:28:39 PM »
Hi all,

I am new to this and am treating it as a hobby. I bought a Vantage Vue Station and a Weather link USB data logger and so far i have been really impressed with the Vue.

I have managed to get data running from the Vue to the pc and have so far just about managed to get a station running online using Weather Underground IVALEVAL2 is my station, If anyone is interested in looking.

I have tried to use Cumulus as a variation to weatherlink but am struggling to get it to connect not really sure where i am going wrong, probably a setting somewhere if anyone has the same set up and could help that would be good.

I must point out i wasn't running weatherlink at the same time as trying to link my station to Cumulus.

Here are a couple of pics of the settings window and the error i am receiving.

Any help would be appreciated

Regards

Ham
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Offline Beaudog

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #1 on: August 30, 2014, 02:57:54 PM »
First and very important question. When you originally setup the logger did you set it up USB or serial mode?    It needs to be in serial mode to run any software except WL.          If you did not set it up in serial mode go to the WL directory >support>utilities and run the USB to serial converter.  See page 14, 15 of the WL instructions.

After you do that  in Cumulus set the station type to serial next set the com port to the same one that you used with WL.  It should then work.  If you do not remember the com port start WL and tell it to find the com port.  It should automatically find the com port.

It looks like you may be trying to use the TCP/ip mode  If that is the case it should be port 22222 and 127.0.0.1.  It looks to me like you have the address of your router in the TCP blocks.  I could be wrong on the 127.0.01 but WL should auto find it for you.

I really recommend that you get it working with com ports before trying tcp.

Offline ValentineWeather

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #2 on: August 30, 2014, 06:07:51 PM »
Try unchecking use data logger and make sure you selected the same com port weatherlink uses. Make sure weatherlink is closed also.  Have cumulus do the 10 min wind avg. and dew point cal. if you make any dewpoint adjustments as I have.  One of the advantages of the cumulus software is the excellent wind averaging it does vs weatherlink or VWS.

This is what my setup looks like.
Randy

Offline Beaudog

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #3 on: August 30, 2014, 06:25:03 PM »
It is not recommended to un check use data logger.

The help file says this:

Logger

 Use data logger
Do not unset this unless you absolutely know what you are doing! When set (which is the default), at start-up, Cumulus will download data from the stations data logger (if it has one) to catch up from the point where Cumulus was last shut down. If you unset this, Cumulus will not use the data in the logger next time it runs, so if it hasn't been running for a while, you will get gaps in your data, and invalid daily highs and lows. You would not normally need to unset this option. If Cumulus is not currently running, and you want it to not use the logger the next time it runs, you can edit the cumulus.ini file, and change the line 'UseDataLogger' in the [Station] section so that it has a value of zero (add the line if it does not exist). Note that editing the cumulus.ini file is the same as unsetting the option; don't forget to select the 'use data logger' option again when you want Cumulus to start using the logger again.
 

Offline ValentineWeather

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #4 on: August 30, 2014, 06:47:54 PM »
I don't remember unchecking it so thought it was the default or used for a different type of station like many of the options don't apply to the Davis units. Mine always downloads data on startup even unchecked but I went ahead and checked it.
Randy

Offline Hammerian

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #5 on: August 31, 2014, 04:47:13 AM »
Hi all,

Thanks for the replies guys.

@ Beaudog
Quote
First and very important question. When you originally setup the logger did you set it up USB or serial mode?    It needs to be in serial mode to run any software except WL.          If you did not set it up in serial mode go to the WL directory >support>utilities and run the USB to serial converter.  See page 14, 15 of the WL instructions.

I haven't done this and it is running in USB mode so i gues this needs to be done before i can use Cumulus. One question before i do this though, The manual says that this is not reversible once i have done this, would i still be able to use weatherlink also or would i only be able to run 3rd party software in future once this change has been made ?

Just making sure don't want to get it wrong

Thanks again

Ham
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Offline Hammerian

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #6 on: August 31, 2014, 08:05:22 AM »
Update, like a fool i pressed a key whilst having the update usb to serial window open and i have now made the switch to virtual serial.

Hence i now have cumulous working great and looks quite nice and user friendly for a novice, just got it uploading to Weather Underground may look now at the other options for upload also. Thanks Beaudog your info for fixing was spot on.

I now have a couple more questions though sorry.

I think i am right in saying that i can only run one at a time ie: either weatherlink or cumulus not both in paralell is this correct?

If the above is correct obviously data is being logged to 2 seperate log files so both would be incomplete if i were to switch between the two is there anyway to rectify this?

Can you upload to weatherlink if i had an annual subscription using cumulus thus alleviating the need to run weatherlink?

Obviously i will only use one program to upload data, probably Cumylous as it appears to have more options for various places.

Thanks for the previous help and sorry for the further questions, but if you don't ask you don't learn i suppose.

Cheers

Ham
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Offline PaulMy

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #7 on: August 31, 2014, 09:14:41 AM »
Hi Ham,
There is a program VVP that will permit you to run more than one weather program with the Davis, but for some it is now unreliable with current versions of Windows and Davis hardware. A search on the forum should give you various discussions.  I run Cumulus continuous but shut it down twice a month to run Weatherlink for a few minutes so that my Weatherling data files are maintained (having set the data logger at 10 minute interval).  Both Weatherlink and Cumulus will download the new data from the data logger from their last shut down when restarting these programs so there is continuous data in both programs.
 
Enjoy,
Paul

Offline Beaudog

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #8 on: August 31, 2014, 09:16:18 AM »
Update, like a fool i pressed a key whilst having the update usb to serial window open and i have now made the switch to virtual serial.

Hence i now have cumulous working great and looks quite nice and user friendly for a novice, just got it uploading to Weather Underground may look now at the other options for upload also. Thanks Beaudog your info for fixing was spot on.

I now have a couple more questions though sorry.

I think i am right in saying that i can only run one at a time ie: either weatherlink or cumulus not both in paralell is this correct?
You can only run one at a time
If the above is correct obviously data is being logged to 2 seperate log files so both would be incomplete if i were to switch between the two is there anyway to rectify this?
No true.  The logger stores the data depending on what interval you At a minimum several days. When you start either program it will download the data there should be no loss of data on either program. have set
Can you upload to weatherlink if i had an annual subscription using cumulus thus alleviating the need to run weatherlink?
don't know don't think so
Obviously i will only use one program to upload data, probably Cumylous as it appears to have more options for various places.

Thanks for the previous help and sorry for the further questions, but if you don't ask you don't learn i suppose.

Cheers

Ham

Offline Hammerian

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #9 on: August 31, 2014, 10:21:16 AM »
Great replies again so thanks to PaulMy and Beaudog much appreciated.

I was thinking that the info was only being logged on pc when i had program running and forgot that logger will store info too. I will probably do the same as Paul and run Cumulus continuously occasionally stopping it to run weatherlink just to save logs too, nice idea and solution.

I'm getting there now.

I have uploaded data to the following:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
&
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Not sure i need to upload as many but fun setting them up and seeing how nicely they appear on the different sites.

Do you guys think i should set up NOAA ? As i'm not really sure what this is yet?

Thanks

Ham
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Offline Beaudog

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #10 on: August 31, 2014, 10:36:11 AM »
It is important with cumulus that you have the logger interval and the interval set in cumulus the same. cumulus recommends 5 min.

Offline Hammerian

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #11 on: August 31, 2014, 10:42:32 AM »
Is this what you mean?

i did have station settings as 5 mins, but i was uploading data to various places at 15 mins but have now changed to 5 mins also...

See Attached.

Thanks

Ham
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Offline Beaudog

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #12 on: August 31, 2014, 11:39:00 AM »
You must also have the logger set to 5 min the easiest way is to use WL.

The internet upload intervals are completely separate from the logger intervals. They have nothing to do with each other.


If you do not have cumulus and the logger set to the same interval there is a good chance it will mess up your log files  It can be any interval that you want but they need to be the same.

Offline PaulMy

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #13 on: August 31, 2014, 12:17:10 PM »
From your screen shots:
In Station settings I would untick Calculate dew point and wind chill as the Davis does this pretty well (the Cumulus option is mostly for some other weather stations that don't do this).  I would tick VP 1-min barometer update and that will replace the Davis default.  I would also tick Stop 2nd instance so that you would not in error start a 2nd instance of Cumulus running.
 
In Internet settings I have learned that it is best not to have the uploads at the same interval so I have PWS, WB, CWOP, WOW at 7, 8, 9, 11 min, and WU at 5 min but I use the Rapid Fire, and the Realtime interval at 5 sec.
 
You may have changed these but in the screen shots PWS and WU you have ticked UV but the Davis Vue does not have UV.
 
When you are ready for uploading to your own website  ;)  some more settings to do.
 
The following is the Davis datalogger time period and this is were you should have the WL datalogger and Cumulus data log interval settings the same:
Archive Storage Capacity (the amount of time before the archive is completely filled):
1 Minute Archive Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42 hours
5 Minute Archive Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 days
10 Minute Archive Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 days
15 Minute Archive Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 26 days
30 Minute Archive Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 days
60 Minute Archive Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 106 days
120 Minute Archive Interval . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 213 days
 
Enjoy,
Paul
« Last Edit: August 31, 2014, 12:19:42 PM by PaulMy »

Offline PaulMy

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #14 on: August 31, 2014, 01:14:06 PM »
Quote
Not sure i need to upload as many but fun setting them up and seeing how nicely they appear on the different sites.

Do you guys think i should set up NOAA ? As i'm not really sure what this is yet?
Another is AWEKAS http://www.awekas.at/en/instrument.php?id=6890 but with Cumulus you would need a place to upload the awekas_wl.htm data file that AWEKAS would extract for your page.
 
If by NOAA you mean APRS/CWOP like http://www.findu.com/cgi-bin/wxpage.cgi?call=DW3930 that would be a nice addition.  If you mean the NOAA reports http://www.komokaweather.com/weather/reports/NOAAMO0814.txt then you would also need a website to upload the NOAA reports data.
 
Enjoy,
Paul

Offline Hammerian

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #15 on: August 31, 2014, 03:01:16 PM »
I must have overkill on this now as i am a bit bamboozled, Beaudog where do i find the logger interval settings you uploaded a pic of please? and i will check it matches Cumulus.

@ PaulMy

Thanks matey i have now edited Cumulus to match your proposals with settings and i also managed to get a CWOP ID and have that running also now too.
I wouldn't mind messing about with a web page but not really sure where to start with that one.

I have made some nice headway today and now feel i am getting somewhere have to say i do like Cumulus now its appears to be much nicer than weatherlink so glad i got it running now thanks to you guys.

Really appreciate both of you guys helping many Thanks.

Ian
« Last Edit: August 31, 2014, 03:02:52 PM by Hammerian »
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Offline PaulMy

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #16 on: August 31, 2014, 04:37:55 PM »
Quote
where do i find the logger interval settings you uploaded a pic of please?
Stop Cumulus, run WL, under Setup Set Archive, select the desired period.
 
Quote
I wouldn't mind messing about with a web page but not really sure where to start with that one.
You would need a domain (guernseyweather.com is not available but .org and .net are :) , and webserver (both can be gotten from GoDaddy, but many alternatives available), then with the Cumulus standard templates you can be up in a jiffy.  And then the real fun begins.  Read Steve's excellent Help [Website Setup], print it, check off each step, and ask when you run in some uncertainty.  Filezilla is a free and excellent program to upload the required files to your webspace, and with a few settings in Cumulus, Cumulus does the rest.  When the Cumulus standard pages are running you can then decide if you want to modify them, add gauges-ss, etc. or try other templates such as Saratoga, Leuven, Weather By You, or own designed.
 
Enjoy,
Paul


Offline Hammerian

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #18 on: August 31, 2014, 05:18:17 PM »
@ Beaudog & PaulMY, Thanks again i have now set intervals on Cumulus and Logger to match at 5 mins each thanks to your replies.

@PaulMy nice bit about making a website from what you have written it doesn't appear to be that difficult so i may make that my next mission when i have some more time. That link to Steve's post appears not to be working but i may look and find it.

Thanks again i'll post back if i make headway.

Thanks again.

Ian
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Offline PaulMy

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #19 on: August 31, 2014, 07:08:40 PM »
Quote
That link to Steve's post appears not to be working but i may look and find it.
I was referring to the Help within the Cumulus program.  This http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/a/Simple_Website_setup will also be very helpful.
 
Enjoy,
Paul

Offline Hammerian

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #20 on: September 01, 2014, 07:55:50 AM »
Ah ok sorry Paul i misunderstood.

Thanks i'll take a look at the website help link you have posted.

Cheers

Ian
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

Offline Beaudog

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #21 on: September 01, 2014, 11:28:40 AM »
I was ask where I got the 5 min data logger interval from. I was sure I had seen it recommended several times in the Cumulus forum but now don't find it so I ask Steve the author of Cumulus and this was his answer.

It really depends on how much you depend on the logger data. I run Cumulus all the time, so only need the logger data when we have a power cut. I use a 5 minute interval, which seems like a good compromise. I'm unlikely to need more than 8 days of logger data, but if I were to use a 1 minute interval, I'd be worried that our power might be off for longer than the 42 hours which that would allow for.

Offline Hammerian

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Re: Weatherlink USB and Cumulus?
« Reply #22 on: September 01, 2014, 12:20:06 PM »
@ Beaudog, as per your recomendation i now have them set for the same 5 min interval as you suggested so hopefully i won't have any issues.

Many Thanks once again for the reply.

Cumulus is running nice now and i'm glad i have done it i prefer it lots to weatherlink so i expect i will make a donation some time soon.

Many Thanks

Ian  =D>
Davis Vantage Vue Wireless - Weatherlink USB DataLogger
Cumulus v.1.9.4
Vale, Guernsey, Channel Islands.

My Station Reports:
Wunderground = http://www.wunderground.com/personal-weather-station/dashboard?ID=IVALEVAL2#history
WOW = http://wow.metoffice.gov.uk/weather/view?siteID=891736001
PWS Weather = http://www.pwsweather.com/obs/101134.html#

 

anything