Author Topic: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger  (Read 108828 times)

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Offline DeKay

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Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« on: November 13, 2011, 01:00:39 AM »
More good news.

Way back when I posted how to interface to the Davis console without having to buy Weatherlink and the dongle that came with it.  The limitation of that solution was that you didn't get data logger capabilities.  There was no way to get data from the console unless a computer was hooked up to it at all times.

Until now.

We have wxtech to thank for being crazy enough to unpot his logger and reveal what lurked beneath.  Since then I've been itching to see if I could build a DIY version, but my time has been very short.  That changed this weekend, and I have been able to successfully get something working.  More details can be found in my blog, specifically this post.

You can put one together for around $5 - $10 depending on what you have at hand.  I'd say that just about anyone who knows which end of a soldering iron is hot could put one together.  To add a bit of suspense to the whole thing, the memory chip I am using has four times the capacity of the Davis version (4 MBit vs 1 MBit).  I don't know if the console will actually make use of that extra memory or not, but I was willing to pay the extra 43 cents to find out.  I'll know in a few days and will let everyone else know.

Good luck should you try to build one yourself.  I'll keep an eye on this thread and the comments on my blog should anybody need a hand.

Here's a teaser.  And no, I do not own The Real McCoy. 


Offline C5250

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #1 on: November 13, 2011, 06:43:59 PM »
To add a bit of suspense to the whole thing, the memory chip I am using has four times the capacity of the Davis version (4 MBit vs 1 MBit).  I don't know if the console will actually make use of that extra memory or not, but I was willing to pay the extra 43 cents to find out.  I'll know in a few days and will let everyone else know.

It won't.

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Offline Bushman

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #2 on: November 13, 2011, 09:03:03 PM »
Once upon a time there was a company called BlueWave who made a clone logger, that had double the standard memory  ;)

But there is NOTHING stopping an individual from making their own.  And there is some doubt whether they can be commerically sold or not (Magnusson-Moss Act etc.)
Need low cost IP monitoring?  http://wirelesstag.net/wta.aspx?link=NisJxz6FhUa4V67/cwCRWA or PM me for 50% off Wirelesstags!!

Offline Bushman

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #3 on: November 14, 2011, 11:15:52 AM »
Hopefully Dekay will let us know shortly whether his logger supports double the mem.
Need low cost IP monitoring?  http://wirelesstag.net/wta.aspx?link=NisJxz6FhUa4V67/cwCRWA or PM me for 50% off Wirelesstags!!

Offline belfryboy

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #4 on: November 14, 2011, 12:08:19 PM »
Dekay, would you agree that this schematic agrees with your connections? I'm using a 3.3V FTDI cable attached to the 6 pin header.


VP_logger_schematic by belfryboy, on Flickr

And here is a layout (done in less than 1/2 an hour!) of the above. I have the design files and can make these for anyone and ship at cost plus a little for my time... (say about £40)


VP_logger by belfryboy, on Flickr
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 12:11:36 PM by belfryboy »

Offline m77

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #5 on: November 14, 2011, 12:17:14 PM »
wow.

youd need to buy a console separately, cos you'd need one to work with your logger, right?

@  £192 
« Last Edit: November 14, 2011, 12:23:45 PM by m77 »
Weatherlink ip, Vantage Vue,

Offline belfryboy

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #6 on: November 14, 2011, 12:23:30 PM »


can you buy a console separately, cos you'd need one to work with your logger, right?
Did that a few weeks ago, converted my wireless ISS to cabled (more reliable, and I can 8-) ) now just doing the logger thing, Thanks DeKay

Offline DeKay

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #7 on: November 14, 2011, 07:19:40 PM »
To add a bit of suspense to the whole thing, the memory chip I am using has four times the capacity of the Davis version (4 MBit vs 1 MBit).  I don't know if the console will actually make use of that extra memory or not, but I was willing to pay the extra 43 cents to find out.  I'll know in a few days and will let everyone else know.

It won't.


Sadly, C2520 is correct.  I topped out at 2560 records, which is the max capacity of the Davis product.  The BlueWave guys must have pulled an interesting trick to get more capacity.  Anybody know if they might have hacked the firmware to do so?  That would explain Davis coming down on them.  Oh well, the gamble was worth 43 cents.


Offline Weather Display

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #8 on: November 14, 2011, 08:24:24 PM »
Bluewave might have claimed the case, but not sure if it was really the case
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Offline C5250

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #9 on: November 14, 2011, 08:24:46 PM »
I'll bet they didn't do anything except use a bigger PROM and leave it to ones imagination that it would store more records.
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Offline DeKay

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #10 on: November 14, 2011, 09:55:28 PM »
Dekay, would you agree that this schematic agrees with your connections? I'm using a 3.3V FTDI cable attached to the 6 pin header.

<snip>

And here is a layout (done in less than 1/2 an hour!) of the above. I have the design files and can make these for anyone and ship at cost plus a little for my time... (say about £40)

Nice!  And fast!  Looks good to me.

Would you consider providing the design files under some kind of open license like the Creative Commons Attribution Share-Alike license so that people could spin their own boards?  That would very much be in keeping with the spirit of this whole thing, and nothing would stop you from providing a service to people for ready-built units.  Think Arduino.

Offline C5250

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #11 on: November 14, 2011, 10:30:04 PM »
No offense intended... Looks like the raw output of an autorouter. I would have at least tweaked it to eliminate the trace going through vias.

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Offline DeKay

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #12 on: November 14, 2011, 10:58:10 PM »
No offense intended... Looks like the raw output of an autorouter. I would have at least tweaked it to eliminate the trace going through vias.

Electrically it is correct, but the layout could indeed use work.

The trace from pin 1 on the SOIC should be re-routed so it doesn't go through pins 2 and 3.  That would be more DIY friendly by reducing the risk of solder bridges there.  The two vias on either side of BLK could be eliminated completely.  Vias are annoying for anyone doing a homebrew PCB.

Offline Weather Display

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #13 on: November 14, 2011, 11:58:18 PM »
checking on some very old threads, it could be that it did actually hold more data
so I take that back
Brian
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Offline Grrxyn

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #14 on: November 15, 2011, 12:01:07 AM »
No offense intended... Looks like the raw output of an autorouter. I would have at least tweaked it to eliminate the trace going through vias.

Electrically it is correct, but the layout could indeed use work.

The trace from pin 1 on the SOIC should be re-routed so it doesn't go through pins 2 and 3.  That would be more DIY friendly by reducing the risk of solder bridges there.  The two vias on either side of BLK could be eliminated completely.  Vias are annoying for anyone doing a homebrew PCB.


Not to continue shooting a dead horse, but I would have taken an extra step and added a bypass capacitor for the flash chip.

To add a bit of suspense to the whole thing, the memory chip I am using has four times the capacity of the Davis version (4 MBit vs 1 MBit).  I don't know if the console will actually make use of that extra memory or not, but I was willing to pay the extra 43 cents to find out.  I'll know in a few days and will let everyone else know.

It won't.


Sadly, C2520 is correct.  I topped out at 2560 records, which is the max capacity of the Davis product.  The BlueWave guys must have pulled an interesting trick to get more capacity.  Anybody know if they might have hacked the firmware to do so?  That would explain Davis coming down on them.  Oh well, the gamble was worth 43 cents.


Any more results on the IM-ME device?  Would be neat to strap a radio interface to an Arduino or similar and have a home-brew console.
« Last Edit: November 15, 2011, 12:08:09 AM by Grrxyn »
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Offline belfryboy

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #15 on: November 15, 2011, 03:47:39 AM »
No offense intended... Looks like the raw output of an autorouter. I would have at least tweaked it to eliminate the trace going through vias.

not autorouter, I wouldn't touch the stuff, I'd agree with you about the routing, but I was on my lunch hour with a sandwich in one hand. I would be happy to share the design files with anyone that would like them. Likewise I would be happy to assemble them too.

Electrically it is correct, but the layout could indeed use work.
The trace from pin 1 on the SOIC should be re-routed so it doesn't go through pins 2 and 3.  That would be more DIY friendly by reducing the risk of solder bridges there.  The two vias on either side of BLK could be eliminated completely.  Vias are annoying for anyone doing a homebrew PCB.

I will try and sort out the layout today to make it easier. I suppose that i'm lucky that I have a board house that will make me free prototypes

Offline belfryboy

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #16 on: November 15, 2011, 05:06:04 AM »
here is the updated layout, I may even change the 6 pin header to SMD so that all the board can be made single sided.


VP_logger_mkII by belfryboy, on Flickr

thanks for all your input guys!!
« Last Edit: November 18, 2011, 07:11:45 AM by belfryboy »

Offline DeKay

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #17 on: November 15, 2011, 08:11:41 AM »
Any more results on the IM-ME device?  Would be neat to strap a radio interface to an Arduino or similar and have a home-brew console.

Nope.  Progress postponed due to summer.  But summer is over and my time is freeing up to get back in to this stuff.  It is still somewhere on my list of things to do.

Offline DeKay

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #18 on: November 15, 2011, 11:52:08 AM »
here is the updated layout, I may even change the 6 pin header to SMD so that all the baord can be made single sided.

While you are at it, you could add an FTDI chip and a USB connector to the schematic and layout.  These could be stuffing options so the board could accommodate both a FTDI cable and a regular mini-USB interface.  An example schematic and layout from the GoodFet open source project is here if you'd like to take a look.

Offline belfryboy

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #19 on: November 15, 2011, 12:04:52 PM »

While you are at it, you could add an FTDI chip and a USB connector to the schematic and layout.  These could be stuffing options so the board could accommodate both a FTDI cable and a regular mini-USB interface.  An example schematic and layout from the GoodFet open source project is here if you'd like to take a look.

I already have this done!!  :grin: I simply used the sparkfun design files and gave them a tweak. there's even room to put a legacy serial interface on the board.

I do prefee the FTDI cable option, since these are readily available and reduce risk for the DIYer.


Offline C5250

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #20 on: November 15, 2011, 04:37:22 PM »
here is the updated layout, I may even change the 6 pin header to SMD so that all the baord can be made single sided.

That looks better! I always cringe when I look at a board and see unneeded vias.

I, briefly, thought about one sided. I don't think there's as much cost advantage these days as there used to be though. Unless you're going to make the board without silkscreen and solder mask.
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Offline belfryboy

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #21 on: November 15, 2011, 05:45:38 PM »
here is the updated layout, I may even change the 6 pin header to SMD so that all the board can be made single sided.

That looks better! I always cringe when I look at a board and see unneeded vias.

I, briefly, thought about one sided. I don't think there's as much cost advantage these days as there used to be though. Unless you're going to make the board without silkscreen and solder mask.


I'd agree but if your etching yourself then single sided is easier, if your getting it made by a board house then vias make it easier to lay out. Out of interest do you lay out many of your own boards? I'm fairly new to this and trying to learn, but always appreciate constructive criticism.

Offline DeKay

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #22 on: November 15, 2011, 07:14:10 PM »
I'd agree but if your etching yourself then single sided is easier, if your getting it made by a board house then vias make it easier to lay out. Out of interest do you lay out many of your own boards? I'm fairly new to this and trying to learn, but always appreciate constructive criticism.

I know this was directed at C2520, but I'm hoping to get setup to etch my own boards sometime this winter.  I am debating UV vs. toner transfer vs. direct resist application via inkjet printer.  Either way, single sided certainly makes life easier, both for the board itself and any kind of solder reflow scheme like toaster ovens or hot plates that might be used to actually assemble it.

Thinking of a home process, you could easily be less aggressive on your ground pour and increase the trace spacing a bit to make the design easier to DIY.  There is much more process error at home vs a commercial board house where shorts could creep in.

Offline C5250

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #23 on: November 15, 2011, 07:46:51 PM »
I'd agree but if your etching yourself then single sided is easier, if your getting it made by a board house then vias make it easier to lay out. Out of interest do you lay out many of your own boards? I'm fairly new to this and trying to learn, but always appreciate constructive criticism.

I used to layout boards at work, it's been a couple years since I've done one though.

I still prefer to minimize vias because they can be trouble spots, especially on a high speed trace. I've had to troubleshoot more than a few boards where the problem turned out to be a bad via.

I also like to make it look nice, by that I mean I would remove excess bends and turns. Like those off of pins 2 and 3 of the IC, the dogleg going to pin 3 of the 2mm connector, the two doglegs in the traces going to pins 4 and 5 of the other connector. Pull the traces from pins 5 and 8 of the IC a little closer to the mounting hole, so that there are only 2 45's, instead of 4 in that area. And maybe push up the traces along the top so they are a little straighter (would have to see how that looked though).

I seem to recall that one should avoid traces between the long sides SMT pads, like you have between 5 & 6, but I can't remember why...

Also, you won't need the center marks for the devices, those are only used for automated assembly.

Have you checked the datasheet/appnotes to see if a bypass cap is recommended? It's pretty rare that one isn't.

If you decide to make the board single sided, it's best to assume the silkscreen won't be used either. So some marks in the copper to insure proper part orientation would be helpful. As it is now, only the 2mm connector has some way to ID pin 1.
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Offline belfryboy

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Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #24 on: November 16, 2011, 03:54:38 AM »
OK a bit of background, I work for a UK defence contractor producing a range of electronic equipment. The trace routes that I have used are purely for speed of laying out, the large copper pours are done at the recommendation of the board house (less copper to etch =  less time in etch bath = fewer mistakes)

For the DIYer I would certainly recommend getting your boards knocked up in china using a PCB pooling process, you can have you boards in less than a week, fully silkscreened. I have a "pet" PCB firm here in the UK for instance the cost per board for this design is around £3 (that includes resist layer, silkscreen and gold plating  8-) )

with regards to the "bypass" capacitor, I must admit that I had to familiarise myself with your term, but i agree it is probably necessary, but very simple to add to the design.

Once again, if there is significant interest I will get a stack of board produced (bare board, kit of parts or finished, it makes no difference to me) and distribute them.