Well, after chatting with 3 individuals at AcuRite support over the past several days the decision and recommendation is to return both the Atlas sensor and Atlas display to them for testing and repair or replacement. What a disappointment! After only 1 week in operation the list of problems with this unit is as follows:
1. Recorded over 1,000 false lightning strikes that started immediately after initial set up. Strikes were recorded during daylight hours with the sun shining on the Atlas sensor and aspirating fan running. Almost all strikes were recorded at 1 mile. All 3 solar panels eventually received direct sunlight as the sun moved across the sky. The false strikes were continuous all day long no matter which solar panel received the most intense light. During evening and night hours with direct sunlight absent and fan not running all false strikes stopped.
2. Several days after set up a "white spot" appeared on the edge of one solar panel. The two other panels were clean. The white spot was not visible on the panel when I unpacked the sensor.
3. Two days ago I observed that the red LED transmission light was on solid and steady. It was not blinking every 10 seconds as it should. I had no reason to check the light earlier because all readings were being transmitted to the display and myacurite. I have no idea how long the light was on steady but a pulled the batteries and re-installed them. The light then resumed blinking off and on every 10 seconds.
4. Just last evening the "Low Battery" icon started to appear on the Atlas display. It would appear and then disappear and then after a few minutes appear again. So, I got 6 DAYS of usage out of 4 fresh duracell coppertop batteries. Not bad.
5. 10 minutes after the low battery icon started its magic act I received a nighttime false lightning strike. No sunlight, no fan running, no storms within 200 miles, no appliances starting, no motors running as possible causes.
I am at a loss to explain what has gone wrong with this unit. It appears to me it's related to the the solar panels, fan or both. But that doesn't explain the nighttime false lightning strike when both of those components were not functioning. Who knows. We are all just guessing at this point. I haven't yet mentioned the lightning module itself. Perhaps that's the culprit? It's funny because I am to receive a replacement module from AcuRite this coming Thursday. By then my Atlas will be halfway to Lake Geneva so I will not even have a chance to see if the new module makes a difference.
This entire Atlas thing has really gotten off to a bad start for me. I was really looking forward to a new weather station. My 5 in 1 is still chugging along however, it is starting to grow whiskers. Hopefully, I get good news soon.