I sent an e-mail to Davis' support but sadly never received a response (I hope that isn't the trend).
Hey y'all! I'm having the same problem. Just got off the phone with tech support and they're going to ship out a new transmitter for the ISS. The guy said they're pretty easy to change out, and then send back the faulty transmitter.
Fingers crossed!
Have a great day everyone!
_______________________________________
Christopher Cawley
Whiteville NC
CoCoRaHS: NC-CL-01
KNCWHITE02, DW4505 (CWOP)
CWOP: DW4505
...interesting. I wonder if Davis will ask you first to replace the battery or they just send out the replacement once you report the error message?Hey y'all! I'm having the same problem. Just got off the phone with tech support and they're going to ship out a new transmitter for the ISS. The guy said they're pretty easy to change out, and then send back the faulty transmitter.
Fingers crossed!
Have a great day everyone!
_______________________________________
Christopher Cawley
Whiteville NC
CoCoRaHS: NC-CL-01
KNCWHITE02, DW4505 (CWOP)
CWOP: DW4505
When you take out the old board, look it over carefully.
When you take out the old board, look it over carefully.
You can't really see the supercap clearly on the Vue SIM board - the whole board is encapsulated inside its white casing in gel.
I am also having the "Low Battery Transmitter" issue. Anybody else have an update on how it's being handled?
...If so, that is a design flaw which needs to be remedied. I can't imagine that holding up very long in a marine environment.
...If so, that is a design flaw which needs to be remedied. I can't imagine that holding up very long in a marine environment.
This particular issue has already been fixed in current production I believe.
Have you looked for/noticed your ISS LED flashing?
Interesting. Tom idicated that no change in design was forthcoming.Maybe not a design change, but I wouldn't be surprised to open up a current production Vue and find that the grease has already been applied.
Not quite sure why the contacts are exposed as nothing appears to make contact with them. That being the case, would it not be better to cover them with a small amount of silicone sealant rather than grease, a more permanent fix.
Alan.
This is interesting, I have been in email contact with support and speculated it was condensation or damp ingress in fog + wind conditions causing it.That is exactly what they are saying has been happening! and they didn't even give you credit! maybe at least a little grease? :grin:
Got mine last November. No problems whatsoever.Florida isn't often cold damp and foggy for days on end though ;)
I emailed Davis two weeks ago regarding this problem, but to-date no reply. I most certainly will not be phoning from the UK! :shock:
Alan.
I emailed Davis two weeks ago regarding this problem, but to-date no reply.
Alan.
I emailed Davis two weeks ago regarding this problem, but to-date no reply.
Alan.
Thats sort of odd.. They have always replied quickly the few times I have had a reason for support questions.
If you get no replies from them let us know back.. I'll be happy to give em a call on your behalf or whatever like that if it'll help
" 1. If the console was turned on after the ISS was installed it may think that the battery is low even when it is showing full voltage. Please remove the power from your console to reset it. If this is the fault the warning should go from the console. "
...I was wondering if a smear of Petroleum Jelly on the contacts would do any harm.
What shall i do? Start by trying a new battery?
What type?
I too have just experienced the "Low battery transmitter 1" issue. It just appeared today. Both the Vue console and a pro2 console are reporting this. Are we purchasing this grease out of pocket on our own or is Davis sending it out on a complaint basis? Does this stuff ever have to be reapplied? In the heat will it liquify and run ? My unit was installed in December 2009 and has been operating flawessly until today. It seems awful strange that 4 open contacts that are gold plated would behave in such a manner especially with nothing contacting them. I'm not entirely convinced that this is the solution to this problem but am willing to give it a try If it works. I dread having to go up on the roof (hate heights) but such is life. I'm gonna check for the green light this evening and if need be pick up a new battery once I obtain the proper grase and do it all in one shot.
The CR123 battery is a 3V so far as I know?
I don't think Duracell are anything special, it needs to be a Lithium type to maintain voltage in low temperatures.
The CR123 battery is a 3V so far as I know?
I don't think Duracell are anything special, it needs to be a Lithium type to maintain voltage in low temperatures.
I thought the same as you (3V), but the one I bought was a, "123 Energizer Lithium Photo" which registered 5.9 volts on my multimeter, in fact I bought two and they both had the same charge.
Alan
...anybody know why the 'little green light' stays on? :???:The one on the bottom of the unit itself. When I mentioned that, Davis quickly reached for the grease fix.
Now, if the "little green light" stays on continuously...
...yup got all that and the book too. When I mentioned to the Davis the green light stayed constant, he said one word..."grease'. :roll:
...yup got all that...
...yup got all that and the book too. When I mentioned to the Davis the green light stayed constant, he said one word..."grease'. :roll:
Not quite sure why you asked: "...anybody know why the 'little green light' stays on?"
...yup got all that...
But all what? Is/was your LED constantly flashing (ie briefly on and then off again every 2.5 secs) or constantly lit (ie no flashing off at all)? It's an important distinction for troubleshooting.
...yup got all that and the book too. When I mentioned to the Davis the green light stayed constant, he said one word..."grease'. :roll:
Not quite sure why you asked: "...anybody know why the 'little green light' stays on?"
...just curious as to how many others may have this problem. :-)...or perhaps their thoughts on why it stays on all the time?
1. The pushbutton is stuck.
I'm still puzzled about the LED being lit continuously - the error I'm more familiar with is where the LED _flashes_ continuously, which in itself is enough to run down the battery prematurely.
You are very familiar with Davis stations, do you know what the exposed contacts are actually for, do they have a function?
You are very familiar with Davis stations, do you know what the exposed contacts are actually for, do they have a function?
No sorry I don't know for sure. Very likely they will be for some kind of production-line SIM configuration or testing process eg using a custom tool that can mate reliably and quickly with the set of contacts, but I don't know exactly what.
...as I wait for the Davis grease and battery, just a couple thoughts/options came to mind.
...
The grease will probably get the unit back to working, but how long will it last?
...as I wait for the Davis grease and battery, just a couple thoughts/options came to mind.
...
The grease will probably get the unit back to working, but how long will it last?
If applied correctly and not disturbed, 50 years.
I know that Davis have denied that they will ever make any additional sensors for the Vue ie, UV, but was wondering if those contacts could be used to power any aftermarket equipment.
I know that Davis have denied that they will ever make any additional sensors for the Vue ie, UV, but was wondering if those contacts could be used to power any aftermarket equipment.
Alan.
I'm on my third battery in 9 months. Called Davis and through working with their tech I found a defective solar panel. No problem though, Davis is shipping a new one and I just have to replace the bad one. To check the solar cell I removed it from the unit and detached the wires then in full sunlight checked the voltage with a vom. Zero volts.
Hope this helps someone out there.
...update on my situation,,,,called Davis tonight to check on the grease and battery they were to send me. Found out they hadn't shipped it yet. :-( After I further explained how the green light on my unit stayed on all the time, we checked the battery (in and out) and confirmed it was dead. I moved the unit indoors since it would only work now during the daylight. Davis then decided to send me a new ISS. :grin: Once received I will send back the dead one.
Got my battery low message this morning, only been installed a few months. So whats the status on this problem? Do we just keep replacing batteries till they fix it?
Got my battery low message this morning, only been installed a few months. So whats the status on this problem? Do we just keep replacing batteries till they fix it?
How long is "a few months"?
What is your status with the grease?
Got my battery low message this morning, only been installed a few months. So whats the status on this problem? Do we just keep replacing batteries till they fix it?
How long is "a few months"?
What is your status with the grease?
I guess its been up and running now for 3 months. I have no status on the grease:) I shouldn't have to "grease" my weather station:)
Got my battery low message this morning, only been installed a few months. So whats the status on this problem? Do we just keep replacing batteries till they fix it?
How long is "a few months"?
What is your status with the grease?
I guess its been up and running now for 3 months. I have no status on the grease:) I shouldn't have to "grease" my weather station:)
Perhaps not. But if you had bothered to read previous postings in this thread, you would know about the grease and wouldn't have to waste other folks' time asking for the "status on this problem".
Also, you might try answering the question that I asked you (June 17th) in http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=8007.30
It has to be a bad batch of something, I've had my Vue since October of last year without the first problem. It could just be a bad batch of batteries they're using.It seems rather unlikely, I don't think I ever hasd a 'bad' battery in decades.
Hello, I'm french and I have the same problem as you. I await a response from Davis. My station works only on the day now. I replaced the batteries 7 times ...... I have to buy in U.S.
Thank you, that is correct but prices are not the same!
Failed to mention I also installed a new batteryIt should self reset the warning at midnight, usually going into set up mode then out again without changing anything will clear it also.
... To install it I rented a cherry picker at the cost of $100. I am not inclined to spend another $100 to replace the battery. ...
I notice that there is a comment on this topic that the unit will function on the solar panel power but wonder whether I will lose data accumulated during the darkness....
I wonder what would have happened had I imported from the US, like many other people on forums I visit.
I wonder what would have happened had I imported from the US, like many other people on forums I visit.
I suspect you would have struggled to get any UK-based support at all. You would probably be stuck in the classic no-man's land in this scenario where McMurdo won't sanction UK support for a station that they haven't imported and Davis aren't prepared to ship anything direct to you from California.
But I also suspect that this thread is starting to become boring for others so let me desist now.
But I also suspect that this thread is starting to become boring for others so let me desist now.
But I also suspect that this thread is starting to become boring for others so let me desist now.
I can only speak for myself, but I've found your contributions to this thread, along with the contributions of many others, to be anything but boring. Being in the position of one who's long contemplated finally making the leap from the novice level $90 Oregon Scientific/LaCrosse indoor/outdoor temperature station, up to something far more substantial, capable, reliable and, yes, expensive, I'm extremely appreciative of this thread.
Reading reviews and doing research elsewhere online, I had come away with the impression that Davis Instruments was a first rate U.S. based company that stood behind its products, and that the Vantage Vue was the perfect choice for someone like myself who was considering making their first foray into 'enthusiast' level weather station equipment. It's now clear to me that I was wrong on both counts, at least where the Vantage Vue is concerned. That Davis has allowed some of you to twist in the wind (no pun intended :) ) for upwards of a year is unconscionable to me. And it's not as if $300 is some inconsequential amount of money, particularly in this environment.
Putting out a dud of a product isn't the real issue here. That happens occasionally to the best of companies. What's disturbing is Davis' apparent unwillingness or inability to communicate with its customers the plan of action by which these problems will be resolved.
And I will add, you hear a few complaints here about Vue's but there are substantially more that have never had any trouble, including myself. My Vue has worked flawlessly since it was purchased (one year ago oct) and has never locked up, never had the battery replaced, and always provides quality data day after day. My guess is they had a bad batch of some particular part and it happens with any product.
You will always hear from people about problems but rarely hear from those that have none.
... it's difficult to overlook the fact that this thread is now nearing a year old without a definitive fix having been announced.
... it's difficult to overlook the fact that this thread is now nearing a year old without a definitive fix having been announced.
Where, and in what way, would you expect a fix to be announced? And in what form would you expect that fix to be?
[Reputable companies tend to fix non-life-threatening problems silently, with new revisions to product hardware; and supply corrective measures to customers who experience the problem, through existing distribution channels]
.... and announced the modifications (beyond grease) that will be made to future production units.
I understand that a new console firmware update to counter this spurious low battery problem is in testing.
... it's difficult to overlook the fact that this thread is now nearing a year old without a definitive fix having been announced.
Where, and in what way, would you expect a fix to be announced? And in what form would you expect that fix to be?
[Reputable companies tend to fix non-life-threatening problems silently, with new revisions to product hardware; and supply corrective measures to customers who experience the problem, through existing distribution channels]
To my mind, it would depend on the actual incidence of problems being experienced by Vantage Vue owners, a number which we aren't privy to. At a minimum though, given the extended time span over which these issues have persisted, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that by now DI would have already diagnosed the true nature of the problem and announced the modifications (beyond grease) that will be made to future production units.
... it's difficult to overlook the fact that this thread is now nearing a year old without a definitive fix having been announced.
Where, and in what way, would you expect a fix to be announced? And in what form would you expect that fix to be?
[Reputable companies tend to fix non-life-threatening problems silently, with new revisions to product hardware; and supply corrective measures to customers who experience the problem, through existing distribution channels]
To my mind, it would depend on the actual incidence of problems being experienced by Vantage Vue owners, a number which we aren't privy to. At a minimum though, given the extended time span over which these issues have persisted, I don't think it's unreasonable to expect that by now DI would have already diagnosed the true nature of the problem and announced the modifications (beyond grease) that will be made to future production units.
Very well said, thats the way my mind works too:)
On my third battery since 01/11/10. Went through a series of diagnostics with Davis tech support folks. The "old" battery is showing 2.96 volts while a brand new one is showing 2.99. the verdict at this point is that the gold contacts on the ISS board which are visible on the INSIDE, SIDE of the battery compartment, are too close together. Moisture due to high humidity is shorting the board out and giving a false reading. If so, that is a design flaw which needs to be remedied. I can't imagine that holding up very long in a marine environment.Well, I began to receive the "Low Battery " warning again on 11/23. Not quite 7 months since applying the Davis "fix". I am requesting a new unit. This one is 11 months old and has a recurring issue. An e-mail has been sent and I await their response.
I'm not convinced, because even during low humidty times the low battery indicator remained even when the reading was supposed to "reset" after midnight.
The Davis solution? Dielectric grease on the contacts in the battery compartment. I'll give it a try and see what happens. However, that's the last time this ISS goes on the tower without being replaced.
Tom, Ira and Edward have all been very helpful and it's kind of refreshing to be able to talk to a human in tech support. I wish I could have stuck with one of them though. Ira had indicated a new ISS would be sent out. Edward decided on the Dielectric grease fix instead.
We shall see.
In general, the incidence of faults on Vue units during their first year of production/sales has been encouragingly low. I don't have exact figures to hand but a level of 5% is probably realistic, which is actually very good for the period when a brand new design is released into the field.
The only two types of Vue fault that seem to have been reported with any frequency are - coincidentally - both low ISS battery warnings. I'm pretty sure that these two types have quite distinct causes although because the initial symptom is the same there's obviously a tendency on forums like this to confuse the two and to lump them together.
The first type is a genuine but premature low battery warning, ie when the old battery voltage is checked it's found to have been fully depleted. The incidence of this fault variant is very low - maybe 1-2% - and this is the type that can be fixed by the gel application to the contact pads. A change in production method to prevent this fault was made some 6 months or more ago, ie not long after the first reports of the problem came through and Davis had a chance to investigate the cause in faulty units.
The second and quite separate type are spurious low ISS battery warnings. When the ISS battery voltage is checked on these, the battery is still found to be in good condition and so the warning of low voltage is inaccurate. This type of fault will often clear itself along with other system resets and clear operations at midnight each night. So this type of fault is a minor operational nuisance but nothing more. I haven't seen a detailed write-up of the cause but it seems likely to me that the microcode monitoring the ISS battery is a little oversensitive on a minority of systems, which is presumably also something that can readily be fixed in production. I understand that a new console firmware update to counter this spurious low battery problem is in testing.
In theory, all Davis stations should last a lifetime. They are not cheap labor or cheap price not made in china. Proudly made in the USA.They are probably assembled in the USA, but the parts most likely come from China.
THis discussion has happened already - not Made in USA. Sorry.Get your facts right. My circuit board on mine says made and assembled in the USA! And thats the circuit board parts.
In theory, all Davis stations should last a lifetime. They are not cheap labor or cheap price not made in china. Proudly made in the USA.
In theory, all Davis stations should last a lifetime. They are not cheap labor or cheap price not made in china. Proudly made in the USA.
I was checking the outdoor transmitter board. I do not know about the console board...
In theory, all Davis stations should last a lifetime. They are not cheap labor or cheap price not made in china. Proudly made in the USA.
Ummmm....(http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_Nvf6aanA8XE/TRlCh61FwII/AAAAAAAAAJo/8AC5pWsAhFU/s400/Wireless+Chip.jpg)
The latest Davis Catalog I have says: " Our weather stations are assembled and tested right here in Hayward, California"
Bought and installed my Vue in Oct. '10. In the middle of Dec. I received the low battery transmitter warning message. Went up on the roof took the station down and tested the battery and it tested great. Nonetheless I put in a new battery and within 12 hrs the low battery warning msg went away.
Last week, the infamous message reappeared, went back to the roof, tested battery, tested great. This time I put the same battery back in, within 12hrs, the messgae was gone again.
I noticed each time that I did get the messgae my station would stop reporting at about 3 or 4am and would start backup as soon as the sun hit the station.
Im very interested to see how the dielectric grease solution works out for you FortWhite. It sounds like this might be a fairly commom problem with at least a large batch of Vue's?
I must say my last 2 large ticket purchases have been a bit frustarting with issues. My Vue works great except for this battery issue and the screen on my new 55" tv works great except when it periodically freezes up. Gotta love technology!!! LOL
I might just run a 3v power supply to it, since I have AC available on the tower it is installed on.
I had also a "Battery low" on a sunny day. It disappeared in the evening and came back the next day.
I tested the battery: it was OK. A little cleaning of the battery contacts, put the battery back and no problem again (was a month ago).
My unit was new Dec 1, 2010.
My unit was new Dec 1, 2010.
Is that before or after they came up with the grease fix?
My unit was new Dec 1, 2010.
Is that before or after they came up with the grease fix?
As far as I am concerned any new battery/s being installed should have both terminals smeared and this idea has been around way longer than the Vue.
One would hope nobody installs any battery without doing this first?
My unit was new Dec 1, 2010.
Is that before or after they came up with the grease fix?
As far as I am concerned any new battery/s being installed should have both terminals smeared and this idea has been around way longer than the Vue.
One would hope nobody installs any battery without doing this first?
That's not the "grease fix" being referred to.
I don't know what to do more :sad:
perhaps someone has an idea ?
Frederic
Fredric, has midnight passed since you replaced the battery. The low battery warning should clear on consoles automatically after local time midnight.
The low battery warning should clear on consoles automatically after local time midnight.
Do you think the brand of the battery has an influence ?
It's asking a lot of a battery to perform below 0°F
Are you getting the lithium type?
I do suspect the firmware update has reduced the incidence of 'false' low battery alerts.
I have the Vantage Vue and I woke up this morning to find my data had "---" in. It came back after a while and I then got that same error message "Low Battery Transmitter 1". I then went into "Setup" then "Done". It then stopped showing the message.
Hi there,
You are right my Vue disconnected again but for less time so i think its charging up now ;)
Does anyone know if the VP2's are better for maintenance?
Does anyone know if the VP2's are better for maintenance?
..., but if it starts having many problems with batteries, transmitters, or super caps....
Does anyone know if the VP2's are better for maintenance?
an indication that the software version in the transmitter module within the ISS unit is old. This will need to be updated. This repair is normally covered under warrenty
have the same problem, an empty battery very quickly (rapidly discharge). only able to survive for 3 days, then I put one extra solar panels to connect parallel, the battery can last four months :lol:
Hello everyone
New member from Birmingham England here.
I have just purchased a Vantage Vue from pro data systems here in the UK but before I put it up I must say that this thread has me seriously worried before I even start!!
How common does this fault seem to be? Is there a certain batch with the same problem ? I have the 2012 version of weatherlink software and so am presuming if Davis know of these problems they might have improved on them and was wondering if this is the case or as most of you describe could it be down to pot luck?
Nice being part of this community on here it seems to be most helpful from what I have read so far.
It should keep going for at least a month.
I wouldn't be surprised if the message goes away at the midnight reset or you could do that manually now by going into setup mode then press 'done' to exit (allow a minute or two for everything to reconnect)
Thanks for keeping the forum updated on this issue. The information is very valuable for future users.Hi ,I'm Trevor,Mine was working great for a year then we had a strong wind guess what,Yes I got the same error?I tried about 4 battery's in it after 5 days the error would come back,So I took it off the roof and pulled it to peaces What I found was one of the wires to the sun panel were only holding on by a couple of treads of wire,I striped the wires and re-solder them back on I had no trouble since,now with battery out and I put the meter on the + and - it has full charging power to the battery.Cheers jonzeeboy
Slightly off-topic perhaps, but a very recent Vantage Vue ISS I had opened no longer has components that can be unplugged.
The ribbon cables which has plug ends are now replaced with circular cables and most of the internal components are now sealed in a yellow ballistics style gel (for those that watch Mythbusters). You can't get to anything on the main board as it's in a gel block.
Five years life from any ISS is pretty good. I never had a weather system from any vendor that lasted longer than that.
Jim
. I'm guessing the low battery voltage threshold factory set on the Vue was hit when the extreme cold sapped some of the power from the lithium battery (was replaced in late September 2013). How can these units in the colder climates with frequent below zero temperatures in winter be of any use?
. I'm guessing the low battery voltage threshold factory set on the Vue was hit when the extreme cold sapped some of the power from the lithium battery (was replaced in late September 2013). How can these units in the colder climates with frequent below zero temperatures in winter be of any use?
First - the "low battery voltage" is a warning. That warning doesn't turn off anything.
Second - clearly, these units are operating 24/7 in much colder climates than yours.
What's the actual current voltage of the battery that you replaced 6 months ago? Was there snow on the solar panel when the unit went "off line"? Is your solar panel exposed to the sun all day (as opposed to getting some shade for some of the time)?
I would ask about the quality of the replacement battery, but that's a bit hard to determine. There are lots of "fake" name brands out there, and sometimes batteries stay on the store shelf for many years.
At any rate, try replacing the battery and see if that helps survive the cold.
Battery was new in the package when I put it in. Was not a "name brand" like Duracell, rather a "surefire" brand (they make tactical flashlights, so I thought that would be a good way to go). Don't remember what the voltage was when I got it and tested it on a voltmeter, but I believe it was around 3.25 volts. Solar panel is shade free all day and faces due south. Only problem is, it's up on my peaked roof, which is a bit of a pain to get to. When the weather warms up, I will go up there again and replace the battery with a Duracell or Energizer type cell.
The low battery warning message is indeed a warning, however, after that warning was displayed for a few hours (while it was dark outside) the voltage must have dropped pretty fast in the cold and it stopped gathering data (outside temp, wind speed/direction, etc) until the sun came up and hit the solar panel.
Understood. When you replace the battery, it will be interesting to see what the voltage is - and perhaps you will put it in your freezer for a few hours and then measure the voltage. Different brands respond differently to cold temperatures, of course.
Of course, with the unit mounted where it is, it's possible that there's snow (or bird-whatever) on the solar panel. But a good battery should power it without any sun for more several months.
Bottom line: the behavior that you experienced is unusual. And many of these units are working through very cold (and dark) conditions. So, it's a good guess that your experience is due to the battery.
Let us know what you find out, when the weather improves.
I don't own a Vue, but I do use the Surefire 123 batteries on my VP2 stations. Since I switched from Duracell to the Surefire, my battery changes are a lot less frequent. ~$21 for a box of 12 on ebay or Amazon and when I got the box, it was good for 10 years from when I bought them.
His experience IS unusual, but I disagree that it is the fault of the battery IF he used a brand new one that wasn't bad for some odd reason. Now, if the solar panel is not providing any power to the ISS, the battery may be getting depleted, but I don't think it should happen quite so quickly either.
His experience IS unusual, but I disagree that it is the fault of the battery IF he used a brand new one that wasn't bad for some odd reason. Now, if the solar panel is not providing any power to the ISS, the battery may be getting depleted, but I don't think it should happen quite so quickly either.
OK, so what's your analysis of the problem? (Low battery warning, followed by offline during extreme cold).
I don't own a Vue, but I do use the Surefire 123 batteries on my VP2 stations. Since I switched from Duracell to the Surefire, my battery changes are a lot less frequent. ~$21 for a box of 12 on ebay or Amazon and when I got the box, it was good for 10 years from when I bought them.
Careful buying the Surefire 123's on fleabay. There ARE counterfeits out there!
Littleton, apparently there are issues with purchasing Surefires on Amazon, also. I just looked and it looks like the "six loose batteries in a box" or "all the batteries were taped together" scenario on more than a few instances. Have you got a good source for the Surefires other than Amazon or eBay? Thanks, Ed
Thanks for the replies, ya'll. The only thing I use the 123 battery in is in a single ISS so buying a bunch of them seems kind of overkill...but $12-$13 for a dozen versus $6-$7 a piece is a no-brainer. I guess I set up an annual-replacement schedule, eh?
Ed
Thanks for the replies, ya'll. The only thing I use the 123 battery in is in a single ISS so buying a bunch of them seems kind of overkill...but $12-$13 for a dozen versus $6-$7 a piece is a no-brainer. I guess I set up an annual-replacement schedule, eh?
Ed
Sounds like it is time to treat yourself to a nice, high-powered LED flashlight while you're at it! ;)
Perhaps the pushbutton (next to the LED) is "stuck" in the pushed position?Thanks for the reply, Dale. That'll be one thing I'll check when the roof is dry enough for me to go up there. Had overnight/morning rain.
And I've just remembered something.... about the same time this happened, i.e. after the first time I'd put the ISS back up again, I noticed the ISS had changed its ID from 1 to 8 and I had to reconfigure the console to match it.
Off the top of my head (not really knowing what I'm talking about), it could tie in with a stuck button?
In reply to my own post on Dec 28 2013, I have now been on the roof and measured the battery voltage in situ - 3.15 volts. It's been up there for over a year now happily transmitting data (and also the low battery warning) so I'm going to ignore it until it stops.
I hope this helps put a few of your minds at ease, not having to keep changing the thing just because the trigger point for sending the message has been set too high - in my opinion anyway!
Cheers
Mike
I got my VantageVue some 4 years ago in the US and brought it back to Brazil.
It has a version 2.14 firmware and the dielectric grease.
It has been working nice till 3 months ago when it started giving the LOW TRANSMITER BATTERY warning (again) mostly when the temperature rised.
I did see that it was losing transmitter signal (outside temperature, outside humidity, wind) early in the morning before sunrise for 2 or 3 hours. So the warning was for real.
I changed the battery (this is my second change).
It worked fine for a week, now the low battery warning rides again and no signal lost during the night.
I'm starting to think the dielectric grease got contaminated somehow (it seems to me too much dark brown).
Any thoughts? Anyone passed through this? I think I will have trouble to find this grease here.
In reply to my own post on Dec 28 2013, I have now been on the roof and measured the battery voltage in situ - 3.15 volts. It's been up there for over a year now happily transmitting data (and also the low battery warning) so I'm going to ignore it until it stops.
I hope this helps put a few of your minds at ease, not having to keep changing the thing just because the trigger point for sending the message has been set too high - in my opinion anyway!
Cheers
Mike
Cheers Mike for the update. That's basically one of my concerns answered. I have the low battery warning now since early June and up to now all is ok. I did purchase the dielectric grease but haven't applied it yet. If everything keeps working ok i can live with the error message on the console.
Mike
I did suggest to Davis Inst that they should forgo the not so super capacitor and just charge a battery...seems easier and cheaper to me.
I disagree. They want $ 80 plus shipping both ways and possible taxes for the transmitter board. Which is going to be at least $90 versus using a rechargeable battery instead of a non rechargeable battery- difference in cost of $ 1- 2. The solar panel runs the ISS during almost every day except when it is extremely overcast then the Super cap or battery kicks in. My super cap died 1 1/2 years ago (only lasted 2 1/2 years)and i have been running on rechargeable battery at night and low light days ever since. I paid less than $10 to Amazon for the two pack of Ultra 800 mah rechargeable batteries. The charger cost $ 16 which I use for other batteries as well. The batteries are rated for 500 recharge cycles. They lasted 8 months in ISS per charge. So these batteries will last much longer than this ISS will be around. $26 has always been less than $ 90. And that appears to be $ 90 every two to three years.Yes, you do have to go out and change the batteries, but I service the ISS twice a year anyways so no big deal. I do love my Vantage Vue and went on line with the data logger earlier this year. i just think the super cap is not the best way to go.
Let me see if I understand. You are saying that Davis should do away with the 3-power-source approach, and supply two rechargeable batteries and a charger, and tell all customers to exchange the outside battery with a recharged one twice a year?
Let me see if I understand. You are saying that Davis should do away with the 3-power-source approach, and supply two rechargeable batteries and a charger, and tell all customers to exchange the outside battery with a recharged one twice a year?
I am not sure that you do (understand, that is)! My assumption was that srhodes was suggesting that Davis replace the Supercap and the circuitry which allows it to function as a power storage device with rechargeable batteries and the appropriate circuitry to keep them charged from the solar cell.
My suggestion would be that Davis figure out how to make the supercap "inexpensively and easily replaceable".
My suggestion would be that Davis figure out how to make the supercap "inexpensively and easily replaceable".
My suggestion would be that Davis figure out how to make the supercap "inexpensively and easily replaceable".
That would mean no soldering.
Analysis might indicate that two potential sources of unreliability are better than one?
Analysis might indicate that two potential sources of unreliability are better than one?
Don't two negatives make a positive? :roll:
I disagree. They want $ 80 plus shipping both ways and possible taxes for the transmitter board. Which is going to be at least $90 versus using a rechargeable battery instead of a non rechargeable battery- difference in cost of $ 1- 2. The solar panel runs the ISS during almost every day except when it is extremely overcast then the Super cap or battery kicks in. My super cap died 1 1/2 years ago (only lasted 2 1/2 years)and i have been running on rechargeable battery at night and low light days ever since. I paid less than $10 to Amazon for the two pack of Ultra 800 mah rechargeable batteries. The charger cost $ 16 which I use for other batteries as well. The batteries are rated for 500 recharge cycles. They lasted 8 months in ISS per charge. So these batteries will last much longer than this ISS will be around. $26 has always been less than $ 90. And that appears to be $ 90 every two to three years.Yes, you do have to go out and change the batteries, but I service the ISS twice a year anyways so no big deal. I do love my Vantage Vue and went on line with the data logger earlier this year. i just think the super cap is not the best way to go.
Let me see if I understand. You are saying that Davis should do away with the 3-power-source approach, and supply two rechargeable batteries and a charger, and tell all customers to exchange the outside battery with a recharged one twice a year?
If you don't have easy access to your station, that rules out the option of swapping out rechargable batteries on a regular basis.
When my supercap fails, I will upgrade to a vantage pro II, and STill have the wonderful Vue refurbished and give it to someone worthy.
Just as an example.....a VP2 solar panel puts out on a REAL good day ~2.3v....I don't know what a Vue solar panel puts out, but I'll bet that it is about the same, so you're not gonna recharge any battery(s) on that output. A while back in this thread, I posted how Davis recommended updating the Vue console firmware that was supposed to cure this issue......how many of you have done that? How many have followed the exact directions Davis gives for when you change the battery in the ISS? Probably not many..............
I guess you don't understand.
I guess you don't understand.
1. The supercap costs much less than either type of battery. [$90 is for the entire "guts"]
2. The current solar panel is not capable of recharging both the supercap and a battery.
I understand that it fit your situation, and I'm glad you shared it.I Totally agree. Manufacturers think in terms of saving fractions of pennies and bottom line profit...and i get that. I am in business for myself, but i would not screw my customers over for a few dollars more in cost. I prefer to pay more for a more reliable product and eliminate hassles.
It will be helpful to some people.
If Davis reconsiders their design, there are several solutions that would be better in some ways.
In reply to my own post on Dec 28 2013, I have now been on the roof and measured the battery voltage in situ - 3.15 volts. It's been up there for over a year now happily transmitting data (and also the low battery warning) so I'm going to ignore it until it stops.OK, it's stopped now. The battery measured 1.75v so that seems fair enough. New battery is 3.25v and I don't have the dreaded message - yet! I've made a note of the date of this battery change so we'll see how long this one lasts, again ignoring the message until the battery dies.
I hope this helps put a few of your minds at ease, not having to keep changing the thing just because the trigger point for sending the message has been set too high - in my opinion anyway!
Cheers
Mike
Hello there. My friend has problems with his vue after 2 years of good work.Hi morfeas2002
2 weeks ago he got the message "low battery". He changed the battery but message did not leave. After 2 days he had dashes in console but it was a cloudy day. He opened the battery hole, blew it with hair dryer and dashes left. So was the message. Today message came back, and dashes too. But it is a sunny day and it is almost mid day. ISS should work with solar panel but it does not.
Is supercup the problem or is it something else?
And if it is, is this the repair part or i am wrong?
https://www.scaledinstruments.com/?product=davis-7345-293-vue-pcba-for-battery-and-rain-reed-switch
Hello there. My friend has problems with his vue after 2 years of good work.Hi morfeas2002
2 weeks ago he got the message "low battery". He changed the battery but message did not leave. After 2 days he had dashes in console but it was a cloudy day. He opened the battery hole, blew it with hair dryer and dashes left. So was the message. Today message came back, and dashes too. But it is a sunny day and it is almost mid day. ISS should work with solar panel but it does not.
Is supercup the problem or is it something else?
And if it is, is this the repair part or i am wrong?
https://www.scaledinstruments.com/?product=davis-7345-293-vue-pcba-for-battery-and-rain-reed-switch
From what I've read in this thread, it seems that during the day, the solar panel charges the supercap for use during night-time and the battery is there for backup. My diagnosis is that the solar panel is not charging the supercap for one reason or another (faulty/wire off) and the ISS is running on the battery all the time, sun or no sun, and has run down. When there is no power from anything, the ISS stops transmitting and dashes appear on the Vue. When the battery was removed to blow out the compartment with a hair dryer, the action of sliding the battery over its contact points will have scrubbed and slightly lowered the contact resistance and also will have given the battery a few moments rest, so giving a slight (temporary) uplift in volts to set the ISS working again. Shortly afterwards, as your friend has noticed, it stops transmitting again as the voltage drops below the minimum. That's my theory anyway.
You could try putting a brand new battery in as an experiment and see how long that lasts. It does seem to point to the solar panel not working though so I don't think replacing just the battery board and rain reed switch unit will cure it.
Hope that helps.
Mike
Hello there. My friend has problems with his vue after 2 years of good work.Hi morfeas2002
2 weeks ago he got the message "low battery". He changed the battery but message did not leave. After 2 days he had dashes in console but it was a cloudy day. He opened the battery hole, blew it with hair dryer and dashes left. So was the message. Today message came back, and dashes too. But it is a sunny day and it is almost mid day. ISS should work with solar panel but it does not.
Is supercup the problem or is it something else?
And if it is, is this the repair part or i am wrong?
https://www.scaledinstruments.com/?product=davis-7345-293-vue-pcba-for-battery-and-rain-reed-switch
From what I've read in this thread, it seems that during the day, the solar panel charges the supercap for use during night-time and the battery is there for backup. My diagnosis is that the solar panel is not charging the supercap for one reason or another (faulty/wire off) and the ISS is running on the battery all the time, sun or no sun, and has run down. When there is no power from anything, the ISS stops transmitting and dashes appear on the Vue. When the battery was removed to blow out the compartment with a hair dryer, the action of sliding the battery over its contact points will have scrubbed and slightly lowered the contact resistance and also will have given the battery a few moments rest, so giving a slight (temporary) uplift in volts to set the ISS working again. Shortly afterwards, as your friend has noticed, it stops transmitting again as the voltage drops below the minimum. That's my theory anyway.
You could try putting a brand new battery in as an experiment and see how long that lasts. It does seem to point to the solar panel not working though so I don't think replacing just the battery board and rain reed switch unit will cure it.
Hope that helps.
Mike
It makes one wonder (as others have!) why Davis didn't adopt a similar approach.
It makes one wonder (as others have!) why Davis didn't adopt a similar approach.
Durman's add-on external supply is an excellent workaround for supercap failure in the Vue.
However, (if I understand the description), it just replaces the 3-volt non-rechargeable battery with a 12-volt rechargeable battery (and converter). And accompanying additional solar panel.
That's still just two power sources.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that attaching an external power supply, which is essentially what he is doing (from the point of view of the Vue), leaves the internal 3V battery available to take over if the 'external' supply fails ...
...... 3V, which I feed directly to the battery terminals of the vantage vue.
Correct me if I am wrong, but I think that attaching an external power supply, which is essentially what he is doing (from the point of view of the Vue), leaves the internal 3V battery available to take over if the 'external' supply fails ...
Here's what Durman said:...... 3V, which I feed directly to the battery terminals of the vantage vue.
I assume that Durman means that the battery is not present in the battery holder. And that the external supply is attached to the terminals that previously held the battery. [Clarification awaited]
Attaching an external supply directly across a non-rechargeable battery (without some sort of isolation or protection) is a "do not do that". From Durman's obvious demonstrated knowledge, I'm rather sure that isn't news.
The number of power sources doesn't matter; the ISS just needs one good, clean, steady 24-7 supply and it will work fine. Rather quality than quantity....!
... The little lead-acid battery will need replacing in about 2-3 years, but its a cheap thing.
Thanks for the clarification.
The number of power sources doesn't matter; the ISS just needs one good, clean, steady 24-7 supply and it will work fine. Rather quality than quantity....!
... The little lead-acid battery will need replacing in about 2-3 years, but its a cheap thing.
The number of power sources certainly does matter. Your Vue had 3 - and when the supercap died, then there were just 2. And one of those required frequent (costly) replacement.
So, you have fixed that problem. And 2-3 years, when your Vue no longer works through the night, you'll replace the lead-acid battery rather than the 3-volt battery.
That's an excellent "field repair" for the supercap failure.
I was just answering pfletch101's question about why Davis doesn't do it that way.
When the supercap is functional, it is technically the same as your add-on (equivalent to a battery charged by solar), with the benefit of the 3rd (3-volt battery) power source.
Thanks for the clarification.
The number of power sources doesn't matter; the ISS just needs one good, clean, steady 24-7 supply and it will work fine. Rather quality than quantity....!
... The little lead-acid battery will need replacing in about 2-3 years, but its a cheap thing.
The number of power sources certainly does matter. Your Vue had 3 - and when the supercap died, then there were just 2. And one of those required frequent (costly) replacement.
So, you have fixed that problem. And 2-3 years, when your Vue no longer works through the night, you'll replace the lead-acid battery rather than the 3-volt battery.
That's an excellent "field repair" for the supercap failure.
I was just answering pfletch101's question about why Davis doesn't do it that way.
When the supercap is functional, it is technically the same as your add-on (equivalent to a battery charged by solar), with the benefit of the 3rd (3-volt battery) power source.
I think I would be happy with Davis's approach if the supercap were 'modularized' or otherwise reasonably easily field-replaceable, or if supercap failures were vanishingly rare. The first proviso certainly isn't true, and I have the strong impression from reports here that the second isn't, either. Given that there is no reason to think that the circuitry around the supercap is likely to be less complex or more reliable than the rather similar circuitry that would be needed round a rechargeable battery, I would rather have a rechargeable battery that I can replace regularly than a supercap which requires major surgery to work around or replace if/when it fails. Indeed, I would simply substitute the supercap and necessary circuitry with a replaceable rechargeable battery and its necessary circuitry and leave the 3-Volt backup battery in the design.
recent i buy a Davis Vantage VUE (USA version) with the battery problem....
the propietary report that only on sunny conditions work the ISS and baterry goes down on few days...
I bought my Vantage Vue feb 2012 and on Jan 2015 console started showing "transmitter battery low" Here in Finland there could be like 2-3 months without sun shining so backup battery is mostly used in winter. I replaced battery and still console showed low battery, I had to wait till next day to clear that message and now it's gone. I used multimeter to measure used battery voltage and it was 2.084 volts. Hopefully I have troublefree time with my Vantage Vue years to come ;)
I have read about these battery/supercap problems for a long time here.Frankly, I'd keep the VP2 ISS and use the Vue console. BTW it uses 2 batteries to run the fan should you choose to. I personally use one.
My original battery worked great for over 2 years. Some months ago I finally got the "low battery transmitter" warning flashing on the console.
I replaced the battery.
Last week, only about 6 months after replacing the battery, I had the "low battery transmitter" warning again.
Well, I figured it must be the supercap.
So I did what I had always planned to do. I ordered a Vantage Pro 2 from Davis with the aspirated fan. It will arrive today. Obviously not a cheap or fun, DIY alternative. I didn't want to lose weather data for weeks while I sent the Vue to Davis.
I arrived back from a 4 day trip last night. The low battery transmitter warning is no longer showing on the console. Hmmm.
My station has to be mounted high on a 2nd floor pitched roof, so it's way better for me if it runs without attention.
I guess I will just bank the new station until I start getting the problem again. When the new station goes in, I will send the Vue to Davis for refurbishment. Then I don't know what I will do with it.
Do folks have similar power problems with the VP 2? It has 3 batteries to run the fan. Perhaps I should consider A/C power to it?
I have read about these battery/supercap problems for a long time here.Frankly, I'd keep the VP2 ISS and use the Vue console. BTW it uses 2 batteries to run the fan should you choose to. I personally use one.
My original battery worked great for over 2 years. Some months ago I finally got the "low battery transmitter" warning flashing on the console.
I replaced the battery.
Last week, only about 6 months after replacing the battery, I had the "low battery transmitter" warning again.
Well, I figured it must be the supercap.
So I did what I had always planned to do. I ordered a Vantage Pro 2 from Davis with the aspirated fan. It will arrive today. Obviously not a cheap or fun, DIY alternative. I didn't want to lose weather data for weeks while I sent the Vue to Davis.
I arrived back from a 4 day trip last night. The low battery transmitter warning is no longer showing on the console. Hmmm.
My station has to be mounted high on a 2nd floor pitched roof, so it's way better for me if it runs without attention.
I guess I will just bank the new station until I start getting the problem again. When the new station goes in, I will send the Vue to Davis for refurbishment. Then I don't know what I will do with it.
Do folks have similar power problems with the VP 2? It has 3 batteries to run the fan. Perhaps I should consider A/C power to it?
Well, I never have "low transmitter battery" problems with my cabled VP2, and the fan runs 24/7 with AC power, and the rain bucket heater runs all winter.
They are completely compatible (I believe, others will chime in) and you get the best of both worlds, the 24 hr. FARS and the greater flexibility of the newer Vue console. As far as the battery, perhaps it's now charged properly?I have read about these battery/supercap problems for a long time here.Frankly, I'd keep the VP2 ISS and use the Vue console. BTW it uses 2 batteries to run the fan should you choose to. I personally use one.
My original battery worked great for over 2 years. Some months ago I finally got the "low battery transmitter" warning flashing on the console.
I replaced the battery.
Last week, only about 6 months after replacing the battery, I had the "low battery transmitter" warning again.
Well, I figured it must be the supercap.
So I did what I had always planned to do. I ordered a Vantage Pro 2 from Davis with the aspirated fan. It will arrive today. Obviously not a cheap or fun, DIY alternative. I didn't want to lose weather data for weeks while I sent the Vue to Davis.
I arrived back from a 4 day trip last night. The low battery transmitter warning is no longer showing on the console. Hmmm.
My station has to be mounted high on a 2nd floor pitched roof, so it's way better for me if it runs without attention.
I guess I will just bank the new station until I start getting the problem again. When the new station goes in, I will send the Vue to Davis for refurbishment. Then I don't know what I will do with it.
Do folks have similar power problems with the VP 2? It has 3 batteries to run the fan. Perhaps I should consider A/C power to it?
Yes, why not just use the Vue console? It works fine and is already hooked up to the computer. If the new VP 2 transmits exactly the same way, I will certainly do that.
Still no "low battery transmitter" message. Why would it appear for 2 days and then go away?
They are completely compatible (I believe, others will chime in) and you get the best of both worlds, the 24 hr. FARS and the greater flexibility of the newer Vue console. As far as the battery, perhaps it's now charged properly?I have read about these battery/supercap problems for a long time here.Frankly, I'd keep the VP2 ISS and use the Vue console. BTW it uses 2 batteries to run the fan should you choose to. I personally use one.
My original battery worked great for over 2 years. Some months ago I finally got the "low battery transmitter" warning flashing on the console.
I replaced the battery.
Last week, only about 6 months after replacing the battery, I had the "low battery transmitter" warning again.
Well, I figured it must be the supercap.
So I did what I had always planned to do. I ordered a Vantage Pro 2 from Davis with the aspirated fan. It will arrive today. Obviously not a cheap or fun, DIY alternative. I didn't want to lose weather data for weeks while I sent the Vue to Davis.
I arrived back from a 4 day trip last night. The low battery transmitter warning is no longer showing on the console. Hmmm.
My station has to be mounted high on a 2nd floor pitched roof, so it's way better for me if it runs without attention.
I guess I will just bank the new station until I start getting the problem again. When the new station goes in, I will send the Vue to Davis for refurbishment. Then I don't know what I will do with it.
Do folks have similar power problems with the VP 2? It has 3 batteries to run the fan. Perhaps I should consider A/C power to it?
I wish Ambient sold the VP 2 with the option of no console. It comes with the package but I don't need it and could have paid less if I could opt out of it.
Yes, why not just use the Vue console? It works fine and is already hooked up to the computer. If the new VP 2 transmits exactly the same way, I will certainly do that.
Still no "low battery transmitter" message. Why would it appear for 2 days and then go away?
Well, I never have "low transmitter battery" problems with my cabled VP2, and the fan runs 24/7 with AC power, and the rain bucket heater runs all winter.
Is your cabled VP 2 easy to run power to? Did you have to install a special line to it?
Mine will be on the roof. No power up there.
I did lose some data this past winter on frozen precip.
As far as the battery, perhaps it's now charged properly?
Ya, I keep forgetting that.As far as the battery, perhaps it's now charged properly?
Nothing charges that battery.
Arrowspace90, does that console have the latest firmware version?
As far as the battery, perhaps it's now charged properly?
Nothing charges that battery.
Arrowspace90, does that console have the latest firmware version?
.
Re: Battery failures on Vantage Vue?
« Reply #331 on: December 07, 2014, 06:15:25 PM »
QuoteModifyRemove
recent i buy a Davis Vantage VUE (USA version) with the battery problem....
the propietary report that only on sunny conditions work the ISS and baterry goes down on few days...
the VUE ISS are deplorably (dark, vane crashed, lost screws, etc) but repair it (vane can repair with central steel insert of 2 cm and two componets glue)... finally go to source problem:
- dissamble all modules (take photos for mount) and take ISS transmitter module.
- on ISS module remove carefully the potted on supercap zone for can cut both PINS
- when supercap are isolate from PCB try to charge it (apply 3v correct pollarity) need one or two minutes charging for complete charge.. and quickly test supercap voltage (must be 2,85v fully charged)
- wait a few minutes (5 to 15 or more) repose and test voltage again... my supercap lost in 5 minutes to 1,5v and stabilize it. (50F 2.7v supercaps remain one week from 2.7 to 2.5v)
- The bad supercap cant remobe because are potted but easyly can add other supercap outside with two drill, separate bad supercap pins and solde new supercap pins to PCB (see polarity)
my Davis vantage VUE console mark always "low battery trasnmitter" advise but you can test battery voltages from weatherlink (with datalogger) in WEATHERLINK - WINDOW - ALARM AND BATTERY STATUS -> and here say STATION BATTERY OK when console say low... (much better in WeeWX and WVIEW take reads of battery and supercap voltages and logging it)
need wait a few months for test and sure repair but by the moment station are two weeks of fine work.
www.meteocampoo.es TEAM
Post to notice thar after repair as post in 331 response in this thread the solution (INSTALL A NEW SUPERCAP and remove the potted) did not work properly, battery drain in two moths and after works only with sun power hours
by moment I thing that only have one solution: INSTALL A WIRED POWER SUPPLY OR OVER DESIGN A SOLAR PANEL WITH BATTERY AAND REGULATOR FOR 3.0 vOLTS...
I'm new to this forum but I've had a solution to the "low battery" problem for a while now...and it works very well for me. Like most people with this issue, I also went through the quick fixes of firmware update, dielectric grease and serial battery replacements...at best with very transient success.
I accepted that a dead supercap was the problem, but unlike those with access to the failed component (Pro2), those of us with Vantage Vue consoles have the main board encased in resin.
So the only solution was an external power supply. I set this up with a 5W solar panel feeding into a regulator that charges a 1.2Ah 12V battery (its very small). The battery output is fed into a dc-dc converter which reduces the output to 3V, which I feed directly to the battery terminals of the vantage vue.
All the components are housed in a 4x4" weatherproof box mounted on the same pole as the ISS (with the wiring
running through drilled holes directly into the pipe)
Costs: solar panel $9, regulator $7, DC-DC converter (buck converter) $2...all from ebay and for about $20 I have a much more robust, durable and modular solution.
Basically, the system has enough capacity to power the ISS for exponentially longer than the supercap ever could.
Its all mounted neatly and looks pretty high-tech (IMHO!) and has been working well for about 6 months now.
Hope it helps a few of you with the same issue.
Thanks...form and function!
I just wish Davis designed the power supply a little better...3 sources of supply and it still fails. Luckily, with my "backyard" fix it works better than it ever did. Haven't seen the dreaded "low transmitter" message in over 2 years now.
The design is simple:
5W Solar panel---->12V regulator--->12V 1.2Ah battery--->Step down converter ("buck converter")--->3V regulated output---->direct connection to ISS CR123 terminals
Power supply is totally external now, and modular so individual components can be replaced; I haven't had to replace anything as yet.
Hope it helps!
Thanks...form and function!
I just wish Davis designed the power supply a little better...3 sources of supply and it still fails. Luckily, with my "backyard" fix it works better than it ever did. Haven't seen the dreaded "low transmitter" message in over 2 years now.
The design is simple:
5W Solar panel---->12V regulator--->12V 1.2Ah battery--->Step down converter ("buck converter")--->3V regulated output---->direct connection to ISS CR123 terminals
Power supply is totally external now, and modular so individual components can be replaced; I haven't had to replace anything as yet.
Hope it helps!
Thanks...form and function!
I just wish Davis designed the power supply a little better...3 sources of supply and it still fails. Luckily, with my "backyard" fix it works better than it ever did. Haven't seen the dreaded "low transmitter" message in over 2 years now.
The design is simple:
5W Solar panel---->12V regulator--->12V 1.2Ah battery--->Step down converter ("buck converter")--->3V regulated output---->direct connection to ISS CR123 terminals
Power supply is totally external now, and modular so individual components can be replaced; I haven't had to replace anything as yet.
Hope it helps!
Hi Durman can you help me to make an external power like your project?
I have a question. After the buck converter I have to use another hardware or I can connect the buck converter directly to the ISS Cr123 terminals?
Thanks :)
Yes after buck goes direct to cr123 terminals
if you need any more help just ask .
my setup parts below
12v battery https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000W1V628/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
12v 5w solar panel https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DS3DPOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
12v solar charge controller https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N41L0GC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
buck converter set to 3v output https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UN1JXMM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Yes after buck goes direct to cr123 terminals
if you need any more help just ask .
my setup parts below
12v battery https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B000W1V628/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o03_s01?ie=UTF8&psc=1
12v 5w solar panel https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00DS3DPOE/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o04_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
12v solar charge controller https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B01N41L0GC/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o05_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
buck converter set to 3v output https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00UN1JXMM/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_o08_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Thank you nov for your explanation.
I want to buy this buck converter https://www.amazon.it/gp/product/B011HFSLGG/ref=ox_sc_act_title_2?smid=A50DZI580G3JX&psc=1 . This should be okay? is specific for 3v output...
Another question :) . I have to connect the buck converter on the load output (last two connections on the right side) of the charge regulator?
Thank you :-)
Regards from Sardinia
Bye bye :)
I'm not convinced it is a 'real' low battery issue so much as a problem with monitoring the condition of it.
Some reports suggest fitting a new battery does not stop the warning appearing.
First thing to try seems to be reset the console by going into the set-up sequence and press+hold 'done'.
Next maybe ensure CR123 battery is making good contact both ends, and the battery door is fully latched shut.