Topic: Secondary temp sensor usage?

[Cienega32]

In planning ahead, I would like to be able to read my pool temps this summer.

Can I utilize a one of those stainless temp sensors by just  dropping it over the edge of the pool and having a wireless xmit station send the data to the console?

VPII 6153

[capeweather]

I thought about doing the same thing in a canal next to my house with my VPII. But to answer your question...yes this can be done.

[TNETWeather]

I chart my pool temp...



I use a VP #6372

The only thing that I've noted is that the battery didn't last very long... Only about 5 months.  Could have been a weak battery or the fact the unit is baking in the Sun during the summer.

I have the wireless box in a pot next to the rim of the pool and it wire just goes over the edge.  I plan on "installing it, but never got around to it... was too hot.

[GregJ]

I installed a second temp sensor for air temp last summer.  Because of the marine influence, we have wide variations in temperature from my front yard to back yard.  In the summer it can vary as much as 15 degrees.  Here is what my experience has been.  First, I have the #6382 and my first surprise was that it reports in full degrees, not in tenths like the ISS.  The second surprise was Virtual Weather Station would give me either a -84 degree reading or 0 degree reading everytime I booted or my system was down.  This has been resolved in later versions.  I can't remember if version 13.09 fixed this or if it was resolved in the beta version 14.  I am not having any problems with it now and I am running VWS version 14p16.  I too experienced battery failure after about 5 months, so it looks like at least a twice a year replacement.  I guess it would be good advice to mount it in a convenient location.

Greg

Uhmmm... TNETWeather... 55.9 degree pool temp?  Dang, you folks are tough down there.

[Anole]

I thought about doing the same thing in a canal next to my house with my VPII. But to answer your question...yes this can be done.

I'm doing exactly this. Sensor has been in the canal for about 3 years with no problems.

[TNETWeather]

No gator bites?

[anchorageweather]

I chart my pool temp...



I use a VP #6372

The only thing that I've noted is that the battery didn't last very long... Only about 5 months.  Could have been a weak battery or the fact the unit is baking in the Sun during the summer.

I have the wireless box in a pot next to the rim of the pool and it wire just goes over the edge.  I plan on "installing it, but never got around to it... was too hot.

Hey, this is a great idea.  I'm going to do the same thing next year.  I have a plant right next to the pool:

[Anole]

No gator bites?

Nah. Just the occasional snook!

I really do need to pull it up and clean the barnacles of the little enclosure I built for it though.

[Cienega32]

I chart my pool temp...

I use a VP #6372

The only thing that I've noted is that the battery didn't last very long... Only about 5 months.  Could have been a weak battery or the fact the unit is baking in the Sun during the summer.

I have the wireless box in a pot next to the rim of the pool and it wire just goes over the edge.  I plan on "installing it, but never got around to it... was too hot.

In a pot is probably where mine would end up as well! The 6372 seems the better choice over the 6382 - no need for humidty reads there.

One question about the 6372 - is that station itself limited to the one temp sensor supplied or can additional ones be added to that one station? I'm reading the docs for it and it appears to be the same style as the Weather Station with ports for different sensors but not a temp#1, temp#2, etc. style config.

[GregJ]

One question about the 6372 - is that station itself limited to the one temp sensor supplied or can additional ones be added to that one station? I'm reading the docs for it and it appears to be the same style as the Weather Station with ports for different sensors but not a temp#1, temp#2, etc. style config.

If I am interpreting your question correctly, there is a limit of one sensor per remote station.  You can install up to 8 remote stations per console.

I have to correct my previous post where I said I had a #6382.  Actually I have a #6372.  I couldn't remember the model number, so I pulled out my owners manual.  At the top of the 6372 owners manual they refer to the 6382 and only on the back page do they make reference to the 6372.... I guess it pays to read the fine print....

Greg

[Cienega32]

GregJ - yes, I believe you're reading my question correctly. I see the 6345CS has the capacity for 4 temp sensors on it's SIM but that's WAY over my budget for that.

They should make a dual temp station for pools - one for the pool and an optional spa sensor!

[celini]

Hello everyone. I just purchased the #6382 and went through this thread. Is there any way to have the temperature in tenths like the ISS ? Is it a hardware limitation or is it done by Davis on purpose? Hope there is something to do to have it solved. If not do you know witch temperature sensor we can add to the VP2 to have tenths? Thank you for your answers. Greeting from Canada and have a wonderful Christmas.

My website (data refresh every 10 min): www.celinium.com

[TNETWeather]

I guess it depends on what software you are using...

Weather-Display is outputting the data in tenths...

That is how I record them....  They are in °C but then I convert them to °F when they are displayed on the chart.

2007-06-22 01:59:54 30.6
2007-06-22 02:59:55 30.6
2007-06-22 03:59:56 30.6
2007-06-22 04:59:55 30.0
2007-06-22 05:59:55 30.0
2007-06-22 06:59:29 30.0
2007-06-22 07:59:38 30.0
2007-06-22 08:59:41 30.0
2007-06-22 09:59:43 30.0
2007-06-22 10:59:47 30.6
2007-06-22 11:59:50 31.1
2007-06-22 12:59:54 31.7
2007-06-22 13:59:56 32.2
2007-06-22 15:00:00 32.2
2007-06-22 15:59:06 32.2
2007-06-22 16:59:07 32.2
2007-06-22 17:59:10 32.2
2007-06-22 18:59:14 32.2
2007-06-22 19:59:16 32.2
2007-06-22 20:59:18 31.7
2007-06-22 21:59:21 31.7
2007-06-22 22:59:24 31.7
2007-06-22 23:59:27 31.1
2007-06-23 00:59:34 31.1
2007-06-23 01:59:38 31.1
2007-06-23 02:59:40 30.6
2007-06-23 03:59:43 30.6
2007-06-23 04:59:46 30.6
2007-06-23 05:59:52 30.6
2007-06-23 06:59:53 30.0

[celini]

Thank you TNETWeather for your answer. I know software portion can manipulate the tenths (in °C  or in °F) for the secondary temp sensor but the question I have is about the resolution of the sensor. Based on the temperature sequence you sent:

2007-06-22 09:59:43 30.0
2007-06-22 10:59:47 30.6
2007-06-22 11:59:50 31.1
2007-06-22 12:59:54 31.7
2007-06-22 13:59:56 32.2

On this sequence, the temperature jumps from 30.0 °C to 30.6 °C in one hour, from 30.6 °C to 31.1 °C and so on .. These jumps correspond to 1 °F (= 0.55 °C). In other words the output of the temp sensor is rounded to 1 °F (and not in tenths). Do you know if there is a solution to increase this resolution from 1 °F to 0.1 °F? I guess this is a limitation from Davis because the temp sensor in the ISS is able to deal with tenths. Is there any way to bypass it (firmware update, manipulation)?

BTW, your website is great (I really like the layout)

Célini

[TNETWeather]

I think I'm seeing tenths due to the conversion of the raw data by WD to C and then the conversion back to F.  I've not seen what the raw data from the console looks like yet.  It appears that it is in whole degree increments though.  Looking at the stip charts in WeatherLink, they jump by 1 degree as well.

I've changed the chart to show 96 hours now...



The High so far since I put it in was 93.6°F.   I don't think it will get much cooler than it is right now... as we hit 30°F last night and the station low is 22°F.

[Cienega32]

Is it possible to extend the sensor cable length (RJ11?) or would that extra added resistance skew the thermistor reading?

[Anole]

Yes it is possible. I extended mine using cat5e. I don'tj remember the specs but there is an impact for the increased distance (nothing is free) but it's minimal.

[Cienega32]

Minimal sounds acceptable to me, for a pool temp reading. Tho' that 12' length doesn't sound like it'll keep it all out of the way.

Great - I guess I'll be ordering at least 1 of these after the New Year. Seems like Ambient has the best price.

[Cienega32]

I chart my pool temp...

I have the wireless box in a pot next to the rim of the pool and it wire just goes over the edge. 

How deep into the water do have the probe?

[Cienega32]

I use a VP #6372

The only thing that I've noted is that the battery didn't last very long... Only about 5 months.  Could have been a weak battery or the fact the unit is baking in the Sun during the summer.

I have the wireless box in a pot next to the rim of the pool and it wire just goes over the edge.  I plan on "installing it, but never got around to it... was too hot.

Looks like 5 months is on par. I just replaced the batt in mine yesterday - about 5 cool months down the road. The unit is in a pot by the pool but shaded by what's in the pot. Even so, I'm glad I bought it - very handy

[Blairsville Weather- Caleb]

I use a VP #6372

The only thing that I've noted is that the battery didn't last very long... Only about 5 months.  Could have been a weak battery or the fact the unit is baking in the Sun during the summer.

I have the wireless box in a pot next to the rim of the pool and it wire just goes over the edge.  I plan on "installing it, but never got around to it... was too hot.

Looks like 5 months is on par. I just replaced the batt in mine yesterday - about 5 cool months down the road. The unit is in a pot by the pool but shaded by what's in the pot. Even so, I'm glad I bought it - very handy

got any pics of it id like to see it