Topic: Maplin Solar Weather station N23DQ aka Ambient Weather WS-1001 ((?)

[timwebb2]

Hi,
can anyone offer any advice please on how to get the display unit (Maplin part no N23DQ) working?
Power 5 volts is going to it and when connected the display flashes momentarily and then goes blank.
Anyone had a similar problem?
I have taken the unit apart and can see nothing loose inside, could it be the ribbon connector to the display itself or just a dud batch?
The guy I bought it off had another weather N23DQ station with a dead display unit showing the same symptoms.
thanks, regards, Tim

[dupreezd]

The first thing I will check is the power supply. Mine is a 5V @ 1A. A lower amp power supply might shutdown the moment to display lights up. It is ok to use a power supply that provides more amps. A device will only use what it needs. It is the voltage that matters.

[Bashy]

It is ok to use a power supply that provides more amps. A device will only use what it needs. It is the voltage that matters.

I didnt know that, thanks for info, handy to know

Carry on....

[timwebb2]

Hi Folks,
thanks for the advice.

Having taken the display unit apart I found a battery on the reverse side of the PCB.

It has a CR1220 3 volt and having tested it, I found it has no power at all.

So I have ordered a replacement off ebay and will try this.

Maybe that explains why the display briefly comes to life and then goes blank.

Anyway this may help and I have also found a link to reflash the software -
https://ambientweather.wikispaces.com/ws1000-wifi

So I will try this as well, if and when the console comes back to life.

[m-a-r-k]

That battery is only there to power the CMOS for configuration settings (date, time etc) when you remove the power just as you'd get on a PC motherboard.
It wouldn't have anything to do with the screen which would require more power than the battery could provide.
You need to check the power supply as you did the battery to check if it is outputting. That is the most obvious point of failure.

[steepleian]

Hi Folks,
thanks for the advice.

Having taken the display unit apart I found a battery on the reverse side of the PCB.

It has a CR1220 3 volt and having tested it, I found it has no power at all.

So I have ordered a replacement off ebay and will try this.

Maybe that explains why the display briefly comes to life and then goes blank.

Anyway this may help and I have also found a link to reflash the software -
https://ambientweather.wikispaces.com/ws1000-wifi

So I will try this as well, if and when the console comes back to life.

Tim,

That is not the correct link for your device firmware. It is for an older version of the clone and is way out of date. Try this one instead: -
https://ambientweather.wikispaces.com/ws1001-wifi

Regards,
Ian

https://claydonsweather.org.uk

[timwebb2]

Hi Ian,

I have another console and ac adapter with exactly the same symptoms.
Screen momentarily flashes on and then goes blank.

Would I be better off getting hold of an WS 1001 IP module (Aercus Instruments Wireless Weather Station WeatherSleuth® - Professional IP), would this communicate with the N23DQ ?

thanks, regards, Tim

[dupreezd]

What are the DC output values stated on the AC adaptor? (Volts and Amps)

[timwebb2]

Hi,
its a KPTEC model ac adapter output 5 volts dc and 1 amp.
regards,
Tim

[dupreezd]

The power supply is the same as mine. Should do the job.
Shine a flashlight at the console at an angle, after it powered up. Can you see something? You might have to move it around to change the angle. If you see something faintly, then the backlight invertor is probably not working anymore.

[timwebb2]

Hi,
shone a torch and nothing at all, so I assume the back light is no longer working.
Will look out for a new display unit on ebay.
Thanks again for your advice.
regards, Tim

[timwebb2]

Hi,
have got hold of another display unit and this is fine, all set up and working.
Linked on line and reporting.
Bit of a pain to set up but got there in the end.
Thanks for your advice though.
regards,
Tim