Author Topic: IP Personal weather station advice  (Read 7398 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline badger3x

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
IP Personal weather station advice
« on: January 06, 2013, 02:13:25 AM »
Hi all,

I'm new to the weather buff scene, so quite daunted by the sheer choice of different hardware for monitoring etc. Would really like to get some guidance to get me started. Spent quite a few hours scouring hardware links off weather underground and similar, but there seems to be nothing that quite does what I want. Perhaps some of you folks can point me in the right direction.


Let me describe what I would like to achieve:

• Monitor current external weather conditions (sensor mounted on my roof)
   - wind
   - wind direction
   - temperature
   - humidity
   - barometric pressure (optional)
   - rain gauge (optional)
   - wireless reporting back to a base station and/or IP logger

• Monitor indoor temperatures
   - wireless sensor
   - humidity (optional)
   - (5 different rooms to be monitored - less possible but min of 3)

• monitoring LCD panel
   - to display external weather conditions
   - to display indoor temperature conditions
   - allow temperature readings to cycle through automatically w/o needing to press a button
   - Ideally allow for more than one LCD panel to be monitoring the same devices, i.e. one
   panel in the kitchen and one in the study for example)

• Device to upload all sensor data, including indoor temperature sensors to online weather service like weather underground for instance - without the need for a dedicated PC! (Mini linux server or hacked router acceptable).
   - ethernet or wifi required

• Ability to see all sensor data on mobile device like iPhone. (possibly achieved via weather underground??)

Now I have seen various devices that do part of this, but not all. Sometimes they achieve most of what I want but will have an arbitrary limit on the number of sensors they can monitor for instance e.g. aculink internet bridge.

• Finally price - I'd rather not spend more than maybe about 400$ on this.

Any pointers would be appreciated

Cheers


Offline DanS

  • Chiang Mai weather
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 5434
    • ThaiWx
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #1 on: January 06, 2013, 03:08:30 AM »
Sounds like what will get you closest to your requirements would be an OS WMR200 with it's 'up to 10 additional sensors' option as well as adding multiple consoles for different rooms (can be with the less expensive wmr100 console too). Plug that into a MeteoHub or WeatherPlug type of Ethernet server for the uploads where you could shoot one to WeatherUnderground to see you data on the iPhone wherever you may be in the world.

Offline badger3x

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #2 on: January 06, 2013, 05:07:35 AM »
Hi DanS,

some great advice there. Thank you very much. =D> =D> =D>

 I can't seem to find the WeatherPlug - maybe it is no longer sold.

The compatible temperature sensors from Oregon are a little pricey at 40$+ but the Meteohub would probably blow my budget. Bugger.

Would appreciate other people's ideas also.

Offline aweatherguy

  • Senior Contributor
  • ****
  • Posts: 288
    • Weather Station Data Logger
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #3 on: January 06, 2013, 05:35:22 AM »
You are asking for a lot for $400. My take on this is that meeting all of your needs with OS hardware is probably impossible. Something might be possible if you are willing to give a bit. Here are some thoughts about OS hardware. I don't work for OS or have any association with them other than being a customer. I am familiar with much of their product line. Perhaps others can comment on other brands of hardware...

There is a new internet weather solution here:

http://us.oregonscientific.com/cat-Weather-sub-Professional-Weather-Stations-prod-Anywhere-Weather-Kit.html

that gets you rain, wind and one temp/RH sensor and internet connectivity for $200. I have never tried this and don't know much about the internet functionality, but it might be worth a look. Very turn-key and you would be stuck with whatever data format they decide to provide on the internet. You can add more sensors (e.g. THGR810 at $50 a pop) so you could get 1 outdoor and 4 indoor sensors for $400. But there's no outdoor radiation shield for the temp/RH sensor and no indoor displays at all. You can add WMR80 consoles to this for $80 apiece but they will only be able to receive three wireless temp/RH sensors (e.g. one outdoor and two indoor) and you will have blown through the $400 budget limit.

If you can give up your requirement that a PC is not required then more options are available. It's not clear to me what you mean when you say "dedicated PC". If there's a PC involved it would need to be running 24/7 and connected to the internet and OS base console via USB -- but it could be used for other purposes at the same time -- so not "dedicated" in some sense. Again...not sure what you meant by "dedicated".

For example get a WMR80 bundle that includes wind, rain and 3 remote temp/RH sensors for $170. Buy a separate WMR88 console that can plug into a computer (USB) and get some software that can upload the data to internet (e.g. web page, WU, PWS Weather, CWOP, etc). There are several free or pay-for software packages that can do this. Check to be sure, but I think the WMR80 and WMR88 only support three remote temp/RH channels so this would not get you to the three indoor room minimum plus outdoor temp/RH.

To get more channels you would need the WMR100 or WMR200 consoles and I think then you have blown past the $400 spending limit. For example, the basic WMR100N package at $170 includes one outdoor sensor (with a rain shield that performs very poorly as a solar radiation shield, IMHO) and you could add say 3 more sensors for $150 and now you are at $320. Add a WMR80 display and you are again at $400 but the WMR80 cannot receive all of your additional wireless sensors. Add another WMR100 console for $140 and you are way over the budget cap.

I don't know if any of the OS base consoles will automatically cycle between the various remote sensors w/o pushing a button. Perhaps someone else knows?

Finally, this is all very OS-centric and there are other vendors out there...so maybe you could find something better with another brand.

Offline Skywatch

  • !!Warning!! I'm a Skywarn certified storm spotter and insane like one!
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1844
  • Hakuna Matata (Timon and Pumba)
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #4 on: January 06, 2013, 02:46:57 PM »


I don't know if any of the OS base consoles will automatically cycle between the various remote sensors w/o pushing a button. Perhaps someone else knows?



Hold the CH button.

The WMR200 is really a good deal if you can save up a bit more.
I live in an apartment and for the moment am not a home weather watcher.

I am a storm chaser.

Offline badger3x

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 3
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #5 on: January 06, 2013, 06:37:42 PM »
I found Raspberry Pi
http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs
Which could also be used as linux server...And doesn't cost as much as the Meteohub... Just would require some
config work to make it do everything I want...

Offline jakejake

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 38
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #6 on: June 30, 2013, 07:48:56 PM »
I like Acurite and their bridge.  I think Acurite has the best console (I can see everything I want without having to touch it).  I can easily monitor multiple sensors using the Bridge and My Backyard Weather.

Offline txweather.org

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
    • Texas Weather
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #7 on: June 30, 2013, 08:18:09 PM »
I found Raspberry Pi
http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs
Which could also be used as linux server...And doesn't cost as much as the Meteohub... Just would require some
config work to make it do everything I want...

You can get a TP-LINK-MR3020 and the Meteobridge firmware for less than 150 for both. The developer of Meteobridge hangs around here and he is very responsive! An awesome guy to work with.

----
Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus +FARS|Meteobridge Nano SD|Meteohub|Meteobridge MR-3020|WU KTXSPRIN75/PWS JRARGWX75/CWOP EW2972/WBB TXWDVUE75/Blitzortung ID: 1142|AWEKAS: 12095
Donations are welcome: https://paypal.me/ffuentesb

Offline Bushman

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 7549
    • Eagle Bay Weather
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #8 on: June 30, 2013, 08:23:46 PM »
I found Raspberry Pi
http://www.raspberrypi.org/faqs
Which could also be used as linux server...And doesn't cost as much as the Meteohub... Just would require some
config work to make it do everything I want...

You can get a TP-LINK-MR3020 and the Meteobridge firmware for less than 150 for both. The developer of Meteobridge hangs around here and he is very responsive! An awesome guy to work with.

Yes, Boris provides great support.  I just ordered a second setup - $35 for router; 8 for hub and the license will be about 65.  So just over $100 US for a full IP weather station.  Might have to buy that super priced Rainwise setup to go with it.  :)
Need low cost IP monitoring?  http://wirelesstag.net/wta.aspx?link=NisJxz6FhUa4V67/cwCRWA or PM me for 50% off Wirelesstags!!

Offline txweather.org

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
    • Texas Weather
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #9 on: June 30, 2013, 08:29:49 PM »
Might have to buy that super priced Rainwise setup to go with it.  :)

LOL ;)

Yes, Boris provides great support.  I just ordered a second setup - $35 for router; 8 for hub and the license will be about 65.  So just over $100 US for a full IP weather station.  Might have to buy that super priced Rainwise setup to go with it.  :)

Sweet!!! I bought one and I am going to move my Vue to it. But first I need my Vantage Pro2 Plus to come in :P
Boris goes above and Beyond. Yews with uppercase B. lol

----
Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus +FARS|Meteobridge Nano SD|Meteohub|Meteobridge MR-3020|WU KTXSPRIN75/PWS JRARGWX75/CWOP EW2972/WBB TXWDVUE75/Blitzortung ID: 1142|AWEKAS: 12095
Donations are welcome: https://paypal.me/ffuentesb

Offline nincehelser

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 3337
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #10 on: June 30, 2013, 09:09:13 PM »
Personally I'd forgo the LCD console requirement.  They're not exactly cheap and they're too specialized.  Plus they tend to want to listen to the sensors directly, making placement more of an issue.

You'd probably get something closer to what you want by using inexpensive tablets (or similar) accessing a web page on whatever device is communicating with your station.  

The AcuLink bridge is fairly limited, but if you tie it with something like a Raspberry Pi and weewx software, it's nicely flexible.

Here's what I'm currently working on with the AcuLink Bridge, Raspberry Pi, and weewx.  These are all under various stages of construction and some parts are still pretty rough around the edges, but it'll get there.  

http://www.nincehelser.com  (comparing standard 15 minute to 1 minute Wunderground reporting interval from AcuRite Bridge and 5-in-1 sensor)

http://www.nincehelser.com/wx (Graphs and web page driven by weewx running on a Pi)

http://www.nincehelser.com/peru (Saratoga scripts driven by weewx-WD under early development)

I'm also looking for some Facebook/Twitter/Email integration, but that shouldn't be too difficult under Linux.
« Last Edit: June 30, 2013, 09:11:14 PM by nincehelser »

Offline txweather.org

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1597
    • Texas Weather
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #11 on: June 30, 2013, 09:18:12 PM »
Personally I'd forgo the LCD console requirement.  They're not exactly cheap and they're too specialized.  Plus they tend to want to listen to the sensors directly, making placement more of an issue.

You'd probably get something closer to what you want by using inexpensive tablets (or similar) accessing a web page on whatever device is communicating with your station. 

The AcuLink bridge is fairly limited, but if you tie it with something like a Raspberry Pi and weewx software, it's nicely flexible.

Here's what I'm currently working on with the AcuLink Bridge, Raspberry Pi, and weewx.  These are all under various stages of construction and some parts are still pretty rough around the edges, but it'll get there. 

http://www.nincehelser.com  (comparing standard 15 minute to 1 minute Wunderground reporting interval from AcuRite Bridge and 5-in-1 sensor)

http://www.nincehelser.com/wx (Graphs and web page driven by weewx running on a Pi)

http://www.nincehelser.com/peru (Saratoga scripts driven by weewx-WD under early development)

I'm also looking for some Facebook/Twitter/Email integration, but that shouldn't be too difficult under Linux.

nincehelser,

Didn't know you hang around this areas :)
I am also using weewx-WD
Lots of devel still to be done but works very well so far.

----
Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus +FARS|Meteobridge Nano SD|Meteohub|Meteobridge MR-3020|WU KTXSPRIN75/PWS JRARGWX75/CWOP EW2972/WBB TXWDVUE75/Blitzortung ID: 1142|AWEKAS: 12095
Donations are welcome: https://paypal.me/ffuentesb

Offline nincehelser

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 3337
Re: IP Personal weather station advice
« Reply #12 on: June 30, 2013, 09:31:26 PM »
Quote

nincehelser,

Didn't know you hang around this areas :)
I am also using weewx-WD
Lots of devel still to be done but works very well so far.

Yep...I'm even closer than you think as I'm based out of Round Rock, TX.  The weather station I've been working on is at my family's farm in Nebraska, but I hope to have a new station set up in Round Rock this fall.

 

anything