Unable to sync 2812 with Heavy Weather software

[PPHFarm]

I too received my first weather station for Christmas. Set everything up this weekend and have yet to get the display to sync with the software. I have even called Lacross for 3 days now and have to leave a message. Still no return call. Not happy. 

Any suggestions?

Thanks!

[DanS]

Is the USB dongle / transceiver recognized by the PC?  Can verify by right clicking on 'My Computer' then left click 'Manage", 'Device Manager', 'USB Human Interface Device' and check it's properties for errors.  If O.K., is the "Synchronize" button on the P.C. clicked on after the sync button (down arrow) is pressed and held for a beep on the display/console?

[PPHFarm]

Is the USB dongle / transceiver recognized by the PC?  Can verify by right clicking on 'My Computer' then left click 'Manage", 'Device Manager', 'USB Human Interface Device' and check it's properties for errors.  If O.K., is the "Synchronize" button on the P.C. clicked on after the sync button (down arrow) is pressed and held for a beep on the display/console?

Though my computer recognizes the USB as being there (the Heavy Weather software does anyway) none of this info is showing up in Device Manager. 

[DanS]

Device Manager needs to see the USB transceiver for it to work. You need the 'Human Interface Device' entry in the Device Manager listing. With this window open can you remove the USB transceiver and re-insert it then click on the Action tab and select 'scan for hardware changes'? After this do you see the 'Human Interface Device' entry show up? If no, try the same with another USB port. Maybe bad port or transceiver.

[VaJim]

....a couple of other things to consider:

1.  Place the weather station approximately 3 to 6 feet from the USB communications device.  You may be able space this out up to 80' depending your surroundings once the sync is complete.

If you haven't already check out the on-line guide at Lacrosse for instructions to sync up the software with the display.

Like everything else I've experienced with Lacrosse, the sync process is very sensitive.   

[stev703]

PPHFarm, Im having the same problem.  I am running XP on my computer.  Do you get a Microsoft warning when you try to install the USB about "No logo testing" or something?
Im wondering if this is some type of BS microsoft security block.  My USB is recognized by the computer but still doesnt sync with the station after repeated attempts. 

[pierce]

follow the instructions exactly that came with the 2812.

remove the batteries from everything, wait a few minutes.  I take my console outside to where the sensors are.

in short order...

1) insert batteries in rain detector
2) push reset pin on the wind thing
3) insert batteries in temp/humidity sender, which is the wireless hub
4) insert batteries into base station.
5) wait til the base station shows weather data
6) bring the base station back to your PC, put it on a table near the PC (3-6' is good). 
7) choose 'resynch' in heavy weather
push down arrow on base station 1 second or so til it beeps
9) push 'synchornize' on heavy weather
10) a few seconds later, base station should beep, and then heavy weather synchs up

when I reboot, it takes ages and ages to resynch on its own, so I genreally go ahead and do the 7-10 steps, this doesn't reset the external sensor sync

[Alietr]

A related question -- I have yet to get my wind gauge to connect to the base, but I am guessing it's a matter of pushing the reset button on it (which I can't do until I have a contractor show up with a long enough ladder to reach it).  Anyway, I have Heavy Weather Pro running, and along the bottom are what look like battery indicators for each component (WS, T, R, and WI).  I assume these are giving me information about the charged state of each sensor, but it shows *all* of the sensors, including WI (again, I'm assuming that's the Wind Instrument) as being fully charged.  Is it possible it is getting the status of the Wind Instrument, but is somehow not getting the reading from it?  And if so, is there anything I can do to correct the situation?

Thanks in advance,
Andy

[DanS]

A related question -- I have yet to get my wind gauge to connect to the base, but I am guessing it's a matter of pushing the reset button on it (which I can't do until I have a contractor show up with a long enough ladder to reach it).  Anyway, I have Heavy Weather Pro running, and along the bottom are what look like battery indicators for each component (WS, T, R, and WI).  I assume these are giving me information about the charged state of each sensor, but it shows *all* of the sensors, including WI (again, I'm assuming that's the Wind Instrument) as being fully charged.  Is it possible it is getting the status of the Wind Instrument, but is somehow not getting the reading from it?  And if so, is there anything I can do to correct the situation?

Thanks in advance,
Andy

Andy, if you had the wind sensor connected and showing on the display previously then chances are you don't have to press the reset button on it. Yes, the "WI" on the display is for the wind instrument. If it's getting sunlight for the panel and hasn't gotten wet inside from leaking then chances are good that it's o.k.
I'm not sure what you've tried already but do know what usually works if everything is functioning normally. First, remove the batteries from the display/console and leave them out. Secondly, remove the thermo/hygro batteries, wait a couple of minutes and re-insert them. Pay attention to polarity on batteries as you replace them. Third, after the thermo/hygro batteries are re-inserted wait a couple of minutes before re-inserting the display/console batteries (again, watching polarity). Now wait while the display/console comes back up and re-sync's with the thermo/hygro. Usually this will take just a couple of minutes and if the wind sensor is in range of the thermo/hygro sensor you will now see it displayed. If still no wind sensor readings there is a communication problem between the wind and thermo/hygro sensors. This can be the batteries in the thermo/hygro sensor (should read at least 1.5 volts each) or a wall, tree, any obstruction between them, distance, etc.
The fact that you're seeing the other outdoor readings, such as temp and rain gauge says your link between the thermo/hygro and display/console is working since all outdoor data is routed through the thermo/hygro sensor to the inside display/console.  The issue may be the link between the thermo/hygro and wind sensors if only the wind data isn't appearing. Hope this helps.

as a note: all batteries (except WI) should be alkaline type only and read close to 1.5 volts or higher each.

[Alietr]

No, I've never had the wind sensor connect (but have had no problems with the rain gauge and temp/hygro sensors), and I've tried that sequence you mentioned numerous times with no luck.  At this point, the only thing really left is the reset button.  It probably wasn't set up correctly originally since the contractor put it up when I wasn't around.  I'm still curious about why it appears that it's somehow getting a battery reading from the wind sensor when I look at the Heavy Weather Pro display, or whether that's not actually any sort of useful display.

[DanS]

I trust the battery indicators on the display (at least the "WS" and "T" ones)  because I checked them out with suspicions also. They are not linear though, or represent actual voltages and shrink down as the batteries decay. They show full when the batteries are in operating range and drop to 1 or 2 bars when the batteries are low and need replacement. The "WI" indicator appears to stay on full no matter what the actual battery condition. I temporarily replaced the wind gauge rechargeable alkalines with weak regular AAA's while watching the voltage drop using a meter. When the batteries got down around 2.71v (3.0 is ideal) the sensor started dropping connection frequently. The "WI" indicator on the console/display never changed from it's full level.

[Alietr]

Got someone to put a ladder up there and hit the reset button, and now everything works!

[DanS]

Good deal! You got me wondering about battery levels in each sensor and the indicators on the bottom of the GUI screen. We've had (so far) 10 consecutive days of rain/overcast conditions and I haven't seen the WI battery indicator drop yet. So the other day I went up and pulled the ws2810 anny down and brought it inside, just for grins to check things out. The 2 rechargeable alkalines still were reading 2.9 volts (2, 1.5v in series). I figured while it's down and apart I'll do some experimenting and take lots of notes. I've found that 2.71v is the lowest voltage it will stay connected to the thermo/hygro sensor. Anything lower and it drops the connection. Also, being outside even with overcast skies the solar panel provides enough to maintain a charge. With my meter still connected to the batteries and having them drained to 2.7v (connection lost) I walked back outside with it and the voltage started slowly coming back up. Once this happened the connection came back. Still overcast here. So I guess that explains why our 10 days of cloud cover wasn't enough to bring it down. I still want to find out more before buttoning it back up and re-installing it.
Happy to hear of you success!

Dan