BaronV
Member
 Offline
Posts: 32
|
 |
« on: July 02, 2011, 06:49:46 PM » |
|
Im starting to regret going for OS to replace my lacrosse system (which I think is still working well!) I dont have nearly enough money to afford a davis so thats why I went for OS but it seems like they are not so reliable... anyway thats not what this post is about. Most people with a new OS go for the WMR200 but I figured that since I didnt care for the data logger (thats what PCs are for!) Id skimp and go for the WMR88 instead sine the sensors were all the same. Lo and behold how OS cheats to reduce the specs of the cheaper WMR88. The WMR88 supposedly updates wind data every 56 seconds, whereas the WMR200 updates every 14 seconds. Yet the anemometer used is exactly the same! The details are available here http://sourceforge.net/projects/wmrx00/forums/forum/855159/topic/4046776 but bottom line is that the WMR88 simply discards the first 3 batches of wind data received and only uses the fourth batch (4x14=56) and thats how they get the 56s update time. That on its own isnt TOO bad the problem is it appears to also be discarding the gust information when uploading to USB. So my question is. Does anyone know of anyway to mod the WMR88 (firmware update?) so that it the wind info every 14 seconds? At the very least id like it to upload all the wind info to the USB... |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 04, 2011, 08:23:33 AM by BaronV »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
FrozenPenguin
|
|
« Reply #1 on: July 03, 2011, 06:03:46 PM » |
|
I really can't back this up, but if the display unit simply drops those packets, I would think you are out of luck, unless it's purely a software issue. I've atleast never heard about custom firmware for any station... Although datalogger isn't required if you have a usb connection, it's always nice to have in case you need to have downtime on the PC (no data loss) That said, it is possible to bypass the display unit entirely by picking up the radio signals. The OS protocols are known and documented, and many who are into home automation (like myself) also read these sensors via USB or LAN RF receivers/transceivers and then parse the data. There are always those who will have problems, with any hardware. I think the majority of OS users get pretty good service out of their stations from what I've read so far, but as with anything, milage always vary. And really, your issue has nothing to do with reliability  EDIT: I'm not complaining, but your link didnt really say much about any weather station, but it sure got HOT in here  |
|
|
|
« Last Edit: July 03, 2011, 06:08:01 PM by FrozenPenguin »
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
BaronV
Member
Offline
Posts: 32
|
|
« Reply #2 on: July 03, 2011, 06:13:56 PM » |
|
By reliability of OS I was referring to various posts in forums where the sensors especially start to malfunction after some time. As for the data logger, well I plan to run my system off a SFF PC (only 8 watts!) connected directly to my solar power system so PC downtime really isnt an issue. Plus the WMR200 is a whopping 150 pounds more!
Its a shame really... I live in a double storey house and love having 2 consoles (1 connected to PC upstairs The other downstairs just by my front door to show off to guests:lol:) and the price of now buying a WMR200 console would make my expenditure a total of 400 pounds - more than a Vantage Vue!
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
BaronV
Member
Offline
Posts: 32
|
|
« Reply #3 on: July 03, 2011, 06:15:45 PM » |
|
I guess I could learn how to pull the packets straight to the computer. The alternative would be to get something like an inspeed anemometer. Can the results of the inspeed anemometer and the WMR88 be combined for uploading to weather underground?
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
FrozenPenguin
|
|
« Reply #4 on: July 03, 2011, 06:24:47 PM » |
|
Yeah, that's quite a lot of cash. I ordered mine from the US, as it was half the price of here in europe (dollar is low). Then again, I wanted the wmr200, as it had all sensors separate, not one big clunker (harder to correctly place atleast where I live). So far mine has worked great...only 1 month milage though..
If you can do some scripting, or get someone to do it for you, anything is possible really. I think most software out there will support some kind of export of data, which you can parse and then combine with data from other hardware sensors you may have. Many use 1wire type stuff in combination with regular stations. Usually will require some data manipulation of your own, as it will be custom...
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Ugly Duckling
|
|
« Reply #5 on: July 03, 2011, 06:30:49 PM » |
|
Something I'm curious about and someone here just may have the answer. It has to do with weather station updates such as Davis wind updates every 2.5 seconds. Some update every 14 seconds as BaronV mentions.
Does anyone know if it costs companies more to have their weather stations send more frequent updates? I think the cost would be the same as its just a matter of programming. Right or wrong?
Many Happy Weather Changes,
Marci Anna
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
 Davis Vantage Vue |
|
|
|
FrozenPenguin
|
|
« Reply #6 on: July 03, 2011, 06:40:34 PM » |
|
Don't know this for a fact, but I doubt it's a cost issue, perhaps a battery life issue. More frequent updates means more power consumption.
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Ugly Duckling
|
|
« Reply #7 on: July 03, 2011, 06:41:29 PM » |
|
Yeah, that's quite a lot of cash. I ordered mine from the US, as it was half the price of here in europe (dollar is low). Then again, I wanted the wmr200, as it had all sensors separate, not one big clunker (harder to correctly place atleast where I live). So far mine has worked great...only 1 month milage though..
If you can do some scripting, or get someone to do it for you, anything is possible really. I think most software out there will support some kind of export of data, which you can parse and then combine with data from other hardware sensors you may have. Many use 1wire type stuff in combination with regular stations. Usually will require some data manipulation of your own, as it will be custom...
Ordering from the US... I'm curious how long it takes you to receive orders from the US. Years ago I mailed items to Australia and it took a really long time for the person to receive them. I don't remember exactly how long, weeks maybe? Many Happy Weather Changes, Marci Anna |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Davis Vantage Vue |
|
|
|
FrozenPenguin
|
|
« Reply #8 on: July 03, 2011, 06:48:16 PM » |
|
Yeah, that's quite a lot of cash. I ordered mine from the US, as it was half the price of here in europe (dollar is low). Then again, I wanted the wmr200, as it had all sensors separate, not one big clunker (harder to correctly place atleast where I live). So far mine has worked great...only 1 month milage though..
If you can do some scripting, or get someone to do it for you, anything is possible really. I think most software out there will support some kind of export of data, which you can parse and then combine with data from other hardware sensors you may have. Many use 1wire type stuff in combination with regular stations. Usually will require some data manipulation of your own, as it will be custom...
Ordering from the US... I'm curious how long it takes you to receive orders from the US. Years ago I mailed items to Australia and it took a really long time for the person to receive them. I don't remember exactly how long, weeks maybe? Many Happy Weather Changes, Marci Anna It's actually quite quick to scandinavia from the US. I seldom get packages directly, I have someone mail them to me as it's cheaper via the postal service and not the private carriers. It usually takes 4-5 business days to get here. You can do quicker, but it will cost you a small fortune. |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
Ugly Duckling
|
|
« Reply #9 on: July 03, 2011, 07:01:15 PM » |
|
This last Friday I ordered a roof tripod from the east coast. It's being shipped UPS ground. Estimated delivery day is this coming Friday. An entire week!
Of course I could have ordered 2nd or Next Day Air... Etc
But still an entire week ground is really slow. It's only halfway across the US. I think a package can go ground from California to New York in 5 days.
Has anyone had packages shipped from east to west coast?
Many Happy Weather Changes,
Marci Anna
|
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
Davis Vantage Vue |
|
|
BaronV
Member
Offline
Posts: 32
|
|
« Reply #10 on: July 03, 2011, 07:10:23 PM » |
|
Something I'm curious about and someone here just may have the answer. It has to do with weather station updates such as Davis wind updates every 2.5 seconds. Some update every 14 seconds as BaronV mentions.
Does anyone know if it costs companies more to have their weather stations send more frequent updates? I think the cost would be the same as its just a matter of programming. Right or wrong?
Many Happy Weather Changes,
Marci Anna
Two things I can think of when you want more frequent wireless updates. 1) You need more bandwidth. Simply put you need to send the same ammount of data in a much short period of time to enable more frequent updates. Bandwidth=money, though since these instruments operate in the ISM band its not so much an issue of cost but rather limited bandwidth. The 433MHz systems typically have much slower updates than say the 900MHz systems (only ISM in america not ROtW). My LaCrosse updates once every 5 seconds if cabled but once every 30 seconds off wireless 2) Reduced battery life: you have to take, store and transmit the data more often. this requires more powerful processors and uses the radio transmitter more frequently shortening battery life. From a mass manufacturing POV it dosent really cost companies more as its only marginally more complex and expensive to implement faster update times (to a point). However the business mechanism means that its just nice for them to charge more for faster update times |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
BaronV
Member
Offline
Posts: 32
|
|
« Reply #11 on: July 04, 2011, 08:24:45 AM » |
|
apologies to anyone who was offended by the mistake in the link in my first post! Thanks to FrozenPenguin for letting me know that the link actually sent people to a page with a naked girl on it  I have corrected the link now  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
teeno
Member
Offline
Posts: 1
|
|
« Reply #12 on: September 12, 2011, 03:45:40 AM » |
|
Hi people just a quick note on the wmr88a it is a firmware issue for the wind times.... if you press the search button under the battery flap for it to search for sensors the wind is updated every 14 seconds like the wmr200, sadly after a short time it reverts back to the 56 seconds.... i hope this info is useful to someone that can fix this maybe lol  |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
DanS
|
|
« Reply #13 on: September 12, 2011, 07:24:04 AM » |
|
Hi people just a quick note on the wmr88a it is a firmware issue for the wind times.... if you press the search button under the battery flap for it to search for sensors the wind is updated every 14 seconds like the wmr200, sadly after a short time it reverts back to the 56 seconds.... i hope this info is useful to someone that can fix this maybe lol Hi teeno and welcome to the forum! |
|
|
|
|
Logged
|
|
|
|
|
