The Davis $100 station refurb

[SLOweather]

Here's another reason to like Davis Instruments and their stations.

In a discussion with a tech about the wired VP2 console out from which I'd let the magic smoke, he mentioned that I could send in the entire station (console, ISS, Anemometer/wind vane) and they would fix everything for $100 plus $12 shipping.

After a few days of thought, I figured that this was a pretty good deal. The station is at least 6 or 7 years old. The anny I was using had quit working, and the console wouldn't work on batteries. Everything else worked, but was old.

So, just before Christmas, off it went. I received it back yesterday.

Here's what they did for a hundred bucks:

Repaired the console and upgraded the firmware (and replaced the battery cover I forgot to include)

Replaced the Rain Base on the console (entire black round base plus tipping bucket) because it was "dirty"

Updated the SIM firmware

Replaced the analog temperature/humidity sensor with a refurbed newer digital one, even thought the analog one tested good
 
Replaced the entire wind assembly (stuck potentiometer) with a 6410T Upgrade with the new brass bullet on the wind vane, including new stainless hardware kit.

And everything else was cleaned so well I had a hard time figuring out if it was new or not!

I think I got more than my money's worth...

[4wd]

It is good, but on the other hand if we want to swap a failed temp/humidity senor ourselves (an easy job) it's about $150 and make that £140 ($210) in the UK

[ed2kayak]

Sounds extremely reasonable, available to everyone I hope.

[chief-david]

I had mine repaired for the same price early last year
http://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=8112.0

I should have sent in my anny too.
can't beat it

[d_l]

I was recently quoted a price of $72 for an anemometer repair from Davis and $82 for an instant replacement in exchange for my old anemometer.  I passed on the offer. because of the repair warranty of only 90 days.  A new anemometer could be had at the time for $96 and that would have a year warranty.

[SLOweather]

That's how I got started on the $100 deal. I think everything Davis repairs is $72, or $82 for an advance exchange. That's what I was quoted on the console repair before the tech tried to sell me the $100 station refurb. It took me a while of looking at my pile of Davis stuff to realize what a deal that was.

I was recently quoted a price of $72 for an anemometer repair from Davis and $82 for an instant replacement in exchange for my old anemometer.  I passed on the offer. because of the repair warranty of only 90 days.  A new anemometer could be had at the time for $96 and that would have a year warranty.

[SteveFitz1]

Do you know whether Davis will refurb an original VP? I've sent them an email asking, but so far haven't gotten a response.

Steve

[SLOweather]

I don't know. My best recommendation is to call them Monday after 7AM PST and ask.

(Hmmm.... makes me wonder if the "tested good" analog temp/hum sensor they replaced with a digital one in my station went into a refurb parts collection for older stations that can't use digital...)

Do you know whether Davis will refurb an original VP? I've sent them an email asking, but so far haven't gotten a response.

Steve

[racenet]

Do you know whether Davis will refurb an original VP? I've sent them an email asking, but so far haven't gotten a response.

Steve,

They did last year, as I had mine done. Cost was $82 plus shipping. Of course, that might have changed now.



Bob

[Wayne_R]

Makes me more confident of my recent (2 month ago) purchase.  Thanks for info.

[Aardvark]

strange... I contacted Davis and asked if my VP1 at school would stop working,either the console or station, would they repair it. I was told they would not because they were out of parts and when it dies, it is dead

Hello,

As the original Vantage Pro weather station was discontinued about 7 years ago, we no longer have parts to repair the station and do not offer any repairs if something were to go wrong with it.

Art Sapiandante

[drstorm215]

Thanks for posting your experience SLOweather.

Having a Davis product makes me feel like I have a product that is accurate, reliable, and backed up by real professionals.

Your post helps reinforce the feeling of  "support" behind the product they sell....

[therock64]

I have the same thing to say about Davis... I am in Canada and a 2 years ago I had a Temp sensor fail. The customer service people sent me a new one and I got credit back upon return of the old one, just have to pay shipping charges of $21.00... This is for a VP2 from 2006... So I have not problem going to Davis if I up-grade my system in the future... 

[SteveFitz1]

Do you know whether Davis will refurb an original VP? I've sent them an email asking, but so far haven't gotten a response.

Heard back from Davis regarding them refurbishing an original VP.

Sorry but we no longer service Vantage Pro stations. We ran out of parts for those a while ago. Your only option would be to purchase a Pro 2 station. Sales is currectly offering a $100 credit when upgrading from a Vantage Pro to a Pro 2.

Steve

[neondesert]

Here's another reason to like Davis Instruments and their stations.

In a discussion with a tech about the wired VP2 console out from which I'd let the magic smoke, he mentioned that I could send in the entire station (console, ISS, Anemometer/wind vane) and they would fix everything for $100 plus $12 shipping.

After a few days of thought, I figured that this was a pretty good deal. The station is at least 6 or 7 years old. The anny I was using had quit working, and the console wouldn't work on batteries. Everything else worked, but was old.

So, just before Christmas, off it went. I received it back yesterday.

Here's what they did for a hundred bucks:

Repaired the console and upgraded the firmware (and replaced the battery cover I forgot to include)

Replaced the Rain Base on the console (entire black round base plus tipping bucket) because it was "dirty"

Updated the SIM firmware

Replaced the analog temperature/humidity sensor with a refurbed newer digital one, even thought the analog one tested good
 
Replaced the entire wind assembly (stuck potentiometer) with a 6410T Upgrade with the new brass bullet on the wind vane, including new stainless hardware kit.

And everything else was cleaned so well I had a hard time figuring out if it was new or not!

I think I got more than my money's worth...

A few questions, Chris. 

1.  Does the station need to be "malfunctioning" in order to send it in for a refurb?
     I'm thinking that my given my wireless VP2's age, something is likely to be heading south soon
     so I'm trying to be proactive.  The anny seems does seem to be less responsive to light
     winds but is working otherwise.  Besides, if they refurbish it to the point that you had
     a hard time determining what was new it sounds like a great deal. 

2.  Did you send the data logger with the console?

3.  Did you have the original packaging to send it?  If not, what did you or how would you
     recommend packing the system securely?  Also, a related question, what method did you/they
     use to ship? UPS, USPS, FedEx?

I realize that I would need to call them for details but was just curious.     

[Garth Bock]

Recently some VP1's have been showing up on eBay.

[SLOweather]

A few questions, Chris. 

1.  Does the station need to be "malfunctioning" in order to send it in for a refurb?
     I'm thinking that my given my wireless VP2's age, something is likely to be heading south soon
     so I'm trying to be proactive.  The anny seems does seem to be less responsive to light
     winds but is working otherwise.  Besides, if they refurbish it to the point that you had
     a hard time determining what was new it sounds like a great deal. 

I don't believe so. After all, they replaced or flashed some things on mine that weren't "broken". They didn't have to do that, and I certainly wouldn't have noticed if they hadn't

2.  Did you send the data logger with the console?

Nope. Heh. I shoulda sent along one of my serial interfaces...

3.  Did you have the original packaging to send it?  If not, what did you or how would you
     recommend packing the system securely?  Also, a related question, what method did you/they
     use to ship? UPS, USPS, FedEx?

I had a box and all the die cut cardboard packing from a separate ISS I purchased that I shipped everything in. It's the same internal packing as the off-the-shelf station but with a plain white outer box.

Lacking that, all of the parts are so oddly shaped, I think I'd consider taking it to the UPS Store or similar and have them ship it.

[neondesert]

A few questions, Chris. 

1.  Does the station need to be "malfunctioning" in order to send it in for a refurb?
     I'm thinking that my given my wireless VP2's age, something is likely to be heading south soon
     so I'm trying to be proactive.  The anny seems does seem to be less responsive to light
     winds but is working otherwise.  Besides, if they refurbish it to the point that you had
     a hard time determining what was new it sounds like a great deal. 

I don't believe so. After all, they replaced or flashed some things on mine that weren't "broken". They didn't have to do that, and I certainly wouldn't have noticed if they hadn't

2.  Did you send the data logger with the console?

Nope. Heh. I shoulda sent along one of my serial interfaces...

3.  Did you have the original packaging to send it?  If not, what did you or how would you
     recommend packing the system securely?  Also, a related question, what method did you/they
     use to ship? UPS, USPS, FedEx?

I had a box and all the die cut cardboard packing from a separate ISS I purchased that I shipped everything in. It's the same internal packing as the off-the-shelf station but with a plain white outer box.

Lacking that, all of the parts are so oddly shaped, I think I'd consider taking it to the UPS Store or similar and have them ship it.

Thanks Chris.

I think I will be giving Davis a call soon and give the ole' station a makeover. 

As I said my anny isn't as responsive as it use to be (bearings are probably just getting old) and if they
spruce up anything else in the process it'll be icing on the cake.

[SLOweather]

I think I will be giving Davis a call soon and give the ole' station a makeover. 

Yeah, you need to get a case number for the outside of the box. Hey, ask them if they'll sell and send you an empty VP2 box with all the internal packing. Gotta be cheaper than a pack and ship store. How it all goes together is kinda arcabe, but i can send pix. I HAVE A NEW vp2 IN THE BOX HERE.

As I said my anny isn't as responsive as it use to be (bearings are probably just getting old) and if they
spruce up anything else in the process it'll be icing on the cake.

Yup. Don't bother cleaning anything.... I didn't and mine looks dang near new.

[neondesert]

Yeah, you need to get a case number for the outside of the box. Hey, ask them if they'll sell and send you an empty VP2 box with all the internal packing. Gotta be cheaper than a pack and ship store. How it all goes together is kinda arcabe, but i can send pix. I HAVE A NEW vp2 IN THE BOX HERE.

Good advice on asking them for a box.  When I'm ready I'll let you know what they say.

As I said my anny isn't as responsive as it use to be (bearings are probably just getting old) and if they
spruce up anything else in the process it'll be icing on the cake.

Yup. Don't bother cleaning anything.... I didn't and mine looks dang near new.

You've got that right!  Cleaning is part of the refurb...IMO. 

[Bushman]

The box will not be cheap to ship.  Carriers use "dimensional weight".

I wish Davis had a cheap way to refurb units from Canada (shipping alone kills this option).

[oregonalex]

I have a VP2 with 24hrFARS and a separate Wind Transmitter all made in 2005/6. The supercap in the Wind Transmitter was DOA, but I never bothered fixing it, just fed it batteries every 5 months or so. Now the supercap went in the ISS too, so I want to send the whole shebang to Davis to have it all factory overhauled. After 6 years of faithful service, I think it is time to check accuracy etc. I have a couple of questions for you guys:

1. What is the point of sending the console in with it? Mine has the latest firmware and works fine.

2. What is the life expectancy of the wind vane? I wonder if it would make more sense to replace it only once it really goes on the fritz. It is a real PITA to take it off the roof, especially removing all the cable clips as the cable cannot be unplugged from it. I am not overly concerned about wind accuracy - it is informational only - I really only care about accurate temp, hum and precip.

Thanks!

[capeweather]

I just sent mine in and they replaced the console display board for my VP2.

They also replaced the anemometer with a new one. My original one worked fine but I guess they didn't want to take any chances considering the age (7 years). They also changed out the reed switch for the rain, updated the iss board and temp sensors from the analog to digital. They are sending it back to me this week so I'm anxious to see it.

I have a VP2 with 24hrFARS and a separate Wind Transmitter all made in 2005/6. The supercap in the Wind Transmitter was DOA, but I never bothered fixing it, just fed it batteries every 5 months or so. Now the supercap went in the ISS too, so I want to send the whole shebang to Davis to have it all factory overhauled. After 6 years of faithful service, I think it is time to check accuracy etc. I have a couple of questions for you guys:

1. What is the point of sending the console in with it? Mine has the latest firmware and works fine.

2. What is the life expectancy of the wind vane? I wonder if it would make more sense to replace it only once it really goes on the fritz. It is a real PITA to take it off the roof, especially removing all the cable clips as the cable cannot be unplugged from it. I am not overly concerned about wind accuracy - it is informational only - I really only care about accurate temp, hum and precip.

Thanks!

[oregonalex]

I just sent mine in and they replaced the console display board for my VP2.
......
They also replaced the anemometer with a new one

WOW! They really do go all out. No real problem to send the console in. And I guess I'll have to bite the bullet and take the anemometer down, too. A pain, but worth it, under the circumstances. I suspect the anemometer bearings wear gradually and exert more friction which of course affects precision.

Thanks for the info.

[oregonalex]

I got my VP2/FARS/Anemometer transmitter back from Davis. WOW! And I mean freaking WOW!

This is what I got back:

New complete ISS SIM unit with new box and new solar panel (due to bad supercap)
New digital temp/humidity sensor (maybe the new SIM can't deal with analog sensors?)
New rain collector tipping bucket and reed switch (same reason?)
New aspiration fan (due to bad bearing)
New (refurbished, but looks new) anemometer (due to worn cable)
New complete anemometer transmitter SIM unit with new box and new solar panel (due to bad supercap)

The only things left from the old station are the ISS frame, shield, rain cone, and the FARS solar panel, which they all cleaned up well. And the console, which they tested as OK.

All this for $112 which included return shipping!

What a service! What a deal!

So, now that it is all back installed and humming along, I need to deal with the missing temp/rain data between Apr 2 and Apr 12 in the  WeatherLink software. I guess the options are:

A. Run till the end of the month and then clear the entire April as to not have distorted April statistics. Yearly statistics will be off, though.

B. Keep the partial month data. That way yearly totals will be closer, but the incomplete month will foul up the April statistics.

C. Hand enter the missing daily data from a nearby PWS (~1/2 mile away). I don't like this idea much. Better having missing data than fake data.

D. Hand enter the missing daily data from a nearby airport (~3 miles away). I like this one even less.

Leaning to option A. What did you guys do?