Topic: Another Davis/Datalogger Wind Issue

[sjg1976]

Spoke too soon, as soon as I tried a tip test with the rain bucket my wind speed readings stopped.

Direction was working ok.

After doing various tests it seems if the logger is connected to the laptop, and the wind and rain gauge is going at the same time, one of them will stop registering.

Need to disconnect the ISS Cable to get them to start reading again.

[W3DRM]

It appears the Belkin surge protector is still in the mix. Can you disconnect it and connect directly to your mains so we can eliminate that as a source of the problem? Surge protectors can and do go bad.

[dalecoy]

So, adding the logger was the only change - but that allowed you to connect to the laptop and to observe ...

Intrestingly, we have had a micropower blip this morning.

I'm now running the VP back on the Laptop, and has been for the last 30mins with no CRC Errors and no packet loss.

That is a very interesting set of events.  

[dalecoy]

Spoke too soon, as soon as I tried a tip test with the rain bucket my wind speed readings stopped.

Direction was working ok.

After doing various tests it seems if the logger is connected to the laptop, and the wind and rain gauge is going at the same time, one of them will stop registering.

It has previously been suggested that you disconnect the anemometer cable, and then observe (while connected to the laptop on AC).  Have you done that yet?

[W3DRM]

So, adding the logger was the only change - but that allowed you to connect to the laptop and to observe ...

Intrestingly, we have had a micropower blip this morning.

I'm now running the VP back on the Laptop, and has been for the last 30mins with no CRC Errors and no packet loss.

That is a very interesting set of events. 

If only you had access to a standard "Davis" datalogger to see what happens when it is plugged-in (along with the laptop on ac power)... Is there anyone who lives close-by who might just have one they could let you try to see what happens?

[sjg1976]

Spoke too soon, as soon as I tried a tip test with the rain bucket my wind speed readings stopped.

Direction was working ok.

After doing various tests it seems if the logger is connected to the laptop, and the wind and rain gauge is going at the same time, one of them will stop registering.

It has previously been suggested that you disconnect the anemometer cable, and then observe (while connected to the laptop on AC).  Have you done that yet?

Yes have tried that test made no difference, have also tried with with the rain gauge disconnected, that also made no difference.

I'm now getting different errors after changing a few more bits.

I'm no longer seem to be getting as many missed packets, but are getting more CRC Errors.
When this happens my Wind reading speed freezes, but direction is OK.

It seems it's all connected to when it's on Laptop.

Have a few more ideas, but they are going to take some time to test.

I'll be going round removing sockets, and seeing what difference that makes.

[sjg1976]

It appears the Belkin surge protector is still in the mix. Can you disconnect it and connect directly to your mains so we can eliminate that as a source of the problem? Surge protectors can and do go bad.

Yes have tried that with both Laptop and VP connected directly to the mains not going through any filters at all.
Again that made no difference.

[sjg1976]

So, adding the logger was the only change - but that allowed you to connect to the laptop and to observe ...

Intrestingly, we have had a micropower blip this morning.

I'm now running the VP back on the Laptop, and has been for the last 30mins with no CRC Errors and no packet loss.

That is a very interesting set of events.  

If only you had access to a standard "Davis" datalogger to see what happens when it is plugged-in (along with the laptop on ac power)... Is there anyone who lives close-by who might just have one they could let you try to see what happens?

Not that I'm aware of.

Belfryboy has offered retest the logger, but I don't think that is the problem, but might have to take him up on that as I'm fast running out of things to try.

As a spark of desperation, I may end up taking the whole lot down, and trying it at my parents house.
But that means removing a lot of stuff.

[sjg1976]

Just trying dalecoys solution, finally found some suitable cable.

Have attached one end to the shielding on the water pipe and the other end to the shielding to the FireWire port on the laptop.

The laptop is running on AC Power and I'll test for the next couple of hours.

[sjg1976]

Well been running with the laptop earthed now overnight.

Console Diagnostics  01/07/12   8:42
Firmware Version: 08/01/03
Total Received:  12266
Total Resynchs: 0
Total Misses:  249
Max in a Row: 575
CRC Errors: 161
% Good:  98%
Console Battery:  4.09 V


Still getting CRC Errors and missed packets, but none of the data has frozen up.  Or any of the readings frozen.

May try one of these.

eBay item 270943759314

[dalecoy]

Well been running with the laptop earthed now overnight.

Console Diagnostics  01/07/12   8:42
Firmware Version: 08/01/03
Total Received:  12266
Total Resynchs: 0
Total Misses:  249
Max in a Row: 575
CRC Errors: 161
% Good:  98%
Console Battery:  4.09 V

Still getting CRC Errors and missed packets, but none of the data has frozen up.  Or any of the readings frozen.

That's a big improvement, although I'm sure the wire to the water pipe is probably inconvenient.  I would say that it's rather conclusive that there is some grounding issue with the AC supply for the laptop.  That's not totally helpful, but it seems to be the place to concentrate.

The USB isolator is a good thing to try, now.

(Added) Have you tried the "tip test" to see if there's still interaction between the rain gauge and anemometer?

[sjg1976]

Done a few tip tests yesterday and they all worked well.

Have also had a very light shower this morning, and the Davis Picked that up with it 1 tip, whereas my WRM200 didn't as there wasn't much rain, so that was good.

My wind readings today seem much better as well, not so many drops and constant readings of the same speed.

Just don't seem to get past 500packets without a miss.

I need to re-terminate the ISS Cable into the console tomorrow as I broke the connector whilst tryin to remove PIN 1 and 6

So now just have the 4 Wires connecting to the ISS as they should, but with 3 joints in it now.

So will see if that improves tomorrow.

I did get about 4000 packets without a miss but not very often.

I'll think I'll have to get an isolator as you say it's not very convenient with a Waterpipe earth, and SWMBO doesn't like all the cables as it is without me adding "extras"

[dalecoy]

I need to re-terminate the ISS Cable into the console tomorrow as I broke the connector whilst tryin to remove PIN 1 and 6

So now just have the 4 Wires connecting to the ISS as they should, but with 3 joints in it now.

Joints?  I don't recall mention of that before.  How are those joints done?

[sjg1976]

These joints were done yesterday. (Well after the problems started, there were never any joints in the cable before yesterday)

Originally I had a CAT5 cable running from the ISS to console terminated at each end to a RJ12 (pins 1 to 6)

I thought having pins 1 and 6 may have been causing noise somewhere, as I believe the Davis cable between ISS and console only uses pins 2-5 (ie 4 wires)

So in my haste yesterday I tied to remove pins 1 and 6 but damaged the connector on pin 5so had to discard it.

Didn't have any RJ12 plugs or crimpers so had to use a RJ45 and a RJ45 to RJ11. With a RJ45coupler in between.

Not ideal, but works.

I get the RJ11/12 crimper tomorrow and Cable Tester and make the ends up at the console again to a RJ12 cable again and remove all the joints.

Do you think when I remake, the ends I should remake all 1-6 or just 2-5?

Hope that makes sense...?

So at present the cable is

ISS-----RJ12----------RJ45(RJ45 Coupler)RJ45-----RJ12--CONSOLE

After tomorrow it will be back to

ISS---RJ12------------------RJ12--CONSOLE

[dalecoy]

Oh.

I think it would be preferable to just use 4 pins.  I actually think it would be preferable to use regular 4-conductor telephone wire, rather than the Cat5 cable (which has 4 twisted pairs).  But if you are re-making with the Cat5 cable, please use one wire from each twisted pair.  Green, Blue, Orange, Brown.

[sjg1976]

Oh.

I think it would be preferable to just use 4 pins.  I actually think it would be preferable to use regular 4-conductor telephone wire, rather than the Cat5 cable (which has 4 twisted pairs).  But if you are re-making with the Cat5 cable, please use one wire from each twisted pair.  Green, Blue, Orange, Brown.

Ok thanks,

I use the CAT5 for now as I have loads of it.
Will look at getting some new cable when money isn't so tight.

I am correct in the pinouts though?

2 - 2
3 - 3
4 - 4
5 - 5

[dalecoy]

Yes.  It's "straight through".

[W3DRM]

Just trying dalecoys solution, finally found some suitable cable.

Have attached one end to the shielding on the water pipe and the other end to the shielding to the FireWire port on the laptop.

The laptop is running on AC Power and I'll test for the next couple of hours.

I'm not familiar with UK wiring other than that it is 240 vac. Does it provide a separate safety ground wire like we have in the USA? Using a water-pipe may introduce other ground loops unless they (water-pipe and ac system) are all bonded together. In the USA, all electrical wiring has to go to a central earth ground point. Normally this is located very near where the mains enter a house. If you can connect to that central earth ground system, you may further reduce any noise and/or ground loops you may have in your home.

It does appear you are making progress... 

[sjg1976]

Yes UK Wiring is the same.

3 PIN Plug.

Earth live and Netural

All the Pipes in the house have to be earthed back to the Meter Room where the electric enters the house.

[W3DRM]

Yes UK Wiring is the same.

3 PIN Plug.

Earth live and Netural

All the Pipes in the house have to be earthed back to the Meter Room where the electric enters the house.

Well, that is good news. Now, I wonder if your home is new or old construction? Could it be you have some loose or corroded ground or power connections in your home?

Best of luck finding this elusive problem!

[sjg1976]

I think the house was built circa 1978

So just a little younger than me!

A few years ago we had a new Central Heating system installed, and had to have the Earth Bonding re-done, as the local building regs had changed and the Earthing needed to be re-done to a larger diameter cable.

So AFAIK all the earthing is in good condition.

I'll see if the re-terminated CAT5 cable make any difference tonight.

[George Richardson]

"So AFAIK all the earthing is in good condition."

So AFAIK all the earthing SHOULD BE in good condition.

George

[sjg1976]

Right remade both ends of the CAT5 cable, with just the 2-5 pins connected.

Will se how it goes, but still seem to have some Interferance.

Had some rain here again, tonight all of which was recorded correctly.

Have also set up a quick and dirty page so I can view the stats away from home, which updates every 10minutes.

http://vp1.cm2weather.co.uk/davis.htm

[dalecoy]

Right remade both ends of the CAT5 cable, with just the 2-5 pins connected.

Just checking that you used either all-solid-color or all-stripe wires.  [I don't know that it makes any difference, but...]

[sjg1976]

I went for the solid colours easier to see in the connector