WS-2813 anemometer randomly stops sending data

[madkiwi]

Not sure what to make of this.

Installed my WS-2813 on April 23rd. All has been good, up until 3 days ago. On the 20th the anemometer readings (speed and direction) were not being transmitted to the console from 9.30 pm until 11pm, yesterday 3 separate times (1.20pm-2.30pm, 3.10pm-4.20pm and 10.00pm-12.30am), then today it stopped working for nearly 4 hours (11am-2.45pm).

Temperature, humidity and rainfall are all getting through. The anemometer is getting plenty of sunshine (has been sunny all week, yesterday we had a thunderstorm roll through late afternoon but was sunny most of the day) and today has been sunny. So I don't think the anemometer has no power. The anemometer is spinning freely, and the weathervane points in the right direction.

Batteries? Should be nice and fresh in the thermohygro after only 2 months. The rain gauge is further from the thermohygro than the anemometer, and all are still within 50 feet of each other.

But judging by the info logged it is getting worse- being out almost 4 hours today after just one spell Wednesday and 3 times yesterday.

Any ideas?

[DanS]

I've noticed with my 2810 that the mounting orientation of the therm/hygro sensor with relation to the wind sensor makes a difference with the communications between the two. Antenna patterns lining up with each other I'm guessing. I can create the same situation you describe by rotating horizontally my thermo/hygro sensor where it's mounted. Once I found it's "sweet spot" it runs locked in with the wind sensor 100% but if I turn it several degrees it will start dropping the connection. Also when the batteries in the thermo/hygro sensor start getting lower in power this antenna pattern effect becomes more noticeable. That is, if you can find where the comms between the two are best while the batteries are low in the thermo/hygro sensor then when fresh batteries are replaced it should run fine all the time.

I've also heard where some members here have had rain entering their wind sensor causing problems but thought that was with the older ws-28xx models and LaCrosse fixed that.

[madkiwi]

I'd like to re-orient my thermohygro sensor, but when you mount it to a wall  there are not a lot of rotation options apart from rotating the sensor from vertical to horizontal. Not sure if that is ideal.

I tried new batteries and it was ok through to about 12.30pm today, as of right now it has been DNF for the past 2 hours.

Pretty sure this is not normal.

[madkiwi]

So nobody else has any ideas? I emailed LaCrosse, we'll see if they come back with "try new batteries".

Does anyone know if it is possible to solder on an additional receiving antenna for the thermo-hygro unit if that is the problem?

Thanks.

[DanS]

I've experimented with the wind sensor's wire antenna, changing it's shape, orientation to the internal circuit board, and even running it outside of the enclosure to see if it made any difference. Didn't see any so restored it to original condition. I haven't played with the thermo/hygo's antenna(s?) though other than the positioning of it relative to the wind sensor I mentioned.