Author Topic: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?  (Read 393 times)

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Online gszlag

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  • ..have you calibrated your barometer today?
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I did not want to use the the oft misused term "professional" weather station but something that would be "prosumer" grade.

I'll start the wishlist going:

1. a new console that calculates MSLP (Mean Sea Level Pressure) and QNH/Altimeter with some sort of battery backup for power outages. Ability to directly interface with WD, WeeWX, CumulusMX. Upload to more weather services. - basically incorporating the abilities of the  GW1100 gateway. Browser or app to setup/calibrate things.

2. better sensors (better specs) all around. Temperature, pressure, humidity upgrades. Real UV sensor.

3. All parts user replaceable.

4. better update speeds: 1 sec readings for barometer - averaged every 60 seconds. faster anemometer updates (continuous?), Faster more accurate rain gauge.

5 All components/modules are discrete. Our ideal prosumer pws has separate components for wind, temperature & humidity (with shield), solar radiation, UV and rain.

6. Power options? solar panel/ battery for each discrete component?

What would be theoretical pricing be for this package?

I am sure I've missed lots of things.

What would you add or change for this "prosumer" pws?
Ambient Weather WS-2000
Ecowitt GW1000/GW1100
Ecowitt WS68: Anemometer, UV/solar
Ecowitt WH40: Rain gauge
Ecowitt WH57 Lightning sensor
Ecowitt WH32E: Outside T & H sensor
Stratus Rain Gauge (manual)
Raspberry Pi 3B+ (WeeWX/CumulusMX)
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (WeeWX/MQTT/Belchertown)
---
Barometer wiki: http://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=barometer#barometer
---
http://weather.glenns.ca (pwsdashboard - live)
http://weewx.glenns.ca
http://glenns.ca/cumulusmx2/index.htm
---
Uploading to: AWN, ecowitt.net, Weather Underground, PWSweather.com, AWEKAS, Windy.com, WOW

Offline CW2274

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    • Conditions @ CW2274 West Tucson-Painted Hills Ranch
Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #1 on: November 27, 2021, 06:46:49 PM »
What would you add or change for this "prosumer" pws?
Me personally, I will not buy anything made in China unless an absolute last resort. Needless to say, I spend alota time online searching.  ](*,)

Offline jbroome

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Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #2 on: November 27, 2021, 07:37:18 PM »
Open source would be nice.  Not likely to happen, but it would be nice.  Failing that, enough hardware documentation to allow someone to write new software would also be nice.

We can dream, right?   [tup]
Collector of Ecowitt and related gizmos:
GW1000 x4 (both 915 MHz and 433 MHz)
GW1100 x2 (both 915 MHz and 433 MHz)
GW2000 (915 MHz)
WH31
WH31P
WH32E
WH32B
WH34BS
WH34BL
WN35
WH40
WH41
WH45
WH51
WH55
WH57
WH65B
WH68
WS90BN
(and probably more that I've forgotten)

Offline Bashy

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Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #3 on: November 27, 2021, 11:31:16 PM »
I did not want to use the the oft misused term "professional" weather station but something that would be "prosumer" grade.

I'll start the wishlist going:

1. a new console that calculates MSLP (Mean Sea Level Pressure) and QNH/Altimeter with some sort of battery backup for power outages. Ability to directly interface with WD, WeeWX, CumulusMX. Upload to more weather services. - basically incorporating the abilities of the  GW1100 gateway. Browser or app to setup/calibrate things.

2. better sensors (better specs) all around. Temperature, pressure, humidity upgrades. Real UV sensor.

3. All parts user replaceable.

4. better update speeds: 1 sec readings for barometer - averaged every 60 seconds. faster anemometer updates (continuous?), Faster more accurate rain gauge.

5 All components/modules are discrete. Our ideal prosumer pws has separate components for wind, temperature & humidity (with shield), solar radiation, UV and rain.

6. Power options? solar panel/ battery for each discrete component?

What would be theoretical pricing be for this package?

I am sure I've missed lots of things.

What would you add or change for this "prosumer" pws?

Pretty much sounds like you're after a Davis VP2 Plus with WLL lol
Kind regards
Bashy

Offline Platokidd

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Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #4 on: November 28, 2021, 07:25:33 AM »
When Davis comes out with some eye candy in a console I'm in.
Ambient
1-WS-5000 1-WS-2902A 2-WS40/RAIN 1-WH31L 
1-METEOBRIDGE 1-PM2.5 (WH41B) 3-WH31 1-SRX100LX

ECOWITT
2-HP2550 2-HP2560 2-GW2000 2-GW1100
2-WS68 1-WS80 1-WH32EP 10-WH31 1-WH40
1-HP10 2-WH45 4-WH55 5-WH51
1-WN30 1-WH41

1-DAVIS 7714
1-STRATUS
1-Fisher Barometer 1436R-22
PWS at 2 locations.
1- Storm Sensor-Zelda the dog ;)

Offline Bashy

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Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #5 on: November 28, 2021, 07:30:40 AM »
When Davis comes out with some eye candy in a console I'm in.

To be fair, the console may not look a million dollars but it probably does more than many, granted, it can also be a bit confusing, I still don't understand about 50% of it but I serves a purpose. You could get a davis without a console and use WLL and use a tablet for the pretty looks ya need, would be cheaper saving on the console.
Kind regards
Bashy

Online gszlag

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  • ..have you calibrated your barometer today?
    • Michael's Bay - Manitoulin Island weather
Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #6 on: November 28, 2021, 07:41:14 AM »
I did not want to use the the oft misused term "professional" weather station but something that would be "prosumer" grade.

I'll start the wishlist going:

1. a new console that calculates MSLP (Mean Sea Level Pressure) and QNH/Altimeter with some sort of battery backup for power outages. Ability to directly interface with WD, WeeWX, CumulusMX. Upload to more weather services. - basically incorporating the abilities of the  GW1100 gateway. Browser or app to setup/calibrate things.

2. better sensors (better specs) all around. Temperature, pressure, humidity upgrades. Real UV sensor.

3. All parts user replaceable.

4. better update speeds: 1 sec readings for barometer - averaged every 60 seconds. faster anemometer updates (continuous?), Faster more accurate rain gauge.

5 All components/modules are discrete. Our ideal prosumer pws has separate components for wind, temperature & humidity (with shield), solar radiation, UV and rain.

6. Power options? solar panel/ battery for each discrete component?

What would be theoretical pricing be for this package?

I am sure I've missed lots of things.

What would you add or change for this "prosumer" pws?

Pretty much sounds like you're after a Davis VP2 Plus with WLL lol
Yes, the Davis might still be able to remain as a worthy competitor  :-P

..Just thought of another wishlist  feature: user upradeable sensors. New sensor with better specs is available, unplug it, put the new one in.
Oh yeah,,need better range too.
Ambient Weather WS-2000
Ecowitt GW1000/GW1100
Ecowitt WS68: Anemometer, UV/solar
Ecowitt WH40: Rain gauge
Ecowitt WH57 Lightning sensor
Ecowitt WH32E: Outside T & H sensor
Stratus Rain Gauge (manual)
Raspberry Pi 3B+ (WeeWX/CumulusMX)
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (WeeWX/MQTT/Belchertown)
---
Barometer wiki: http://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=barometer#barometer
---
http://weather.glenns.ca (pwsdashboard - live)
http://weewx.glenns.ca
http://glenns.ca/cumulusmx2/index.htm
---
Uploading to: AWN, ecowitt.net, Weather Underground, PWSweather.com, AWEKAS, Windy.com, WOW

Offline Bashy

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Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #7 on: November 28, 2021, 07:44:00 AM »
I did not want to use the the oft misused term "professional" weather station but something that would be "prosumer" grade.

I'll start the wishlist going:

1. a new console that calculates MSLP (Mean Sea Level Pressure) and QNH/Altimeter with some sort of battery backup for power outages. Ability to directly interface with WD, WeeWX, CumulusMX. Upload to more weather services. - basically incorporating the abilities of the  GW1100 gateway. Browser or app to setup/calibrate things.

2. better sensors (better specs) all around. Temperature, pressure, humidity upgrades. Real UV sensor.

3. All parts user replaceable.

4. better update speeds: 1 sec readings for barometer - averaged every 60 seconds. faster anemometer updates (continuous?), Faster more accurate rain gauge.

5 All components/modules are discrete. Our ideal prosumer pws has separate components for wind, temperature & humidity (with shield), solar radiation, UV and rain.

6. Power options? solar panel/ battery for each discrete component?

What would be theoretical pricing be for this package?

I am sure I've missed lots of things.

What would you add or change for this "prosumer" pws?

Pretty much sounds like you're after a Davis VP2 Plus with WLL lol
Yes, the Davis might still be able to remain as a worthy competitor  :-P

..Just thought of another wishlist  feature: user upradeable sensors. New sensor with better specs is available, unplug it, put the new one in.
Oh yeah,,need better range too.

You can do both those things with a Davis also, i know, they are expensive but add up what you've spent over the last 10 years on other stations etc and see how that fairs with the cost of a davis setup, ya might be surprised :)
Kind regards
Bashy

Online gszlag

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  • *****
  • Posts: 431
  • ..have you calibrated your barometer today?
    • Michael's Bay - Manitoulin Island weather
Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #8 on: November 28, 2021, 07:46:23 AM »
Open source would be nice.  Not likely to happen, but it would be nice.  Failing that, enough hardware documentation to allow someone to write new software would also be nice.

We can dream, right?   [tup]
Great suggestion - option for open source firmware - like it!  [tup]
Ambient Weather WS-2000
Ecowitt GW1000/GW1100
Ecowitt WS68: Anemometer, UV/solar
Ecowitt WH40: Rain gauge
Ecowitt WH57 Lightning sensor
Ecowitt WH32E: Outside T & H sensor
Stratus Rain Gauge (manual)
Raspberry Pi 3B+ (WeeWX/CumulusMX)
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (WeeWX/MQTT/Belchertown)
---
Barometer wiki: http://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=barometer#barometer
---
http://weather.glenns.ca (pwsdashboard - live)
http://weewx.glenns.ca
http://glenns.ca/cumulusmx2/index.htm
---
Uploading to: AWN, ecowitt.net, Weather Underground, PWSweather.com, AWEKAS, Windy.com, WOW

Online gszlag

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 431
  • ..have you calibrated your barometer today?
    • Michael's Bay - Manitoulin Island weather
Re: What should the next generation Fine Offset weather station look like?
« Reply #9 on: November 28, 2021, 08:30:31 AM »
I did not want to use the the oft misused term "professional" weather station but something that would be "prosumer" grade.

I'll start the wishlist going:

1. a new console that calculates MSLP (Mean Sea Level Pressure) and QNH/Altimeter with some sort of battery backup for power outages. Ability to directly interface with WD, WeeWX, CumulusMX. Upload to more weather services. - basically incorporating the abilities of the  GW1100 gateway. Browser or app to setup/calibrate things.

2. better sensors (better specs) all around. Temperature, pressure, humidity upgrades. Real UV sensor.

3. All parts user replaceable.

4. better update speeds: 1 sec readings for barometer - averaged every 60 seconds. faster anemometer updates (continuous?), Faster more accurate rain gauge.

5 All components/modules are discrete. Our ideal prosumer pws has separate components for wind, temperature & humidity (with shield), solar radiation, UV and rain.

6. Power options? solar panel/ battery for each discrete component?

What would be theoretical pricing be for this package?

I am sure I've missed lots of things.

What would you add or change for this "prosumer" pws?

Pretty much sounds like you're after a Davis VP2 Plus with WLL lol
Yes, the Davis might still be able to remain as a worthy competitor  :-P

..Just thought of another wishlist  feature: user upradeable sensors. New sensor with better specs is available, unplug it, put the new one in.
Oh yeah,,need better range too.

You can do both those things with a Davis also, i know, they are expensive but add up what you've spent over the last 10 years on other stations etc and see how that fairs with the cost of a davis setup, ya might be surprised :)
Davis in Canada would be about $1500CAD for the full kit. My latest Ecowitt (displayless) was far less than $200CAD so indeed, the console is the expensive bit.

The next gen machine would not need to be $1500CAD as Fine Offset already has a good TFT display..just need new innards. They already have discrete components just need to be more accurate and precise.

However puting the UV/solar sensor 10 meters up on a guyed pole may not be the best design consideration. Maybe put on the rain gauge? Or separate?

I would like discrete "modules" for best siteing:

1. anemometer
2. rain gauge ( snow/ice melt capable to -30C) for year round use
3. Solar radiation +UV sensor +temp + humidity

FARS and radiation shield. Hadn't thought of that for the new machine.
Shouldn't need ventilation if it is windy - maybe incorporate auto shutoff fan when it is  windy enough? Might help the batteries and enable the solar panel to catch up.
Ambient Weather WS-2000
Ecowitt GW1000/GW1100
Ecowitt WS68: Anemometer, UV/solar
Ecowitt WH40: Rain gauge
Ecowitt WH57 Lightning sensor
Ecowitt WH32E: Outside T & H sensor
Stratus Rain Gauge (manual)
Raspberry Pi 3B+ (WeeWX/CumulusMX)
Raspberry Pi Zero 2W (WeeWX/MQTT/Belchertown)
---
Barometer wiki: http://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki/doku.php?id=barometer#barometer
---
http://weather.glenns.ca (pwsdashboard - live)
http://weewx.glenns.ca
http://glenns.ca/cumulusmx2/index.htm
---
Uploading to: AWN, ecowitt.net, Weather Underground, PWSweather.com, AWEKAS, Windy.com, WOW

 

anything