Author Topic: Davis Sonic Anemometer  (Read 7063 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline CW2274

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 6731
    • Conditions @ CW2274 West Tucson-Painted Hills Ranch
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #25 on: April 30, 2020, 06:11:38 PM »
overall do you recommend this anny?
I don't have it, but it's sounding like to me if uninterrupted data is important to you, a tradition back-up would be prudent.

Offline fkapp

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 333
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #26 on: April 30, 2020, 07:17:12 PM »
i know. i am looking at a sonic for the few days when the traditional anny gets coated with freezing rain.
seems like this one is not heated so is a moot point.

maybe i am better with a 2ndary unit as the ecowitt sonic. cheaper to play around with and heated.
just lose the consolidated data in WU and weatherlink but manageable for those few days a year i guess.
 

Offline miraculon

  • Sunrise Side Weather
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4107
  • KE8DAF
    • Sunrise Side Weather in Rogers City MI USA
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #27 on: May 01, 2020, 09:11:56 AM »
overall do you recommend this anny?

I am not sure I would rely on it for a main/only wind set at this point. I am especially concerned about the low temperature specification. I have also seen a couple of phantom wind gusts in excess of 70 mph during prevailing winds of less than 20 mph. It was raining heavily, but hello, this is a weather station and should not be affected... #-o

I have it mounted on a ground mounted tripod with my ISS to see wind currents near the rain gauge. For that purpose it seems to be working well. For that matter, so did the regular VP2 wind set.

I got it more out of curiosity about sonic anemometers and I regard this as a test. I liked the direct connection to the ISS transmitter.

My main anemometer is a RM Young mounted on a mast well above the roof line.

Greg H.


Blitzortung Stations #706 and #1682
CoCoRaHS: MI-PI-1
CWOP: CW4114 and KE8DAF-13
WU: KMIROGER7
Amateur Radio Callsign: KE8DAF

Offline jgentry

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 533
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #28 on: May 01, 2020, 06:40:10 PM »
overall do you recommend this anny?

I am not sure I would rely on it for a main/only wind set at this point. I am especially concerned about the low temperature specification. I have also seen a couple of phantom wind gusts in excess of 70 mph during prevailing winds of less than 20 mph. It was raining heavily, but hello, this is a weather station and should not be affected... #-o

I have it mounted on a ground mounted tripod with my ISS to see wind currents near the rain gauge. For that purpose it seems to be working well. For that matter, so did the regular VP2 wind set.

I got it more out of curiosity about sonic anemometers and I regard this as a test. I liked the direct connection to the ISS transmitter.

My main anemometer is a RM Young mounted on a mast well above the roof line.

Greg H.

How does your RM compares to the Davis mechanical anemometer?
Davis Vantage Pro2 & WeatherFlow Tempest. WU: KXALJEMI2, KALJEMIS7, KFLPANAM363 & KALTHORS2. CWOP/APRS: C6353 & E6358

Offline miraculon

  • Sunrise Side Weather
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4107
  • KE8DAF
    • Sunrise Side Weather in Rogers City MI USA
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #29 on: May 01, 2020, 07:29:48 PM »
Quote
How does your RM compares to the Davis mechanical anemometer?
See my website and click the Wind link in the navigation area. You can see charts and data comparing the two.

Greg H.


Blitzortung Stations #706 and #1682
CoCoRaHS: MI-PI-1
CWOP: CW4114 and KE8DAF-13
WU: KMIROGER7
Amateur Radio Callsign: KE8DAF

Offline giusCB

  • www.turismometeo.it
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 406
    • TurismoMeteo OdV Webcam Streaming and Weather Stations live
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #30 on: May 02, 2020, 12:28:08 PM »
so...a lot of problem. As we expected  #-o
www.turismometeo.it
Webcam and Weather Stations live network from Italy

Offline mike88ag

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #31 on: September 22, 2020, 11:52:21 AM »
Any recent feedback from those who have purchased the Davis Sonic Anemometer? I purchased on earlier this year, but I'm strongly considering returning it to the seller. The unit periodically reports anomalous wind gust spikes when it rains. Unfortunately, that's when we are most likely to experience strong winds during heavy rainfall events. Given what I've seen, I have zero confidence in the reliability of the data when it's raining.

We're currently experiencing the effects of Tropical Storm Beta here in Southeast Texas, but it's really just a rain event. This is a 40 mph tropical storm at best, but just look at the wind gusts reported yesterday and today. I am 100% certain that the circled gusts are nowhere near the actual wind speeds at the time.

 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Offline vreihen

  • El Niño chaser
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1216
  • K2BIG
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #32 on: September 22, 2020, 01:41:25 PM »
Seems to be a common flaw with a few "plate" type ultrasonics on the market.

Personally, there must be a reason why the 2D ultrasonics that cost thousands of dollars don't have "plates" for water to pool on:






WU Gold Stars for everyone! :lol:

Offline giusCB

  • www.turismometeo.it
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 406
    • TurismoMeteo OdV Webcam Streaming and Weather Stations live
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #33 on: September 22, 2020, 02:25:37 PM »
in the next week i'll test this new model  [tup]
(80m-s of top speed ;) )

  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]
www.turismometeo.it
Webcam and Weather Stations live network from Italy

Offline mike88ag

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 8
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #34 on: September 22, 2020, 05:48:42 PM »
in the next week i'll test this new model  [tup]
(80m-s of top speed ;) )

  [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

Nice. What is it?

Offline ConligWX

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 836
  • #conligwx
    • conligwx.org
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #35 on: September 23, 2020, 04:43:14 AM »
Seems to be a common flaw with a few "plate" type ultrasonics on the market.

Personally, there must be a reason why the 2D ultrasonics that cost thousands of dollars don't have "plates" for water to pool on:


and the fact wind direction, is also not horizontal.
Regards Simon
Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus (6162UK) • Daytime FARS • WeatherLink Live • AirLink • PurpleAir PA-II-SD • CumulusMX •


Offline vreihen

  • El Niño chaser
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1216
  • K2BIG
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #36 on: September 23, 2020, 08:57:02 AM »
and the fact wind direction, is also not horizontal.

...which is why even more expensive 3D ultrasonic anemometers also don't use plates. ;)




WU Gold Stars for everyone! :lol:

Offline DaleReid

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 2002
    • Weather at Eau Claire, WI
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #37 on: September 23, 2020, 11:59:24 AM »
Unfortunately even the best of engineers haven't figured out a bird proof/wasp mud dabber/snow/freezing rain and drop proof device.

Nice to have a variety, of course.

for me the worst is a heavy, wet snow at a high rate, little wind around freezing temperatures.  Especially if the front moves through with sub zero F temps after to freeze the stuff on hard as rocks.

Also a widow maker with heavy stuff that needs shoveling.

Mother Nature can be cruel.
ECWx.info
&
ECWx.info/t/index.php

Offline ValentineWeather

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 6364
    • Valentine Nebraska's Real-Time Weather
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #38 on: November 13, 2021, 09:00:33 AM »
Old topic but Davis still sells them, Greg are you still using it?  Have they come out with any firmware updates to make it not spike and how does it work in the cold and when snowing?   I ordered the Tempest I'll be testing this winter which also has the ultrasonic anemometer. 
Randy

Offline miraculon

  • Sunrise Side Weather
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4107
  • KE8DAF
    • Sunrise Side Weather in Rogers City MI USA
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #39 on: November 13, 2021, 11:11:20 AM »
Old topic but Davis still sells them, Greg are you still using it?  Have they come out with any firmware updates to make it not spike and how does it work in the cold and when snowing?   I ordered the Tempest I'll be testing this winter which also has the ultrasonic anemometer.

Still going, like the proverbial Energizer bunny.



Greg


Blitzortung Stations #706 and #1682
CoCoRaHS: MI-PI-1
CWOP: CW4114 and KE8DAF-13
WU: KMIROGER7
Amateur Radio Callsign: KE8DAF

Offline ValentineWeather

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 6364
    • Valentine Nebraska's Real-Time Weather
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #40 on: November 13, 2021, 11:43:42 AM »
Thanks and no issues like random spikes and works with very cold weather etc.?  I don't want to spend $400 on something I'll regret.
Randy

Offline miraculon

  • Sunrise Side Weather
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 4107
  • KE8DAF
    • Sunrise Side Weather in Rogers City MI USA
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #41 on: November 13, 2021, 11:49:22 AM »
Thanks and no issues like random spikes and works with very cold weather etc.?  I don't want to spend $400 on something I'll regret.

I did see the "rain spike" issue during strong wind driven rain. I haven't seen this recently, but I haven't had extreme weather in a while either.

Greg


Blitzortung Stations #706 and #1682
CoCoRaHS: MI-PI-1
CWOP: CW4114 and KE8DAF-13
WU: KMIROGER7
Amateur Radio Callsign: KE8DAF

Offline ValentineWeather

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 6364
    • Valentine Nebraska's Real-Time Weather
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #42 on: November 13, 2021, 12:26:01 PM »
Thanks,  [tup] I'll wait and see how the Tempest works course it has AI so any spikes will get removed most likely.
Randy

Offline jkline

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • PaloAltoWeather.com
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #43 on: November 24, 2021, 08:18:51 PM »
I’ve been running the Davis Sonic anemometer since September 2020.

It’s been great, but not knowing when the battery will die is not fun.

I guess I’m going to have to get a second at 2 years?, swap them and send the first back to Davis for battery replacement.

The Davis doc claims battery is not user serviceable.  The following doc, from LCJ Capteurs (the manufacturer) specifies a battery change procedure on p. 6:
https://www.scaledinstruments.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/Davis-6415-Ultrasonic-Anemometer-.pdf

It specifies the following battery:
Note: When purchasing the battery at LCJ Capteurs, please mention the part number: DZP_BATT.

Having said that, I can’t find the DZP_BATT (LiFePO4) for sale on LCJ Capteurs site or anywhere else.

Has anyone changed the battery on one of these?

Offline Otis

  • (aka Paul)
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 724
    • Lake Huron Weather
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #44 on: November 25, 2021, 05:58:55 AM »
I just installed the Davis sonic as well.  My concerns are also the battery and its life, will have to see.

CW3699

Offline Randall Kayfes

  • Weather - Photography - Astronomy - Computer Admin
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1949
    • Arizona Kaymann
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #45 on: December 18, 2021, 03:21:08 PM »
First, I have a question - what cup size is everyone using in wind setup?
  • Small
  • Big
  • Other (Veu)
?

Second, I have to be clear why I switched to sonic:

  • A Harris Redtailed Hawk has rendered my last three cup anemometers inoperable.
  • Arizona sun will easily keep the battery well charged.
  • Chance of freezing rain or even snow very close to zero (Don't get me wrong we do get it occasionally)
  • I hated the down time and cost of replacing the cupped anemometer



Offline jkline

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 15
    • PaloAltoWeather.com
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #46 on: December 18, 2021, 06:01:05 PM »
First, I have a question - what cup size is everyone using in wind setup?


Other is the correct selection.
EDIT: Other is the correct selection for the Vantage Pro 2.  I have no knowledge of the setting on the Vue.

Second, I have to be clear why I switched to sonic:
  • A Harris Redtailed Hawk has rendered my last three cup anemometers inoperable.
  • Arizona sun will easily keep the battery well charged.
  • Chance of freezing rain or even snow very close to zero (Don't get me wrong we do get it occasionally)
  • I hated the down time and cost of replacing the cupped anemometer

I switched immediately (bought the sonic at the same time as the VP2) because:
  • California sun should keep the battery well charged.
  • Freezing rain or snow isn’t happening
  • Max measurable wind speed won’t be exceeded in my location.
On the downside:
  • One has no idea as to the state of the battery.  I will be buying a 2nd VP2 and Sonic next year and will stagger periodic service so I can be sure the thing won’t die on me.
« Last Edit: December 19, 2021, 04:40:14 PM by jkline »

Offline Randall Kayfes

  • Weather - Photography - Astronomy - Computer Admin
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1949
    • Arizona Kaymann
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #47 on: December 19, 2021, 11:36:16 AM »
So here is my quandary... The manual says cup size should be Other, but the PC Weatherlink software says Other (Vue) not just other... So I called Davis Support and they said to leave it on Large.  Well I have two consoles and one is set to Large and one is set to Other (Vue). When watching the two consoles side by side the Other (Vue) is 1 to 2 MPH slower than the Large Cup console.

So do I go with the manual or with tech support which is historically a great source of info...



Offline mcrossley

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1132
    • Wilmslow Astro
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #48 on: December 19, 2021, 12:21:07 PM »
My vote would be to go with the manual and set "Other".

Reason: When using the large cup setting the VP2 console applies a correction factor to the readings for the windspeed based on direction and speed of the raw reading. This is to compensate for the "pole" of the standard cup sensor.

My understanding that Other was used for third party compatible sensors, and no corrections were applied.
Mark

Offline Randall Kayfes

  • Weather - Photography - Astronomy - Computer Admin
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 1949
    • Arizona Kaymann
Re: Davis Sonic Anemometer
« Reply #49 on: December 19, 2021, 01:52:02 PM »
My vote would be to go with the manual and set "Other".

Reason: When using the large cup setting the VP2 console applies a correction factor to the readings for the windspeed based on direction and speed of the raw reading. This is to compensate for the "pole" of the standard cup sensor.

My understanding that Other was used for third party compatible sensors, and no corrections were applied.

Well there you have it. Sounds like the way to go is Other (Vue) and thank you for the explanation and information!



 

anything