Author Topic: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor  (Read 1531 times)

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Offline s435weather

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Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« on: September 18, 2021, 09:12:15 PM »
I currently own a Texas Weather Station (TWI) which does not measure UV and Solar Radiation. I would like to add the ability to monitor UV and Solar Radiation.  I know at some point my TWI is going to stop and it is unsupported except for this forum, but it still keeps chugging along after many years.

Any suggestion what I can purchase to just read those 2 readings without getting into a new PWS?  I thought about getting an Ecowitt just to add those readings, but seems a little overboard to add an entire station and maybe not quite accurate for reading UV and Solar Radiation at it's price point. Maybe someone sells UV standalone or separate add on?

Thanks

Offline s435weather

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #1 on: September 18, 2021, 10:54:36 PM »
I just realized that Ecowitt makes an almost standalone light sensor?
WS68 Wireless Solar Powered Anemometer with Light & UV Sensor
https://www.ecowitt.com/shop/goodsDetail/43

Paired along with a GW1000 to integrate with my TWI would give me an option at just over $100

Any comments on reliability or accuracy of the sensor?

Offline Timbouk1

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #2 on: September 20, 2021, 06:52:30 AM »
Hi,
I've had a WS68 with the updated GW1100 installed here in the UK for just under a month and am very pleased with the reliability. If you went that route then when your TWI does pack up you just need to get the stand alone Ecowitt WH40 rain gauge (only £40 here) plus a WS32 temp & humidty sensor (£25) and you have the full array of instruments back up and running  :grin:
Ecowitt:
WS68 Wireless Solar Powered Anemometer with Light & UV Sensor
WH40 Wireless Self-Emptying Rain Collector Rainfall Sensor
WH32 Outdoor Temperature and Humidity Sensor
WH51 Soil Moisture Sensor
GW 1100 WiFi Gateway

Offline s435weather

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #3 on: September 20, 2021, 09:50:53 PM »
I like that approach, that is a good idea. As I loose instruments from the  TWI, just add them to the Ecowitt. As inexpensive as the  Ecowitt  is, I might add the the gauges sooner then latter. I am replacing the humidity sensor on my TWI, good way to see if it is still working accurately.  Not sure about the longevity of the  Ecowitt , I guess time will tell.

Offline Mandrake

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #4 on: September 30, 2021, 08:31:42 AM »
The ecowitt stuff is latest generation and is getting better year on year.
They also have excellent support so if you do get unlucky they will usually look after you.
They are a rock solid company!

My own kit has been in field now several years without too much problem (only the soil moisture sensors have been a bit rough and they have mostly solved that issue)
G1ZFO

Ecowitt HP2551A + WH65 Tri-Wing (Wunderground: IGUILDFO67)
Ecowitt GW1000 (Wunderground: IGUILDFO68)
Ecowitt GW1000 (Mk2) test environment driving CumulusMX on a RPi 3b
Ecowitt GW2000 (Test)
Ecowitt WS90 Wittboy - Test
Ecowitt WH51 (x6) Soil Moisture Sensor
Ecowitt WH41 PM2.5 AQM Sensor
Ecowitt WH31 (x8) Thermo/Hygro Sensor
Ecowitt WS80 Ultrasonic Anemometer (pre-prod test)
Ecowitt WH57 Lightning Sensor -test
Ecowitt WH32-EP (SHT35) + Davis 7714 Screen
Ecowitt WH45 CO2/PM2.5/PM10 -Test
Ecowitt WN34 Soil Temp Sensor -Test
Ecowitt WN34 Water Temp Sensor -Test
Ecowitt WN35 Leaf Moisture

Offline davidefa

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #5 on: September 30, 2021, 09:59:35 AM »
I have a ws65 ( so not sure this is 100% true for ws68 ).
The solar sensor of ws65 is a  lux-meter, the lux value is converted in W/m2, this is 'acceptable', but it is not a true solar radiation sensor.
There is no UV sensor, the UV reading is directly derived from the lux reading, I'd define this 'less than acceptable' for an 'UV sensor' ( I mean there is no 'uv information' in this value ).

Offline Mandrake

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #6 on: October 12, 2021, 06:10:56 AM »
Ecowitt/Fine Offset are thinking about a genuine UV sensor, but no promises or timelines.
G1ZFO

Ecowitt HP2551A + WH65 Tri-Wing (Wunderground: IGUILDFO67)
Ecowitt GW1000 (Wunderground: IGUILDFO68)
Ecowitt GW1000 (Mk2) test environment driving CumulusMX on a RPi 3b
Ecowitt GW2000 (Test)
Ecowitt WS90 Wittboy - Test
Ecowitt WH51 (x6) Soil Moisture Sensor
Ecowitt WH41 PM2.5 AQM Sensor
Ecowitt WH31 (x8) Thermo/Hygro Sensor
Ecowitt WS80 Ultrasonic Anemometer (pre-prod test)
Ecowitt WH57 Lightning Sensor -test
Ecowitt WH32-EP (SHT35) + Davis 7714 Screen
Ecowitt WH45 CO2/PM2.5/PM10 -Test
Ecowitt WN34 Soil Temp Sensor -Test
Ecowitt WN34 Water Temp Sensor -Test
Ecowitt WN35 Leaf Moisture

Offline davidefa

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #7 on: October 12, 2021, 09:43:01 AM »
Yes not super easy to find such an uv sensor ( a low cost one ).
Those generally found on the market are narrow band one and using these to estimate uv on a wide band sounds like a gamble ( at least to me ).
The weatherflow tempest should use this sensor ( which has a light and a uv sensor ):
APDS-9200 ( obsoleted )
LTR-390UV ( replacement )

Offline s435weather

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #8 on: October 19, 2021, 08:41:33 PM »
Ecowitt/Fine Offset are thinking about a genuine UV sensor, but no promises or timelines.

I am not sure what you mean by a genuine UV sensor. Is the Ecowitt Light and UV Sensor not a genuine UV sensor?

Offline Mandrake

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #9 on: October 22, 2021, 01:32:46 PM »
No the majority of sensors are simply light meters that derive the theoretical UV value from an algorithm from the Lux value.
There is sensor parts that can actually measure true UV values but none that I am aware have been made into consumer grade weather enthusiast equipment....yet!
G1ZFO

Ecowitt HP2551A + WH65 Tri-Wing (Wunderground: IGUILDFO67)
Ecowitt GW1000 (Wunderground: IGUILDFO68)
Ecowitt GW1000 (Mk2) test environment driving CumulusMX on a RPi 3b
Ecowitt GW2000 (Test)
Ecowitt WS90 Wittboy - Test
Ecowitt WH51 (x6) Soil Moisture Sensor
Ecowitt WH41 PM2.5 AQM Sensor
Ecowitt WH31 (x8) Thermo/Hygro Sensor
Ecowitt WS80 Ultrasonic Anemometer (pre-prod test)
Ecowitt WH57 Lightning Sensor -test
Ecowitt WH32-EP (SHT35) + Davis 7714 Screen
Ecowitt WH45 CO2/PM2.5/PM10 -Test
Ecowitt WN34 Soil Temp Sensor -Test
Ecowitt WN34 Water Temp Sensor -Test
Ecowitt WN35 Leaf Moisture

Offline johnd

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #10 on: October 22, 2021, 02:06:00 PM »
No the majority of sensors are simply light meters that derive the theoretical UV value from an algorithm from the Lux value.

In my book, trying to get away with deriving a UV value from a solar/light intensity value is close to fraud and demeans the whole product. It makes you wonder how many other corners have been cut in such toy/gadget stations.

Quote
There is sensor parts that can actually measure true UV values but none that I am aware have been made into consumer grade weather enthusiast equipment....yet!

Certainly there are sensor elements that have separate visible and UV photodiodes and that are available very cheaply, though they do need extra circuitry to generate photometric or radiometric values for their parent station. The spec sheets look good, but I've no idea how accurate or robust they actually are in the field. But as Mandrake says, for whatever reason these do not yet seem to be appearing in any products, whether consumer gadgets, prosumer for serious hobbyists or genuine professional sensors.
Prodata Weather Systems
Prodata's FAQ/support site for Davis stations
Includes many details on 6313 Weatherlink console.
UK Davis Premier Dealer - All Davis stations, accessories and spares
Cambridge UK

Sorry, but I don't usually have time to help with individual issues by email unless you are a Prodata customer. Please post your issue in the relevant forum section here & I will comment there if I have anything useful to add.

Offline fkapp

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #11 on: October 22, 2021, 03:19:18 PM »
No the majority of sensors are simply light meters that derive the theoretical UV value from an algorithm from the Lux value.

In my book, trying to get away with deriving a UV value from a solar/light intensity value is close to fraud and demeans the whole product. It makes you wonder how many other corners have been cut in such toy/gadget stations.

Quote
There is sensor parts that can actually measure true UV values but none that I am aware have been made into consumer grade weather enthusiast equipment....yet!

Certainly there are sensor elements that have separate visible and UV photodiodes and that are available very cheaply, though they do need extra circuitry to generate photometric or radiometric values for their parent station. The spec sheets look good, but I've no idea how accurate or robust they actually are in the field. But as Mandrake says, for whatever reason these do not yet seem to be appearing in any products, whether consumer gadgets, prosumer for serious hobbyists or genuine professional sensors.

If this is the case, what type of sensor does Davis use in the UV 6490?
Not a cheap sensor and now has me curious how this sensor measures and calculates UV, or if this is expensive sensor using similar method to calculate off solar.


Offline johnd

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #12 on: October 22, 2021, 04:26:38 PM »
Davis 6490 does indeed use an appropriate UV sensor. I don't know the exact sensor part number, but the description in the data sheet says: 'The transducer is a semiconductor photodiode that responds only to radiation in the region of interest (ie the Erythema Action Spectrum). The diffuser provides an excellent cosine response. With multiple hard-oxide coatings, the interference filter provides the Erythema Action spectral response. It is stable in the presence of heat and humidity.

It works well in the UV, but TBH is a relatively old sensor now (used to be part 7841 I think before it was reworked) and a newer, simpler and cheaper version would be good to see.
Prodata Weather Systems
Prodata's FAQ/support site for Davis stations
Includes many details on 6313 Weatherlink console.
UK Davis Premier Dealer - All Davis stations, accessories and spares
Cambridge UK

Sorry, but I don't usually have time to help with individual issues by email unless you are a Prodata customer. Please post your issue in the relevant forum section here & I will comment there if I have anything useful to add.

Offline mcrossley

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #13 on: October 22, 2021, 05:52:02 PM »
It is expensive, but a wide band interference filter will probably not be cheap either. I know the narrow band interference filters I have bought for astro use in the past are not cheap.
Mark

Offline fkapp

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Re: Recommendation for adding UV and Solar Radiation sensor
« Reply #14 on: October 22, 2021, 06:05:57 PM »
Thanks for answering and confirming is good sensor.
Am happy with it as got this spring and helps on those days when is a bit overcast or on peak sun summer days remind that is higher than think in AM to remind the kids to put on sun screen.

I have not done a data side by side, but my some nearby ecowitt stations appear that a divide solar intensity by 100 is what is used for UV.  like i said havent done side by side data compare but typically how the uv and solar compare.