Topic: How to download .csv file?

[LRAT]

Hi,

First post on this forum.
I purchased a Davis Vantage 2 Pro Plus with aspirated radiation shield and UV/Light sensors.
First impression is that the software used by Davis is resembling something from the nineties and looks completely outdated.
There's hardly any customization possibilities and it hangs up every 20 seconds or so whilst showing an idiotic weather-vane/anemometer mouse icon.
This makes it very frustrating to scroll through the options as, when it is uploading data, everything becomes frozen for 10 to 20 seconds.
I would like to download the data as a .CSV file so that I can load it in an Excel spreadsheet.
However, I cannot find an option that allows me to do so.
Any idea how this can be done? Is there better software available then the Davis software? What do you guys use as preferred software?
Thanks for your help in advance!
Cheers,

Luke
Melbourne, Australia

[Mattk]

WeatherLink software works fine regardless of how antiquated some think it is. Not exactly what you mean by customization, customization in what way?

Sounds like you have some comms/setup/config issues? What logger are you using? Yes data can be exported to a .txt, which is tab delineated and will load into excel without issues. Look under Browse>Export records

[LRAT]

I've got the Davis Weatherlink USB Data Logger that fits at the back of the console.
My pc is plugged in via the USB.
Obviously I do not want my PC permanently connected to the console nor do I want to leave it on for 24/7.
I would like the data-logger to send a .CSV or .TXT file like say every day over the internet or as an email. Is that possible?
The included documentation doesn't any of that.
Yes, I struggle badly with connectivity issues. I'm sure there must be some manual somewhere that explains it all but I've got nothing.
YouTube didn't make me none-the-wiser either.
I wish Davis had some sort of documentation how to do all this.
Thanks for your fast response!
Cheers,

Luke

[Mattk]

I thought you might say that? USB logger! I don't use them but there are others here who can help with USB and Win 10 etc along with the required USB drivers.

For a non connected PC that you don't want to leave on 24/7 then USB isn't going to really meet your requirements, connected 24/7 then not any real issues as such but does need to be clarified further as there are different options in this regard especially with third party loggers that will plug into the console and don;t require a PC.

These days where no PC and Davis hardware then you are pretty much stuck with WeatherLink Live and upload to WeatherLink.com, can then download to WeatherLinkPC but WeatherLink.com requires a subscription.

In WeatherLink check out the Help tab, you will find everything you need to know in the Contents or Index. There was also a WeatherLink PC manual, not sure if that is still available? Should still be able to download this?       

[LRAT]

Last week, when I purchased this unit, I specifically asked if the data logger would be able to send the data as a .CSV file and I was told this would be the best option.
I got no idea how to do this.
The Setup menu gives lots of options but all are grayed out. So, I can't click on anything. The menus are completely unresponsive. I have tried to uninstall and re-install but every time with the same result.

[PaulMy]

Hi,
The USB logger with the correct driver installed should work ok.  And Weatherlink PC should also work. 
Having that send a file everyday is not automatic.

But there are several other options.
Use a third party IP logger like WiFiLogger which is wireless from console so not directly wired to your PC.  WiFiLogger can send a realtime.txt or wlfexp.json file.  It can also send to Weatherlink.com and no PC required, but and can work with other programs on PC or RPi.

Use the Weatherlink Live device as your logger and which uploads to Weatherlink.com.  This can be in addition to your console and USB datalogger, or a replacement to both, so saving some purchase cost.  But it does require a paid Weatherlink.com subscription in order to see historical data on Weatherlink.com.  It does not need a PC.

Instead of running Weatherlink PC program use a third party program like CumulusMX (free) and that, among many other things, saves data in .txt format.  Your existing console/USB logger will work with this.  Why don't you want to leave the USB logger connected to your PC.

Enjoy,
Paul

[LRAT]

Hi PaulMy,

My problem is that this only seems to work when I have a PC attached to this for 24/7.
I can't do this as the console will be in our kitchen and the nearest computer is 20 meters away.
I have no idea how this thing can communicate with my LAN so that I can download the data from there.
Also, how does it send the data to Weatherlink.com if there's no PC connected for 24/7?

[WiFiLogger]

If you have own server with FTP, then you can use my WiFiLogger.
http://wifilogger.net/

It's a pity that you bought a USB logger, because I keep the price of mine so low that everyone can be interested in it, and I created WiFiLogger so that people forget about PC problems 24/7. It took a lot of work, but the smiles of my clients are priceless.

[PaulMy]

I have no idea how this thing can communicate with my LAN so that I can download the data from there.Also, how does it send the data to Weatherlink.com if there's no PC connected for 24/7?

The WiFiLogger is a third-party replacement to the now discontinued Davis WeatherlinkIP logger which can upload through the internet, but much more flexible and features, and no PC involved.
You do need to one-time set it up through your smart phone and router but Wojtech has good instructions on that, and he is also helpful on the forum.

Standard text file uploading every minute www.komokaweather.com/wifi-console/realtime.txt and also a .json format file.

Enjoy,
Paul

[LRAT]

It seems like I was incorrectly informed about the functionality of the data logger.
I will get back to the sales team and ask them what they can do.
The Wifi Logger seems like the way to go.

Paul, that string you showed in your message is exactly what I want

[Mattk]

The fact is that the USB logger functionality will do exactly the question you asked. What was probably not asked was - can this logger (as such) function without a direct always on connection to a PC, answer is Yes, - can this logger (as such) function when the PC is off, answer is Yes, - can this logger send data to the internet with no PC connection or the PC is off, answer is No, - is there any data lost when the PC is off, answer is No

Even with the above simple limited questions there is still quite a bit of elaboration that is required to fully outline the outcomes. 

[LRAT]

Thanks Mattk.

I explained the salesperson what I wanted to achieve. The Davis website documentation is not really helpful in that regard (Unless you're a specialist).
From all the responses here I think I need to do the following:

Buy the Wifi logger hardware, remove the Davis USB data logger (and sell it on Ebay with a big loss).
Then get rid of the outdated Davis Weatherlink software and install Weather Display.
Get rid of the expensive subscription to Weatherlink.com and publish my info on Met Office WOW or a personal website.

I have sent an email to the developer of Weather Display for further information.
This forum has proven to me that it has a wealth of information. If only if I would have known upfront.
I am disappointed with the product development at Davis. It seems like their R&D department came to standstill at the start of the millennium and they are selling their Nineties technology at 2022 prices.
Cheers,

Luke

[PaulMy]

Get rid of the expensive subscription to Weatherlink.com and publish my info on Met Office WOW or a personal website.

Weatherlink.com may still be of benefit to you even on the free Basic plan.  You can see and access the current station data and daily highs and lows, just not the historical data.


WiFiLogger can send data to WOW as on of 10 weather services, all built-in.


And don't forget to look at CumulusMX as an alternate weather program to Weatherlink PC.  I won't knock Weatherlink PC as I also still use it and it is very solid, but others are more flexible and more features.


Enjoy,
Paul

[LRAT]

Thanks for the advice PaulMy! Much appreciated!