Author Topic: Is Ambient a low end choice? (Read 3499 times)

Kwaj · « **on:** February 12, 2023, 07:49:39 PM »

I bought a 2902 a couple a months and within 2 weeks, it stopped reporting temp, humidity and pressure. I was hoping I just got a lemon and sent it back to amazon for a replacement. I installed replacement and now 2 weeks later it stops reporting the same sensors. And yes, I've reset the head unit and console. The thing that bugs me is that I'm in a very remote location and it takes a month or more to get mail here. I'll call them on Monday and see what they think but was curious what you guys think?? Maybe I should pick a different model?? I'm not trying to dig on Ambient. I just don't have any experience with this other than the past 2 months. And maybe the 2902 just isn't up for the task at my location with a lot of 30-40mph windy days. Oddly enough, the anemometer still works.

I appreciate any thoughts!!

Rocketman · « **Reply #1 on:** February 12, 2023, 09:21:44 PM »

I would have thought your Ambient station would be OK for your enviroment ( maybe your weather is a bit harsh etc... )
I bought an Ecowitt WS80 -ultrasonic 6-1 and HP2551 console , WH40 rain gauge and GW1100 gateway seems to be OK for my harbourside enviroment
Also uploads to Ecowitt , Wunderground sites etc...
Maybe the ultrasonic WS will be better for your location as there is less moving parts

Kwaj · « **Reply #2 on:** February 12, 2023, 09:57:43 PM »

Thanks Rocketman, I guess what’s harsh for me is constant salt spray and wind. I figured the mechanical anemometer would break first but everything else seems to. And the salt spray eats up everything else including electronics. The battery compartment on my these 2902’s isn’t really sealed and I wonder if there is something there causing this problem. The first one did complain about batteries being low. The second one has not done that.

Rocketman · « **Reply #3 on:** February 12, 2023, 10:18:43 PM »

Ecowitt WS80 battery compartment comes with an excellent seal and is screwed shut . I would consider the Ecowitt brand as an replacement and so far has been an excellent choice .

Rocketman · « **Reply #4 on:** February 12, 2023, 10:30:50 PM »

You may like to consider the Wittboy WS90 with haptic rain sensing ( sorry ,I don't know too much about it )

Rover1822 · « **Reply #5 on:** February 13, 2023, 11:39:20 AM »

Quote from: Kwaj on February 12, 2023, 07:49:39 PM

I bought a 2902 a couple a months and within 2 weeks, it stopped reporting temp, humidity and pressure. I was hoping I just got a lemon and sent it back to amazon for a replacement. I installed replacement and now 2 weeks later it stops reporting the same sensors. And yes, I've reset the head unit and console. The thing that bugs me is that I'm in a very remote location and it takes a month or more to get mail here. I'll call them on Monday and see what they think but was curious what you guys think?? Maybe I should pick a different model?? I'm not trying to dig on Ambient. I just don't have any experience with this other than the past 2 months. And maybe the 2902 just isn't up for the task at my location with a lot of 30-40mph windy days. Oddly enough, the anemometer still works.

I appreciate any thoughts!!

It still reports the outdoor sensors, the osprey 3 wing data?

kheller2 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 13, 2023, 12:38:36 PM »

Yeah I'm a little confused too... what Temp/Hum is not being reported ?
1) The Y wing
2) The WH31E (comes with the Ambient 2902D kit @ambientweather.com, I'm not sure if Amazon's package does)
3) Or the indoor (inside the LCD display)

Since you mentioned Pressure, that to me means the LCD display. So the indoor temperature and Pressure forecast aren't working on your display?
To be clear here, the outdoor Y wing does NOT have a pressure sensor.

Gyvate · « **Reply #7 on:** February 13, 2023, 04:18:59 PM »

@kheller2 is right - if your description is understood exactly the way you write, it's the three indoor observations which are not shown
=> your console is defective and it's not an outdoor array issue ...

But better reply to @kheller2's questions for us to be sure where exactly the issue "sits"

Kwaj · « **Reply #8 on:** February 13, 2023, 04:27:33 PM »

Quote from: kheller2 on February 13, 2023, 12:38:36 PM

Yeah I'm a little confused too... what Temp/Hum is not being reported ?
1) The Y wing
2) The WH31E (comes with the Ambient 2902D kit @ambientweather.com, I'm not sure if Amazon's package does)
3) Or the indoor (inside the LCD display)

Since you mentioned Pressure, that to me means the LCD display. So the indoor temperature and Pressure forecast aren't working on your display?
To be clear here, the outdoor Y wing does NOT have a pressure sensor.

The outdoor temp and humidity are not reported. I did not know the pressure was read by the console but it's also not reported. Indoor temp and humidity are working fine. Sorry if I was confusing.

Gyvate · « **Reply #9 on:** February 13, 2023, 04:28:52 PM »

can you post a photo of your console display ?

Rover1822 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 13, 2023, 04:42:48 PM »

Quote from: Kwaj on February 13, 2023, 04:27:33 PM

Quote from: kheller2 on February 13, 2023, 12:38:36 PM
Yeah I'm a little confused too... what Temp/Hum is not being reported ?
1) The Y wing
2) The WH31E (comes with the Ambient 2902D kit @ambientweather.com, I'm not sure if Amazon's package does)
3) Or the indoor (inside the LCD display)

Since you mentioned Pressure, that to me means the LCD display. So the indoor temperature and Pressure forecast aren't working on your display?
To be clear here, the outdoor Y wing does NOT have a pressure sensor.

The outdoor temp and humidity are not reported. I did not know the pressure was read by the console but it's also not reported. Indoor temp and humidity are working fine. Sorry if I was confusing.

Are you getting any values from your outdoor unit?.
We are trying to discern if it is the outside or the console, so , do you get wind?

Kwaj · « **Reply #11 on:** February 13, 2023, 05:00:20 PM »

Ok sorry I made a mistake on pressure. It is working but not reported to pws weather site for some reason. I also talked with Ambient today and the guy I spoke with was not very helpful. Could it be that salt spray is messing with temp/humidity sensor? Anyways here’s some pics.

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Kwaj · « **Reply #12 on:** February 13, 2023, 05:10:40 PM »

The console pic was too big.

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kheller2 · « **Reply #13 on:** February 13, 2023, 06:12:58 PM »

Okay so this shows you lost outside T/H AND UV/Light…. assuming your wind is working. T/H I could understand from corrosion but not the light sensor. To be clear for terminology, that outdoor Y wing sensor is a WH65. Also, no light probably means massive drain on batteries. Got a pic of your sensor array? Maybe it’s coated.

Kwaj · « **Reply #14 on:** February 13, 2023, 07:23:42 PM »

Ok thanks kheller2. I’ll take it down this afternoon and inspect it. I doubt the array is covered. The last one certainly wasn’t and we regularly get rain. About 120” a year. Here’s a pic of the setup. But I’ll post Y wing later.

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kheller2 · « **Reply #15 on:** February 13, 2023, 08:08:59 PM »

I’m assuming you tried new batteries too. They should last a year(s).

Kwaj · « **Reply #16 on:** February 13, 2023, 08:18:21 PM »

Here’s a pic of Y wing top. Looks brand new since it is. Ambient guy said to take batteries out and cover up solar panel for 24 hours to reset it. I’ll try but don’t have high hopes for that. Can anyone tell me where temp sensor is on Y wing? I’d like to rinse that with fresh water. And again, thanks guys for the help. It’s greatly appreciated.

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Rocketman · « **Reply #17 on:** February 13, 2023, 08:57:13 PM »

sound like previous post about three days ago

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=45058.0

kheller2 · « **Reply #18 on:** February 13, 2023, 09:03:37 PM »

T and H is located inside the ribbed heat shield.

kheller2 · « **Reply #19 on:** February 13, 2023, 10:03:21 PM »

Quote from: Rocketman on February 13, 2023, 08:57:13 PM

sound like previous post about three days ago

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=45058.0

Indeed it does. I’m curious if there is a bad batch of these units.

kheller2 · « **Reply #20 on:** February 13, 2023, 10:27:43 PM »

Kwaj,

I reread this thread again and you mentioned that the first array reported low batteries which makes perfect sense if the solar isn’t working. Also, I think i recall that the gateway will not transmit data to ambient/wherever if some of the outdoor sensors are not reporting.

Right now I’m speculating that you have two identically faulted units. That sucks to be that lone wolf. I can tell you most of us have had units that last many years without issue. This is something new. I would talk with Ambient about sending you a replacement directly and having them look at the bad unit since this could be a third instance this year of the same sensor failures.

You could always take another shot with Amazon.

Kwaj · « **Reply #21 on:** February 13, 2023, 10:41:25 PM »

I did call Ambient after the first one failed and goot a real nice lady on the phone. Today I didn't get any real help and they just said deal with Amazon. They do say three's a charm so maybe that's what I need is a 3rd one. At least I saved the box to put it in. I did give it a fresh water rinse and covered solar and will see tomorrow if it works. It's already stopped sending any data to console and red light on Y wing is dead so I assume solar batteries are dead already.

Rocketman · « **Reply #22 on:** February 13, 2023, 11:12:10 PM »

Sent them a link to the two threads and say it's on the forum

Kwaj · « **Reply #23 on:** February 13, 2023, 11:36:19 PM »

Quote from: Rocketman on February 13, 2023, 11:12:10 PM

Sent them a link to the two threads and say it's on the forum

Did you send them a link to both threads or should I??

Kwaj · « **Reply #24 on:** February 14, 2023, 12:10:03 AM »

I sent them an email with links and asking for help. The thing is that Amazon at this point won't send a replacement. But will give me a refund or get help from Ambient. So I'll see if they help. I'm not ordering another from Amazon.

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Author Topic: Is Ambient a low end choice? (Read 3499 times)