Topic: Dashes on my MK 111 weather station

[kathy249]

I have a RainWise weather station MK111 it was working fine then everything but the date and time went to just dashes a couple times and came back on now all I am getting is the date and time everything else is just dashes, Can anyone give me any ideas what is wrong and how to fix it?

[Jáchym]

Well if you have date and time correct then it means the console is working, but there is either a problem in the connection between your console and the sensors or the actual sensor is broken, I cant think of anything else - or maybe low batteries? I dont know this station, I have a different one, but check the batteries and the sensors.

[WA7FWF]

dashes mean that the console stopped receiving data, depending on the model it could be interference, LR models are less likely to have it.  You should re-plug the connections the the small receiver box, do you also have the computer attachment? is it working OK?

[kathy249]

No computer attachment and have tried reattaching all cords still nothing

[Jáchym]

then it could be sensor failure, check that the batteries are ok. It could be the sensor transmitter failure too, so it is measuring but not sending anything.

[kathy249]

Is that on the inside unit or the outside unit?

[Jáchym]

the outside unit must have a transmitter which sends data to the console you have inside, so it could either be failure of the transmitter on the outside sensor, or the receiver on the inside unit. But as I said, this is just one possibility, it could also be failure of the sensor outside as such.

[kathy249]

Thank  you

[VaJim]

The dashes on the MKIII mean that the display, either the Weather Oracle Multi (large) or smaller Oracle, have stopped receiving the signal from your sensor assembly.  Based on the fact that yours has the clock/date, you have the larger multi-display.

Some initial questions:

Age of system?

Did this problem just happen?


Here are a few things to check:


Are there any 'new' electronic devices placed close to the Rainwise receiver (small black box)?   This would be since the problem has occurred.  If so, try moving the new device away.  Also check to make sure the Rainwise receiver is at least 2-3 feet away from the display.  Too close and it can cause interference itself.

You can also try moving your display to a different (closer) location.

Battery level

Does your system include the IP-100, if so, login to your account and check your battery level.  If it's below 6 volts you may need to replace the battery. 

If you have no IP-100 you can check the battery through the display.  To do so however, you will need a signal received.  Otherwise you'll have to pull the battery and test it using a volt meter.


The diagnostic mode (Large multi-display) is seldom needed or used. It provides
information about sensor unit voltage, software versions,
communications and the ability to reset the display back to factory
defaults.
To enter the Diagnostics Mode press MIN followed by SELECT.
HUMIDITY - shows the software versions of the display and sensor
unit. The two digits on the left represent the display version
number and the two on the right is the station version.
TEMPERATURE - for checking the battery condition of the sensor
unit. The value toggles between the current, maximum and
minimum battery voltage during the last 24 hours.
TIME - for communication diagnostics. The number on the right
indicates the reception of good data packets. Bad data packets
are displayed on the left.
WIND SPEED - for communication diagnostics. The value increments
with every data byte received. The number wraps at 100.
The byte count as well as the packet counters can be reset by
pressing the wind speed button.
Press SELECT to exit back to normal operation.

If you need a battery, here are a few links that might help:


http://www.amazon.com/Werker-WKA6-5F-5Ah-Replacement-Battery/dp/B00C80PYOM

https://www.batteriesplus.com/replacement/battery/werker/wka65f




Hope this helps.

[DaleReid]

Yup, battery in the sensor unit is my experience.  Has happened three times to me, each time it was solved by swapping the battery in the unit.  I would wonder if the solar panel is being shaded or not keeping the charge up if the battery is relatively new.

I've heard that there is some chip or board that regulates that and that seems like something that needs factory work.  Far easier to pull the old battery, check it's voltage (mine usually were in low 5 volts, one was 2.3) which would me low power, but whether the battery is discharged or bad is more difficult to tell with certainty.

[blizzardof78]

I think Jim covered it very well, but I too was going to suggest the battery. FWIW that is.

Don in Ohio

The dashes on the MKIII mean that the display, either the Weather Oracle Multi (large) or smaller Oracle, have stopped receiving the signal from your sensor assembly.  Based on the fact that yours has the clock/date, you have the larger multi-display.

Some initial questions:

Age of system?

Did this problem just happen?


Here are a few things to check:


Are there any 'new' electronic devices placed close to the Rainwise receiver (small black box)?   This would be since the problem has occurred.  If so, try moving the new device away.  Also check to make sure the Rainwise receiver is at least 2-3 feet away from the display.  Too close and it can cause interference itself.

You can also try moving your display to a different (closer) location.

Battery level

Does your system include the IP-100, if so, login to your account and check your battery level.  If it's below 6 volts you may need to replace the battery. 

If you have no IP-100 you can check the battery through the display.  To do so however, you will need a signal received.  Otherwise you'll have to pull the battery and test it using a volt meter.


The diagnostic mode (Large multi-display) is seldom needed or used. It provides
information about sensor unit voltage, software versions,
communications and the ability to reset the display back to factory
defaults.
To enter the Diagnostics Mode press MIN followed by SELECT.
HUMIDITY - shows the software versions of the display and sensor
unit. The two digits on the left represent the display version
number and the two on the right is the station version.
TEMPERATURE - for checking the battery condition of the sensor
unit. The value toggles between the current, maximum and
minimum battery voltage during the last 24 hours.
TIME - for communication diagnostics. The number on the right
indicates the reception of good data packets. Bad data packets
are displayed on the left.
WIND SPEED - for communication diagnostics. The value increments
with every data byte received. The number wraps at 100.
The byte count as well as the packet counters can be reset by
pressing the wind speed button.
Press SELECT to exit back to normal operation.

If you need a battery, here are a few links that might help:


http://www.amazon.com/Werker-WKA6-5F-5Ah-Replacement-Battery/dp/B00C80PYOM

https://www.batteriesplus.com/replacement/battery/werker/wka65f




Hope this helps.

[ggsteve]

I also suspect the battery.  Did this start recently?  Is it worse at night?  The days are getting shorter.  If the battery is marginal it could be that the shorter solar period isn't charging the weak battery enough to transmit data.

On the other hand, Lonnie at Rainwise has said they test their sensor array battery life by sticking the unit in a chest freezer for six months and it continues to function.