Topic: SD card for GW3000

[OldAlaskaGuy]

When I setup my new GW3000 from Ecowitt I inserted a spare 128GB micro SD card in the slot I had in my desk and all things started and ran well with out issues. I started to review the manual in depth, it stated for cards larger than 32GB use the Rufus to format the card. I did not do that so I would have to assume that the card was previously formatted to FAT32. Everything is working well and it is storing data. What is not discussed in the manual is by inserting the card, does it format/reformat or what read/write speed is recommended. I should be able to format these larger cards to FAT32 using my computer without any special software. I have not had issues in the past.

[Gyvate]

You have to make sure yourself that the SD card has FAT32 format. The GW3000 doesn't do any formatting.
The hint with the Rufus tool is only, because Windows will format a device with FAT32 only up to a size of 32 GB whereas theoretically a size of 2 TB is possible.
By the way, FAT32, has nothing to do with with the 32 GB, that's coincidential.
FAT32 means that then File Allocation table has a 32bit (4 byte) size for a table entry (as opposite to the old FAT16).

[R.Sidetrack]

It appears that for formatting via Windows 11, Microsoft finally updated the size limit to 2Tb, see:
https://www.pcmag.com/news/windows-finally-expands-fat32-formatting-from-32gb-to-2tb

[Gyvate]

yes, but not with an app i.e. out of the Windows Explorer - you need to do it manually in a console window with the format command.

[KC5JIM]

I use SD Memory Card Formatter from the SD Association:

https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/

[Gyvate]

I'm wondering why one would need a SD card in the GW3000 bigger than 32 GB ...
32 GB = 32,768 MB
My data, and I have a lot of sensors, is 8 MB per month.
Let a fully "sensorized" GW3000 produce double the amount, 16MB - then the 32 GB will last for 2,048 months or 170 years ...
You can see why a 4 or 8 GB SD card would be by far sufficient ... - heavily overprovisioned 

[KC5JIM]

I'm using a 16GB card in my GW3000.

In my case, I do not have many SD Cards smaller than 32GB, so sometimes I'm forced to use a 64GB (or larger) card. Finding the 16GB card was just a stroke of luck.

[Rover1822]

I agree with Gyvate, BUT I think it is what is available locally in SD cards. I mean , when I need one NOW, I go to the local pharmacy store and they have them... not usually anything low capacity anymore.

They really don't sell the low GB stuff anymore, for that you would have to order or go through your stash of previous ones (if you have one).

agreeing with KC5JIM