Topic: WS80 solar radiation sensor problem

[pbkpl]

Hi!
I have this issue with my WS80 sensor. It is few months old and 3 days ago it stopped showing solar radiation values. It suddenly dropped to 0 and then, after 3 or 4 readings, it dropped to 860 W/m2 and that value still remained. I tried to re-register the sensor in the GW1000 gateway and surprisingly, when it started sending values again, the solar radiation value was different, agreeable with current situation, but again, it didn't refresh. My WS80 sensor is also connected with HP2550 console and it showed '--.-' value. Re-registering WS80 sensor on that console didn't change anything. So now it seems to read value only on GW1000 gateway and only when I'm re-registering sensor but it's not refreshing after that. Does anyone have a clue what could happen? Is there a way to fix that without climbing to the chimney on roof where sensor is mounted?

[Gyvate]

1. Did you reset the WS80 ? It has a reset button. (soft reset) See manual.
2. if 1. doesn't work, try the hard reset:
- cover the top of the sensor array with black tape so no light can reach the solar sensor nor the solar panel
(alternatively put the unit in a dark room - however, with the solar panel covered, it will still provide reasonable data of the other observations: wind, outdoor temperature, humidity until the supercapacitor is fully discharged
from a dark room rather not  )
- remove the batteries
- wait until the LED stops blinking = the supercapacitor is completely discharged (can take 2-4 days !)
- once it is "electrically dead", re-insert the batteries - and see what it gives

3. if nothing of the above helps, contact your seller (probably Ecowitt - support@ecowitt.com), tell them what happened and what all you have already done - and wait for their advice.
If the unit is defective, they will send you a replacement - either in full or the top portion with the solar sensor and panel.

[pbkpl]

Thank you for your advices. I waited for the opportunity to climb on the roof and then on the chimney to take out the anemometer. I tried to reset it when it was mounted there but that didn't help. So next I tried the hard reset. I have been waiting 2 days for the led to stop blinking and when it happened I put batteries again and additionally I connected my WS80 to computer and upgraded firmware (by the way - it's stupid that you can not do that remotely!). And now it works! I don't know for how long but for now everything is fine. So thanks again!
BTW  - here's a photo of my installation:

[Wxhound]

If you don't mind my asking:
What type of shingles are those on your roof?
How do you like them?

[pbkpl]

These are steel tiles and they are quite good for now