Topic: Davis Weather Station Repair/Refurb Information

[CW2274]

More cost-effective sending it out? Okay... $100 for a POS fan that cost $5 to make, and last just as long. Insane.

[WheatonRon]

I would contact Davis in advance and ask them directly. Why play games? I assume you want them to replace the fan even if absent. This seems disingenuous. Whether the fan costs $5 or $100–just tell them what you are doing and see what they say. Better yet, can’t you just ask to get your old parts back? This sounds like a reasonable request

Davis’ pricing looks fair.

[BigOkie]

I intend on doing so, they asked me to call but I'm aware they're not open on the weekend.  Have to wait until Monday.  I was just curious if anyone in here has any experience with that.

[WheatonRon]

I intend on doing so, they asked me to call but I'm aware they're not open on the weekend.  Have to wait until Monday.  I was just curious if anyone in here has any experience with that.

Like I stated before, asking for used parts back sounds like a reasonable request, and probably frequently requested.

Let us know what Davis says.

[BigOkie]

More cost-effective sending it out? Okay... $100 for a POS fan that cost $5 to make, and last just as long. Insane.

For an overhaul of the entire unit by them for 250 vs replacing all of the parts ala carte?  Absolutely will be more cost-effective.  Now at least.  I remember when the fans were just 35 dollars before shipping.  Now they're 89 and I probably should have done this before that.   

[CW2274]

Fair enough. I was thinking more of replacing what was necessary, not what isn't.

[DRoberts]

Refurbed unit has arrived. I sent it in 28 Sept and got it back yesterday, 16 Oct. UPS did a fine job, but not cheap (What is these days?). Took 7 days to send out to CA from our rural town in KS; 6 days to get it back. I did not get an enclosed invoice/bill. Therefore, I do not know if my refurb incurred extra cost. Maybe that comes later. I had to have my anemometer hardware replaced due to broken cup in major hail storm late Sept.

I have not put the instrument unit or the anemometer until back up. Too windy and I need help at my age. So I am hoping for this coming weekend. My initial impression is very favorable. The "photo degradation" on the white radiation shields has been nearly erased, and there was a lot of it. The solar panel looks like new and the instrument shelter that had a broken latch has been either fully repaired or replaced. Looks like the former. New anemometer unit.

I will let you know more (for those who might hang on my every word of exciting prose) after I get the whole thing reset and functioning. Thought there might be some folks who would be interested.

[ocala]

Do they still do refurbs on the VP2"s?
Really don't want to get the new console because I like using the wifi loger.
Unit still works fine but it is old.

[DRoberts]

Ocala,

They sure do refurbish. I also did not want to face buying a new monitor and I like my Wifi Logger too. Bottom line is I am quite happy with both the cosmetic clean up on my VP2 and the repair/replacement of damaged or worn out parts.

I have not had a request for additional fees from them, so I assume the standard fee for refurbishing covered it all. My VP2 looks pretty much like new and is working perfectly.

If you can do the work yourself with the same quality results, go ahead. I could not.

Happy with the results in Kansas.

[ArmySlowRdr]

Another year has gone by since this picture.  The station keeps working long as I replace the battery every 4 months or so. 
And it sure is crumbling away---I think the "lid" and the shiled will rot right off in another summer.  I bet Davis would get a kick out of receiving such a dilaoitated POS in the mail. 
And I am guessing they wouldnt nmake it all shiny n new like for any 240 or even 300 dollars...lol.

[CamarilloWX]

Another year has gone by since this picture.  The station keeps working long as I replace the battery every 4 months or so. 
And it sure is crumbling away---I think the "lid" and the shiled will rot right off in another summer.  I bet Davis would get a kick out of receiving such a dilaoitated POS in the mail. 
And I am guessing they wouldnt nmake it all shiny n new like for any 240 or even 300 dollars...lol.

Last time I sent my VP2 station in for refurbishment was 2021 and the cost was $200.  When I sent it in, I included a list of all the issues I knew of including "Sun degradation of radiation shield".   It came back with all new radiation shield plastic plates as well some other things that needed to be replaced.  I was very happy with what I got back.  If you want to confirm what they will replace, I would make a list of what you think needs to be replaced and talk to them via phone or email and see what they say before you send in the station.

[rv1cj]

I am thinking about 3D printing a radiation shield. But I can't find a 3D model for it. If anyone found it, let me know. I am talking about the Davis radiation shield.

[johnd]

I am thinking about 3D printing a radiation shield. But I can't find a 3D model for it. If anyone found it, let me know. I am talking about the Davis radiation shield.

Can you get suitable filament with enough UV protection incorporated? Otherwise you might create something that works OK for a year or so but then starts to fall apart under hot sun.

[rv1cj]

Can you get suitable filament with enough UV protection incorporated? Otherwise you might create something that works OK for a year or so but then starts to fall apart under hot sun.

PETG is UV resistant. It is recommended for outdoor products.

[Tailwheel]

I am thinking about 3D printing a radiation shield. But I can't find a 3D model for it. If anyone found it, let me know. I am talking about the Davis radiation shield.

This model has the parts to build a daytime fan aspirated radiation shield.   Might be a good start, you could leave out the fan and solar cells.
https://www.printables.com/model/95016-davis-vantage-pro-2-active-solar-fan-kit

[davidmc36]

I am thinking about 3D printing a radiation shield. But I can't find a 3D model for it. If anyone found it, let me know. I am talking about the Davis radiation shield.

This model has the parts to build a daytime fan aspirated radiation shield.   Might be a good start, you could leave out the fan and solar cells.
https://www.printables.com/model/95016-davis-vantage-pro-2-active-solar-fan-kit

Looks similar to what I did with my original LaCrosse station. I used white salad bowls and spacers.....pre 3D printer days lol.

I put a resistor to keep the fan speed sensible.