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Weather Station Hardware => Air Quality Sensors => Topic started by: beruk on June 28, 2020, 07:13:44 PM

Title: Air quality sensors in winter (freezing/snow) conditions
Post by: beruk on June 28, 2020, 07:13:44 PM
Hello,

I have an Ecowitt HP2553 station to which I’d like to add a WH41 PM2.5 outdoor sensor. But I live in Québec, Canada, where we have sub-zero C temperatures in the winter and (lots of) snow.

I have been unable to find any information on if/how air quality sensors work in these conditions (neither general info nor specific to the WH41).

Would anyone here have some knowledge or experience to share?

Thanks!

Pascal
Title: Re: Air quality sensors in winter (freezing/snow) conditions
Post by: Autofill on October 20, 2020, 12:52:19 AM
I'm going through this right now. So far so good. During snow the air quality can spike a bit.
Title: Re: Air quality sensors in winter (freezing/snow) conditions
Post by: fkapp on December 10, 2020, 11:22:06 AM
What are the temp operating specs for the wh41?
Curious as sounds like works ok in cold but wondering what minimum temperature limit is?
Title: Re: Air quality sensors in winter (freezing/snow) conditions
Post by: Autofill on December 10, 2020, 11:42:40 AM
So far so good except mine went offline when it hit -20oC, and came back to life when it warmed up a little. The batteries are freezing at this temperature. Works pretty well below this temperature.
Title: Re: Air quality sensors in winter (freezing/snow) conditions
Post by: Mandrake on January 19, 2021, 04:08:47 AM
Whilst the temperature is a constraint for battery technology you could always supplement the batteries with a more powerful solar panel such as those used by outdoor cams.
Obviously this would keep the sensor going only during daylight and not if covered in ice/snow/frost but it might help.