Author Topic: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger  (Read 108850 times)

0 Members and 1 Guest are viewing this topic.

Offline Grrxyn

  • Member
  • *
  • Posts: 4
    • My Lair
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #25 on: November 16, 2011, 04:38:22 AM »
with regards to the "bypass" capacitor, I must admit that I had to familiarise myself with your term, but i agree it is probably necessary, but very simple to add to the design.

I can't say I authored the term, I'm just a user of it.  I thought it was a rather common term.  

Once again, if there is significant interest I will get a stack of board produced (bare board, kit of parts or finished, it makes no difference to me) and distribute them.

Are you only making ones with the FTDI and Flash chip?  I'm more partial to having a level converter, but I'm picky. No offense.
I build things.
Electronics, Computers, Sat-Com, Hamradio, Pro-Audio...

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #26 on: November 16, 2011, 04:57:40 AM »
I believe "bypass" is more of an American term, we prefer "decoupling" as it more descriptive of what it does, (but some may argue the same about bypass)

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decoupling_capacitor

The layout can easily accommodate RS232 level shifting via the 6 pin header with some additional pins for power. I'll be at sea for a few day on a slow connection, but might update the design again during down time.

Offline Flag

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 609
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #27 on: November 16, 2011, 05:23:50 AM »
Starting to sound like a few should be starting their own weather station hardware and software business  :lol: \:D/

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #28 on: November 17, 2011, 08:12:03 AM »
I have just road tested the prototype logger, and can report that it worked perfectly with my VP1 console!  \:D/ I shall get a batch of bare boards made up, and present them for sale to all and sundry.

I am looking for others to road test with a Vue and a VP2. If you are willing to help please PM me and I'll send you one.

once again many thanks to all those that have provided info and comments.

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #29 on: November 17, 2011, 11:11:59 AM »

Offline Garth Bock

  • Table Rock Lake Weather
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 2745
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #30 on: November 17, 2011, 05:33:34 PM »
My station is run off of an Envoy with a logger. I have a VP2 console that can be connected to one of my spare Dells for testing. This way the station runs with no risk. Let me know if interested.

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #31 on: November 18, 2011, 07:16:41 AM »
Out of interest, does anyone know how the console "knows" that a logger is attached? I seem to remember that my VP1 used to bleep 3 times with the davis logger on it, but only bleeps twice  with my clone, and weatherlink does not recognise the the console it attached at all. I suspect that there is a pull up somewhere that I haven't connected. Perhaps WXtech or C520 could point me in the right direction?

Offline C5250

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 840
    • Local weather
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #32 on: November 18, 2011, 04:49:54 PM »
It reads the PROM status register.

Looking back at your pics, I don't see a connection to the VCC pin...
Precious little in your life is yours by right and won without a fight.

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #33 on: November 19, 2011, 07:54:07 AM »
It reads the PROM status register.

Looking back at your pics, I don't see a connection to the VCC pin...

there is a solder bridge between pins 5 and 6. The logger is working succesfully with Cumulus, but not weatherlink.

Offline DeKay

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 399
    • Mad Scientist Labs
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #34 on: November 19, 2011, 07:37:08 PM »
there is a solder bridge between pins 5 and 6. The logger is working succesfully with Cumulus, but not weatherlink.

I've never gotten Weatherlink to work with my DIY USB->Serial interface based on the Sparkfun part.  I had been blaming it on Vista 64-bit software incompatibilities.  But maybe Weatherlink is somehow expecting the weird converter chip used in the Davis dongle and balks when it can't find it.  Not that I mind so much from a data collection perspective because Cumulus rocks, but I wouldn't mind playing with Davis' Streaming Data Utility.  It doesn't work either for probably the same reason.

Little help, anyone?

Offline C5250

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 840
    • Local weather
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #35 on: November 19, 2011, 08:25:06 PM »
As long as you weren't trying to use that USBExpress (or whatever they call it), I doubt WL cares what the chip is.

I would suspect a flow control issue.
Precious little in your life is yours by right and won without a fight.

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #36 on: November 20, 2011, 09:41:37 AM »
As long as you weren't trying to use that USBExpress (or whatever they call it), I doubt WL cares what the chip is.

I would suspect a flow control issue.

I suspect your right, I have tried connecting RTS and CTS together without success.

Offline Weather Display

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 2611
    • West Coast Road Weather Data
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #37 on: November 20, 2011, 12:39:10 PM »
a clue might be in how WL does its "find what port the data logger is connected to"
Brian
info@weather-display.com
http://www.weather-display.com

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #38 on: November 21, 2011, 08:56:52 AM »
Here are some snaps of the latest issue board

Free prtotype bare board

Logger MkII bare board by belfryboy, on Flickr

assembled (without FTDI cable)

Logger MkII by belfryboy, on Flickr

Offline Garth Bock

  • Table Rock Lake Weather
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 2745
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #39 on: November 21, 2011, 11:37:09 AM »
I thought there were 2 chips on the datalogger and not just one. Is your board just an interface with no memory ? Or does it hold records ?

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #40 on: November 21, 2011, 11:55:33 AM »
I thought there were 2 chips on the datalogger and not just one. Is your board just an interface with no memory ? Or does it hold records ?
This board is the logging memory, the other chip on the Davis logger is a serial communications chip. I have this at the USB plug end, reducing component count on my board. This board can then be generic to serial or USB  :grin:

Offline DeKay

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 399
    • Mad Scientist Labs
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #41 on: November 21, 2011, 01:36:34 PM »
Here are some snaps of the latest issue board

I just want to say that this is very, very cool.

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #42 on: November 22, 2011, 04:48:57 AM »
Many thanks DeKay, I couldn't have done it without you.

Everyone, if you are interested in a finished logger these are now available. If have tested it with Cumulus and WeatherDisplay with excellent results. This unit WILL NOT work with davis weatherlink. I do not intend to pursue this route as it would only promote piracy of the WL software.

The cost will be $45 (or £30 in the uk) plus shipping. Logging interval can be set up using a terminal program like hyperterminal or Realterm, but I should have a setup utility finished by the end of the week.

Also if anyone has some webspace to store the design files for those that wish to make their own then please contact me.

Offline DeKay

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 399
    • Mad Scientist Labs
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #43 on: November 27, 2011, 10:12:01 AM »
Also if anyone has some webspace to store the design files for those that wish to make their own then please contact me.

Done and done.  I linked them from a new blog post.  The design is cleaned up, more compact, and now single-sided to be more DIY-friendly.  I will add to the archive a little utility to activate the logging function once belfryboy and I sort out an email issue.

Let me know if anybody has an issue with downloading them.  I've mistakenly deleted them once already  ](*,)

Offline belfryboy

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 489
  • waiting for the rain.....
    • Belfryboy Blog
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #44 on: November 28, 2011, 06:18:46 AM »
Here is the logger setup utility,

download and use it as you wish.


Offline DeKay

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 399
    • Mad Scientist Labs
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #45 on: November 28, 2011, 09:52:21 PM »
Here is the logger setup utility,

download and use it as you wish.


Didn't have my console hooked up but thought I'd give it a shot anyway.  .Net 4.0 on Vista 64bit.

************** Exception Text **************
System.ArgumentOutOfRangeException: InvalidArgument=Value of '0' is not valid for 'SelectedIndex'.
Parameter name: SelectedIndex
   at System.Windows.Forms.DomainUpDown.set_SelectedIndex(Int32 value)
   at WeatherStation.CommsForm.Form1_Load(Object sender, EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnLoad(EventArgs e)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.OnCreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl(Boolean fIgnoreVisible)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.CreateControl()
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.ScrollableControl.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WmShowWindow(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Form.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.OnMessage(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.Control.ControlNativeWindow.WndProc(Message& m)
   at System.Windows.Forms.NativeWindow.Callback(IntPtr hWnd, Int32 msg, IntPtr wparam, IntPtr lparam)


Offline DeKay

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 399
    • Mad Scientist Labs
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #46 on: November 28, 2011, 09:54:53 PM »
Clicked "Post" a bit too soon...

Selected Continue on the error window and the GUI came up!

Offline xykotik

  • DonkeyTailWX DW6891
  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 696
  • I'll deal with it tomorrow
    • DonkeyTail Weather
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #47 on: December 14, 2011, 10:11:44 AM »
I saw a post by belfryboy in another thread insisting quite forcefully that you guys had a davis-logger.  On the madscientistlabs blog, sure enough, complete with crickets.

I can't speak for anyone but myself, but I think the reason for the crickets was perception this may have been an extension of the "davis console pinout" thread, up to something like 300 pages now.  I've thought that thread needed to be pruned/spawned-off for some time and haven't been keeping up.  I missed out on THIS thread by thinking it was the same. 

Glad to see work continuing to move forward.  This thread is a must-see.


Facit solem suum oriri super bonos et malos et pluit super iustos et iniustos.

Springtime in Seattle...  March comes in like a lion and out like a wet lion.

Offline Bushman

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 7549
    • Eagle Bay Weather
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #48 on: December 14, 2011, 10:18:14 AM »
Crickets??
Need low cost IP monitoring?  http://wirelesstag.net/wta.aspx?link=NisJxz6FhUa4V67/cwCRWA or PM me for 50% off Wirelesstags!!

Offline DeKay

  • Forecaster
  • *****
  • Posts: 399
    • Mad Scientist Labs
Re: Build Your Own Davis Console Datalogger
« Reply #49 on: December 14, 2011, 06:37:13 PM »
Crickets??

Crickets.  I try to make those blog posts at least mildly entertaining.  My latest post reveals the connection between Britney Spears and the great physicists of our time, but is totally unrelated to weather stuff.