Topic: Recommendation on a solar radiation shield for Ecowitt Outdoor Sensor

[eliteweathernz]

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone has come across a suitable and effective solar radiation shield for an Ecowitt outdoor/ multi channel sensor??

Trying to work out what options are out there.

If you have any suggestions or photos of your current setup would love to see it


Thanks

[Gyvate]

Hey all,

Just wondering if anyone has come across a suitable and effective solar radiation shield for an Ecowitt outdoor/ multi channel sensor??

Trying to work out what options are out there.

If you have any suggestions or photos of your current setup would love to see it


Thanks

There are already quite a few threads regarding the radiation shield topic in this forum. Searching helps ... 

The very best but also most expensive radiation shield is the Barani Meteoshield Pro - I guess it's the best non-aspirated (i.e. passive) shield on the market.
However it works only - due to design - with the WH32-EP/WH31-EP sensor versions with external probe.

You can also think of a DIY option - there are several posts in this forum - and if interested, I have a aspirated DIY design (construction plan) myself - 20-30 EUR material cost, PM me.
It has been tested for 9 months now along with the normal shields of the WH65 and WS80 sensor arrays and with a WH31-EP inside a Barani Meteoshield Pro - and shows pretty reasonable behaviour - btw almost identical to the WS80 array.

[Mandrake]

I could not afford the Barani model so went for the Davis 7714 screen which is also highly recommended.
These are quite expensive to get in Europe so I ordered it from Amazon US and got it shipped.
Its very sturdy and seems to work well. You will also need a IPX rated box to house the sensor body if you are going for the probe model. If a standard WH32 then this will sit within the cavity of the radiation shield itself.

[vinceskahan]

Just wondering if anyone has come across a suitable and effective solar radiation shield for an Ecowitt outdoor/ multi channel sensor??

FWIW, I built myself a little fake birdhouse with an open bottom, lots of ventilation and no way for the sun to directly shine in there at all, painted it gloss white, and put the sensor in there.  Works pretty nicely and looks ok on the fence.

[eliteweathernz]

Has anyone attempted to place the WH32 or WH32EP inside a Davis 24hr DFARS??

I already have a Davis set up but want to test the Ecowitt Outdoor Sensor for accuracy

[vinceskahan]

I did a variety of tests with a VP2/DFARS, Ecowitt indoor and outdoor sensors, and a couple raspi+arduino ds18b20 rigs etc. All were within 0.5 F at night, and generally within 1.0 F in the day.   

I have to admit having calibrated the Ecowitt sensors versus three ds18b20 reference arduino rigs, as the Ecowitt sensors didn't read identically uncalibrated.  Once I dialed in the calibrations for them and the inside sensors, I verified they all read identically inside the house before repeating things with them outdoors.

[eliteweathernz]

I did a variety of tests with a VP2/DFARS, Ecowitt indoor and outdoor sensors, and a couple raspi+arduino ds18b20 rigs etc. All were within 0.5 F at night, and generally within 1.0 F in the day.   

I have to admit having calibrated the Ecowitt sensors versus three ds18b20 reference arduino rigs, as the Ecowitt sensors didn't read identically uncalibrated.  Once I dialed in the calibrations for them and the inside sensors, I verified they all read identically inside the house before repeating things with them outdoors.

Did you happen to place the Ecowitt sensor inside the DFARS???

[vinceskahan]

No but that would be interesting I guess if I could figure out how to zip tie it or something inside it.   Let me take a crack at that today and see if I can get it in there somehow.

[update - sorry - I took a look at the VP2 and then remembered how hellish it was assembling it and mounting it all again when I installed the DFARS, so unfortunately I'm going to have to pass on doing that particular test]

[eliteweathernz]

No but that would be interesting I guess if I could figure out how to zip tie it or something inside it.   Let me take a crack at that today and see if I can get it in there somehow.

[update - sorry - I took a look at the VP2 and then remembered how hellish it was assembling it and mounting it all again when I installed the DFARS, so unfortunately I'm going to have to pass on doing that particular test]

That’s ok,
I might give it a crack when my new gear arrives from Ecowitt.
My DFARS will be due it’s before winter clean anyway.

[fkapp]

any luck with the wh32ep and installing in the 24 HR FARS?

Thanks
    Frank

[eliteweathernz]

any luck with the wh32ep and installing in the 24 HR FARS?

Thanks
    Frank

Hey Frank,

Not yet,
I’m still waiting on it to turn up.
It’s either on a very slow plane or hasn’t left Hong Kong yet!!

Hopefully have it this week sometime here’s hoping but won’t hold my breath.

Ecowitt have also said one of my orders is on hold due to the HP2553 receiving some kind of upgrade, they won’t tell me exactly why ;(

[Gyvate]

any luck with the wh32ep and installing in the 24 HR FARS?

Thanks
    Frank

Hey Frank,

Not yet,
I’m still waiting on it to turn up.
It’s either on a very slow plane or hasn’t left Hong Kong yet!!

Hopefully have it this week sometime here’s hoping but won’t hold my breath.

Ecowitt have also said one of my orders is on hold due to the HP2553 receiving some kind of upgrade, they won’t tell me exactly why ;(

I guess it could be the hardware upgrade of the WS80, especially the ultrasonic anemometer unit.
There were some issues in special constellations (rain + wind combinations) where wrong peaks can occur.
see https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=42108.msg430509#msg430509

[eliteweathernz]

Yes possibly Olicat.

I’ve been pressing them for answers and time frames but thus far all I get Is we are keeping tabs on progress will advise when ready when we can.


It’s a little frustrating!!

[eliteweathernz]

any luck with the wh32ep and installing in the 24 HR FARS?

Thanks
    Frank

Hey Frank,

I have today managed to install my WH32EP inside my exisiting Davis 24hr FARS.
Was a bit tricky and required some electrical connectors as I had to cut the sensor wire to be able to pass it into the Fars.
I also had to buy a Polycarbonate Enclosure to house the join
And the transmitter section of the sensor.

So far working really well and within 0.1C of my Davis Outdoor Temperature and reading 2% lower than the Davis for humidity.
Not sure which one is more accurate but I’m happy with how close the readings are!!
I’ll have to check which version of the Davis Temp/RH Sensor im running to confirm the Sensirion SHT version,
I know Ecowitt WH32EP is a SHT35.

[Gyvate]

Today, my MetSpec Rad02 (passive, naturally ventilated) shield is supposed to be delivered.
It can easily (without any cutting, soldering etc.) take a WH32/WH31-EP, WN30, but has enough space for a normal WH32, WH31 sensor. The test results from @Ivano https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=39934.msg432047#msg432047 (and other post earlier in that same thread) are quite promising.

The product is built in the UK by a Nottingham based company (www.MetSpec.net) - and the Rad02, one of their large shields, comes for 84 EUR before tax (UK 20%, D 19%), that's about 40% the price of a MeteoShield Pro.
(They have an interesting numbering system - 01 and 02 are their large pieces, and 06 - 14 are smaller ones, probe only, where the number indicates the number of plate layers.
http://metspec.net/wp-content/uploads/datasheets/JS8685-MetspecRadshieldDatasheet-3.0.pdf )

It will be placed next (not too close  ) to my MeteoShieldPro and I will run my own test series in my own micro climate.
Will come back here once it's unpacked, dis-/re-assembled and mounted with a few pics.

by the way - our contributor @mauro63 negotiated a special price for our forum members - see https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=42058.msg430727#msg430727
the general calculation is
- shield ex-VAT (86/92 EUR Rad02/Rad14)
- import tax (if outside UK)
- UPS handling fee (customs + shipping)

[ivano]

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=39934.msg432047#new go to this thread, you will find all the comparisons between the best screens and stations,

[Gyvate]

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=39934.msg432047#new go to this thread, you will find all the comparisons between the best screens and stations,

Hmmmm - that's the same which I quoted in my post above 
but in my country we say - double stitched holds better 

[galfert]

...but in my country we say - double stitched holds better 

LOL 

I hadn't heard that one before.

[Gyvate]

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=39934.msg432047#new go to this thread, you will find all the comparisons between the best screens and stations,

However, when I look at the post before from July 8 in that thread, as far as I can see, the MetSpec Rad02 performs slightly better than the Rad14. Or am I reading these charts (diff) wrongly ?
The reason why I ask is that @mauro63 claimed, that the Rad14 would perform better than the Rad02.

[ivano]

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=39934.msg432047#new go to this thread, you will find all the comparisons between the best screens and stations,

However, when I look at the post before from July 8 in that thread, as far as I can see, the MetSpec Rad02 performs slightly better than the Rad14. Or am I reading these charts (diff) wrongly ?
The reason why I ask is that @mauro63 claimed, that the Rad14 would perform better than the Rad02.

at the beginning of the comparison in the spring months but also in winter, it seemed that the rad 14 was going better than the rad 02, but with the arrival of the summer season, the one suitable for making a comparison, the rad 02 is showing more performance than the rad 14, obviously it is a little, 0.1 /0.2 tenths,

[Gyvate]

as promised the unboxing and installation of the MetSpec Rad02 (passive, naturally ventilated) shield - now "competing" (starting a test series) with my WH32-EP in a MeteoShield Pro
 [ You are not allowed to view attachments ]

[eliteweathernz]

Looks really nice Gyvate

Wonder if they ship to New Zealand.

[Gyvate]

I'm sure they do - the UPS shipping costs will be higher than to Europe I guess - about 110 EUR = 185 NZD.
86 EUR + Plus 15% GST for NZ = 99 EUR + ~120 EUR shipping  ~ 220 EUR = 370 NZD.

You can ask them for a quote - mentioning sales code WX001.
sales@metspec.net

You may ask them to change the shipping service:
DHL International will ship the same parcel from UK to NZ for 53 GBP = 105 NZD
The total cost will come down to 290 NZD like this.

[eliteweathernz]

Wow that’s amazing thanks for doing that calculating.

I’ll see how I get on with this setup and if i
Don’t think it’s living up to expectation then I’ll give that a bit more thought