Topic: New owner questions: Placement height? and about barometric pressure issue

[Daali]

Hello,

What is the consensus on the placement height with the Bloomsky?  The ground stake is makes placement easier, but is there any downside with it?

After reading the entire forum, I could not get a sense if the barometric pressure issue was resolved on the back-end data stream or not.  Could anyone share if their readings are now in line with the altitude adjustment or other devices?

Thank you in advance!

[Jáchym]

Ideally you should measure temperature at 2m above the ground. If it is too close to the ground it will get very hot during the summer, but I would not necessarily insist on 2m either, because the truth is that BloomSky is not bad, but it is also not the best and most accurate thermometer anyway, so unless you really place it just a few cm above the ground, it should be fine. Im not sure if there is any radiation shield - that obviously is also crucial.

[Daali]

Thank you Jáchym!

  Hopefully, I will be using your Meteotemplate as well!

[Jáchym]

LOL, OK There is a plugin for BloomSky

[PaulMy]

Well I am actually shocked of how close my BloomSky reads to my VP2.  Today on the hour for VP2 and as close a time as recorded on the Bloomsky (which varies but all within 5 minutes of the hour).  VP2 temp at 1 decimal and Bloomsky at 2 decimal, and pressure VP2 at 2 decimal and Bloomsky 0 decimal:

1:00 am VP2 temp 19.8°C Bloomsky 18.87°C and VP2 pressure 1019.14 MB with Bloomsky 1019
2:00 am VP2 18.6°C and Bloomsky 18.47°C and VP2 1019.31 and Bloomsky 1019
3:00 am 17.4 vs 17.51 and 1018.63 vs 1020
4:00 am 18.5 vs 18.49 and 1018.09 vs 1020
5:00 am 20.7 vs 20.39 and 1017.78 vs 1018
6:00 am 21.0 vs 20.72 and 1017.71 vs 1018
7:00 am 21.4 vs 21.42 and 1017.34 vs 1018
8:00 am 23.3 vs 23.13 and 1016.77 vs 1017
9:00 am 24.9 vs 24.82 and 1016.06 vs 1017
10:00 am 26.4 vs 26.47 and 1015.45 vs 1016
11:00 am 28.4 vs 28.36 and 1014.63 vs 1014
12: noon 29.7 vs 29.73 and 1013.79 vs 1013
1:00 pm 30.5 vs 30.59 and 1013.1 vs 1013

and it should be noted that during that time the Bloomsky is fully exposed to the sun and at about 4 feet above the ground in a flower garden.  Later on it will be in the shadow of tree.

Mine is a replacement device and if I recall correctly the original device was way out in pressure comparison so either huge improvement in the device itself or in the software at Bloomsky, or both.

https://map.bloomsky.com/weather-stations/gqBxp6apnJSnoJim


Paul

[Daali]

Thank you PaulMy!

You say you are moving it to the shadow of a tree, is this for the camera view or because of temp. readings?

[Daali]

For reference if any other Bloomsky'ers are curious, here is what Bloomsky responded to my questions.  To Jáchym's point, the device is not the most accurate temperature gauge, but they must shield the bottom fairly well from radiant heat.  I need to find a spot where the solar panels can get sun in the mornings, but the late afternoon is in the shade.  I have noticed one bloomsky near me that is above avg temp in the late afternoon (direct sun in timelapse as well).

Thanks all!  I finally get the Bloomsky Monday (if the bad weather in KY does not slow down UPS)

I live in GA, USA. The consensus is I need to have the solar panel facing south for maximum sunlight. I would like to know the following:

1. what is the appropriate installation height of the sensor for the most accurate readings?

2. does direct sunlight affect the sensor readings? (higher temp, etc?)

3. if both the sensor and the solar panel are facing south, will the sensor readings be affected by the radiant heat from the panel collector?

4. is there a recommended direction the sensor should be facing?

James W.
JUN 23, 2016 04:46PM PDT
BloomSky Agent
Dear John,

I hope you are doing well. An optimal placement would be under shade. Height doesn’t matter so much as placement. Make sure that it is not close to anything that will radiate heat to the device. In the same token, if the solar panel is bouncing light onto the device I would recommend repositioning the device.

Regards,
James

[PaulMy]

You say you are moving it to the shadow of a tree, is this for the camera view or because of temp. readings?

Actually I didn't say that very well.  It stays in the same place but there is a large tree to the WSW that blocks the direct sunshine on to the camera in later afternoons.

Enjoy,
Paul