Topic: Backup battery for Ecowitt HP2561 console

[Nikopizz]

Hello everyone,

I own an Ecowitt HP2561 console, connected to the sensors of a WS69, and it is directly powered by the adapter provided by the manufacturer.
In the event of a power outage, is there a way to install a backup battery to keep the console operational?

Additionally, if the power supply is interrupted, does the console retain the configured settings, or will everything reset?

Thank you in advance for your responses.

NP

[Gyvate]

1. over a power-cycle the console should keep its settings except for the min/max outdoor temperature and max daily gust values. They start from scratch again and are anyway discarded at midnight.
2. many people here in the forum use a powerbank in between console and power adapter or connect the console to an existing bigger UPS system.

[sailingby]

There’s a coin cell battery installed inside the console isn’t there??

[kheller2]

In some units, yes there is a coin cell but that is to retain some memory on the console configurations, not to keep the device powered during a AC/DC outage.

[olicat]

Hi!

There’s a coin cell battery installed inside the console isn’t there??

Yes, a CR2032. But this battery is just for the embedded RTC.
Ecowitt told me regarding the battery in the HP2560C:

This is for RTC time keeping. If the battery is empty, the start time will be from default time.

Oliver

[Nikopizz]

1. over a power-cycle the console should keep its settings except for the min/max outdoor temperature and max daily gust values. They start from scratch again and are anyway discarded at midnight.
2. many people here in the forum use a powerbank in between console and power adapter or connect the console to an existing bigger UPS system.

Thank you very much for the quick response and the answers provided.

Do you know which type of power bank is compatible with the HP2561 for this purpose, or do you know of any forum users who use one?

Thanks again!

NP

[Gyvate]

anything which provides 5V DC at 1 A I'd say

[R.Sidetrack]

I came across an interesting 'power bank' a couple of weeks ago: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0DCBT5YY2

I purchased a unit to evaluate. While it works as claimed, there is a short transition period of "no output" when I unplug the unit from the wall. So it can provide USB power when there is commercial power available, and then transition to provide USB power to the connected device when commercial power fails, but there is a slight gap in that transition (about 1 second).

In my opinion OK for a weather station console, but not for a device like a Raspberry Pi unless you can accept that the Pi may reboot. In a mission critical situation I continue to choose traditional UPS battery-backups with a very fast transition time (and generally with a larger lead-acid battery). While APC is a well known brand, their lower end units may have "non-user replaceable" batteries. AFAIK all Vertiv brand UPS systems have user replaceable batteries.

[Nikopizz]

anything which provides 5V DC at 1 A I'd say

Browsing a bit on the forum, I came across this old discussion: https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=44774.0
User HaraldS mentions that for his HP2561 console, he should use this power bank https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07YQHG31B/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Is it possible to get more information, such as photos of the connection to the console?

Thanks in advance 

[Rover1822]

it may be simpler in your case, to just plug the provided power supply into an UPS , then you don't have to worry how about how to wire it.

That is how I have mine.

I'm just using one of these, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FWAZEIU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I also have other low current draw items plugged in.

Edit1: The battery is user replaceable.
Edit2: I have 3 GW1000s, one GW1100, one GW2000, One console like yours, all plugged into it. Now I also have a larger UPS, that keeps some other stuff alive, like my network etc. The last, is if I have a power failure, and my Internet goes down as well (which it does) , I can still send data to my own local server(s) . Sadly though , no matter what you do, you cannot backload to internet sites like Ecowitt.net, WU, if the Internet goes down, that is handled by the owner of those sites , and usually not allowed (Imagine their headache if the did)

[Rover1822]

Nikopizz, may also ask that you provide your location, can be general , like country would be good enough, in your profile. That aids a lot of us to tailor our answers based on where you are. For instance, I am in the US , as you see in my profile, and I may answer things assuming you are too. Makes it easy, if I can see where your "general", location. Otherwise we have to guess.

[Nikopizz]

it may be simpler in your case, to just plug the provided power supply into an UPS , then you don't have to worry how about how to wire it.

That is how I have mine.

I'm just using one of these, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FWAZEIU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I also have other low current draw items plugged in.

Edit1: The battery is user replaceable.
Edit2: I have 3 GW1000s, one GW1100, one GW2000, One console like yours, all plugged into it. Now I also have a larger UPS, that keeps some other stuff alive, like my network etc. The last, is if I have a power failure, and my Internet goes down as well (which it does) , I can still send data to my own local server(s) . Sadly though , no matter what you do, you cannot backload to internet sites like Ecowitt.net, WU, if the Internet goes down, that is handled by the owner of those sites , and usually not allowed (Imagine their headache if the did)

Thank you so much for the information provided!
I recently bought my PWS, so I’m a bit inexperienced and need to find as much useful information as possible.

I’ll try to look for something similar on Italian e-commerce sites!

[Nikopizz]

Nikopizz, may also ask that you provide your location, can be general , like country would be good enough, in your profile. That aids a lot of us to tailor our answers based on where you are. For instance, I am in the US , as you see in my profile, and I may answer things assuming you are too. Makes it easy, if I can see where your "general", location. Otherwise we have to guess.

Indeed, I hadn't paid much attention to editing my profile.
I’ve now added a bit more information 

[Gyvate]

I recently bought my PWS, so I’m a bit inexperienced and need to find as much useful information as possible.

reading our WiKi may help you getting a better understanding of your weather station and the Ecowitt ecosystem and many things around ...
https://meshka.eu/Ecowitt/dokuwiki/doku.php

you won't find a more comprehensive source of information for Ecowitt related topics

[Nikopizz]

it may be simpler in your case, to just plug the provided power supply into an UPS , then you don't have to worry how about how to wire it.

That is how I have mine.

I'm just using one of these, https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B01FWAZEIU/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1

I also have other low current draw items plugged in.

Edit1: The battery is user replaceable.
Edit2: I have 3 GW1000s, one GW1100, one GW2000, One console like yours, all plugged into it. Now I also have a larger UPS, that keeps some other stuff alive, like my network etc. The last, is if I have a power failure, and my Internet goes down as well (which it does) , I can still send data to my own local server(s) . Sadly though , no matter what you do, you cannot backload to internet sites like Ecowitt.net, WU, if the Internet goes down, that is handled by the owner of those sites , and usually not allowed (Imagine their headache if the did)

I tried searching for the same product you mentioned, but unfortunately, it is not available on the Italian Amazon store.
So I looked for alternatives and found:

• Tecnoware Mini UPS ERA PLUS
  
• Shanqiu Mini UPS
  

Do you think these could be compatible with the power requirements of the HP2561 console according to Ecowitt's specifications: USB to 2.5*0.7mm DC 5V power plug connector cable: 5V ⎓ 1.0A 5.0W?

Thanks 

[R.Sidetrack]

Perhaps following the links on this manufacturer's Italian website may be useful to you?
https://www.se.com/it/it/product-subcategory/8010-prodotti-elettronici-per-la-casa-e-lufficio/

[Nikopizz]

Perhaps following the links on this manufacturer's Italian website may be useful to you?
https://www.se.com/it/it/product-subcategory/8010-prodotti-elettronici-per-la-casa-e-lufficio/

Unfortunately, I cannot find the model indicated by Rover1822 that has Italian or EU sockets 

[Rover1822]

Perhaps following the links on this manufacturer's Italian website may be useful to you?
https://www.se.com/it/it/product-subcategory/8010-prodotti-elettronici-per-la-casa-e-lufficio/

Unfortunately, I cannot find the model indicated by Rover1822 that has Italian or EU sockets 

Mine was only an example , I'm sure you can find a similar sized UPS as the one I listed, from maybe another manufacturer. I really don't like giving out recommendations, as that puts me in the "blame chain " if someone has an issue. The difference between the one I was showing is that it was UPS that powers AC connected equipment directly. These are extremely common and most used type of UPS by far.  The ones you are listing are  provide DC, requiring you to match either barrel connector or USB if you use that. I was suggesting a simple UPS that you can just plug your current adapter into as it would be like like plugging into a wall receptacle , and the UPS is plugged into the wall receptacle , meaning you don't have to worry about matching voltages, power connectors, as you would still be using your original ones, just plugged into the UPS. This is the simplest solution, of course , you can find other ones, but , I'm gathering from your current conversations that maybe, just stick with the basic. You will still get the same benefit. There is 0 chance this type of unit is not available in Italy, as it used by just about everyone that has a computer system, or a something they want to protect.

[R.Sidetrack]

OK, lets try this: https://www.amazon.it/s?k=apc+ups&language=it_IT&crid=2OQQUVRATJPAL&sprefix=apc%2Caps%2C188&ref=nb_sb_ss_ts-doa-p_1_3

That is Amazon's Italy site, and the language is Italian. Look for products with "APC Schneider Electric" to see similar products to what Rover linked. You don't need a big, expensive UPS to support a weather station. I suggest a modestly priced unit, although personally I would try try to find one with a user-replaceable battery.

Pay attention to the "Deliver to" button to the left of the Search  box to set the Deliver To Country correctly.
For the English readers, there is a button at the top to turn the page language to English,

[Gyvate]

just by the way - I have two APC Schneider Electric pieces (UPS) - and in both the battery can be replaced by the user.

[Rover1822]

Can someone in europe more specifically  , Italy, find this chap (OP) a reliable, known brand  UPS , 600VA is more than sufficient, anything else would be excess and cost more. ?

i went through the sites, and sure I can throw out some models , but I have no idea on price.

I think a specific link to the item will be required.

[wd40]

Just for your information.  I have tried a pass-through battery bank same as you might use to backup a phone battery to power the console.

This did not work.  When the power goes off the console goes off because the battery bank did not switch either fast enough or not at all.  The console had to be restarted after a power failure using just the battery bank.. 

You can work around this if you know or suspect a coming power grid failure.  Prior to power loss switch to the battery pack only without pass through power.

[Rover1822]

This is different than from a standard UPS ,which I suggested, which switch fast.

I also have tried USB power bank things, they are frankly not UPS units, they are meant to charge a device and the UPS circuitry is not a primary concern, if it exists at all. Which is why , for the OP, I suggested, just getting a regular UPS, which is meant for the purpose, and in most cases costs less at the power level described.

Edit1: The issue currently is for someone to find the OP a link to a UPS , in Italy that will work. It is apparent that the OP would like a direct suggestion, meaning , here, this will work, buy this. I'm not in a position to do that

[Gyvate]

Can someone in europe more specifically  , Italy, find this chap (OP) a reliable, known brand  UPS , 600VA is more than sufficient, anything else would be excess and cost more. ?

i went through the sites, and sure I can throw out some models , but I have no idea on price.

I think a specific link to the item will be required.

An APC BR1200XI costs 152 EUR at amazon.it
(just think of also including the router and the modem and some RPi if you use one as weather server).
Will be able to cover for a few hours of blackout (of course depending on what all you connect to it).

[wd40]

I have not tested my console on power draw.  I am guessing though turning off the display back light will help extend the battery backup use time.