Outdoor Weather Station

[chords]

Looking to install an outdoor wireless unit that I can access thru the internet on a PC that will provide all the usual current info along with past daily stats. I've done some research but am a bit overwhelmed.

I would like an outdoor unit solar powered. And will it work with the limited winter sunshine ? And record accurate temps in full summer sun ?

And also I need to be able to add on couple basic sensors in enclosed space's like a stand alone well pump housing, crawl space.

 

[frnash]

Looking to install an outdoor wireless unit that I can access thru the internet on a PC that will provide all the usual current info along with past daily stats. I've done some research but am a bit overwhelmed.

I would like an outdoor unit solar powered. And will it work with the limited winter sunshine ? And record accurate temps in full summer sun ?

And also I need to be able to add on couple basic sensors in enclosed space's [sic] like a stand alone well pump housing, crawl space.

Pending an answer from John, let me suggest that you check out …
(click →) Ambient Weather.
IMHO, it isn't worth your time shopping anywhere else for serious weather instruments. Period.

See this page (click →) All Personal Weather Stations, and choose your desired options in the column on the left entitled WEATHER FEATURES.

The name of the game for serious weather stations is Davis Instruments (they're in there) — the Davis Vantage Pro/Pro Plus models in particular. For recording accurate temps in full summer sun (we get just a wee bit of that in Phoenix, AZ!), I strongly suggest including the Fan-Aspirated Radiation Shield.

(Beyond that, I can't help you much with specific advice for add on basic sensors for enclosed spaces (← that's plural, not possessive — so no apostrophe! ) like a stand alone well pump housing, crawl space.)

With that said, I'll hand off to John.

 

[Admin]

Yep. Anything by Davis is good. I have a solar powered, fan aspirated and it would take care of all of your concerns chords.

I will also offer up the advise to avoid anything else. They typically break down within the first year or so. My Davis has been running for 15+ years.

-John

 

[Northstar]

Well I have had the AcurRite 5 in 1 weather station and indoor display unit for 6 years without issue. It is also solar powered with battery backup and I had to finally change out the 4 AA batteries this last summer, but 5 years on Alkaline batteries is not bad. I even added additional sensors for the basement and main floor of the cabin so I can see what is going on on the the phone app in one glance when I am not up there.

Well maybe I got lucky with a good one, but if it did die tomorrow I would probably replace it with the same.

 

[favoritos]

Another vote for Davis. I tried a few other brands and lost sensors etc. way too fast. I've been using a basic Vantage Pro unit for about fourteen years. I put the single piece outdoor sensor pack on a tripod six feet above the roof peak. I'm actually a little surprised that hasn't failed yet. The outdoor pack uses a small solar panel and battery for backup power. The first batteries were lasting around three years before sending a message. The solar panel is starting to lose a little effectiveness, so I'm replacing the battery each year now. That is the only maintenance I have needed other than cobwebs. I clean those when I change the battery.
I do not have fan aspiration. I initially did compare temps of the rooftop unit to other sensors around the property. (I was concerned about getting radiant heat off the structure.) The mount location has been accurate in full sun without using a fan.
I do have issues with less than actual wind speed readings. There are a lot of trees that probably still affect the readings even with the high sensor location. I've tried recalibrating without seeing improvements.
The rain tipper is probably the biggest surprise. I had those sensors fail early on other units. I rarely trusted their accuracy and kept a couple of old rain gauges in the yard for comparison. I don't even bother putting out the rain gauges anymore. The Davis sensor has been durable and fairly accurate. I even get readings as the snow melts through. The raining cats and dogs message still brings a smile.
BTW, I was able to use the mount base from an old satellite dish as the bottom pole mount. (There are a ton of those sitting around.) I drilled a couple of holes into some heavier pipe and slid it right into the swivel base. Some dish mounts also had additional brace structures. I just made my own braces. The overall goal is a steady mount for the sensor unit.

 

[chords]

Yes the Davis pro series is the one I was checking out. Thanks for the advice n links.

 

[favoritos]

A little update with my Davis station.
The low battery warning came up during the long cold snap and remained after the warmer weather and full sun exposure. I did finally get up on the roof to replace the battery. The warning came back in about two weeks. I called Davis to figure out what might be causing the battery to go dead so fast. (The solar panel still looked good when I replaced the battery.) They were good about the process and explained that the solar panel would probably still be working, but the supercapcitor was likely reaching the end. I asked about replacing the capacitor and they explained the process. They also stated that a unit that old should be rebuilt or replaced eventually. I decided to replace the sensor suite. (To be honest, the steep roof location was a key factor.) The ability to replace just the sensor suite for $178.47, which included shipping and a new battery, also helped seal the decision.

The replacement process also renewed my enthusiasm for the company and the products.
I put the suite together and had some odd left over parts in the package. Little rubber U shaped pads and clear bumpers that didn't belong on the sensor suite. I may be getting cynical, but extra, or missing parts, seem to almost be normal. That was not the case in this situation. Those little parts might not seem like a big deal, but they were perfect for the age of the station. We move the receiver/display unit around quite often. It is super handy to just haul it around the home when weather gets interesting. Over the years, we lost one of the rubber feet under the legs. The other one was getting dry and hard. I had completely forgotten about them being missing and aged. Over time, we got used to holding the console while pushing buttons on the display. The extra replacement parts were the rubber feet and pads for the console base. Those little parts make pushing buttons a one hand deal again.
I'm surprised at myself for being so pleased with those simple inexpensive parts. But, they reinforce the kind of thinking about customer needs that I appreciate. No fuss, no commotion, just do it right.

 

[Cirrus]

I have the Davis Vantage Pro 2 Plus. Installed last October, and so far it's been awesome. Made it thru all the snow, cold and wind, mother nature could throw at it. Seems to be very accurate, and installation was relatively easy.
I installed mine on the PVC vent pipe, about 10 feet above the metal roof, for better temp accuracy. I would like to move it to the 20 ft. TV tower, but I'm afraid of heights, even with a harness.
Mine got blown around a bit in the wind, and it moved the weather vane, so it wasn't pointing perfectly north, but you're able to adjust for that with calibration.
Nevertheless, I got up there yesterday and lowered the sensor suite and rain gauge cup, so it wasn't so high up on the pole, hoping it wouldn't act as such a "kite in the wind", to be blown around. Easy 10 minute adjustment.
Moved the wind anemometer back to true north, changed my calibration back to zero degree's, and we were good to go. We will see how it stands the test of time.
I was surprised I was able to get a signal with the console, even at a window, with the signal having to travel thru the metal roof. I thought it would need a repeater, but it works, even at a distance of about 40 feet.
This seems to be a quality unit.