60+ year old thread.

Tom,

I installed a Davis Vantage Vue at my house 3.5 years ago. Love it. I did not buy the software to send data to a computer since it was only for my personal use, but it is available. A guy at our soaring club installed one with the software and had the data sent to weatherunderground (sounds like a terrorist site!) so it could be sent to the club's website. Worked great until someone left a window open and rain fried the laptop.

Additional notes on this system: Contrary to what most people think, the "backup" lithium battery is NOT charged by the small solar panel. The ISS contains a capacitor that is charged by the solar panel and is claimed to be able to power the unit overnight. When the capacitor is discharged, the lithium battery jumps in. Problem is, after a few cloudy days the battery discharges to the point that you start to see a "Low Batt Transmitter #x" on the display console. Time to replace the battery. Additionally, you need to check the rain collection bucket ocassionally for debris .... a couple of years ago a bird decided to make the ISS his perch and clogged the rain bucket with poop. Really screwed up the rainfall readings.

 

Mike:
I had to replace the battery after 3 years of use. Not too bad.

 

WBO

Thanks Jim.

Yes Larry, I'm curious also.

Hmmm... On number one, please start with an evaluation of Jim's posts. That should keep you busy for a while.

I'll handle question number two, short answer is YES ... Welcome to the club, Mike ... No charge for the easy questions.

 

Picture of the reinstalled weather station.





Bonus pond pic. I need to install the submerged filter this week and winterize the waterfall.

 

Very cool.
You must have a display to read indoors.

 

Yup Mike. It is wireless so I can move the display console anywhere in the house. Usually keep it over by the coffee pot.

 

Seems like I'm always talking about the weather. It snowed everyday this week. Temperatures mostly in the 20's. Got over a foot in my backyard. Glad to see new people on this site too. I must becoming an old Grinch because I can't wait for all of the Christmas hoopla to end. Will be officially retiring in April '14. Not in too bad shape for a '64 year old, no real aches or pains. A bit crazy I guess. Have a good weekend all.

 

Afternoon all:
I think the Mods. sent Larry to us. They probably think something not right with us old guys!
Hmmm! Maby It's not us! Could it be !

By the way, Jan 1st 2014 should be the end of 40 & 60W incandescent light bulbs.
Stock up!

Looking good; 17 - zipp! Looks like 12 in a row!

 

x2

 

I need to check out that link you posted. I wouldn't mind having a set up like that. How durable is it with regards to wind? We get some pretty nasty wind here in Winter. We've had up to 100MPH before. Gusts in the range of 60 to 70 are not unusual...had that recently for about 24 hours.

EDIT: Link Bookmarked.

 

The Davis Instruments Vantage Vue Weather Station is a wireless setup. You can move the indoor console anywhere in the house. The advertised range between the outdoor ISS and the indoor console is 1000 feet. Mine is roughly 200 feet. The setup at our gliding club is closer to 400 feet. Both work fine.

Something to take into consideration is that the Davis Instrument folks are extremely helpful when you call about a problem. Earlier this year my system was constantly showing a LOW BATT message even after I replaced the battery. Called Davis Instruments, explained the problem, and they asked me to send the entire system to them. They did a software upgrade, calibrated everything, and sent it back .... NO CHARGE, even though it was technically out of warranty. Can't beat that !!

 

I appreciate the info Mike. You guys have really peaked my interest in getting one of these.

Sounds like you're getting some venison in the freezer, Cap'n. Good deal!

 

here comes the snow..

12 degrees out. going to be a fun sunday.
ye haaaa

 

We sunk a 4X6 4' into the ground then attached a 1 1/2" conduit to the weather station. I clamped the conduit to the 4X6 with 8 clamps. So far it has taken all Maryland can toss its way.

That is good to know.


The unit will store 1 years worth of data, for some functions, but resets on the 1st of the year. Kind of neat to follow the rainfall for year to date.

 

Sorry Tom &Mark. Navy 34 Army 7....Maybe next season.

 

MMMMM
The weather station is more expensive than i thought.
Uploading to the net is almost as expensive.
I had one when i had a school project. The station consisted of a cup to measure rainfall, a thermometer that looked ike it went in a cows ass, and something else that NEVER WORKED. Never got into it. But i do like watching the tornado chasers. I could get into that i think.

 

You referring to me?? :sm.....

evening gents!!!

x2 on maintenance being hard on a body knees and shoulders

 

Mike:

1) From what I've been reading....I don't think so. That's why we still have institutions. Actually, as part of our overall strategy to deal with mental health problems, one of the first steps is to get people registered and actively posting on TW. After a few years, we move them to a dedicated "build" forum where they get to install a lift on their walker or wheelchair. The final stage involves.........uh, hold on, someone's at the door.....back in a minute.

2) Yes you can. It's all in the mind. On a related note, before you get to the top of the cliff and start flapping, can you sign your Tacoma over to me? Just asking.