Advice on buying a weather station

Dazzler · **March 21, 2013, 11:12:54**

I know that at least one of our Members (Bob/Ouri30) has a proper weather station which I imagine is worth hundreds if not 1000's

I would like to get one up to about A$200 (but less would be nice) that has a solar powered sensor and a good wireless range.

I am mainly interested in temperature and rain measurement (wind speed etc.. is less important) I want a clear easy to read display and the ability to connect to my laptop or desktop PC would also be good.

The local weather readings come from the Airport which is more than 10kms away and right on the coast. it is probably on average 2^oC hotter here and I think we get a bit more rain too...

We have a manual rain guage but usually forget to empty it

I've found plenty on the net but how do I know which brand is the most reliable, accurate and easy to use?

Just Rick · **Reply #1: March 21, 2013, 14:10:31**

I have a good enough one for me,it gives me inside and outside temps,humidity and thats about it,I still use our normal rain gauge,wind speeds,barametric pressures mean nothing to me,if the wind is blowing it's windy,I know which way is north south eats and west so a rag on a stick will give me wind direction

i30premy · **Reply #2: March 21, 2013, 19:56:12**

Hi Dazz,
I'm also looking at a weather station, some info on what to consider here http://www.weatherbuffs.com/Articles.asp?ID=131

A fair bit of local info at the Whirlpool page if you do a search on Weather Stations

Another "Dazz" @ Singleton Heights has his weather on a website http://dazz.iridiumhost.com/pws/CumulusRealtime.html

If you are considering purchasing direct from US, be aware that they are on a different transmitting freq.

**Reply #3: March 21, 2013, 20:21:54**

Hi Dazzler,

No, not expensive at all. Cost me about $120 from memory. A bit of trial and error setting it up and learning a bit about HTML, although if you search for "Cumulus" and read up a bit, the setting up of your website can be lots of fun with help from a bunch of great guys (much like the crew on here) who give lots of assistance.

The rick is to set up your station in such a way as to eliminate some of the design flaws in the weather station. It's not rocket science, just common sense.

Cumulus is free software that when used with the weather station allows you to download data to your computer. It is not necessary to upload your data to the web and have it accessible as that can come later.

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-Weather-Station-Professional-SOLAR-Rain-Gauge-Thermometer-Excelatek-/321094319974?pt=AU_Gadgets&hash=item4ac2b67f66&_uhb=1#ht_9214wt_868

Just looked on eBay. They're cheaper than they were 4 years ago when I bought mine and now have solar detectors included.

Have fun.

Dazzler · **Reply #4: March 21, 2013, 22:03:52**

Thanks heaps Guys (I like that price Bob)

Dazzler · **Reply #5: March 21, 2013, 22:21:33**

So Bob, is that pretty much the same one you have?

This was one I had on my watch list but your display looks clearer...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300764905577?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

**Reply #6: March 22, 2013, 00:27:49**

Quote from: Dazzler on March 21, 2013, 22:21:33

So Bob, is that pretty much the same one you have?

This was one I had on my watch list but your display looks clearer...

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/300764905577?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649

Either one would do. In essence they are bother the same but with different a different consul. I don't use the software that comes with the unit, other than to get the USB driver installed. I then use Cumulus software to bring the data across to the computer and use this as the interface to read the data. Cumulus comes with a set of web templates that can be uploaded to a web server and then Cumulus sends the data to the server for access by others. There are thousands of members across the world with websites.

Aussie Keith · **Reply #7: March 22, 2013, 03:21:44**

http://excelatek.com.au/wireless-weather-station-wh2081/

I've been thinking about this as well. Thanks for the ebay link.

Dazzler · **Reply #8: March 22, 2013, 10:01:57**

I think I'll get that first one you linked to Bob.. Might put in a cheeky offer of $85 ($100 delivered)

Dazzler · **Reply #9: March 22, 2013, 20:31:18**

I bid $75 and 10 seconds before the auction finished someone bid $76, I slipped in a bid of $77 but it didn't take so I missed out .. However, I ended up getting one for $81.90 buy now price from a different seller ..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-Weather-Station-with-PC-Link-WH2081-/230947797895?pt=AU_Gadgets&hash=item35c58fbb87&_uhb=1#ht_3724wt_1398

I just realised although it looks identical this model doesn't say solar

So looks like I'll be up for batteries every 12 months or so (they are cheap enough these days) I do have a spare small solar panel so maybe I can adapt it...

**Reply #10: March 22, 2013, 20:36:36**

Congrats Dazz.

Now the fun part, setting it up. Now I need you to go out and buy a bucket of Maltesers. All will be revealed. I'm off to golf so catch you later.

Bob

Dazzler · **Reply #11: March 22, 2013, 20:41:54**

Quote from: ouri30 on March 22, 2013, 20:36:36

Congrats Dazz.

Now the fun part, setting it up. Now I need you to go out and buy a bucket of Maltesers. All will be revealed. I'm off to golf so catch you later.

Bob

You have me intrigued

No golf for me, Raining here (don't need a guage to work that out)

**Note my Edit on previous post about Solar**

FatBoy · **Reply #12: March 22, 2013, 22:25:16**

I have one I bought from Bunnings not long after we moved to Cygnet. Easy to set up however, it doesn't connect to a computer. It does display outside and inside temperature, pressure, wind speed and direction, and rainfall. The one thing I don't like about mine is that I can't adjust the pressure to compensate for altitude (it is set for sea level, and I'm not at sea level). Barometric pressure drops by about 1hPa for every 30 ft you increase your altitude. It displays a history of rainfall (hourly, daily or total) and shows the recent pressure changes (so you can see what the weather is likely to do).

Cost me $100.

FatBoy · **Reply #13: March 22, 2013, 22:26:40**

BTW Dazz, I was up your way yesterday, did you see me? The wind was blowing strong enough to blow the sugar out of my coffee!!

Dazzler · **Reply #14: March 23, 2013, 00:27:34**

Quote from: FatBoy on March 22, 2013, 22:26:40

BTW Dazz, I was up your way yesterday, did you see me? The wind was blowing strong enough to blow the sugar out of my coffee!!

I never thought to check out bunnings for one (but sounds like the one I have coming is ok)

I was slaving over a big counter/desk from 10.30 to 5.30 yesterday so I didn't get to see any choppers blow by...

Don't think I would have wanted to hitch a chopper ride yesterday (fairly dirty weather)

Aussie Keith · **Reply #15: March 23, 2013, 02:16:01**

Quote from: Dazzler on March 22, 2013, 20:31:18

I bid $75 and 10 seconds before the auction finished someone bid $76, I slipped in a bid of $77 but it didn't take so I missed out .. However, I ended up getting one for $81.90 buy now price from a different seller ..

http://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Wireless-Weather-Station-with-PC-Link-WH2081-/230947797895?pt=AU_Gadgets&hash=item35c58fbb87&_uhb=1#ht_3724wt_1398

I just realised although it looks identical this model doesn't say solar So looks like I'll be up for batteries every 12 months or so (they are cheap enough these days) I do have a spare small solar panel so maybe I can adapt it...

The link I posted is for the Solar one, $99-00 delivered. I should have mentioned that point and it might have saved you some grief. I'll be interested in how you go with hooking it up and getting it going.

**Reply #16: March 23, 2013, 05:10:30**

Quote from: Dazzler on March 22, 2013, 20:41:54

Quote from: ouri30 on March 22, 2013, 20:36:36
Congrats Dazz.

Now the fun part, setting it up. Now I need you to go out and buy a bucket of Maltesers. All will be revealed. I'm off to golf so catch you later.

Bob

You have me intrigued

No golf for me, Raining here (don't need a guage to work that out)

**Note my Edit on previous post about Solar**

Re the solar. Mine is not solar. I have lithium ion batteries in mine and they have lasted at least three years. The biggest advantage of the solar is that these models measure and records solar radiation (as well as charging batteries). Now that is not a big issue.

Re the maltesers, once you have eaten them, get yourself a funnel, ordinary plastic kitchen type will do fine. Now with a hole saw, cut a hole in the bottom of the bucket. With the bucket inverted, place funnel in the hole. The bucket fits snugly over the rain collector. The funnel becomes a bigger collector than the poor excuse for a collector funnel that comes with the weather station. You may need to trim the spout of the funnel a little. Cut out two notches in the bucket so it fits over the brackets on the base of the collector. Now use silicon to secure the funnel in the inverted bucket.

Don't fit the rain collector to the mast with the other gear as it will wobble in the wind, birds will land on it, etc., causing the bucket to tip and thereby recording rainfall when there is none. Fix the rain collector on something solid. I've made a platform for mine, at about 1 metre off the ground. There is ample cable to still place the other equipment well of the ground. Next to my rain collector, I have a manual rain gauge which I use to calibrate the bigger rain collector (funnel) using the Cumulus software.

Now, if that's too much to take in, ask lots of questions and I'll explain it further, along with some photos.

Bob

Phil №❶ · **Reply #17: March 23, 2013, 08:05:30**

Far from impressed Dazz,

I want one too.

Dazzler · **Reply #18: March 23, 2013, 10:25:45**

Quote from: Phil. on March 23, 2013, 08:05:30

Far from impressed Dazz,

I want one too.

Sorry Phil but for under $100 seems like a no brainer

Bob, thanks very much for your advice so far (the Maltesers might sweeten Trish up .. I haven't told her I have bought yet another gadget yet)

When it comes I reckon you have told me enough for me to work it out (But I will ask if I get stuck)

eye30 · **Reply #19: March 23, 2013, 14:26:32**

Reading this reminded me of the picture posted on here sometime ago, which I can't find at the moment, of a stone on string.

It says, from memory, if stone wet it is raining

Shambles · **Reply #20: March 23, 2013, 14:55:29**

Quote from: Aqua Blue on March 23, 2013, 14:26:32

Reading this reminded me of the picture posted on here sometime ago, which I can't find at the moment, of a stone on string.

Well remembered, from 10 days ago

https://i30ownersclub.com/forum/index.php?topic=21140.msg225019#msg225019

eye30 · **Reply #21: March 23, 2013, 16:07:00**

It had been posted many moons ago in a posting as 1 of many but couldn't find that one either.

Anyway today all I have to do is look out of the window and everywhere is covered in a blanket of lovely white stuff called snow.
Don't need a weather station here

Just started to snow again and by the looks of it on for the night.
Looks as if I'm going to get snowed on when I go for my weekly walk to ~~meet up with spirits~~ the local.

ps
You can't search on a picture

Dazzler · **Reply #22: March 23, 2013, 19:58:32**

We have an indoor/outdoor temp thing already. It is the rainfall I am mainly interested in seeing as we rely on our water tanks. The "local" rainfall observations can be way out compared to where we live...

2i30s · **Reply #23: March 23, 2013, 20:22:09**

Ive got an old style barometer on the wall under my pergola,does the job considering we bought it from a garage sale 20 years ago for $5.

Dazzler · **Reply #24: March 23, 2013, 23:21:24**

Quote from: 2i30s on March 23, 2013, 20:22:09

Ive got an old style barometer on the wall under my pergola,does the job considering we bought it from a garage sale 20 years ago for $5.

We've got a cheap one of those too (never think to look at it) I guess if I left it outside and it got very wet i would know we had a lot of rain

2i30s · **Reply #25: March 23, 2013, 23:26:45**

Doggie 1 · **Reply #26: March 23, 2013, 23:36:05**

Quote from: Dazzler on March 23, 2013, 19:58:32

We have an indoor/outdoor temp thing already. It is the rainfall I am mainly interested in seeing as we rely on our water tanks. The "local" rainfall observations can be way out compared to where we live...

How many inches do you usually have?

2i30s · **Reply #27: March 23, 2013, 23:42:23**

I'm staying clear of this one.

Dazzler · **Reply #28: March 24, 2013, 00:46:47**

Quote from: db08 on March 23, 2013, 23:36:05

Quote from: Dazzler on March 23, 2013, 19:58:32
We have an indoor/outdoor temp thing already. It is the rainfall I am mainly interested in seeing as we rely on our water tanks. The "local" rainfall observations can be way out compared to where we live...

How many inches do you usually have?

I think in a year I have more inches than the average Devonport resident..

Doggie 1 · **Reply #29: March 24, 2013, 00:52:21**

Quote from: Dazzler on March 24, 2013, 00:46:47

Quote from: db08 on March 23, 2013, 23:36:05
Quote from: Dazzler on March 23, 2013, 19:58:32
We have an indoor/outdoor temp thing already. It is the rainfall I am mainly interested in seeing as we rely on our water tanks. The "local" rainfall observations can be way out compared to where we live...

How many inches do you usually have?

I think in a year I have more inches than the average Devonport resident..

Ever thought of just getting a weather cock?