Campbell TurfWeather Instruction Manual
TurfWeather Weather Station
Revision: 5/11
Copyright © 2004-2011
Campbell Scientific, Inc.
WARRANTY AND ASSISTANCE
This equipment is warranted by CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC (CANADA) CORP. (“CSC”) to
be free from defects in materials and workmanship under normal use and service for
twelve (12) months from date of shipment unless specified otherwise. ***** Batteries
are not warranted. ***** CSC's obligation under this warranty is limited to repairing or
replacing (at CSC's option) defective products. The customer shall assume all costs of
removing, reinstalling, and shipping defective products to CSC. CSC will return such
products by surface carrier prepaid. This warranty shall not apply to any CSC products
which have been subjected to modification, misuse, neglect, accidents of nature, or
shipping damage. This warranty is in lieu of all other warranties, expressed or implied,
including warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose. CSC is not
liable for special, indirect, incidental, or consequential damages.
Products may not be returned without prior authorization. To obtain a Return
Merchandise Authorization (RMA), contact CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC (CANADA) CORP.,
at (780) 454-2505. An RMA number will be issued in order to facilitate Repair Personnel
in identifying an instrument upon arrival. Please write this number clearly on the outside
of the shipping container. Include description of symptoms and all pertinent details.
CAMPBELL SCIENTIFIC (CANADA) CORP. does not accept collect calls.
Non-warranty products returned for repair should be accompanied by a purchase order to
cover repair costs.
PLEASE READ FIRST
About this manual
Please note that this manual was originally produced by Campbell Scientific Inc. (CSI) primarily
for the US market. Some spellings, weights and measures may reflect this origin.
Some useful conversion factors:
Area: 1 in
2
(square inch) = 645 mm
2
Length: 1 in. (inch) = 25.4 mm
1 ft (foot) = 304.8 mm
1 yard = 0.914 m
1 mile = 1.609 km
Mass: 1 oz. (ounce) = 28.35 g
1 lb (pound weight) = 0.454 kg
Pressure: 1 psi (lb/in2) = 68.95 mb
Volume: 1 US gallon = 3.785 litres
In addition, part ordering numbers may vary. For example, the CABLE5CBL is a CSI part
number and known as a FIN5COND at Campbell Scientific Canada (CSC). CSC Technical
Support will be pleased to assist with any questions.
TurfWeather Table of Contents
PDF viewers note: These page numbers refer to the printed version of this document. Use
the Adobe Acrobat® bookmarks tab for links to specific sections.
1. Quick Start Guide ........................................................1
1.1 Computer Requirements ...........................................................................1
1.2 TurfWeather Setup Procedure ..................................................................1
1.3 Radio Setup.............................................................................................14
1.4 Help and Support....................................................................................16
2. Installation..................................................................16
2.1 Power Sources ........................................................................................16
2.2 Site Selection ..........................................................................................16
2.3 Communications Considerations ............................................................17
2.3.1 Direct Communications ................................................................17
2.3.1.1 Cable Lengths......................................................................17
2.3.1.2 Grounding Issues.................................................................18
2.3.2 Wireless Communications ............................................................18
2.3.2.1 Transmission Ranges...........................................................18
2.3.2.2 Line-of-Sight .......................................................................18
2.3.2.3 Testing Radio Transmissions ..............................................19
2.4 Installation Procedures............................................................................20
2.4.1 Tripod Installation Procedures......................................................20
2.4.1.1 Procedure 1a: 16776 Tripod Preparation for Installation...20
2.4.1.2 Procedure 1b: Ground Installations....................................22
2.4.1.3 Procedure 2: 16772 Guy-Wire Kit Installation ..................23
2.4.1.4 Procedure 3: Mounting the TurfWeather Station on a
Tripod or Pole ..................................................................24
2.4.1.5 Procedure 4: SP5 Solar Panel Installation..........................27
2.4.1.6 Procedure 5: 16775 Ground Kit Installation ......................28
2.4.1.7 Procedure 6: Base Radio and standard antenna
installation ........................................................................30
2.4.1.8 Procedure 7: 17342 Short-Haul Modem installation..........31
3. Maintenance ...............................................................34
3.1 Solar Panel P/N SP5 ...............................................................................34
3.2 Battery Pack P/N 14159..........................................................................34
3.3 Temperature/Relative Humidity sensor P/N 14144................................34
3.4 Solar Radiation sensor P/N 14009..........................................................34
3.5 Rain Gauge P/N 25585 ...........................................................................35
3.6 Wind Speed Sensor P/N 14010 ..............................................................35
3.7 Wind Direction Sensor P/N 14011 .........................................................35
3.8 Memory Battery P/N 15598....................................................................35
3.9 Auxiliary Battery Unit Installation Procedure ........................................35
3.10 High Gain Base Station Antenna Installation Procedure......................41
3.11 Battery Pack (P/N 14159) Removal and Replacement Procedure........43
3.12 Temperature/Relative Humidity Sensor Assembly (P/N 14144)
Removal and Replacement Procedure................................................46
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Appendix
A. TurfWeather Equipment.......................................... A-1
3.13 Solar Radiation Sensor (P/N 14009) Removal and Replacement
Procedure........................................................................................... 48
3.14 Rain Gauge (P/N 25585) Removal and Replacement Procedure......... 51
3.15 Wind Speed Sensor (Anemometer) (P/N 14010) Removal and
Replacement Procedure..................................................................... 53
3.16 Wind Direction Sensor (P/N 14011) Removal and Replacement
Procedure........................................................................................... 56
3.17 Memory Battery (P/N 15598) Removal and Replacement Procedure . 58
3.18 Main Electronics Board (Motherboard) Removal and Replacement
Procedure........................................................................................... 60
3.19 Spread Spectrum Radio (all frequencies) Removal and Replacement
Procedure........................................................................................... 63
A.1 Communications Options.................................................................... A-1
A.1.1 16878 Serial-to-USB Adapter ................................................... A-1
A.2 Power Supplies.................................................................................... A-1
A.2.1 16851 5 W Solar Panel Kit........................................................ A-1
A.2.2 16876 AC Converter ................................................................. A-2
A.3 Mounting/Installation Kits .................................................................. A-3
A.3.1 16776—Tripod/Mast Assembly ................................................ A-3
A.3.2 16770—Tripod Installation Kit ................................................. A-3
A.3.3 16773—Tripod Stake Kit .......................................................... A-4
A.3.4 16771—Tripod Mast Extension ................................................ A-4
A.3.5 16772—Tripod Guy-wire Kit.................................................... A-5
A.3.6 16775—Tripod Grounding Kit.................................................. A-6
Figures
1-1. Box of standard and wireless equipment. The lift straps allow easy
removal of the weather station from the box ................................... 1
1-2. Serial cable (left) and the weather station serial port in which the
serial cable male connector connects. A dust cover must be
removed from the weather station RS-232 port before
connecting the cable......................................................................... 2
1-3. Keyed power switch is located on the bottom of the weather station..... 2
1-4. The radio antenna may be a surface mount antenna (left), a whip
antenna(right) that connects directly to the radio, or other
optional antennas (not shown) ....................................................... 14
1-5. The connector marked Antenna on an RF401-series radio is where
the antennas attach. ........................................................................ 14
1-6. Radio connections. The serial cable (left) connects to the port
marked RS232 and the AC adapter connects to the port
marked DC Pwr input .................................................................... 15
2-1. Ten Times the Height Rule. If the height of the tree, T, is 8 feet
and the height of the shed, H, is 7 ft then the weather station
should be placed at least 80 ft away from the tree (i.e., 10T =
10x8 =80 ft) and 70 ft away from the shed (i.e., 10H = 10x7 =
70 ft) .............................................................................................. 17
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TurfWeather Table of Contents
2-2. Line-of-sight examples. As the dotted line indicates, Station 1
has a clear line-of-sight with the Computer Site. The mountain
obstructs Station 2’s line-of-sight and would reduce or possibly
prevent wireless communications...................................................19
2-3. The 16776 Tripod Kit includes the nut and bolt (left) used to
attach each foot to the tripod ..........................................................20
2-4. Pound the tapered end of the mast extension (left) into the tripod
mast. If using two extensions, pound the tapered end of the
second extension into the top of the first extension........................21
2-5. The mast fits in the center of the tripod. The mast height is adjusted
by moving the tripod legs or removing the mast cup and sliding
the mast up or down in the collars..................................................21
2-6. For temporary sites, drive the stakes of the 16773 Tripod Stake
Kit (left) through the center hole in each tripod foot (right).
The stakes should be driven in until they barely contact the
foot surface. For permanent sites, install user-supplied bolts
through the holes in each tripod foot..............................................22
2-7. The TurfWeather weather station assembly properly seated on a
mast or pole ....................................................................................24
2-8. Two views of the TurfWeather station. The U-bolt and nuts are
shown..............................................................................................25
2-9. Accurate wind direction measurements require the reference line
on the wind direction sensor (right) to be aligned with
Magnetic North...............................................................................25
2-10. The bubble level (in red box) confirms the station is level,
which is required for accurate rainfall and solar radiation
measurements .................................................................................26
2-11. The red or green cap protects the solar radiation sensor while the
weather station is being shipped and installed. Accurate
measurements require the cap to be removed.................................27
2-12. The ground lug connected to the bottom of the weather station .........28
2-13. The right close up is the 14 AWG wire and the #4 cable attached
to the tripod coupling......................................................................29
2-14. The #4 cable connected to the ground rod ..........................................29
2-15. The Base RF401 and RF416 installation.............................................30
2-16. The Short Haul Enclosure Mounted....................................................32
2-17. The Cables Connected to Enclosure....................................................33
2-18. The Cables Connected to Weather Station..........................................33
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TurfWeather Weather Station
1. Quick Start Guide
1.1 Computer Requirements
x Windows 2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 Operating System.
x Available Serial Port or USB Port (Serial-to-USB Converter Cable
required)
Lift Straps
FIGURE 1-1. Box of standard and wireless equipment. The lift straps
allow easy removal of the weather station from the box.
1.2 TurfWeather Setup Procedure
1. Remove the top foam packing from the TurfWeather weather station box
and verify you have all ordered equipment (see Equipment List).
2. Unpack equipment.
CAUTION
a. Use the lift straps to remove the weather station, since
removing the station by lifting on the sensors may damage
the sensors (see Figure 1-1).
b. Avoid resting the weather station on the wind speed
and wind direction sensors.
c. Report missing or damaged equipment to Campbell
Scientific Customer Service before installing your system.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
3. Install the Campbell Scientific PC200W Software on your computer.
4. Connect the serial cable male connector to the weather station RS-232
port and the serial cable female connector to a computer serial port
(Figure 1-2).
FIGURE 1-2. Serial cable (left) and the weather station serial port in
which the serial cable male connector connects.
A dust cover must be removed from the weather station RS-232 port
before connecting the cable.
NOTE
NOTE
a. Ensure the computer serial port is not already assigned to an
open program.
b. If you’re connecting the cable to a USB port, a serial-to-USB
converter cable is required and optionally available from
Campbell Scientific P/N 16878,USB-AD.
If the TurfWeather station has been configured for use with the
optional external battery back, no internal battery is inside of the
weather station. The station must be powered from the external
battery unit prior to turning on the key in step 5. To do this, the
cable (P/N 18971) should be connected to the “AUXILIARY”
connector on the bottom of the TurfWeather station and to the
external battery unit. Refer to Section 3.9 of the manual, but
note that the internal battery has already been removed.
5. Turn the key to the on position (Figure 1-3). This is the power on/off
switch for the weather station. The weather station will be running on
battery power only at this point. Remember to turn this switch off
whenever possible when the charging cable is not connected to prevent
damaging the battery.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
FIGURE 1-3. Keyed power switch is located on the bottom
of the weather station.
6. Load and start the Campbell Scientific PC200W software.
7. The first time PC200W opens, it will open with the “EZSetup Wizard” or
it can be accessed by clicking on the add button. It is the green “+” in the
top left area of the main screen.
8. Click on the Next button on the Introduction window.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
9. Select CR200Series from the drop down menu in the Datalogger Type
and Name window. Highlight the CR200Series under the Datalogger
Name and rename it “TurfWeather”. Click Next.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
10. Select the COM Port used to connect to the weather station from the COM
Port drop down box. Leave the COM Port Communication Delay set to
00 seconds, and click Next.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
11. Select 9600 from the Baud Rate drop down box, the PakBus Address 1,
and the Extra Response Time 00 and then click Next.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
12. This will be the Communication Setup Summary, click on Next.
If changes need to be made, then click on Previous to go to the Correct
window to make changes. Then click on Next to advance back to the
Setup Summary.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
13. This will be the Communication Test window. With Yes selected, click
on Next.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
14. Communication Test Succeeded window will inform you after table
definitions have been updated. This may take several minuets. Click
Next.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
15. The Datalogger Clock window will display the PC clock and the
Datalogger clock. Click on the Set Datalogger Clock to sync the
Datalogger date and time with the PC if needed then click Next.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
16. The Datalogger Program window will display the current program.
Verify the correct program for application is shown as Current Program.
Click Next.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
17. The Wizard Complete window is now displayed. Click on Finish This
will bring you to the main PC200W window
18. From this Main Screen, click on the Monitor Data tab at the top.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
NOTE
19. This screen will display the measurements from the TurfWeather weather
station. The weather station is communicating and making measurements
if the screen readings being displayed look accurate and are updating.
20. Click on Disconnect. PC200W can also be used to verify communication
with radios after setting them up using the following instructions.
21. Proceed to Radio Setup (Section 1.3) if using radio communication. If the
TurfWeather weather station is a direct connect, Turn off key switch on
weather station and proceed to the TurfWeather Site Installation Guide.
If the weather station does not function properly, contact your
local distributor to solve the problem before continuing to the
next steps.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
1.3 Radio Setup
1. Attach the antenna or cable to the radio connector marked Antenna
(Figures 1-4 and 1-5).
FIGURE 1-4. The radio antenna may be a surface mount
antenna (left), a whip antenna(right) that connects directly to the radio,
or other optional antennas (not shown).
FIGURE 1-5. The connector marked Antenna on an RF401-series radio
is where the antennas attach.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
2. Connect the serial cable male connector to the radio connector marked
RS232 and the female connector to a computer serial port (Figure 1-6).
FIGURE 1-6. Radio connections. The serial cable (left) connects to the
port marked RS232 and the AC adapter connects to the port marked
DC Pwr input.
NOTE
3. Plug the RF401 AC Adapter into a grounded AC wall outlet.
4. Connect the other end of the AC adapter to the RF401 connector marked
DC Pwr input (Figure 1-6). The red Pwr/Tx status light should illuminate.
5. Start the Campbell Scientific PC200W software. Click on Connect. Click
on the Monitor Data tab to confirm communication.
6. Monitor the sensor displays. After a few minutes, numeric values should
appear if the weather station and radio are communicating. Also indicator
lights on the RF401-series radio will blink.
If the radio is not communicating properly, you may be
experiencing interference from nearby equipment such as
wireless phones, other spread spectrum radios, or another
TurfWeather weather station. Changing some settings on your
radio and weather station should rectify this situation. Contact
your local distributor for assistance.
7. If your radio is working properly, close the Campbell Scientific PC200W
software and turn the key to the off position. You are now ready to install
your weather station at the site. Turn off key switch on weather station
and Proceed to the TurfWeather Site Installation Guide.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
1.4 Help and Support
NOTE
2. Installation
2.1 Power Sources
The latitude, longitude, and altitude of your site is entered into
the location area when setting up the station in Weather Station
software. A GPS unit, Google Earth or NOAA web sites can
help provide this information. This information is used in the
formula by the software to calculate Evapotranspiration.
x TurfWeather Site Installation Guide
x Campbell Scientific customer support 435-752-2342
This guide includes procedures for installing your TurfWeather weather station
on a tripod or pole and for installing our associated mounting/installation kits
as required. Before installing your weather station at your site, read over the
sections on power sources, site selection, and communications considerations.
The installation procedures start in Section 2.4.
TurfWeather weather stations are provided with an internal sealed rechargeable
lead acid battery that must be recharged to assure continued system function.
For recharging the battery, Campbell Scientific offers solar panels or an
AC/DC converter (see Appendix A: TurfWeather Equipment). If no power
supply has been ordered, you must provide an external DC power source that
has an output rating of 18 V.
CAUTION
Connecting an incompatible power source to your weather
station voids your Warranty. It is advisable for you to
check with your local distributor before connecting a power
source not purchased with weather station.
2.2 Site Selection
The ideal weather station site is level and well away from obstructions such as
buildings, trees, and steep slopes. If obstructions exist, use the “Ten Times the
Height Rule”, which is illustrated in Figure 2-1 below.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
FIGURE 2-1. Ten Times the Height Rule. If the height of the tree, T, is
8 feet and the height of the shed, H, is 7 ft then the weather station
should be placed at least 80 ft away from the tree (i.e., 10T = 10x8 =80
ft) and 70 ft away from the shed (i.e., 10H = 10x7 = 70 ft).
Another option when obstructions exist is to raise the weather station height
above the obstruction by using mast extensions.
NOTE
a. If your weather station will be inside a fence to discourage
vandalism, the fence top must be lower than the wind sensors
even if the fence is chain-link.
b. Accurate wind measurements require your weather station to
be located at the highest point in a particular region.
c. The tripod/mast height cannot exceed 10 feet (312 cm).
2.3 Communications Considerations
2.3.1 Direct Communications
Short-haul modems enable communication between the weather station and
computer over two twisted pairs of wires. This communication requires the
DCE/DTE switch on the modem to be in the DTE position at the weather
station, and in the DCE position at the computer.
2.3.1.1 Cable Lengths
The maximum distance between modems is determined by baud rate and wire
gage. At 9600 baud, the approximate range is 2 miles using 24 AWG wire.
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TurfWeather Weather Station
2.3.1.2 Grounding Issues
Outdoor cables may be subject to induced currents due to lightning or other
environmental factors. Therefore proper grounding is imperative to avoid
damage to the weather station and/or the Host computer.
CAUTION
To minimize the possibility of equipment damage or
personal hazard, we strongly recommend a qualified
electrician design and install the grounding and data
isolation components of a directly wired installation.
2.3.2 Wireless Communications
2.3.2.1 Transmission Ranges
Site your TurfWeather weather station within the spread spectrum radio
transmission range. Typical transmission ranges are listed below:
x Up to ½ mile (0.8 km)for the weather station 916MHz and weather station
922MHz
x Up to ¼ mile (0.4 km)for the weather station 2.40GHz
x Up to 7 miles if an optional higher gain antenna is installed on both the
weather station and the RF401 Base Station
NOTE
a. The transmission ranges assume standard weather station
antennas are used at the computer site. User-supplied, higher
gain antennas at the base station or on the weather station can
increase the transmission range.
2.3.2.2 Line-of-Sight
b. The ranges assume no obstructions are in the line-of-sight.
Line-of-sight is defined and described below.
Line-of-sight is defined as a straight path between a transmitting and receiving
antenna that is unobstructed by intermediate topography or obstructions (see
Figure 2-2). A clear line-of-sight is required to achieve the optimum
transmission range. The affect of obstructions on the transmission range can
vary. Therefore if obstructions lie within the line-of-sight, you should test your
radio transmissions before permanently installing your weather station (see
Testing Radio Transmissions (Section 2.3.2.3).
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