DAVIS Wireless Repeater User Manual
Wireless Repeater
Installation Manual
AC-Powered and Solar-Powered Repeaters
Models 7626 and 7627
For use with Vantage Pro2™ and Vantage Vue™
wireless weather stations
$AVIS)NSTRUMENTS$IABLO!VENUE(AYWARD#!53!ssWWWDAVISNETCOM
3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778
510-732-9229 • Fax: 510-732-9188
E-mail: info@davisnet.com • www.davisnet.com
FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC
Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This
equipment generates, uses, and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the
instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful
interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment on and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Changes or modification not expressly approved in writing by Davis Instruments may void the warranty and void the user's
authority to operate this equipment.
FCC ID: IR2DWW7626
IC: 3788A-765Y
EC EMC Compliance
This product complies with the essential protection requirements of the EC EMC Directive 2004/108/EC; Low Voltage Directive
2006/95/EC; and Eco-Design Directive 2005/32EC>.05 watt no-load adoater. RoHS Compliant.
Wireless Repeater Manual
Rev. E, August 25, 2009
Document Part Number: 07395.238
For Wireless Repeaters: 7626, 7627
Vantage Pro®, Vantage Pro2™ & Vantage Vue™ are trademarks of Davis Instruments Corp.,
Hayward, CA.
© Davis Instruments Corp. 2009. All rights reserved.
Information in this document subject to change without notice.
Transmitter and Repeater ID Worksheet
List the transmitter types and circle the transmitter IDs used:
Transmitter Type Transmitter ID
Circle last Repeater ID used:
ABCDEF GH
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Table of Contents
Wireless Repeater Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Included Components and Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1
Repeater Board Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2
Wireless Repeater Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
Wireless Repeater Installation Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
Repeater Configuration/Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Repeater Architecture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
Single Repeater Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Advanced Repeater Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
Applying Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Single Repeater Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Verify Transmitter ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Verifying Repeater ID . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Verifying Communication with a Transmitter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
Choosing a Location . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Testing a Proposed Location. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 19
Advanced Repeater Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Multiple Repeater (Daisy-Chain) Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20
Multiple Transmitters/One Repeater Installation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 23
Combination Network (Multiple Transmitters/Repeaters) Installation . . . . . . . . . . . 26
Choosing Locations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Testing Proposed Locations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29
Mounting the Wireless Repeater . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
General Installation Guidelines . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Installing the Repeater on a Flat Surface . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30
Installing the Repeater on a Pole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31
Console and WeatherLink Configuration . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Repeater Information on the Console . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32
Repeater Functionality in WeatherLink . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 33
Maintenance and Troubleshooting. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Normal Repeater Operation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
Repeater Troubleshooting Error Codes. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36
First In Chain Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Communication Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 38
Repeater Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 39
Appendix A . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Specifications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 40
Appendix B . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
First in Chain Configurations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 41
Changing First In Chain Jumper Position . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
Verifying Communication with a Transmitter and Repeaters . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42
First In Chain Repeater Troubleshooting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 44
i
Wireless Repeater Overview
Davis Wireless Repeaters can be used with any Vantage Pro2 wireless station to retransmit weather data to a Vantage Pro2 compatible receiver (Vantage Pro2 or Vantage Vue
console, Weather Envoy
one station and a receiver, or in conjunction with other repeaters to create a flexible network of stations and repeaters.
Note: These repeaters are fully compatible with Vantage Vue weather stations. Please refer to your Vantage
Vue Console Manual, Appendix C: Repeater Configuration, for specific Vantage Vue configuration
instructions. (The manual can be found on our web site at www.davisnet.com/support.) Please note that
the illustrations in this manual often depict multiple transmitters which are only supported in Vantage
Pro2 and Envoy.
Note: If your Vantage Pro2 console or Envoy has firmware older than May 2005, it does not have the capability
to see and configure wireless repeaters. To check your console’s firmware, press the DONE and up
arrow (+) keys. The firmware revision date displays in the ticker tape section of the console. To check
your Envoy’s firmware in WeatherLink, select Console Diagnostics from the Reports Menu and view the
firmware date displayed. If the console or Envoy firmware version is older than May 2005, a Vantage
Pro2 Updater must be used to update the console or Envoy. Contact Technical Support about acquiring
an Updater for your console or Envoy. See “Contacting Davis Technical Support” on page 39.
Included Components and Hardware
The Wireless Repeater comes with the components and hardware shown in the following
illustration. Some of the hardware might not be used, depending on how the repeater is
installed.
solar-powered
Shelter for
unit
™
). The wireless repeater is used to extend the distance between
U-Bolts
1/4" Flat Washers
1/4" Lock Washers
1/4" Hex Nuts
- OR -
Shelter for
AC-powered
unit
AND
110 Volt AC
Power Adapter
8" Cable Ties
1/4" x 1-1/2"
Lag Screws
3-Volt Lithium
Battery
1
Repeater Board Contents
Transmitter
DIP Switches
Repeater
DIP Switches
Repeater
Test Switch
TX
LED
Status
LED
1
2
3456
78
Solar Power Input AC Adapter Socket
Battery Socket
First In Chain
Jumper
The board contained within the repeater enclosure has the following components:
2
The components of the board are:
Default First In Chain
Jumper Position
(top two pins)
• Solar Power Input (used on #7627 models only) — Connects the solar panel on the
cover of the enclosure to the repeater board.
• AC Adapter Socket — Used to connect the optional 110 volt AC power adapter to
the repeater board. The AC adapter is available primarily for AC-powered (#7626)
repeaters but is available for solar power models as well. You can purchase an optional
AC power adapter (#6625) for solar power models as an alternate source of power.
Note: Using the AC power adapter with a solar power model disables the solar-power charging circuit and
makes the AC adapter the main source of power.
• Battery Socket — Used to back up solar or AC power when the provided 3-volt
lithium battery is inserted.
• Transmitter DIP Switches — An eight-position switch used to set the transmitter IDs
the repeater listens to and repeats. The repeater comes with station ID 1 turned on and
all other transmitter IDs are turned off.
• Repeater DIP Switches —The first three positions in this four-position switch are
used to give the repeater a unique ID. All three positions are initially in the off
position, giving the repeater the ID of A.
Note: All station IDs are identified using numbers 1-8, and repeater IDs are identified using letters A-H so that
they are easily identifiable from each other.
• Repeater Test Switch — The fourth position in the four-position Repeater DIP switch
enables the TX and STAT LEDs to observe repeater and communication behavior.
Initially this switch is in the off position.
• First In Chain Jumper — A three-pin header
that can enable a repeater with a unique ID other
than A to become the first repeater in a chain if
two or more repeater chains are required in a
given network. See “First in Chain Applications”
on page 41 for more information.
Note: Any repeater with ID A or any repeater in a standard single-chain network should have the first in chain
jumper left in the default position (pictured above).
• TX LED — This green LED verifies transmission from the repeater to a receiver or
used in correlation with the STAT LED, displays error codes related to repeater
communication. See “Repeater Troubleshooting Error Codes” on page 36 for more
information.
• STAT (Status) LED — This multi-colored LED describes the status of the radio
packets received from stations or other repeaters or, used in correlation with the TX
LED, displays error codes related to repeater communication. See “Repeater
Troubleshooting Error Codes” on page 36 for more information.
Tools for Setup
The following tools and materials are required to set up and install the wireless repeater:
• Ratchet with 4'' (100 mm) or longer extension, 7/16'' (11 mm) size socket
• Paperclip
3
Wireless Repeater Introduction
The wireless repeater extends the range of a Davis Instruments weather station network
and can help overcome obstruction or interference problems present in a given network.
The transmission distance between a station and a receiver (known as radio-link range)
can be impaired by walls or other objects. When planning to use repeater(s) to lengthen
transmission distance from a station to a receiver keep the following information in mind:
• The typical radio-link range of all Vantage Pro2 stations and repeaters (models #7626,
#7627 only) is:
• Line of sight: 1000' (300 m).
• Under most conditions (some visibility but small obstructions): 500 - 800' (150 -
250 m).
• Through Walls/Around Large Obstructions: 200 - 400' (60 - 120 m).
• The range for a standard wireless repeater has the same range limitations as all
Vantage Pro2 stations.
There are many things that can affect radio-link range and performance, and they should
also be considered when planning a network. They fall into two categories, obstructions,
and interference.
• Obstructions — These can include but are not limited to: walls, structures, rocks,
land, trees, foliage, any metal including mounting poles, fences, etc. For example,
your console or Envoy receiver will most likely be indoors. That means that there is
one or more walls between the receiver and the station(s) it is listening to. Depending
on the number and construction of these walls, the radio-link range can easily be
reduced to only a few hundred feet. While land (terrain) will completely block radio
signals, other items like trees and foliage will only reduce the radio-link range. Wet or
snow covered trees, foliage or walls will further reduce radio-link range.
• Interference — This can include: cordless phones, baby monitors, cell phones, cell
towers, ham radios, or any high-powered transmitter nearby. This can reduce the
range, because the radio can only receive what it can decipher over other
transmissions.
Antenna height can also affect radio-link range. Generally, the higher the better. Mounting the radio/antenna as high as possible will not only get better radio-link range, but it
will be more likely to create a line-of-sight over some obstructions.
By placing repeaters between station transmitters and your receiver, you can increase the
range of your weather station network, keeping in mind the limitations discussed here.
You can go around obstructions, extend line-of-sight distances, or increase the signal
strength in noisy environments by placing radios closer together.
Note: Even longer line-of-sight distances can be achieved with the Long-Range Wireless Repeaters #7653,
#7654. See our website at www.davisnet.com for more about our Long-Range Wireless Repeaters.
4
Wireless Repeater Installation Overview
The following is a overview of the steps involved for installing a repeater or series of
repeaters as part of your Vantage Pro2 wireless network:
• Determine the repeater/station configuration best suited to your wireless network.
• Apply power (battery or AC power).
• Verify communication with a station(s).
• Choose a location(s) for repeater(s).
• Test proposed location for signal strength.
• Configure the console or Envoy (and WeatherLink software, as needed) for repeater
identification.
5
Repeater Configuration/Architecture
Vantage Pro2 wireless repeaters are used to enhance the transmission range and capabilities between a station, or multiple stations, and a receiver (console or Envoy). A repeater
receives signals transmitted from a Vantage Pro2 station and retransmits it to a console,
wireless Weather Envoy, or another repeater. Depending on transmission distance, one
repeater or several repeaters can be used to collect and retransmit weather data.
This section describes some of the repeater transmission situations and station networks
in which a repeater or set of repeaters can be used.
Repeater Architecture
Two repeater configurations are discussed in this section:
• Single Repeater Configuration — Any situation in which one repeater is needed to
transmit data from one station to one receiver (i.e., console or Envoy).
• Advanced Repeater Configuration — Any architecture where one or more stations
and/or one or more repeaters are combined to form a network of repeaters. For
example, if a station is placed further away from a console than the range of a single
repeater, multiple repeaters can be set up across the distance to transmit weather data
to the console in a chain. Another advanced repeater configuration might involve one
or more stations transmitting to a repeater. It is also possible to create a network using
a combination of multiple transmitters and repeaters.
Note: All range estimates used in the examples below are based on the idea that the distance between a
station and a repeater is a “radio-link”. See “Wireless Repeater Introduction” on page 4 for more
information about the real-world range of a radio-link.
6
Single Repeater Configuration
Any Vantage Pro2
Station
Repeater
1
1
1
1
1
A
Vantage Pro2
Console/Receiver
Weather Envoy
A
A
A
1
A
AND/OR
Use a single repeater as part of a single station/single receiver setup when the distance is
so great that a station alone can not successfully communicate with a receiver. The distance is greater than one radio-link but less than three.
The diagram below shows the typical single repeater configuration , with each arrow representing a radio-link.:
This configuration permits greater distances between a station and a receiver.
Note: If the distance between a station and a receiver is more than two radio-links, see “Multiple Repeater
(Daisy-Chain) Configuration” below. If more than one station exists, see “Multiple Stations/One Repeater
Configuration” on page 8.
Advanced Repeater Configurations
Multiple Repeater (Daisy-Chain) Configuration
If the distance between a station and receiver is greater than the single repeater configuration distance can provide range for, or if the station, repeater and receiver are not in line
of sight of each other, more than one repeater should be used to transmit weather data. A
multiple repeater daisy-chain configuration has the capability to transmit up to nine
radio-links between the station and a receiver, but should be limited to four repeaters
(five radio-links).
Note: Although the maximum of eight repeaters is based on the number of unique repeater IDs (A-H) available
in a network, the limit of four repeaters in a daisy chain is based on communication/timing issues.
7
The above diagram displays an example daisy-chain configuration of one station and
1 1
1
C
1B1
1
1
A
A
B
C
C
Any Vantage Pro2
Station
Repeater Repeater
Repeater
Vantage Pro2
Console/Receiver
Temp/Humidity
Station
or
Temperature
Station
Leaf & Soil Moisture
Station
or
Anemometer
Transmitter Kit
Vantage Pro2
Station
Repeater
1
2
3
2
1
3
A
2
1
3
2
1
3
Vantage Pro2
Console/Receiver
A
A
three repeaters, creating a total line of sight transmission distance of four radio-links.
This configuration allows more flexibility between a station and a console, especially
around obstructions or interference.
Multiple Stations/One Repeater Configuration
One repeater can be used to transmit weather information from multiple stations to a
receiver if the repeater is within a radio-link radius of each station. The repeater can
receive and repeat weather data from up to eight different weather stations.
Note: The limit of eight stations is based on the number of unique transmitter IDs (1-8) available in a network.
8
The diagram on the previous page shows a multiple transmitter configuration of three stations and one repeater, with the repeater within a radio-link of all three stations and the
receiver, extending the distance between the repeater and the three stations.
The repeater can receive signals from up to eight stations/transmitters of any type. However, there are some limitations as to how many and what type of transmitters the receiver
can listen to.
The table below lists the maximum number of stations allowable for a receiver:
Station Type Maximum Number
Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) 1
Anemometer Transmitter Kit* 1
Leaf & Soil Moisture/Temperature Station 2**
Temperature Station 8
Temperature/Humidity Station 8
Maximum Number of Transmitters in a Network
*Replaces the ISS anemometer.
**Two are allowable only if both stations are only partially populated. For example, A network can either have
both a Leaf Wetness/Temperature station and a Soil Moisture/Temperature station, or it can have one com-
bined Leaf Wetness and Soil Moisture/Temperature station.
Combination Network Configurations
Given the flexibility of the repeater to listen to more than one station and to transmit to
other repeaters, both stations and repeaters can be set up to create a variety of transmitter
networks to transmit to one receiver. Up to four repeaters and eight stations can be configured to transmit to one receiver in a variety of ways.
1
Any Vantage Pro2
Station
2
1
1
A
A
2
2
Repeater
Repeater Repeater
1
B
2
3
B C
1
2
C
3
4
5
1
2
3
4
5
Vantage Pro2
Console/Receiver
C
4
5
5
Leaft & Soil Moisture
3
3
4
Station
Anemometer
Transmitter Kit
Temp/Humidity
Station
Temperature
Station
The above diagram displays a multiple transmitter/repeater configuration with five stations and three repeaters, with each repeater listening to a station or multiple station also
to the previous repeater. Each repeater and station must be within a radio-link of another
repeater or receiver.
9
See “Maximum Number of Transmitters in a Network” on page 9 for the receiver limitations.
There is also a maximum of four repeaters allowable in a network.
Note: Although one repeater can listen to multiple transmitters at a time, it can only listen to one other
repeater. The repeaters have to be in alphabetic order, with A being first. Each repeater after repeater A
looks for the repeater with the previous ID and any transmitter IDs it has been assigned.
Implementing a Configuration
Now that you understand the possible repeater configurations, sketch or map out your
proposed weather network. Tools to assist you include:
• Maps — paper or electronic, purchased or online, regular, topographic and/or satellite
imagery.
• Measuring devices — tape measures, string, range finders (optical or laser), handheld
GPS receiver, etc.
Start by showing the placement of the stations and the location of the receiver(s) in your
network. Note any obstructions or potential interference sources. Also note that the
repeater might be limited by height. Using one type or a combination of network types
described previously, plan your repeater placement to get around any obstructions, cover
the required distances, and assure adequate signal strength between radio-links for your
anticipated conditions.
Once a configuration has been chosen that best suits the needs of the desired station/
receiver setup, installing and verifying communication between the station(s) and
repeater(s) is the next step. Set up and test your network configuration as described in the
next sections before installing in the field.See the section for the installation process best
suited to the configuration type chosen:
• See page 13 for a single repeater installation.
• See page 20 for a “daisy-chain” installation.
• See page 23 for a multiple station/single repeater installation.
• See page 26 for a combination network installation.
Note: Many of the basic steps for installing and configuring your repeater network are discussed in detail as
part of the single repeater installation. Please review “Single Repeater Installation” on page 13 even if
you are installing an advanced network of repeaters.
10
Applying Power
Applying Battery Power (for both units)
1. To view the wireless repeater board,
open the shelter enclosing the wireless
repeater.
2. Insert the 3-volt lithium battery into
the battery socket at the top of the
board. Be sure to match the “+” sign
on the battery with “+” sign displayed
in the battery socket.
Once the battery is installed, it begins
powering the board.
You may hear a high pitched sound as
the repeater charges up.
Once charged, the repeater performs
the Power-On Self Test (POST) using
the two LEDs located at the bottom of
the board. The STAT LED blinks red,
yellow and then green, followed by
the TX LED blinking green once,
indicating that the repeater is powered
up and has passed POST.
Note: On battery power alone, it can take up to two or three minutes for the board to charge before the
repeater begins POST and the LED lights blink their pattern. With sufficient solar power or with the AC
adapter, the repeater powers up and is ready to communicate immediately.
3-Volt Lithium
Battery
Once the POST light sequence displays, the repeater is ready to communicate. If the
repeater does not display the POST light pattern within three minutes, see “Maintenance
and Troubleshooting” on page 36 for more information.
11
Applying AC Power (# 7626 AC-Power units)
Solar Power Tab AC Adapter
1. To view the wireless repeater board, open the shelter enclosing the wireless repeater.
2. Thread the power adapter plug through the square black grommet into the repeater
shelter.
Every Davis shelter has two of these grommets at the bottom of the shelter to provide
weather-resistant entrances for cables. If it is too hard to thread the power adapter
cable through the grommet in its current position, remove the grommet, thread the
power adapter plug through it, and replace the grommet in the shelter.
3. Insert the AC adapter plug into the
repeater power jack at the top of the
board above the battery socket.
Make sure the AC adapter is
plugged into the outlet.
If the battery has not already been
installed, the wireless repeater
begins powering the board. The
repeater immediately performs the
Power-On Self Test (POST) using
the two LEDs located at the bottom
of the board. The STAT LED blinks
red, yellow and then green, followed by the TX LED blinking
green once, indicating that the repeater is powered up and has passed POST.
4. Once the POST light sequence displays, the repeater is ready to communicate. If the
repeater has not displayed the POST light pattern, unplug the AC adapter from the
repeater, wait for about a minute and plug it back in. If the repeater has still not performed POST and displayed the light pattern, see “Maintenance and Troubleshooting”
on page 36 for more information.
12
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