Davis Instruments Anemometer Transmitter Kit for Vantage Pro2, 6332, 6332OV Installation Manual

ANEMOMETER TRANSMITTER KIT

#

INSTALLATION MANUAL

This manual describes how to install the Anemometer Transmitter Kit for a Wire­less Vantage Pro2

TM

Weather Station. The kit enables you to connect the anemome­ter from your Integrated Sensor Suite (ISS) to its own transmitter, so it can be
located away from the ISS and communicate directly with your console/receiver.

Components

The Anemometer Transmitter Kit includes the following components and mounting
hardware:

Transmitter Shelter

1/4" x 1-1/2" Lag Screws

6 x 1/2" (3.5 x 12 mm)

Self-Threading Screw

#6 Washer

Cable Clamp

1/4" Flat Washers

1/4" Lock Washers

1/4" Hex Nuts

8" Cable Ties

3-Volt

Lithium

Battery

U-Bolts

Tools for Setup

In addition to the kit, you will need some or all of the following materials:

• Adjustable wrench or 7/16" wrench

• Compass or local area map

• Ballpoint pen or paper clip (small pointed object of some kind)

• Drill and 3/16" (5 mm) drill bit (if mounting on a vertical surface)

• Carpenter’s level (if mounting on a vertical surface)

If You Are Installing the ISS and the Anemometer Transmitter Kit
at the Same Time

Install your ISS first, following the instructions in the ISS manual. However, during
the step “Preparing the ISS for Installation,” DO NOT connect the anemometer
cable to the SIM. When you have mounted the rain collector side of the ISS and are
ready to mount the anemometer, follow the instructions in this manual starting with
“Preparing the Anemometer Transmitter” on page 3.

1

Installation Steps

The following is an outline of the steps necessary to install the Anemometer Trans­mitter Kit. These steps are used as section headings in this manual and are explained
in greater detail in the appropriate section.

• Remove the anemometer from its current location (if necessary)

• Disconnect the anemometer from the ISS transmitter

• Unfasten and remove the anemometer

• Prepare the anemometer transmitter

• Insert the battery

• Plug the anemometer cable into the transmitter

• Set the transmitter ID on the anemometer transmitter using DIP switches

• Set the console to recognize the signals

• View current wind data

• Putting your anemometer transmitter into TEST mode

• Choose a location for the anemometer transmitter

• Test transmission from the proposed mounting location

• Mount the anemometer and transmitter shelter in the new location

• A note on securing cables

• Troubleshooting

• Contacting Davis Technical Support

Removing the Anemometer from its Current Location

The following two steps assume that your ISS is already mounted. If it is in a high
location such as a rooftop, please read through the instructions before climbing up,
and watch your balance while installing your Anemometer Transmitter Kit.

Disconnecting Anemometer from ISS Transmitter

Open the SIM Box and unplug the anemometer cable from the receptacle labeled
WIND on the SIM. Guide the anemometer cable through and free from the grom­met. Or in the case of the Vantage Pro2 SIM Box, guide the anemometer cable free
of the cable access port by first removing the foam insert and then guiding the cable
out of the box. When finished, make sure to replace the foam insert ensuring that the
Access Port is filled and free of any voids.

If Your ISS is Mounted as a Single Unit (Both Sides Together on
a Pole)

Unfasten the anemometer:

1. Remove the black rain collector cone from its base by rotating cone counter-

clockwise until its latches line up with openings in the base and you can lift it off.
It is much easier to reach the hex nuts with a wrench if you remove the rain
collector cone first.

2. Using an adjustable wrench or 7/16" wrench, remove the hex nuts and washers

holding the anemometer’s plastic mounting base on the pole. Set the anemometer
down for a moment.

2

3. Remove the hex nuts and washers holding the rain collector side on the pole.

es

p

SENSOR
INTERFACE
MODULE

SUN

RAIN

WIND

TEMP

HUM

Retrieve the U-bolt that was holding the anemometer.

4. Using the washers and hex nuts, fasten the rain collector side back onto the pole.

Flat washer goes on first, then lock washer, then hex nut.

5. Put the rain collector cone back on. Rotate the cone clockwise until the latches

slide into place.

If Your Anemometer is Mounted by Itself

Unfasten it: use an adjustable wrench or 7/16" wrench to remove the hex nuts or lag
screws.

Preparing the Anemometer Transmitter

The illustration below shows the Sensor Interface Module, or “SIM”, inside the
transmitter shelter.

1. Insert the 3-volt

lithium battery into
the battery holder,
matching the “+”
sign on the battery
with the “+” sign on
the SIM.

2. Push the end of the

+

anemometer cable up
through the square
black grommet into
the transmitter shel­ter. Every Davis

UVUVSUN

shelter has two of
these grommets to
provide weather­resistant entrances
for cables. In this
case, use the grom­met on the right. Y ou
can also remove the

Square Black Grommets

grommet, thread the
cable through it and
then replace the grommet in the shelter if that is easier for you.

3. Plug the end of the anemometer cable into the receptacle labeled WIND on the

SIM.

4. Place the cable clamp over the anemometer cable between the grommet and the

receptacle. Secure the cable clamp to the shelter by threading the provided #6
screw through the washer, then cable clamp and then screwing it into the cable
clamp mount inside the housing. (See the above illustration.)

-

RAIN

3-Volt
Lithium Battery

SENSOR
INTERFACE
MODULE

TEMP

WIND

HUM

Cable Clamp

Anemometer
Cable

DIP Switch

Test LED

Cable Clam
Mount

3

5. Locate the DIP switches. You will work with them during the next installatio n

s

step.

Setting the Transmitter ID

Each wireless transmitting station must be set to one of eight transmitter IDs. DIP
switches #1, 2 and 3 on the SIM allow you to control the ID — the “channel” the
station will transmit on. (DIP switch #4 is used for transmission testing, not for
transmitter ID.)

Tip: The transmitter and your console communicate with each other only when both are set to the same

ID.

The factory default transmitter ID is ‘1’. Looking at the table below, you can see
that means all three DIP switches are in the OFF position when each transmitting
station leaves the factory, whether it is an ISS, an anemometer transmitter, or
another kind of station.

The ISS is included with every Wireless Vantage Pro, and the console/receiver is
factory set to find the ISS on ‘1’. Since it is likely that your ISS is already set to

ID ‘1’, you will need to set the ID of your anemometer transmitter to a differ­ent ID number. Use a ballpoint pen or paper clip to toggle DIP switches #1, 2,
and 3. The settings for transmitter IDs 1 – 8 are shown in the table below:

ODE SWITCH 1SWITCH 2SWITCH 3

ID C

#1 (default) off off off

#2 off off ON

#3 off ON off

#4 off ON ON

#5 ON off off

#6 ON off ON

#7 ON ON off

#8 ON ON ON

Use this table to ensure that each wireless transmitting station in your system is
broadcasting on its own transmitter ID.

DIP SWITCHES IN TOP-RIGHT CORNER OF SIM (ILLUSTRATION HAS BEEN ENLARGED FOR CLARITY)

4

Battery Holder

ON

1234

DIP Switche

Setting Console/Receiver(s) to Same ID

1. Put your console into Setup Mode — press and hold DONE and press the

DOWN arrow (-). The console will show you Screen 1: Transmitters. Y ou should
see the words: “RECEIVING FROM...” and “STATION NO.” followed by the
transmitter IDs that your console detects. One of these should be the ID number
you just set on the anemometer transmitter. It may take one to two minutes for the
station ID to appear. If you don’t see it , verify that you set the DIP switches
correctly. If you still do n’t see it, go to “Test Mode” on the next page.

2. Press DONE to move on to Screen 2: Selecting Transmitters. Setup Mode –

Screen 2 is where you will set the console to recognize signals on that transmitter
ID as coming from an anemometer transmitter.

3. Press the LEFT or RIGHT arrows to scroll through the transmitter IDs. When

you see the ID you chose for the anemometer, press the UP (+) or DOWN (-)
arrows to activate reception of that ID code. Make sure the screen shows “ON”.

4. Press GRAPH to change the type of station assigned to that transmitter ID. Press

GRAPH until the word “WIND” appears.

5. T o exit Setup Mode, press and hold DONE.

(For more information, see the Vantage Pro2 User’s Manual & Setup Guide:
“Setup Mode – Screen 2: Selecting Transmitters.”)

The console/receiver will display wind readings from one anemometer in the
compass rose. Once you set the ID code, it makes no visible difference that the

readings are now being sent by the anemometer transmitter instead of the ISS
transmitter.

Viewing Current Wind Data

You should now see wind direction and speed displaying in the compass rose on the
console screen. Press WIND if necessary to alternate between speed and direction.
Spin the wind cups. Turn the wind vane, and allow 5 seconds for the wind direction
display to stabilize before moving it again.

Display of current wind data confirms communication between your anemometer
transmitter and the console. Go on to “Choosing a Location for the Anemometer
Transmitter” on page 6.

If You Do Not See Current Wind Readings

First, verify that the console/receiver is powered and is not in Setup Mode (exit
Setup Mode by pressing DONE and holding it for a moment). Then, on the trans­mitter, ensure that the anemometer sensor cable is firmly plugged into the jack that
is labeled WIND on the SIM. Check that the battery is properly installed. Walk
around the room with the console, standing for a few moments in various locations
to see if you are picking up signals.

If you don’t see wind readings no matter where you stand with the console, put your
anemometer transmitter in Test Mode.

5

Test Mode

DIP switch #4 on the SIM (see illustration on page 6) is the TEST DIP switch.
Switch it to the ON position using a ball-point pen or paper clip. This puts the trans­mitter in Test Mode. An LED indicator light, located below the jack to the right of
the battery on the SIM, will flash each time the transmitter broadcasts a signal,
which should be every 2.5 seconds.

If the LED flashes only once and then remains dark, there is a problem with the ane­mometer transmitter. See “Contacting Davis Instruments” on page 11.

If the LED flashes repeatedly but your console isn’t picking up a signal anywhere in
the room, it could be related to one of the following causes:

1. The DIP switches were not correctly set on the transmitter. Review the procedure

on page 4.

2. The ID was not correctly set on the console/receiver. Review the procedure on

page 5.

3. Reception is being disrupted by RF (radio frequency) interference. Interference

has to be very strong to prevent the console from receiving a signal while in the
same room as the anemometer transmitter!

4. There is a problem with the console/receiver. See “Contacting Davis Instru-

ments” on page 11.

Note: Remember to turn the T est DIP switc h OFF when you’re fin ish ed te st ing wireless tran smi ssion.

If it is left ON, the blinking LED will reduce battery life significantly.

Choosing a Location for the Anemometer Transmitter

Keep the following factors in mind as you choose a location for your anemometer
and the transmitter shelter:

• Mount the anemometer at least 4' (1.2 m) above the roofline for accurate wind read­ings. As shown in the ISS manual, the anemometer can be mounted on a pole or on a
vertical surface such as a wooden post. It comes with 40' (12 m) of cable to connect to
the transmitter shelter.

• Mount the transmitter shelter nearby, with the solar panel facing the sun. In the North­ern Hemisphere, position the transmitter shelter with solar panel facing south, for
maximum sun exposure. (In the Southern Hemisphere, position the shelter with solar
panel facing north.)

• If you need to increase the distance between your anemometer and the transmitter
shelter, use extension cables #7876 from Davis Instruments. Please be aware that max­imum wind speed reading decreases as the total length of cable from the anemometer
to the ISS increases. If this distance is greater than 240', maximum wind sp eed may be
less than 100 mph.

Note: Not all cables are compatible with your Vantage Pro system. To be sure they will work, order

extension cables from your dealer or directly from Davis Instruments.

6

Range of Wireless Transmission

The range of your radio transmission depends on many factors. Try to position the
transmitter shelter and your console/receiver as close as possible for best results.

Range is up to 1000' (300 m), line of sight, under optimal conditions. Typical range
under most conditions is 200' to 400' (60 to 120 m), but this may be reduced by
walls, ceilings, trees, or foliage. Radio-frequency interference (RF) can also reduce
transmission distance. Cordless phones (900 MHz) and ham radios are common
examples of RF interference.

A metal roof or other large metal structure can interfere with the signal (aluminum
siding, a furnace with metal ducts, and your refrigerator are examples). Sometimes
transmission between wireless units is obscured by something you cannot identify,
or by some obstacle that you can’t work around. If necessary, consider using Wire-
less Repeater #7626 or #7627 to strengthen the signal or increase the distance
between the anemometer transmitter and the console/receiver.

Testing Transmission from Proposed Location

It is very important to test reception from the proposed location before perma­nently mounting the anemometer transmitter shelter.

Place the transmitter shelter at the intended mounting site, or have someone hold it
there, so you can walk around with the console/receiver for a few minutes. Rotating
the antenna may help to improve reception.

Test wireless reception anywhere you might want to use or mount your con­sole/receiver now or in the future. Take your time. If you aren’t picking up strong
signals where you intend to place your console, better to move the transmitter shel­ter now than after it has been mounted. Experiment.

If you have irregular terrain in the area, it may interfere with the signal. For exam­ple, if the transmitter is mounted downhill from the console/receiver, the ground
may block a wide angle of the transmitted signal.

Mounting the Anemometer Transmitter

The anemometer can be mounted either on a pole or on a vertical surface such as a
fencepost. Remember to mount it so the anemometer arm is extending northward.
(Otherwise, you will need to re-orient the wind vane. See Appendix A in your ISS
manual for instructions.) The transmitter shelter also can be mounted on a pole or
on a vertical surface.

Mounting Anemometer on a Pole

1. While holding the mounting base against the pole, place a U-bolt around the pole
and through the two holes in the base.

2. Place a flat washer, a split washer and a hex nut on each of the bolt ends.

7

3. Swivel the ane-

ut

s

mometer until the
arm is pointing
north, if possible.

4. Using an adjust­able wrench or
7/16" wrench,
tighten the nuts. If
the anemometer
arm is not point-

U-Bolt

ing north, follow
the instructions in
Appendix A in
your ISS manual.

Mounting Anemometer on a Vertical Surface

1. With a 3/16" (5 mm)
drill bit, drill two holes
approximately 2-1/8"
(54 mm) apart. Use a
carpenter’s level to
ensure the holes will be
level.

2. Insert the 1/4" x 3" lag
screws through the flat
washers and the holes in
the mounting base into
the post.

3. Using an adjustable
wrench or 7/16"
wrench, tighten the lag
screws.If the anemome­ter arm is not pointing
north, follow the
instructions in Appen­dix C in your ISS man­ual.

40' of Anemometer Cable

1/4" Flat Washers

1/4" Flat Washer

1/4" Lock Washer

1/4" Hex N

1/4" x 3" Lag Screw

8

Mounting Transmitter Shelter on a Pole

1. While holding the
shelter against the
pole, place a U-bolt
around the pole and
through the two

Flat

Washer

Lock

Washer

Hex
Nut

holes on at the top
of the shelter.

U-Bolt

2. Place a flat washer,
a lock washer and a
hex nut on each of
the bolt ends.

3. Using an adjustable
wrench or 7/16"
wrench, tighten the
nuts.

4. Place the second U-bolt around the pole and through the two holes at the bottom
of the shelter. Put a flat washer, a lock washer, and a hex nut on each bolt end,
and tighten the hex nuts.

Note: Remember to position the shelter so the solar panel has maximum exposure to the sun.

Mounting Transmitter Shelter on a Vertical Surface

1. With a 3/16" (5 mm) drill bit, drill two holes approximately 2" (50 mm) apart.
Use a carpenter’s level to ensure the holes will be level.

2. Drill two more holes 7­1/32" below the upper
holes.

3. Insert the 1/4" x 1-1/2"
lag screws through the
flat washers, and
through the holes at the
top of the shelter into
the post. Using an
adjustable wrench or
7/16" wrench, tighten
the lag screws.

4. Insert the 1/4" x 1-1/2"
lag screws through the flat washers, and through the holes at the bottom of the
shelter into the post. Using an adjustable wrench or 7/16" wrench, tighten the lag
screws.

Note: Remember to position the shelter so the solar panel has maximum exposure to the sun.

Flat

Washer

Lag

Screw

9

A Note on Securing Cables

ie

To prevent fraying or cutting of cables, secure
them so they will not whip about in the wind.
Secure a cable to a metal pole by wrapping elec­trical tape around them both. Make sure cables
are secure by placing clips or ties approximately
every 3 – 5' (1 – 1.6 m).

Cable Clip

Cable T

Note: Do not use metal staples or a staple gun to secure cables. Metal staples—especially when

installed with a staple gun—have a tendency to cut the cables.

If you haven’t used the entire length of anemometer cable, secure the remaining coil
by taping it to the pole, or hanging it on a hook on the post. Place the coil at least 6"
away from the antenna.

Troubleshooting

“The anemometer head is tilted when I mount the anemometer.”

With your Allen wrench, loosen the screws holding the anemometer head on the
arm. (The screws are on the bottom of the anemometer head, by the wind cups.)
Turn the anemometer head so it is straight and then tighten the screws.

“The wind cups are spinning but my console only displays zero miles/hour.”

The signal from the wind cups is not making it back to the display. Loosen the set
screw on the wind cup hub and be sure the hub is as close to the anemometer
body as possible. It will drop a bit when you let go. Check your cables for visible
nicks and cuts. Look for corrosion in the WIND jack on the Sensor Interface
Module and on splices in the cable (if any). If possible, remove any extensions
and try using the anemometer cable only. If none of these steps get the wind
speed working, call Technical Support at [phone] to ask for a wind test
cable.

“The wind direction is stuck on north, or displays dashes.”

It is likely that there is a short or break somewhere between the wind vane and
the display. Check your cables for visible nicks and cuts. Look for corrosion in
the “WIND” jack on the Sensor Interface Module and on splices in the cable (if
any). If possible, remove any extensions and try with the anemometer cable only.
If none of these steps get the wind direction wo rki ng, call Technical Support at
[phone] to ask for a wind test cable.

“The wind cups don’t spin as fast as they should. (Or don’t spin at all!)”

Either the anemometer is located where wind is blocked by something, or there is
friction interfering with the cups’ rotation. Friction usually can be remedied by
the user — remove the wind cups and clear out any bugs or debris. Turn the shaft
the cups rotate on. If it feels gritty or stiff, call Technical Support at (510) 732-

7814. DO NOT LUBRICATE THE SHAFT OR BEARINGS IN ANY WAY.

10

When replacing the cups, make sure they are not rubbing against any part of the
anemometer head.

“Wind readings aren’t what I expected them to be.”

Be very careful. Comparing to measurements from TV, radio, newspapers, or a
neighbor is NOT a valid method of verifying your readings. Davis Instruments
sensors are carefully tested at the factory. If you have questions, contact Techni­cal Support.

Contacting Davis Instruments

[phone] for Te chnical Support, Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pacific
Time.

[phone] Toll-Free Order Line, Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pacific
Time. Our customer service representatives can answer most questions and assist you
with your purchases.

[phone] For callers outside the USA or Canada.
[phone] Fax to Customer Service or Tech Support.
www.davisnet.com Copies of User Manuals are available on the “Support” page.

Watch for FAQs and other updates. Subscribe to the e-newsletter.

[e-mail] E-mail to Technical Support.
[e-mail] E-mail to Customer Service.
[e-mail] General e-mail.

Note: Please do not return items to the factory for repair without prior authorization.

Specifications

• Temperature range: –40 to 150° Fahrenheit (–40 to 65° Celsius)

• Wireless transmission frequency: 902 - 928 MHz

868.0 - 868.6 MHz FHSS for overseas version – Product # includes “OV”

• Transmitter ID codes: 8 user-selectable

• License: low power (less than 8 mW), no license required

• Primary power input: Solar power – Davis solar charger

• Secondary (backup) power: CR-123A 3-volt lithium battery or Optional Vantage Pro2

AC power adapter

11

E

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 residenti a l instal la­tion. 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 off and on, 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 modifications not expressly approved in writing by Davis Instruments
may void the user's authority to operate this equipment.

Product Numbers: 6332, 6332OV

Davis Instruments Part Number: 07395.237

Anemometer Transmitter Kit Installation Manual
Rev. A Manual (10/15/04)

This product complies with the essential protection requirements of the EC EMC Directve 89/336.

3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778

510-732-9229 • Fax: [phone]

-mail: [e-mail] • www.davisnet.com