Hobo RXW-WCF, RXW-WCF-922, RXW-WCF-900, RXW-WCF-868 Series Manual

HOBO® RX Wireless Sensor Network

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RXW Davis® Wind Speed and Direction Sensor (RXW-WCF-xxx) Manual

This sensor measures wind speed and direction and is designed to work with the HOBO RX
Wireless Sensor Network in which data is transmitted wirelessly from the sensor mote across
the network to the RX3000 station and then uploaded to HOBOlink® web-based software. With
HOBOlink, you can monitor sensor readings, view graphs, set up alarms, download data, and
more.

Specifications

Sensor Wind Speed/Gust Wind Direction

Measurement Range 0 to 76 m/sec (0 to 170 mph) 0 to 355 degrees

RXW Davis Wind Speed &
Direction Sensor

Models:

• RXW-WCF-900 (US)

• RXW-WCF-868 (Europe)

• RXW-WCF-922

(Australia/NZ)

Items Included:

• Cable ties

Items required:

• Weather-resistant cable
ties or cable clips

• Electrical tape

• Handheld compass, local

area map, or handheld GPS

If mounting on tripod or mast:

• Adjustable wrench

If mounting on wooden surface:

• Drill with 5 mm (3/16 inch)
drill bit

Accessories:

• Grounding kit (M-GKA)

Accuracy ±1.1 m/sec (±2 mph) or ±5% of

Resolution 0.5 m/sec (1.1 mph) 1 degrees (0 to 355 degrees)

Starting Threshold ≤1 m/sec (2.2 mph) 1 m/sec (2.2 mph)

Turning Radius 108 mm (4.25 in.) Approximately 135 mm (5.25 in.)

Measurement Definition Cup revolutions are accumulated

ireless Mote

perating Temperature

Range

Radio Power 12.6 mW (+11 dBm) non-adjustable

Transmission Range At least 304.8 m (1,000 ft) line of sight at 1.8 m (6 ft) from the ground,

Wireless Data Standard IEEE 802.15.4

Radio Operating
Frequencies

Modulation Employed OQPSK (Offset Quadrature Phase Shift Keying)

Data Rate Up to 250 kbps, non-adjustable

Duty Cycle <1%

Maximum Number of
Motes

Battery Type/
Power Source

Battery Life With NiMH batteries: Typical 3–5 years when operated in the temperature

Dimensions Sensor: 470 x 191 x 121 mm (18.5 x 7.5 x 4.75 in.)

Weight Sensor and cable: 1.332 kg (2 lb, 15 oz)

reading, whichever is greater

every three seconds for the
duration of the logging interval (see
Measurement Operation)

Wind speed: Average speed for the
entire logging interval

Gust speed: The highest three­second wind recorded during the
logging interval

-25° to 60°C (-13° to 140°F) with rechargeable batteries

-40 to 70°C (-40 to 158°F) with lithium batteries

457.2 m (1,500 ft) typical

RXW-WCF-900: 904–924 MHz
RXW-WCF-868: 866.5 MHz
RXW-WCF-922: 916–924 MHz

50 motes per one RX Wireless Sensor Network

Two AA 1.2V rechargeable NiMH batteries, powered by built-in solar panel
or two AA 1.5 V lithium batteries for operating conditions of -40 to 70°C (-40
to 158°F)

range -20° to 40°C (-4°F to 104°F) and positioned toward the sun (see
Deployment and Mounting), operation outside this range will reduce the
battery service life

With lithium batteries: 1 year, typical use

Cable length: 3 m (9.8 ft)
Mote: 16.2 x 8.59 x 4.14 cm (6.38 x 3.38 x 1.63 inches)

Mote: 223 g (7.87 oz)

±7 degrees

Unit vector averaging used; vector
components for each wind
measurement are calculated every
three seconds for duration of
logging interval (see Measurement
Operation)

22245-2

RXW Davis Wind Speed and Direction Sensor (RXW-WCF-xxx) Manual

C

Specifications (continued)

Materials Sensor: Polycarbonate wind cups, sealed stainless steel bearing, UV-resistant

Environmental Rating Sensor: Weatherproof

ompliance Marks RXW-WCF-900: See last page

Mote Components and Operation

Mounting
Tab

Solar Panel

Sensor Cable

Sensor Mote Closed, Front Sensor Mote Closed, Back

Solar Panel Cable

Latch

Eyelet

Ground Wire
Port

LED

LED

Battery Holder

Antenna

LCD Screen

Button

USB Port

ABS wind vane and black-anodized aluminum anemometer arm
Mote: PCPBT, silicone rubber seal

Mote: IP67

RXW-WCF-868: The CE Marking identifies this product as
complying with all relevant directives in the European Union (EU).

RXW-WCF-922: See last page

Solar Panel Cable: This cable connects the built-in solar panel
to the mote circuitry.

LEDs: The blue LED to the left of the LCD screen blinks at 4
seconds during normal operation. It blinks more frequently
when initially joining a network. If the mote is not currently
part of a network, the blue LED will be off. If the LED is on and
not blinking, there is a problem with the mote. Contact
Technical Support at www.onsetcomp.com/support/contact.
The yellow-green LED to the upper right of the batteries only
blinks during the process of joining a network.

Battery Holder: The location where the rechargeable AA
batteries are installed as shown (see Battery Information).

USB Port: Use this port to connect to the mote to a computer
via USB cable if you need to update the firmware (see Updating

Mote Firmware).

Button: Push this button for 1 second to illuminate the LCD or 3

seconds for the mote to search for an RX Wireless Sensor
Network to join (see Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor
Network).

LCD Screen: The mote is equipped with an LCD screen that
displays details about the current status. This example shows all
symbols illuminated on the LCD screen followed by definitions
of each symbol in the table.

Sensor Mote Opened

Mounting Tab: Use the tabs at the top and bottom of the mote

to mount it (see Deploying and Mounting).

Solar Panel: Position the solar panel towards the sun to charge
the mote batteries (see Deploying and Mounting).

Sensor Cable: This is the cable that connects the mote to the
sensor.

Eyelet: Use this eyelet to attach a 3/16 inch padlock to the
mote for security.

Latch: Use the two latches to open and close the mote door.

Ground Wire Port: Use this port to connect a ground wire (see

Deploying and Mounting).

Antenna: This is the built-in antenna for the radio
communications across the RX Wireless Sensor Network.

1-800-LOGGERS 2 www.onsetcomp.com

LCD Symbol Description

The battery indicator shows the approximate
battery charge remaining.

This is a signal strength indicator. The more bars,
the stronger the signal between motes. This icon
will blink when you press the button on the mote
to search for a network to join (see Adding the

Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor Network for
details).

This indicates that the mote is not part of a
network. See Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless
Sensor Network for details on how to add a mote
to the network.

RXW Davis Wind Speed and Direction Sensor (RXW-WCF-xxx) Manual

Sensor Components

The sensor includes the components shown below.

The sensor also includes a hardware kit with the items most
commonly needed for installation as shown below. The items
you use from the kit depend on where you install the sensor.
You may need to adapt or purchase additional hardware to fit
your individual requirements.

2. Press the Select button once (which shows the number of
smart sensors installed) and then press it again once if the
HOBO RXW Manager is installed in the left slot (module 1)
or twice if it is installed on the right slot (module 2).

Press this button to view the module
where the RXW Manager is installed

3. Press the Search button (the magnifying glass). The
magnifying glass icon will blink while the RX3000 is in search
mode.

Press this button so the station is ready
to have motes join the network

4. Open the mote door and install the batteries if you have not
already done so.

5. Press the button on the mote for 3 seconds. The signal
strength icon will flash and then cycle.

Adding the Mote to the RX Wireless Sensor
Network

The mote must join an RX Wireless Sensor Network before it
can begin measuring wind speed and direction and transmitting
data. This requires accessing the RX3000 Station and the mote
at the same time so it is recommended that you complete
these steps before deploying the mote.

Important: If you have not configured the RX3000 Station with
the RXW Manager, follow the instructions in the RX3000 Quick
Start before continuing.

To add a mote to the RX Wireless Sensor Network:

1. If the LCD is blank on the RX3000 station, press any button
to wake it up.

1-800-LOGGERS 3 www.onsetcomp.com

Press this button for 3
seconds for the mote to
join the network

6. Watch the LCD on the mote. The signal strength icon and
the LEDs will quickly blink while the mote searches for the
wireless network. Once it has found the network, the icon
will stop blinking and the signal strength bars will slowly
cycle from left to right. As the mote completes its
registration process with the network, the “x” icon to the
right of the signal strength icon will flash and the yellow­green LED will stop blinking. Once the registration is
complete, the signal strength bars will stop cycling and
remain solid and the channel count on the RX3000 LCD will
be updated. This process may take up to five minutes. Note:
The channel count on the LCD will increase by 3: two for
wind speed and direction, and one for the mote battery.