La Crosse Technology WS-1517U User Manual

Model: WS-1517U

Instruction Manual

DC: 120314

Professional Wireless Weather Station

La Crosse Technology®, the world leader in atomic time and weather instruments, introduces a Professional Wireless
Weather Station that provides accurate, real-time weather data straight from your backyard. This sleek weather station
offers weather forecasting, indoor/outdoor temperature & humidity, wind & rain data, and precise atomic time & date—all

on one comprehensive device.

Model: WS-1517 www.lacrossetechnology.com/support 1

Carefully open the package and check that the following contents are complete:

Wind Sensor

TS805

Rain Sensor

TS906

Thermo-Hygro Sensor

TS21

Wireless Display

WS-1517

 Requires 4 mounting screws
 Requires 2-AA batteries (not

included)

 1 hex key wrench

 Requires 4 mounting screws
 Requires 2-AA batteries (not

included)

 Wall mount adapter
 Requires 2-AAA batteries

(not included)

 7.5 V AC/DC adapter

(included)

 4-AA batteries

(not included)

Wind Sensor also Protected under
U.S. Patent: 6,761,065

All items, including Wind Sensor, are Protected under U.S. Patents:

5,978,738 | 6,076,044 | RE43903

Table of Contents

Contents 2
Features 3
Setup Instructions Step-by-Step 3
LCD Screen 6
Buttons 6
Program Menu 6

Language 6
City Code (Time Zone) 6
Set Calendar 7
Set Time 7

Custom Settings 7
Clock and Alarm Window 7
WWVB Radio-Controlled Time Signal 8

Manual Signal Search 8

Time Alarm 8

Alarm/Snooze Set 8
Activate/Deactivate Alarm 9
Snooze Function 9

Pressure and Weather Window 9
Pressure and Altitude Information 9

Local-Change or Set Altitude 10
Sea Level Pressure-Change or Set 10
View History Graph: Pressure, Temperature, Humidity 10

Weather Forecast Icons 10
Moon Phase 11

View Moon Phase History 11

Temperature and Humidity Window 12

Channel Indicator 12
Search for Remote Sensors 12

View Temperature or Dew Point 12
Select Fahrenheit or Celsius 13
Set Temperature Alarms 13
Disable Temperature Alarms 13
MAX/MIN Records 13

Remote Sensor Status Icon 12

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Comfort Level Statement 13

Rain Window 13

Rain Statistics 14
Select Rain Display: inches or mm 14
24 Hour Rainfall Alert 14

Wind Window 14
Wind Display 15
Wind Direction 15
Wind Speed, Wind Gust, Wind Chill 15
Select Wind Speed Unit of Measure: km/h, mph, m/s, knots 15
Wind MAX/MIN Data 15
Set Wind Alerts 15
Disable Wind Alerts 16

Backlight Options 16

Memory Reset Procedure 16

Changing Batteries 16

Weather Station 16
Remote Sensors 17

Position Sensors Outside 17
Wind 18
Rain 18
Thermo-hygro 18

Position Weather Station 18

Care and Maintenance 19

Specifications 19

Warranty Information 20

FCC Statement 21

City Codes 22

Features

 Moon phase icon
 Forecast icons change based on Barometric Pressure
 Barometric Pressure with 24 hr. history graph
 Local Barometric Pressure reading
 12/24 hr. atomic time and date with manual set option
 Outdoor temperature (°F/°C)
 Outdoor humidity (%RH)
 Indoor temperature (°F/°C)
 Indoor humidity (%RH)
 Wind chill (°F only)
 Wind speed (mph, m/s, km/h, knots)
 Wind direction compass display
 Rainfall amount (inches/mm)
 Time alarm with snooze (weekly and single day settings)
 Calendar display: M/D or D/M in six languages
 Altitude adjustment for pressure compensation
 Dew point and comfort level indicators
 Low battery indicators
 Light sensor detects low light conditions and automatically adjusts backlight
 Wireless range of 100 feet (30 meters) open air

Setup Instructions Step-by-Step

Batteries: We recommend using Alkaline batteries for the remote sensors and the weather station when temperatures are

above 32°F (0°C). We recommend using Lithium batteries for the remote sensors when temperatures are below 32°F

(0°C).

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Note: Setup all three remote sensors and allow them to run for at least two minutes before powering the weather

station. Ensure all sensor readings are received on the weather station before mounting sensors outside.

STEP 1: Complete the initial setup on a table with all components within 10 feet of each other. This allows all the sensors

to connect repeatedly with the weather station during setup to lock the signal.

STEP 2: Wind
Wind Cups

1. The wind cups are held on with a set screw. Use a flashlight to look into the mounting hole of the wind cups. Check

that the set screw is not obstructing the opening.

2. Look at the axle shaft of the wind sensor. Notice that one side of the axle shaft is flat.

3. Place the wind cups over the axle shaft of the wind sensor and gently slide them into place.

4. The set screw should connect with the flat side of the axle shaft to prevent slipping.

5. Use the hex key wrench tool provided to tighten the small set screw inside the cups.

6. Test to assure the wind cups are securely mounted on the anemometer shaft and spin freely

Battery installation

1. Remove four (4) screws from the battery compartment of the wind sensor. Be careful not to drop them.

2. Open the battery compartment and install two (2) AA size Alkaline batteries (not included) matching the polarities

shown.

3. Replace the battery compartment door and secure the screws.

STEP 3: Thermo-hygro

1. Slide the battery cover down and lift off the back of the thermo-hygro sensor.

2. Install two (2) AAA size Alkaline batteries (not included) matching the polarities shown in

the battery compartment.

3. Replace the battery compartment door.
STEP 4: Rain

1. Unlock the funnel-shaped top on the rain sensor by turning both knobs on the sides in a counter-clockwise direction.

2. Lift the funnel-shaped top off the rain sensor bucket.

3. Remove seven (7) small screws from the battery compartment cover.

4. Insert two (2) AA size Alkaline batteries (not included), matching the polarities as shown in the battery compartment.

5. Replace the battery compartment door and secure the screws.

6. Insert the funnel-shaped top into the rain sensor bucket. Turn the knobs clockwise to secure it.

Allow all sensors to operate for two minutes before starting the weather station.

Model: WS-1517 www.lacrossetechnology.com/support 4

IMPORTANT: Make sure to observe the correct polarity when inserting batteries (not included). The + markings on the

Flashes 5-15 minutes during setup

batteries must line up with the diagrams inside the battery compartments. Inserting the batteries incorrectly may
result in permanent damage to the weather station. During the setup process, place the wireless display and the

outdoor sensors on a surface with 5-10 feet between each sensor and the display.

STEP 5: Weather Station

1. Connect 7.5 V A/C adapter provided, to the weather station and plug into to the wall power outlet.

Note: The A/C adaptor connection is required for automatic backlight control to function. When the

weather station operates on battery power alone, the auto backlight control function is disabled.

2. Connect the table stand to the back of weather station to place on a table or other horizontal surface.

Optional battery operation:

3. Slide the battery cover tab down and pull out to open the battery compartment on the back of the weather station.

4. Insert four (4) AA size Alkaline batteries according to the polarities shown and replace the battery compartment door,

(optional).

5. Once the weather station is powered, the display will show all available LCD segments for a moment.

IMPORTANT: Do not press any buttons during the setup process which takes 5-15 minutes. During this time the weather
station will flash the pressure and weather icon and InHg (inches of mercury). Setup is completed when the weather
station shows default settings for pressure and altitude (sea level), indoor/outdoor temperature and humidity, wind and

rain readings, etc.

InHg

STEP 6:
Set Wind Direction

1. Wait until all the sensor readings are received by the weather station.

2. Manually point the wind direction vane to the North (use a compass or map if necessary).

3. Press the SET opening located inside battery compartment with a paper clip or similar tool. This will set the local wind

direction to North.

Only press once. Continued presses of the SET opening, toggles the wind

direction between the factory defaults preset or manual set direction.

Note: Repeat this procedure every time when changing the batteries.

4. Watch for the next update to ensure the direction changed to North.

Step 7: Program the weather station. See “Program Menu” below.
Note: This weather station has been designed to work right out of the box 10-15 minutes after setup.

Language and City Code are the only required items to set in the program menu. When the WWVB radio-controlled time

signal is received, the time and date will be set according to city code selected.
There are additional operational details and suggestions for custom settings and alarms including:

 The time alarms
 The temperature alerts
 Daily rainfall alerts
 Wind alerts
 Local Pressure

See “Custom Settings” for details on these optional settings.

Model: WS-1517 www.lacrossetechnology.com/support 5

LCD Screen

The LCD screen illustrates the five programmable sections of the display. Each section will flash an icon while active and

available to have features programmed.

Clock and Alarm icon Pressure and Weather icon Temperature and Humidity icon

Wind icon Rain icon

Buttons

Note: This weather station has a channel button and the ability to read additional outdoor sensors. La Crosse

Technology® does not plan to sell these additional outdoor temperature and humidity sensors. Therefore the CHANNEL

button has no function on this weather station. The TS21 thermo-hygro sensor does not read to other channels.

Program Menu

The SET button will move through the program menu. The UP or DOWN arrow buttons will change a value.

Language

1. Press the UP or DOWN arrow button until the clock and alarm icon flashes. ENG

2. Hold SET button until the day of week language abbreviation ENG will flash.

3. Press the UP or DOWN arrow button to select the desired language for day of the week in English (ENG.), German

(GER.), French (FRE.), Italian (ITA.), Spanish (SPA.) or Dutch (DUT.).

4. Press the SET button to confirm and move to select the city code for your time zone.

City Code (Time Zone)

There is a list of City Codes at the end of this book. A map of the USA will appear when Pacific, Mountain, Central or

Eastern time zones are selected.

Model: WS-1517 www.lacrossetechnology.com/support 6

1. The default city code, LAX (Los Angeles) will flash. Use the UP and DOWN buttons to select the desired city code for

your time zone.

2. Refer to table in the back of this manual for a list of available cities. LAX

3. Press the SET button to confirm the city selection and move to calendar settings.

Note: You can stop here and allow the radio-controlled time signal from the atomic clock in Ft. Collins, Colorado to set

the time and date.

Calendar Settings

1. The year will flash. Press the UP or DOWN button to select the correct year. Press the SET button to confirm year

selection and move to the month.

2. The month will flash. Press the UP or DOWN button to select the correct month. Press the SET button to confirm

selection and move to the date.

3. The numeric date will flash. Press the UP or DOWN button to select the correct date. Press the SET button to confirm

selection and move to the date format.

4. The date format will flash. Press the UP or DOWN button to select the correct format of month and date (M/D or

D/M). Press the SET button to confirm selection and move to time settings.

Time Settings

1. 12H will flash. Press the UP or DOWN button to select either 12 hour (AM/PM) or 24 hour time (24:00) format. Press

the SET button to confirm selection and move to the hour.

2. The hour will flash. Press the UP or DOWN button to select the correct hour. Press the SET button to confirm

selection and move to the minutes.

3. The minutes will flash. Press the UP or DOWN button to select the correct minute. Press the SET button to confirm

selection and to complete the initial programming for your weather station.

Note: If you do not complete this sequence your entries will be lost.

Note: Hold the SET button at any time during the programming to return to normal clock and alarm window. All previous

settings will be cancelled.
After programming is completed, the weather station will show the default clock and alarm window.

Custom Settings

You weather station will function without additional settings. These custom settings allow more detailed settings and alerts
in each section of the weather station. For each custom setting the “window icon” for that section must be flashing for a

change to be made. We will take each section individually.

Clock and Alarm Window

The standard clock and alarm section provides the WWVB signal strength, battery status of the weather station (when

operating on batteries only), and alarm active symbols.
There are options to display:

 Time and Weekday
 Time and City Code
 Time and Seconds

Model: WS-1517 www.lacrossetechnology.com/support 7