22. Warranty Information .......................................................38
1
This Operation Manual is part of this product and should be kept in a
safe place for future reference. It contains important notes on setup and
operation.
Please see www.heavyweather.info for a complete IM, FAQ and
downloads of the most current software.
1. Introduction
Thank you for purchasing this Professional Remote Weather Station.
Designed for everyday use, the weather station will prove to be an
asset of great value for your personal use in the home or office.
Please read this instruction manual thoroughly to fully understand the
correct operation of your weather station and benefit from its unique
features.
2. Intended Use
Weather Station
The base station measures the indoor environment of its surrounding
area and receives weather data from the following three outdoor
sensors:
1) Thermo-Hygro Sensor
2) Wind Sensor
3) Rain Sensor
The received data is continuously updated to bring you the latest
weather information on the base station’s LCD. The outdoor thermohygro sensor is the main data communication unit since both the wind
and rain sensors are connected to the thermo-hygro sensor for
operating power and rely on it to communicate to the base station.
Weather data sent from the thermo-hygro sensor can be done by
wireless 433MHz transmission (up to 100 metres in open space) or by
cable connection.
Using the enclosed 2 metre computer cable and CD-ROM, you can
install the Heavy Weather software to your PC and access the latest
weather information from your PC and upload up to 175 sets of
recorded weather data received by the base station. Recorded data
can be used to generate statistics and charts onto your spreadsheets
(175 sets of data is stored in the base even if the PC is switched
OFF). The software itself does not set any limits as to how many data
sets can be transferred to PC.
This weather station is designed to work easily with your PC, simply
connect and disconnect the PC cable at any time.
2
System Requirements for PC use:
The minimum system requirement for use of this “Heavy Weather”
software is:
Operating system: Windows 98, Windows 2000, Vista, XP Pro and
Home Editions.
Processor: Pentium 166 MHz or above
RAM: 32MB of RAM or above
Hard disk: 20MB free space
CD-ROM drive
Installation for the USB adaptor driver
1- Find the Heavy Weather CD-ROM within the packaging.
2- Plug in the USB adaptor to the computer.
3- Follow the Windows Installation steps to find the driver.
Select “Install" from a list of specific location (Advanced)”
4- Install the CD-ROM to CD drive.
5- From the list that appears select:
E:\USB\ (where E: is the location of the CD drive).
Note:
For the latest USB adaptor driver, please visit:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Drivers/VCP.htm
For the detail installation instruction for the USB adaptor, please visit:
http://www.ftdichip.com/Documents/InstallGuides.htm
After installing the USB Adaptor Driver check in Device Manager to
confirm that Windows has recognized the adaptor:
To determine which COM Port your USB adaptor is on:
1- Find MY COMPUTER and “right click” the icon.
2- Select MANAGE.
3- Click on DEVICE MANAGER.
4- You should see COM Ports listed with numbers after them Ex:
Communications Port (COM 1), USB to Serial Bridge (COM 4).
If you do not see a COM setting, your computer does not recog-
nize your USB driver.
5- If the USB adaptor is not on COM port 1, 2, 3 or 4 you will need
to change it.
6- Double click the COM Port Ex: (COM 7) this will bring up a
Communications Port Properties Box. Click the Port Settings
Tab, Click Advanced.
7- Click the Drop Down next to the COM port number and select
Com 1, 2, 3, or 4. If they are IN USE see your computer person
BEFORE changing.
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After configuring the adaptor, connect the weather station and open
the Heavy Weather software. Click SETUP button and select the
proper COM Port. Data should begin to download within a minute or
two.
Features of the base station:
• Displays time and date
• Display of extensive weather data, in all cases with
programmable alarm functions for certain weather conditions as
well as records of all minimum and maximum values along with
time and date of their recordings.
• Indoor and outdoor temperature displays in degrees Celsius or
Fahrenheit (user selectable).
• Indoor and outdoor relative humidity displays.
• Air pressure reading in hPa or Hg, absolute or relative (user
selectable).
• Detailed display of rainfall data in 1 hour, 24 hours, total since
last reset (user selectable in mm or inch).
• Wind speed in km/h, mph, m/s, knots or Beaufort scale (user
selectable).
• Wind direction display with LCD compass as well as numerical
(e.g. 225°) and abbreviated characters (e.g. SW).
• Wind chill temperature display.
• Dew point temperature display.
• Weather forecast display by weather icons (sunny, cloudy, rainy).
• Weather tendency indicator.
• Storm warning alarm.
• E.L. back light.
• Simultaneous display of all weather data with individual settings
by the user.
• COM port for easy connection to your PC.
• All the weather data from the base station and up to 175 sets of
• weather history data with user adjustable measuring intervals
can be recorded and uploaded to your PC.
Features of the Thermo-Hygro Sensor
The thermo-hygro sensor measures the outdoor temperature and
relative humidity. It also collects the readings from the rain and wind
sensors before transmitting the data to the base station by wireless
433MHz or by the 10 metre cable included in this set.
4
Features of Wind sensor
The wind sensor measures wind speed and wind direction and sends
the data to the thermo-hygro sensor, which in turn transmits the data
to the base station. Operating power is taken from the thermo-hygro
sensor using a 10 metre cable connection. The wind sensor takes
“samples” at 60 second intervals and sends the peak sample at every
updated interval.
Features of Rain sensor
The rain sensor measures the rainfall and sends the data to thermohygro sensor, which in turn transmits the data to the base station.
Operating power is taken from the thermo-hygro sensor by a 10 metre
cable connection.
3. Safety Notes
• Damage caused by failure to comply with this instruction manual
will invalidate any guarantee! The manufacturer and supplier will
not be held liable for damages due to failure to comply with this
instruction manual or from data inaccuracies that may occur with
this product!
• In case of harm or damage to a person or property caused by
improper handling or failure to comply with this instruction
manual, the manufacturer and supplier cannot be held liable.
• For reasons of safety and operation, alterations to this device are
strictly prohibited.
• To operate the weather station, use only the supplied adaptor
and batteries of the recommended type.
• Do not leave discharged batteries in the device as these may
corrode and release chemicals that may damage the unit.
• Inserting batteries in an incorrect polarity will cause damage to
this product.
• This product is not a toy and should be kept out of the reach of
children.
• Do not dispose of new or used batteries in a fire as they may
explode or release dangerous chemicals.
• This product is not to be used for medical purposes or for public
information.
• Any modification or alteration to this product is strictly prohibited
without the manufacturer’s authorization and may prohibit the
user’s further use of this product.
5
4. Packaged Contents
Before setting up, carefully unpack the contents onto a table or flat
surface and check that the following are complete:
Item: Consisting of: Fittings: Illustration:
Base
Station
• Main unit
• AD/DC 240V power
Adaptor - optional use
(included)
ThermoHygro
Sensor
Wind
Sensor
Rain
Sensor
• Main unit
• Rain
protection
cover
• Main unit with
wind vane
• 10 metre
cable (already
attached to
the main unit)
• Mast holder
• Main unit
(base and
funnel)
• 10 metre cable optional connection to
the base station
(included)
• Wall mounting screws
• Plastic anchors for
screws
• 1 x U-bolts for mast
holder
• 2 x Washers
• 2 x Nuts
• 2 x cable ties to
secure wind and rain
cords
• 10 metre
cable (already
attached to
the main unit)
Heavy
weather
PC
software
(Beta 2.0)
CD-Rom format
(English version
only)
• 2 metre PC serial
cable for PC
connection - optional
use (included)
6
Battery
Sockets
and PC
5. Setting up
Socket for
Hygro
sor
Socket for
Adaptor
PC COM
It is always best to set up on a table inside before mounting your
sensors. This way you can perform a function test (section 8).
First, choose to use the 240V adaptor (included in this set) or
batteries for operation. Both these methods allow for operation using
wireless 433MHz transmission or cable connection between the base
station and the sensors and setting up for both methods is as follows:
Base Station:
compartment
COM port
Port
Thermo-
Sen
7
Setting up using batteries:
Sensor sockets
Battery
Battery Cover
Thermo
-
Hygro Sensor
Sensor sockets
Compartment
Important: To avoid operating problems, please take note of
battery polarity if inserting any batteries.
1) Pull away the air flow cover of the thermo-hygro sensor to reveal
the three sockets (for the wind sensor, rain sensor and the base
station)
2) Connect the attached cables of wind and rain sensors to the
corresponding sockets of the thermo-hygro sensor by clicking
them into place.
3) Open the battery cover of the thermo-hygro sensor located below
the three sockets and insert 2 x AA, IEC LR6, 1.5V batteries and
close the cover.
4) Open the base station’s battery cover located at the back of the
unit and insert 3 x AA, IEC LR6, 1.5V batteries into the battery
compartment and close the battery cover.
8
Setting up using the AC adaptor:
1) Power up all the sensors as described in setting up using
batteries above.
2) Using the AC adaptor (included), plug it into the mains wall outlet
first and power up the base station by inserting the adaptor jack
into the DC 6.0V socket located on the side of the base station.
Every time the thermo-hygro sensor is powered up (for example after
a change of batteries), a random security code is transmitted and this
code must be synchronized with the base station to receive weather
data.
When the base station is powered up, a short beep will sound and all
LCD segments will light up for about 5 seconds before it enters into a
15 minute learning mode to learn the sensors security code.
E.L. backlight:
When using the power adaptor or under battery operation, the E.L.
backlight will switch on for 15 seconds when any button is pressed.
6. Operation using cable connection or wireless 433MHz
Cable Connection:
Using this method of operation will provide interference free transfer
of the weather data from the sensors to the base station. The data
sending interval from the sensors to the base station will also be more
frequent compared to using 433MHz transmission and will result in
higher power consumption. Therefore batteries will have a shorter life
span for cable connection compared to using 433MHz.
To operate using cable connection, simply use the enclosed 10 metre
cable and connect the thermo-hygro sensor to the base station. Once
the connection is detected, the base station will automatically
continue reading the data from the sensor.
The user may at any time switch from cable connection to using
433MHz (or vice versa) by simply disconnecting (or connecting) the
cable from the base station to the sensor. When the base station
detects no cable connection to the sensors, the base station will
automatically change to using 433 MHz for reception of the weather
data from the sensors.
The data receiving intervals are as follows:
- Using cable connection data is updated every 8 seconds.
- Using wireless 433 MHz data is updated from 16 to 128 second
intervals depending on wind speed and rain activity.
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Using the AC adaptor to operate the base station will also supply
power to the sensor if the cable is connected to it. Batteries used for
433MHz transmission may be left in the sensor when using cable
connection for power back up in case of AC power failure. A loss of
power would desynchronize the base station and the sensor and no
weather data will be received. To synchronize the units so that the
weather data can be received, press and hold the PLUS (+) key for 2
seconds. However in general, batteries that will not be used for long
periods should be removed to avoid leakage.
Wireless 433MHz transmission:
Using 433MHz wireless transmission of weather data from the sensor
to the base station will provide users greater freedom as to where
units can be positioned without the need to be restricted by cable.
Note:
If no outdoor weather data is displayed or the signal to the sensors is
lost during setting up, mounting, changing of batteries to the sensor or
plugging or unplugging cables, simply press and hold the PLUS (+)
key for 2 seconds and a short beep will sound to synchronize the
base station to the sensors. Without synchronization, weather data
will not be received.
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Wind direction and speed (m/s, knots,
7. LCD Overview
The following illustration shows the full segments of the LCD for
description purposes only and will not appear like this during
normal operation and use.