La Crosse Technology WS-2308 Operation Manual

Operation Manual

Table of Contents

Page

1. Introduction………… .............................................................44

2. Intended use .........................................................................44

Weather Station ....................................................................44

System requirements for PC use...........................................44

Features of the base station..................................................45

Features of the thermo-hygro sensor ....................................45

Features of the wind sensor ..................................................46

Features of the rain sensor ...................................................46

3. Safety Notes .........................................................................46

4. Packaged contents................................................................47

5. Setting up..............................................................................48

6. Operation using cable connection or wireless 433MHz .........50

7. LCD overview........................................................................52

8. Function test .........................................................................53

9. Mounting ...............................................................................53

10. Resetting & factory settings...................................................56

11. Function description..............................................................58

12. Operation keys......................................................................60

13. Basic programming modes....................................................62

14. MIN/MAX programming modes .............................................63

15. Alarm programming modes...................................................65

16. Auto-memory for stored values .............................................72

17. Accessories: extensions cables ............................................73

18. Changing batteries................................................................74

19. Interference and problems with operation .............................75

20. Transmission range...............................................................76

21. Cleaning and maintenance....................................................76

22. Specifications........................................................................77

23. Liability disclaimer.................................................................78

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 visit our web site www.heavyweather.info for downloads of com­plete instruction manuals and the most current version of the 'Heavy
Weather' software.

Professional Remote Weather Station

43

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
features and functions so that you can enjoy the safe and correct opera­tion of this unique product.

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 thermo-hygro 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 meters in open space) or by cable connection.

Using the enclosed 2 meter computer cable and CD-ROM, you can
install the Heavy Weather software to your PC and upload all the re­ceived weather data from the base station. Access the latest weather
information from your PC and upload up to 175 sets of recorded
weather data by the base station and generate useful 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 that can be transferred to PC.

This weather station is designed to work easily with your PC. There are
no tedious requirements to turn your PC ON or OFF, simply connect
and disconnect the PC cable at any time.

System Requirements for PC use:

The minimum system requirement for use of this “Heavy Weather” soft­ware is:

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Operating system: Windows 98 or above
Processor: Pentium 166 MHz or above
RAM: 32MB of RAM or above
Hard disk: 20MB free space
CD-ROM drive

For full details on operation and installation of the “Heavy Weather”
software refer to the PC manual in PDF format on the CD-ROM.

Features of the base station:

• Receives and displays the DCF77 radio controlled 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 and relative humidity displays in de-

grees Fahrenheit or Celsius (user selectable)

• Indoor and outdoor relative humidity displays

• Air pressure reading in inHg or hPa, absolute or relative (user select-

able)

• Detailed display of rainfall data in 1 hour, 24 hours, total since last reset

(user selectable in mm or inch)

• Wind speed in mph, km/h, m/s, knots or Beaufort (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

• LED 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 sen-

45

sors before transmitting the data to the base station by wireless
433MHz or by the 10 meter cable included in this set.

Features of Wind sensor

The wind sensor measures wind speed and wind direction and sends
the data to 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 meter cable connection.

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 meter 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 actions 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 supplied adaptor and batteries

of the recommended type.

• Do not leave used-up 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 kept out of the reach of children.

• Do not depose new or used batteries to fire as they may explosion or

release dangerous chemicals.

• This product is not to be used for medical purposes or for public infor-

mation.

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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 230V power

Adaptor - optional use
(included)

Thermo­Hygro
Sensor

• Main unit

• Rain protection

cover

• 10 meter cable ­optional connection to
the base station (in­cluded)

• Wall mounting screws

• Plastic anchors for

screws

Wind
Sensor

• Main unit with
wind vane

• 10 meter cable
(already at­tached to the
main unit)

• 2 x U-bolts for mast
holder

• 4 x Washers

• 4 x Nuts

• 1 x screw (to fix main

unit to the mast holder

• Mast holder

Rain
Sensor

• Main unit (base
and funnel)

• 10 meter cable
(already at­tached to the
main unit)

Heavy
weather
PC
soft­ware

CD-Rom format
(English,
German and
French lan­guages only)

• 2 meter PC cable for
PC connection - op­tional use (included)

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Battery compartment

Socket for Thermo

-

Socket for

PC COM

5. Setting up

Firstly, choose to use the adaptor (included in this set) or batteries for
operation. Both these methods allow for operation of 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:

Adaptor

Hygro Sensor

Port

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Battery

Battery Cover

Thermo

-

Hygro Sensor

Sensor sockets

Sensor sockets

Setting up using batteries:

Compartment

Important: To avoid operating problems, please take note of battery

polarity if inserting any batteries

1) Pull away the rain 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

49

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 outlet and
power up the base station by inserting the adaptor jack into the

6.0V DC 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. After the
learning mode (or by pressing the MIN/MAX key at anytime), the base
station will start the DCF77 radio controlled time reception.

Note for DCF77 Radio Controlled Time:

The time and date display is based on the signal provided by a highly
accurate Caesium atomic clock operated by the Physikalisch Tech­nische Bundesamt in Braunschweig (Germany). This radio-controlled
clock does not only provide for the weather station’s time and date dis­play but also functions as the time source for all of this weather station’s
memory and history values using time and date information.

LED backlight:

When using the power adaptor or under battery operation, the LED
backlight will switch on for 15 seconds when any key 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 meter
cable and connect the thermo-hygro sensor to the base station. Once

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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 existing data reading in­terval is changed to the new reading interval, i.e. using cable connection
is every 8 seconds data reading interval or from 32 seconds - 128 sec­onds intervals when using 433MHz (depending on wind speed)

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(+) 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 sensors. Without being synchronized, weather data will not be
received.

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Wind direction and speed (m/s, knots,

13

15

19

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.

1. Low battery indicator

2. DCF77 radio controlled time icon

3. Date display

4. Time zone display

5. Date, seconds, alarm time and time

6. Alarm icon

7. Weather forecast icons

8. Weather tendency indicator

9. Pressure alarm display

10. hPa/inHg air pressure unit

11. Pressure units (relative or absolute)

12. 433MHz reception icon

13. Rainfall display

14. Indoor, outdoor, humidity, dew point,

11

20

21

22

24

25

26

zone

wind chill, rainfall alarm icon

1

3

2

15. 24h, 1h or total hour display

16. Humidity display as RH%

17. Rainfall units (inch or mm)

18. Temperature display units (ºC or ºF)

19. Outdoor temperature/humidity display

20. Indoor temperature/humidity display

21. Dew point temperature display

22. Wind chill temperature display

23. Wind alarm icon

24. Wind information for Min/Max speed

25.

26. Alarm buzzer ON/OFF icon

27. General alarm icon

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

12

14

16

17

23

18

27

and wind speed low, high, direction
alarm

Beaufort, km/h or mph) display

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8. Function test:

Once the weather station is powered up, perform a function test by
checking that the weather data is received. To do this, press the either
DISPLAY, PRESSURE or WIND keys to toggle through the relevant
LCD sections:

1) Indoor temperature and humidity

2) Outdoor temperature and humidity

3) Outdoor wind chill

4) Dew point

5) Rainfall 24 hour

6) Rainfall 1hour

7) Rainfall Total

8) Relative and absolute pressure

9) Wind speed, wind direction and wind direction in degrees

If any readings cannot be received from the sensors, lines (- - -) will be
displayed in the respective weather sections of the LCD. In this case,
check that all cables are correctly inserted into the correct sockets and
press and hold the PLUS(+) key for 2 seconds and a short beep will
sound to synchronize the base station to the sensors otherwise no
weather data will be received.

Some weather readings such as wind speed and direction may not
appear immediately on the LCD if the wind-fan or vane of the wind sen­sor is moved. This is due to the set reading time intervals for the wind
readings. However the current wind speed or direction will be displayed
once the time reading interval is reached. For rainfall, the interval read­ings may take up to 2 minutes before the data is displayed on the LCD.

9. Mounting

Important Note

Prior to drilling mounting holes and permanently affixing any of the units,
please ensure the following points are considered:

• Cable lengths of the units meet with your distance requirements at
the point of fixing

• Signals from the sensors can be received by the base station at
points of mounting

• Radio controlled time signal can be received at the point of mount­ing

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Base Station

With two foldable legs at the back of the unit, the base station can be
placed onto any flat surface or wall mounted at the desired location by
the hanging holes also at the back of the unit. It is important to check
that the 433MHz (if using wireless connection) and the DCF77 radio
controlled time signal can be received before permanently mounting any
of the units. Should the base station not display the 433MHz weather
data from the sensors or the radio controlled time from the desired loca­tion, then relocate the units. Once the signals are received, the system
can be affixed. Also if you have selected to use cable connection, en­sure that distances can reach all desired locations before affixing any
unit permanently

Mounting the Wind Sensor onto a mast

Wind-vane

Wind-fan

Firstly, check that the wind-fan and the wind-vane can rotate freely
before fixing the unit. For correct and accurate readings it is important
to mount the sensor so that the front (marked E) is pointing in East­West direction. The wind sensor should now be mounted using the
screw provided onto a mast to allow the wind to travel around the sen­sor unhindered from all directions (ideal mast size should be from
Ø16mm – Ø33mm).

Once the wind sensor is fixed onto the mast, connect the cable to the
corresponding thermo-hygro sensor socket so that operating power
supply can be received and data can be transmitted to the base station.

Mast

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