La Crosse Technology WS-2315MAH, WS-2315OAK, WS-2315CH User Manual
Operation Manual
Professional Remote Weather Station
Table of Contents
Page
1. Introduction.................................................................................... 2
2. Intended use. ................................................................................. 2
Weather Station. ............................................................................ 2
System requirements for PC use................................................... 2
Features of the base station. ......................................................... 3
Features of the thermo-hygro sensor. ........................................... 3
Features of the wind sensor .......................................................... 3
Features of the rain sensor............................................................ 3
3. Safety Notes .................................................................................. 4
4. Packaged contents ........................................................................ 5
5. Setting up....................................................................................... 6
6. Operation using cable connection or wireless 433MHz................. 9
7. LCD overview .............................................................................. 10
8. Function test ................................................................................ 11
9. Mounting...................................................................................... 12
10. Resetting & factory settings......................................................... 14
11. Function description .................................................................... 16
12. Operation keys ............................................................................ 19
13. Basic programming modes.......................................................... 21
14. MIN/MAX programming modes ................................................... 22
15. Alarm programming modes ......................................................... 23
16. Auto-memory for stored values ................................................... 30
17. Accessories: extensions cables................................................... 30
18. Changing batteries ...................................................................... 31
19. Problems and interference with operation ................................... 32
20. Transmission range ..................................................................... 33
21. Cleaning and maintenance.......................................................... 33
22. Specifications .............................................................................. 34
23. Warranty Information ................................................................... 36
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 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 100ft in open
space) or by cable connection.
Using the enclosed 6.5ft 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.
System Requirements for PC use:
The minimum system requirement for use of this “Heavy Weather” software is:
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 WWVB 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 displays in degrees Fahrenheit or
Celsius (user selectable)
• Indoor and outdoor relative humidity displays
• Air pressure reading in inHg or hPa, 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 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 sensors before
transmitting the data to the base station by wireless 433MHz or by the 32ft
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 32ft cable
connection.
Features of Rain sensor
The rain sensor measures the rainfall 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 by a 32ft 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 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. Keep out of the reach of children.
• Do not dispose of new or used batteries in a fire as they may explosion 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.
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
ThermoHygro
Sensor
Wind
Sensor
Rain
Sensor
Heavy
weather
PC
software
• Main unit
• Main unit
• Rain protection
cover
• Main unit with
wind vane
• 32ft cable
(already
attached to the
main unit)
• Mast holder
• Main unit (base
and funnel)
• 32ft cable
(already
attached to the
main unit)
CD-Rom format
(English version
only)
• AD/DC 120V power
Adaptor - optional use
(included)
• 32ft cable - optional
connection to the base
station (included)
• Wall mounting screws
• Plastic anchors for
screws
• 2 x U-bolts for mast
holder
• 4 x Washers
• 4 x Nuts
• 1 x screw (to fix main
unit to the mast holder
• 6.5ft PC cable for PC
connection - optional
use (included)
5. Setting up
First, choose to use the 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:
Operation
Keys
Front Panel
Note: flip open the front panel under the PRESSURE, DISPLAY and WIND
keys to reveal the SET, + (plus), - (minus), ALARM and MIN/MAX operation
keys
Socket for
Ad ptor a
Socket for ThermoHygro Sensor
PC COM Port
Battery
compartment
Setting up using batteries:
Sensor sockets
Important: To avoid operating problems, please take note of battery
polarity if inserting any batteries
Battery
Compartment
Thermo-Hygro Sensor
Battery Cover
Sensor sockets
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
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 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. After the learning mode (or
by pressing the MIN/MAX key at anytime), the base station will start the
WWVB radio controlled time reception.
Note for WWVB Radio Controlled Time:
The time and date display is based on the signal provided by the highly
accurate government operated atomic clock in Ft. Collins, Colorado. This
radio-controlled clock does not only provide for the weather station’s time and
date display but also functions as the time and date source for all of this
weather station’s memory and history values using time and date information.
LCD backlight:
When using the power adaptor, the LCD backlight is switched on continuously.
Under battery operation, the LCD backlight is switched on for 15 seconds
intervals 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
32ft 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.
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 sensors. Without
being synchronized, weather data will not be received.
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
3
2
4
5
6
7
8
11
19
20
21
22
24
9
10
12
13
14
15
16
17
23
25
18
1. Low battery indicator
2. WWVB radio controlled time icon
3. Date display
4. Time zone display
5. Date, seconds, alarm time and time
zone
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,
wind chill, rainfall alarm icon
26
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
and wind speed low, high, direction
alarm
25. Wind direction and speed (m/s, knots,
Beaufort, km/h or mph) display
26. Alarm buzzer ON/OFF icon
27. General alarm icon
27
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 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/or check the
batteries in the outdoor thermo-hygro sensor 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
NOTE: The WWVB receiver is located in the base station.
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 WWVB 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
NOTE: For reception of WWVB time/date signal, do not mount the base station
closer than 5 feet from a computer, florescent lights or other electrical
appliances. Do not mount the base station on a wall that has metal heat/AC
ductwork in the wall behind the base station. For best WWVB reception place
the base station near a window facing Colorado. WWVB reception will be
obtained easiest in the nighttime hours when the WWVB signal is strongest.
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 East-West 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 Ø0.63” – Ø1.3”).
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
Loading...