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AAG CloudWatcher
Read me first
Thank you very much for your purchase!
Lunático Astronomía hopes it will fulfil your expectations and help you enjoy astronomy.
WARNING Please remove the plastic cover over the sensors prior to use.
INDEX
Package Contents
Software installation
Connecting the unit
Physical CloudWatcher installation
Technical specifications
Maintenance
Limitations
Support
AAG CloudWatcher - Read me first v 4.0 04/May/2017
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Package Contents
The AAG CloudWatcher package contains the following:
Main box with a 10, 5 or 3 meter built-in cable
A couple of Terminal Blocks
Wall mounting kit (mounted in the unit)
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Optional items:
The anemometer
Mounting bracket (two versions: pole and wall)
Software installation
Please download the up-to-date software from our website.. The program includes a simple
installation wizard making the process a very simple one. It also incorporates a comprehensive help
file.
Connecting the unit
Regarding connections, there are three plugs at the end of the CloudWatcher, as seen in the image:
• A DB9 connector, for the PC's
serial port (or the USB/Serial
converter)
• A jack plug for powering the unit.
(12 or 15 V, less than 1A, any
polarity)
• Two terminals (terminal blocks
also included) for the relay output
(this is of optional use to operate
the opening/closing mechanism)
In the unit, we have two special,
weather resistant IP68 sockets to
connect both the main cable and
our optional anemometer.
Please make sure you select the
correct one (the one with just 3 male pines is for the anemometer).
AAG CloudWatcher - Read me first v 4.0 04/May/2017
Image of the AAG & Anomometer in the pole
mounting bracket.
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ATTENTION! Do not remove the
anemometer blue cap
unless connecting
an anemometer!
Physical CloudWatcher installation
To ease water evacuation, the device must be installed slightly tilted (10 to 15º is
perfect); it is recommended to make the unit point to the zone from where clouds
more usually come, thus allowing for an earlier detection.
Between the CloudWatcher lower side and its support, there must be enough
space so both water and air can freely flow; please use the supplied (and already
mounted) washers.
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Also please note the cable should be pointing slightly downwards, as the drawing
shows, to allow the drain of any water entering or condensing inside the unit.
A place with a wide sky view and as far as possible from high-radiation areas (such as roofs or
concrete flooring) is best to place the unit. If there's no option other than placing the unit over such
high-radiation areas, it should be installed high above it to minimize the radiation effects.
ATTENTION!
Avoid touching the sensors with your bare fingers.
Do not apply pressure over the sensors seeing that they are glued to the cover.
Be careful when touching the rain surface because it may be hot. The rain sensor is
an active component that is subject to heating. The maximum temperature is limited
by software and it depends on the constants chosen by the user.
The rain sensor should be cleaned (soapy water) to work correctly. The presence of
rain is detected by changes of its capacitance property.
The sensors are protected by a highly resistant product – in no case remove it!
1 These washers are not needed if using our mounting bracket.
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Technical specifications
Power 12 or 15v, current < 1 A
RS232 Serial port
Size: 110*85*37 mm.
10, 5 or 3 m. long weather-proof cable
Maintenance
The AAG CloudWatcher has been designed to need very low maintenance; nonetheless, with time, dirt
(dust or even birds' droppings...) can handicap the quality of the readings from the unit. Cleaning the
sensors' surface with a clean cloth will restore the unit to full performance (do not use alcohol!).
Limitations
This device has been carefully manufactured and tested before shipping. Even if its goal is to detect
atmospheric conditions, specially the cloudy condition, it must not be the only device to rely upon
before exposing valuable equipment to the open. Especially in remote installations, an additional
detecting device (such an all-sky camera) is recommended to make 100% sure of the sky conditions.
Never will Lunático Astronomía be liable of any damage derived from the use of this device.
The CloudWatcher software has been calibrated to the weather conditions at Lagoa (south Portugal),
so it will maybe need some adjustments to work properly at your place. Please read the help file
included with the software.
Support
Lunático Astronomía is proud of the quality of the support it offers its customers. You can reach us at
the our support forum.
_________________________________________
www.lunatico.es
AAG CloudWatcher - Read me first v 4.0 04/May/2017
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