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Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Stations

Posted: Fri 24 Feb 2012 6:07 am
by klinebau
As you know, it takes a relatively long time to get data from the LaCrosse stations. I've noticed from the debugging logs that it can take up to 5 seconds or more to retrieve one set of data. This is problematic for LaCrosse stations set up to receive data every 8 seconds (wired) because the station is busy processing requests for data and is unable to retrieve current data from the sensors. I can watch the weather station console and see that it gets "stuck" and is unable to get data updates consistently from the sensors while Cumulus is running. The net effect is that many wind updates (speed and direction) get missed.

I would like to suggest that the code be modified to only request wind speed and wind direction updates every 8 seconds and the remaining sensor data be updated less frequently (every 60 seconds or even 120 seconds). It is only significant to capture wind data frequently as the other data elements do not change as fast. I have done extensive work with open2300 and know that this type of change works and will solve this problem. I think this would also benefit every other ws2300 user as well since there will be less overhead.

For another weather station application I was able to modify the open2300 software to apply a similar fix. I am currently using that software, but would love to switch over Cumulus as I think it is much better. I am also willing to help out in changing code or testing as needed.

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Fri 24 Feb 2012 8:23 am
by steve
I could consider doing this at some point, yes. But I am reluctant to change the code as I don't have a La Crosse station to test it with, and it was hard enough getting it working in the first place.

In fact, as it happens, I have just got around to moving Cumulus to the latest version of the Delphi compiler which I bought last year, and as a result I had to use a new version of the serial port component that I use for La Crosse stations. The code no longer works, and I don't know why. If I can't get it working again, I will have to drop support for La Crosse stations in future versions of Cumulus.

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Fri 24 Feb 2012 8:51 am
by Matt.j5b
Steve please be careful, I do enjoy my La Crosse station with Cumulus. I hope that the support for La Crosse station continues even with the code trouble. I download twice a day from the logger and takes 2 to 4 minutes to process 100 to 140 entries.

It is slow, but recording without cable at 128 second intervals from logger helps to work around the problem. They can be strange, for example yesterday I had to restart the download after a error "cannot download history data" but worked the second time round.

I have enjoyed Cumulus and the station is working well. And thanks again for the La Crosse support, I hope it may continue.

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Fri 24 Feb 2012 10:13 am
by geoffp
I have the WS-2350 using it on wireless and a serial connection from the La Crosse control panel to the pc and I have found no problems at all, all of my data is 100% and very fast download, keep up the good work Steve :clap:

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Fri 24 Feb 2012 10:46 am
by steve
Matt.j5b wrote:Steve please be careful, I do enjoy my La Crosse station with Cumulus.
It's not a case of being careful, it's already broken and I can't go back to the working setup.

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Fri 24 Feb 2012 2:26 pm
by steve
steve wrote:it's already broken
With a lot of help from Jason, I seem to have persuaded it to be unbroken again.

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Fri 24 Feb 2012 2:30 pm
by geoffp
Well Done Steve and Jason :clap: :clap: :clap: :D :D

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Fri 24 Feb 2012 9:47 pm
by Matt.j5b
Well thanks here too for getting unbroken again. :D :clap:
I was referring to changing the code in the future.

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Sat 25 Feb 2012 5:56 am
by klinebau
steve wrote:I could consider doing this at some point, yes. But I am reluctant to change the code as I don't have a La Crosse station to test it with, and it was hard enough getting it working in the first place.
I would be willing to help code or test as necessary.

-Kurt

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Tue 28 Feb 2012 10:20 pm
by yv1hx
klinebau wrote:
steve wrote:I could consider doing this at some point, yes. But I am reluctant to change the code as I don't have a La Crosse station to test it with, and it was hard enough getting it working in the first place.
I would be willing to help code or test as necessary.

-Kurt
Me too!

We have a WS-2315 at home.

Re: Suggestion to Improve Response Time from LaCrosse Statio

Posted: Wed 29 Feb 2012 2:31 am
by Matt.j5b
I am willing to help test any changes to the code with my la crosse station.