Sandaysoft

Hi Colin,

IMO most USB devices that are used for permanent communications end up experiencing issues.

When I researched which interface to get for my new Davis, a lot of people suggest serial over USB because USB has intermittent issues as well as a dodgy way of interfacing to Cumulus (thats another story). So even the great Davis did not get it right it seems.

I have used many different USB phone line modems at work and most if not all have issues maintaining their presence. I've lost count how many times my USB printer disappears of the face of the earth. When a family member first got ADSL they used a USB interface on the modem which was very problematic - switched to Ethernet and all issues gone. I've even had mice and keyboards stop working requiring the re-plug to get em working again.

So for me its good old serial (or Ethernet). In fact my current setup is a serial interface to a serial to Ethernet device server then to Cumulus, and its rock solid. Its a shame its getting harder to find devices using serial but that's progress I guess.

And in context of this thread, I don't think USB issues are solely FO's issue. But that's IMO, and I am certainly not defending them.

BTW - My FO Console would last about a week before it locked up - that was the reason why I decided to go to another make, final nail in the coffin you could say.

Phil

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http://www.auzhq.net/weather - using a VP2+

Can you confirm that you have had the lock up with the Easy Weather software. Lots of people report it with other packages, but I don't know of anyone running Easy Weather over a prolonged period of time, and so had not heard of it causing lock ups. (IMHO, if it fails with Easy Weather, the problems with other packages will never be resolved.)

Thanks

Lloyd

To be honest Lloyd, I hardly every used Easy Weather because Cumulus is so much better (at least for my needs).

I only used Easy Weather to setup logging interval and clear data on the odd occasion. So that would be an interesting trend to look at.

FYI I used to run my WH3081 logger at 5 minute intervals and Cumulus at 1 minute intervals. I did that to use the WH3081 just as a logger in case the PC or Cumulus crashes. I know its not a recommended practice and both intervals should be the same, but as far as I could tell only Davis stations are suspectable to that config mismatch (so consequently now I do run them the same ).

I am not sure any of that is important as I believe cumulus talks to the FO console frequently irrespective of logging interval (I think 10 or 15 secs). I am sure someone will correct me if I am wrong.

Cheers

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http://www.auzhq.net/weather - using a VP2+

I have found that once Cumulus stops talking to the console I cannot get Easy Weather to see it either. I've never run Easy Weather long enough to see if it locks up using that as the weather application.

Cheers
Colin.

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Gday All,

I have had same problem with solar sensor going offline, so far have soldered the xtal to ground, and installed the 2200uf low esr cap mod also - this mod got me nearly a whole days worth of data before sensor went offline again. Next step is replace battery's with eneloops and this is the last thing i can do to fix the problem.
The Ebay dealer is not responding to me and I could request a refund through paypal which he would be forced to deal with.
does anyone have an email contact at fine offset I can establish a dialog through here in Australia??


Cheers,

Grahame.

Last Friday installed my replacement solar unit, a big thanks to Signatrol for their prompt service. Only three visible differences, firstly the underside of the new solar unit has a gold star stuck on. Presumably this signifies a mk2 unit. Secondly its lux output is 60% down on the old unit which is better. And thirdly it has a much finer numerical readout, not large differences of lux from one reading to the next. Only been a week, but looking good.

Colin

update: replaced battery's to eneloops and I have had 48 hours of good data so far...

should have tried this one first!

Grahame.

I've been going for over six weeks now using Eneloops with just one dropout. A simple down arrow reset resolved it straight away.

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Kirby Cross Weather on Twitter

No problems with the solar, but mightily sick of the comms lockups. I'm pretty sure I will be dumping this hunk of junk VERY shortly.

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yep i just knew it - I spoke too soon on the solar unit working well and it failed today - down arrow reset did not fix the problem, and im sick of climbing up on my roof with a 10ft pole to reset the unit when it happens...

ebay seller has had very limited responses to me and I have filed a claim through paypal for replacement unit or refund... pity its has come to this!

You blokes sound like you've reached the same conclusion as I did.

The WH-3081 is crap, nothing more, nothing less.

I can't help thinking the various ebay sellers know I'm right when their buy-it-now prices have come down so low (with free shipping).

Like you Grahame, I got very little (NIL) response from the seller I bought mine from.

I couldn't get any sense from Fine Offset either, they just kept telling me to go back to the ebay seller and stop annoying them...

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Graeme.
http://weather.gktnet.com/cumulus/index.htm

I'm currently digging out a bunker to hide from the missus after I buy a Davis station

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Graeme.
http://weather.gktnet.com/cumulus/index.htm

Me too! Now, do I go wired or wireless? Must be a discussion for another thread me thinks

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I went wired for two reasons.
One is my luck with wireless sucked but apparently Davis wireless is supposed to be very good.
The other was I bought mine from USA because its half the price of equivalent in Aussie delivered! (check out archer trading) that means the USA wireless version is not legal for Aussie (and I presume NZ)

Also my ISS reception is 100 % and Wireless hovers around 95-98% from what I have seen.

Whoops - off topic...

Cheers

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http://www.auzhq.net/weather - using a VP2+

I contacted FO right from the word go and have to give credit where credit is due they have been fantastic. They sent me a new light sensor unit which is now still sitting in the box. Since we have dropped out of our summer (yeah if you could call it a summer) our light levels have been a lot lower. My light sensor has been up now for over a month without a single dropout as opposed to every bloody couple of hours lol.
If and when it does go offline again I will swap it over to the newer version.