Ambient weather Ws-1050 User manual

Ambient Weather WS-1050 Wireless Home Weather Station

User Manual

Table of Contents

1. Introduction ...................................................................................................................................................... 2

2. Warnings and Cautions..................................................................................................................................... 2

3. Getting Started.................................................................................................................................................. 2

3.1 Parts List.................................................................................................................................................. 3

3.2 Recommend Tools ................................................................................................................................... 3

3.3 SensorAssembly Set Up.......................................................................................................................... 4

3.4 Display Console....................................................................................................................................... 7

3.4.1 Display Console Layout ...................................................................................................................... 7

3.4.1 Initial Display Console Set Up............................................................................................................ 9

3.4.2 Sensor Operation Verification.............................................................................................................. 9

4. Weather Station Installation.............................................................................................................................. 9

4.1 Pre Installation Checkout......................................................................................................................... 9

4.2 Site Survey............................................................................................................................................... 9

4.3 Final Installation of Sensor Array.......................................................................................................... 10

5. Console Operation.......................................................................................................................................... 10

5.1 Set Mode................................................................................................................................................ 10

5.1.1 Set Time............................................................................................................................................. 10

5.1.2 Set Date ..............................................................................................................................................11

5.1.3 Set Indoor Temperature and Outdoor Temperature Units.................................................................. 12

5.1.4 Set Barometric Pressure..................................................................................................................... 12

5.1.5 Set Wind Units....................................................................................................................................... 12

5.1.5 Set Rain Units.................................................................................................................................... 13

5.2 Quick Set Mode..................................................................................................................................... 13

5.2.1 Outdoor Temperature, Wind chill and Dew Point Display................................................................ 13

5.2.2 Relative and Absolute Pressure Display............................................................................................ 13

5.2.3 Average Wind Speed and Wind Gust................................................................................................. 13

5.2.4 Rain Display and Reset...................................................................................................................... 13

5.3 History Mode......................................................................................................................................... 13

5.4 Alarm Mode........................................................................................................................................... 14

5.4.1 HighAlarm Mode.............................................................................................................................. 14

5.4.2 Low Alarm Mode............................................................................................................................... 16

5.4.3 Cancelling an Alarm.......................................................................................................................... 16

5.4.4 Outdoor Temperature/ Wind Chill / Dew PointAlarm ...................................................................... 16

5.5 Min/Max Mode...................................................................................................................................... 17

5.5.1 Maximum Mode ................................................................................................................................ 17

5.5.2 Minimum Mode................................................................................................................................. 18

5.6 Other Console Features.......................................................................................................................... 18

5.6.1 Weather Forecasting .......................................................................................................................... 18

5.6.2 Weather Icons .................................................................................................................................... 19

5.6.3 Weather tendency indicator ............................................................................................................... 19

5.6.4 Storm threshold indicator .................................................................................................................. 20

5.6.5 Pressure threshold setting.................................................................................................................. 20

5.6.6 Pressure Graph................................................................................................................................... 20

6. Glossary of Terms........................................................................................................................................... 20

7. Specifications ................................................................................................................................................. 21

7.1 Wireless Specifications.......................................................................................................................... 21

7.2 Measurement Specifications.................................................................................................................. 21

7.3 Power Consumption............................................................................................................................... 21

7.4 Cable Lengths........................................................................................................................................ 21

8. Troubleshooting Guide................................................................................................................................... 21

9. Accessories..................................................................................................................................................... 23

10. Liability Disclaimer ................................................................................................................................... 24

11. FCC Statement........................................................................................................................................... 24

12. Warranty Information................................................................................................................................. 25

1. Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of the Ambient Weather WS-1050 wireless weather station. The following user

guide provides step by step instructions for installation, operation and troubleshooting. To download the latest

manual and additional troubleshooting tips, please visit:

http://ambientweather.wikispaces.com/ws1050

2. Warnings and Cautions

Warning: Any metal object may attract a lightning strike, including your weather station mounting pole.

Never install the weather station in a storm.

Warning: Installing your weather station in a high location may result in injury or death. Perform as much

of the initial check out and operation on the ground and inside a building or home. Only install the weather

station on a clear, dry day.

3. Getting Started

The WS-1050 weather station consists of a display console (receiver), a thermo-hygrometer transmitter unit, a

wind speed sensor, a rain gauge, and mounting hardware.

3.1 Parts List

QTY

Item

Display Console

Frame Dimensions (LxWxH): 6.5” x 6” x 1.25”

LCD Dimensions (LxW): 5” x 2.75”

Thermo-hygrometer transmitter

Thermo-hygrometer transmitter mounting bracket

Thermo-hygrometer transmitter radiation shield

Wind speed sensor

Rain gauge

Rain gauge mounting bracket

1” nut and bolt (long)

13/16” nut and bolt (short)

½” set screw (long)

3/8”set screw (short) (Optional)

Upper pole (L: 12”)

Lower pole (L: 12”)

Zip ties

Hose clamps (2 ¾” diameter)

3.2 Recommend Tools

Precision screwdriver (for small Phillips screws)

Pliers

Phillips screwdriver

Flat blade screwdriver

Tack (small) hammer or rubber mallet

3.3 Sensor Assembly Set Up

Connect the wind cup assembly to the top end of the top mounting pole. Align the holes, and fasten with

long bolt and nut. Tighten with precision screwdriver while securing the nut with pliers, as shown in

Front Back

1. Figure 1 (front and back view). Attach the small set screw (optional). The set screw will not set flush

with the pole. Do not over tighten.

Front Back

Figure 1

2. Connect the rain gauge with long set screw. Tighten with precision screwdriver, as shown in Figure 2.

Note: There may be a slight “play” in the rain gauge and the screw may not be flush. Do not force

the screw.

Note: There are two mounting holes on the side of the rain gauge in the event you wish to mount the

rain gauge in a different location than the mounting arm.

Figure 2

3. Connect the thermo-hygrometer with short bolt and nut. Tighten with precision screwdriver, as shown in

Figure 3. Slide the radiation shield over the thermo-hygrometer after connecting the cables from the

wind speed sensor and rain gauge (Step 7). Attach to the thermo-hygrometer mounting arm to the

upper mounting pole.

Figure 3

4. Connect the wind speed cable to the thermo-hygrometer jack (reference the label on the

thermo-hygrometer). Connect the rain gauge cable to the thermo-hygrometer jack (reference the label on

the thermo-hygrometer).

5. Insert two AA batteries in the thermo-hygrometer. The transmitter LED will light up momentarily (4

seconds), and then flash once every 48 seconds for each transmission update.

Note: Do not install the batteries backwards. You can permanently damage the thermo-hygrometer.

Do not use rechargeable batteries.

Note: We recommend installing LithiumAA batteries:

http://www.ambientweather.com/enaaliba4pa.html

Lithium batteries provide longer life and operate in colder temperatures.

Figure 4

6. Fasten the lower mounting pole (which is swaged on the top end) to your mounting pole or bracket

(purchased separately) with the hose clamps. Tighten the lower mounting pole to your mounting pole

with the hose clamps with a flat head screw driver, as shown in Figure 5. Slide the top weather station

pole (with the sensor array) into the lower pole (connected to your mounting pole) when your station is

finally mounted.

Figure 5

7. Install the solar shield over the thermo-hygrometer/transmitter, and use the enclosed zip ties to clean up

the cables.

3.4 Display Console

3.4.1 Display Console Layout

Note: The presence of the "Alarm-On icon" in the section means that the particular alarm has been enabled.

Figure 6

1. Time

2. Alarm on indicator

3. Day of week/ time zone

4. Date

5. Indoor temperature display

6. Indoor humidity display

7. Indoor temperature and humidity low alarm and high

alarm

8. Temperature display unit

9. General indoor alarm icon

10. MIN/MAX information

11. Wind chill and dew point temperature display

12. Outdoor temperature and humidity display

13. Outdoor temperature and humidity low alarm and high

alarm

14. Temperature display unit

15. General outdoor alarm icon

16. Weather forecast icon

17. Weather tendency indicator

18. Pressure unit (relative or absolute)

19. Pressure with 24 hour history graph

20. Pressure low alarm and high alarm

21. Pressure display unit (inHg or hPa)

22. Pressure alarm on indicator

23. Wind speed display unit (m/s, km/h, knots, chill mph,

bft)

24. Wind speed high alarm

25. Wind alarm on indicator

26. Rainfall display unit (mm/in)

27. Rainfall 1h, 24h,week, month or total hour display

28. Rainfall alarm on indicator

3.4.1 Initial Display Console Set Up

Note: The sensor array must be powered and updating before powering up the console, or the

console will give up searching for the sensors. Perform this step last.

Make certain the weather station sensor array is at least 10’ away from the console and within 300’ of

the console. If the weather station is too close or two far away, it will not receive a proper signal.

Insert three AA batteries into the battery compartment on the back of the display. After inserting the

batteries into the console, all of the LCD segments will light up for a few seconds to verify all

segments are operating properly.

The unit will instantly display indoor temperature, humidity, barometer, tendency, date and time.

The wind speed, rain, and outdoor temperature and humidity will update on the display within a few

minutes. Do not touch the LCD until the outside transmitter report in, otherwise the outdoor sensor

search mode will be terminated. When the outdoor transmitter data has been received, the console will

automatically switch to the normal mode from which all further settings can be performed.

If it does not update, please reference the troubleshooting guide in Section 8.

3.4.2 Sensor Operation Verification

The following steps verify proper operation of the sensors prior to installing the sensor array.

1. Verify proper operation of the rain gauge. Tip the sensor array back and forth several times.

You should hear a “clicking” sound within the rain gauge. Verify the rain reading on the

display console is not reading 0.00. Each “click” represents 0.01 inches of rainfall.

2. Verify proper operating of the wind speed. Rotate the wind cups manually or with a fan.

Verify the wind speed is not reading 0.0.

3. Verify proper operation of the indoor and outdoor temperature. Verify the indoor and

outdoor temperature match closely with the console and sensor array in the same location

(about 10’ apart). The sensors should be within 4°F (2°C) (the accuracy is ± 2°F / 1°C).

Allow about 30 minutes for both sensors to stabilize.

4. Verify proper operation of the indoor and outdoor humidity. Verify the indoor and

outdoor humidity match closely with the console and sensor array in the same location (about

10’ apart). The sensors should be within 8% (the accuracy is ± 4%). Allow about 30 minutes

for both sensors to stabilize.

4. Weather Station Installation

4.1 Pre Installation Checkout

Before installing your weather station in the permanent location, we recommend operating the weather

station for one week in a temporary location with easy access. This will allow you to check out all of

the functions, insure proper operation, and familiarize you with the weather station and calibration

procedures. This will also allow you to test the wireless range of the weather station.

4.2 Site Survey

Perform a site survey before installing the weather station. Consider the following:

1. You must clean the rain gauge once per year and change the batteries every two years.

Provide easy access to the weather station.

2. Avoid radiant heat transfer from buildings and structures. In general, install the sensor array at

least 5’ from any building, structure, ground, or roof top.

3. Avoid wind and rain obstructions. The rule of thumb is to install the sensor array at least four

times the distance of the height of the tallest obstruction. For example, if the building is 20’

tall, install 4 x 20’ = 80’ away. Use common sense. If the weather station is installed next to a

tall building, the wind and rain will not be accurate.

4. Wireless Range. The radio communication between receiver and transmitter in an open field

can reach a distance of up to 330 feet, providing there are no interfering obstacles such as

buildings, trees, vehicles, high voltage lines. Wireless signals will not penetrate metal

buildings.

5. Radio interference such as PCs, radios or TV sets can, in the worst case, entirely cut off radio

communication. Please take this into consideration when choosing console or mounting

locations.

6. Visit Ambient Weather Mounting Solutions for assistance and ideas for mounting your

weather station:

http://www.ambientweather.com/amwemoso.html

4.3 Final Installation of SensorArray

Mount the weather station in the permanent location. Confirm the weather station data is still updating

on the display console.

5. Console Operation

Note: The display console has five keys for basic operation: SET key, +key, HISTORY key,

ALARM key and MIN/MAX key.

5.1 Set Mode

While in the normal mode, press the SET key for 3 seconds to enter the Set Mode. The Set mode can

be exited at any time by either pressing the HISTORY key or waiting for the 10-second time-out to

take effect. You can skip over any setting by pressing the SET key again.

Holding the +key (increase) or MIN/MAX key (decrease) when in the Set mode will change values

rapidly.

5.1.1 Set Time

1. Time Zone. The time zone value will begin flashing.

Press the +key (increase) or MIN/MAX key (decrease) to adjust the time zone from -12 to 12,

based on the number of hours from Coordinated Universal Time, or Greenwich Mean Time

(GMT).

The following table provides times zones throughout the world. Locations in the eastern

hemisphere are positive, and locations in the western hemisphere are negative.

Hours from

GMT

Time Zone

Cities

-12

IDLW: International Date Line West

---

-11

NT: Nome

Nome, AK

-10

AHST: Alaska-Hawaii Standard

CAT: Central Alaska

HST: Hawaii Standard

Honolulu, HI

-9

YST: Yukon Standard

Yukon Territory

-8

PST: Pacific Standard

Los Angeles, CA, USA

-7

MST: Mountain Standard

Denver, CO, USA

-6

CST: Central Standard

Chicago, IL, USA

-5

EST: Eastern Standard

New York, NY, USA

-4

AST: Atlantic Standard

Caracas

-3

---

São Paulo, Brazil

-2

AT:Azores

Azores, Cape Verde Islands

-1

WAT: West Africa

---

GMT: Greenwich Mean

WET: Western European

London, England

CET: Central European

Paris, France

EET: Eastern European

Athens, Greece

BT: Baghdad

Moscow, Russia

---

Abu Dhabi, UAE

---

Tashkent

---

Astana

---

Bangkok

CCT: China Coast

Bejing

JST: Japan Standard

Tokyo

GST: Guam Standard

Sydney

---

Magadan

IDLE: International Date Line East

NZST: New Zealand Standard

Wellington, New Zealand

2. 12/24 Hour Format. Press the SET key to change the 12/24 hour format. Press the +key to

alternate the display unit between 12 hour format and 24 hour format.

3. Change Hour. Press the SET key to set the hour. Press the +key or MIN/MAX key to

change the hour setting. Manually setting the time overrides the automatic RCC time.

4. Change Minute. Press the SET key to set the minute. Press the +key or MIN/MAX key to

change the minute setting. Manually setting the time overrides the automatic RCC time.

5.1.2 Set Date

1. Change Year. Press the SET key to set the year. The year will begin flashing. Press the +key

or MIN/MAX key to change the year setting.

2. Change Month. Press the SET key to set the month. The month will begin flashing. Press

the +key or MIN/MAX key to change the month setting.

3. Change Day. Press the SET key to set the day. The day will begin flashing. Press the +key

or MIN/MAX key to change the day setting.

5.1.3 Set Indoor Temperature and Outdoor Temperature Units

Change Indoor Temperature Units. Press the SET key to set the indoor and outdoor temperature

units. The indoor and outdoor temperature will begin flashing. Press the +.to alternate the display unit

between °C and °F.

5.1.4 Set Barometric Pressure

Note: The weather station console displays two different pressures: absolute (measured) and

relative (corrected to sea-level).

To compare pressure conditions from one location to another, meteorologists correct pressure to

sea-level conditions. Because the air pressure decreases as you rise in altitude, the sea-level corrected

pressure (the pressure if you were located at sea-level) is generally higher than your measured

pressure.

Thus, your absolute pressure may read 28.62 inHg (969 mb) at an altitude of 1000 feet (305 m), but

the relative pressure is 30.00 inHg (1016 mb).

The standard sea-level pressure is 29.92 in Hg (1013 mb). This is the average sea-level pressure

around the world. Relative pressure measurements greater than 29.92 inHg (1013 mb) are

considered high pressure and relative pressure measurements less than 29.92 inHg are considered low

pressure.

To determine the relative pressure for your location, locate an official reporting station near you (the

internet is best source for real time barometer conditions, such as Weather.com or Wunderground.com),

and set your weather station to match the official reporting station.

1. Pressure Units. Press the SET key to set the pressure units. The pressure units will begin

flashing. Press the +key to alternate between in Hg and hPa.

2. Relative vs. Absolute Pressure Display. Press the +key to alternate the display between

relative (rel) pressure and absolute (abs) pressure.

3. Relative Pressure Calibration. Press the SET key to set the relative pressure. The relative

pressure will flash. Press the +key or MIN/MAX key to change the relative pressure.

4. Pressure Threshold. Press the SET key to change the pressure threshold. The pressure

threshold will be flashing. Press the +key to adjust the pressure threshold from 2.0 to 4.0

hPa/hr (the default is 2 hPa/hr).

5. Storm Threshold. Press the SET key to change the storm threshold. The storm threshold will

be flashing. Press the +key to adjust the pressure threshold from 3.0 to 9.0 hPa/hr (the default

is 4 hPa/hr).

5.1.5 Set Wind Units

Wind Units. Press the SET key to set the wind units. The wind will begin flashing. Press the +key to

alternate the display unit between km/h, mph, m/s, knots, and bft (or Beaufort scale).

5.1.5 Set Rain Units

Rain Units. Press the SET key to set the rain units. The rain will begin flashing. Press the +key to

alternate the display unit between in and mm.

5.2 Quick Set Mode

While in the Normal mode, press the SET key to enter the Quick Set Mode. The Quick Set mode can

be exited at any time by either pressing the HISTORY key or waiting for the 10-second time-out to

take effect. You can skip over any setting by pressing the SET key again.

Holding the +key (increase) or MIN/MAX key (decrease) when in the Set mode will change values

rapidly.

5.2.1 Outdoor Temperature, Wind chill and Dew Point Display

Outdoor Temperature, Wind Chill and Dew Point Display. The outdoor temperature will begin

flashing. Press the +key to alternate the display between the outdoor temperature, wind chill and dew

point.

5.2.2 Relative and Absolute Pressure Display

Relative and Absolute Pressure Display. Press the SET key to change the pressure display. The

pressure will begin flashing. Press the +key to alternate the display between absolute and relative

pressure.

5.2.3 Average Wind Speed and Wind Gust

Average Wind Speed and Gust. Press the SET key to change the wind speed display. The wind

speed will begin flashing. Press the +key to alternate the display between the 48 second Wind

Average Speed and Gust Speed (or the maximum wind speed in the update period, which is 48

seconds).

5.2.4 Rain Display and Reset

1. Rain Increment Display. Press the SET key to change the rain increment display. The rain

will begin flashing. Press the +key to alternate the display between the 1 hour rain, 24 hour

rain, weekly monthly rain, and total rain (since reset).

2. Total Rain Reset. With the total rain flashing in the previous step, press and hold the SET

key for three seconds, and the total rain will reset to zero.

5.3 History Mode

While in the Normal mode, press the HISTORY key to enter the History mode.

Select the +key to review historical data archived in the console in increments of two hours (-24, -22,

-20, -18, -16, -14, -10, -8, -6, -4 and -2 hours).

5.4 Alarm Mode

Note: After initially pressing the ALARM key, the display will show the current high and low

alarm values. The alarm value will be displayed only for those already activated, otherwise, inactive

alarms will show dashes (--).

The Alarm mode can be exited at any time by either pressing the ALARM key or waiting for the

10-second time-out to take effect.

5.4.1 High Alarm Mode

While in the Normal mode, press the ALARM key to enter the High Alarm mode. The HIAL icon

will be displayed in the TIME section.

1. Time of Day Alarm. Press the SET key to set the hour of day alarm. The hour will begin

flashing. Press the +key (increase) or MIN/MAX key (decrease) to change the hour value.

Press the SET key again to set the minute value. The minute will begin flashing. Press the

+key or MIN/MAX key to increase or decrease the minute value.