Ambient weather Ws-1401-ip User manual

Ambient Weather WS-1401-IP OBSERVER Solar Powered

Wireless IP Weather Station User Manual

Table of Contents

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

1.1 What’s new with the WS-1401-IP..........................................................................................2

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

3. Quick Start Guide............................................................................................................................2

4. Pre-Installation Checkout and Site Survey......................................................................................3

4.1 Pre Installation Checkout.......................................................................................................3

4.2 Site Survey.............................................................................................................................3

5. Getting Started ................................................................................................................................3

5.1 Parts List.................................................................................................................................4

5.2 Recommend Tools..................................................................................................................5

5.3 SensorArray Set Up...............................................................................................................5

5.3.1 Install Wind Vane...............................................................................................................7

5.3.2 Install Mounting Pole.........................................................................................................7

5.3.1 Install Batteries...................................................................................................................9

5.3.2 Mount Weather Station..................................................................................................... 11

5.3.3 Reset Button and Transmitter LED..................................................................................13

5.4 Indoor Thermo-Hygrometer-Barometer Transmitter............................................................14

5.5 Best Practices for Wireless Communication............................................................................15

5.6 ObserverIP Receiver.............................................................................................................15

5.6.1 Hardware Requirements...................................................................................................15

5.6.2 Software Requirements....................................................................................................15

5.6.3 ObserverIP Connections...................................................................................................16

5.7 Finding the ObserverIP from your computer........................................................................17

5.7.1 PC Users...........................................................................................................................17

5.7.2 Mac Users ........................................................................................................................18

5.7.3 Linux Users..........................................................................................................................19

5.7.3 Local Device Network Settings........................................................................................20

5.8 Weather Network Settings....................................................................................................21

5.8.1 WeatherUnderground.com ...............................................................................................22

1.8.2 AmbientWeather.net.........................................................................................................25

1.8.3 Station Settings.................................................................................................................28

1.8.4 Live Data..........................................................................................................................30

1.8.5 Calibration........................................................................................................................31

6. Updating Firmware .......................................................................................................................35

7. Glossary of Terms.........................................................................................................................37

8. Specifications................................................................................................................................38

8.1 Wireless Specifications ........................................................................................................38

8.2 Measurement Specifications.................................................................................................39

8.3 Power Consumption.............................................................................................................39

9. Maintenance..................................................................................................................................39

9.1 Advanced Rain Gauge Cleaning ..........................................................................................40

10. Troubleshooting Guide.............................................................................................................42

11. Accessories...............................................................................................................................45

12. Liability Disclaimer..................................................................................................................45

13. FCC Statement..........................................................................................................................45

14. Warranty Information ...............................................................................................................46

1. Introduction

Thank you for your purchase of the WS-1400-IP OBSERVER Solar Powered Wireless WiFi Weather

Station. The following user guide provides step by step instructions for installation, operation and

troubleshooting. To download the latest manual, firmware upgrades and IP Finder Tools, visit:

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

1.1 What’s new with the WS-1401-IP

The WS-1400-IP uses rechargeable batteries for energy storage. The WS-1401-IP improves on this

design by charging a super capacitor instead of rechargeable batteries. The non-rechargeable batteries

provide back-up energy.

With the WS-1400-IP, the rechargeable batteries have a limited temperature range and prone to

leaking. This problem is resolved with the WS-1401-IP by using high quality non-rechargeable

batteries, like Lithium e2 Energizer batteries.

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. Quick Start Guide

Although the manual is comprehensive, much of the information contained may be intuitive. In

addition, the manual does not flow properly because the sections are organized by components.

The following Quick Start Guide provides only the necessary steps to install, operate the weather

station, and upload to the internet, along with references to the pertinent sections.

Required

Step

Description

Section

Assemble and power up the sensor array

5.3.1 - 5.3.1

Power up the indoor thermometer-hygrometer-barometer

5.4

Power up the ObserverIP, connect to your router and synchronize with sensor

array and thermo-hygrometer-barometer.

5.6

Mount the sensor array

5.3.2

Calibrate the relative pressure to sea-level conditions (local airport) on the

ObserverIP module

1.8.5

Reset the rain to zero on console

1.8.4.1

5.8

4. Pre-Installation Checkout and Site Survey

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 every few months and change the batteries every 2-3 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, and the mounting pole is 6’ tall, install 4 x (20 –6)’ = 56’ away.

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. Under most conditions, the maximum wireless range is 100’.

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 ObserverIP receiver or

mounting locations. Make sure your ObserverIP receiver is at least five feet away from any

electronic device to avoid interference.

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

weather station:

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

5. Getting Started

The WS-1000-WiFi weather station consists of a ObserverIP receiver, an all in one sensor array, and

wireless thermo-hygrometer-barometer.

5.1 Parts List

QTY

Item

Image

ObserverIP Receiver

Dimensions (LxWxH): 3x2x1”

Thermo-hygrometer-barometer

transmitter

Thermo-hygrometer-barometer

mounting bracket plus 3 mounting

screws

SensorArray

Wind Vane

5V DC Adaptor

QTY

Item

Image

Ethernet Cable

Pole (straight and crimped)

Pole mounting U-bolt

Pole mounting clamps

Pole mounting U-bolt nuts

Allen wrench

User manual

5.2 Recommend Tools

Precision screwdriver (for small Phillips screw on battery cover door)

Adjustable wrench (for mounting pole)

Compass or GPS (for wind direction calibration)

5.3 SensorArray Set Up

Note: The sensor array includes a white sticker on the bottom. There is no reason to remove this

sticker. It is part of the mold manufacturing process.

Figure 1

Description

Wind Vane (measures wind direction)

Reset button

Wind Speed Sensor (measures wind speed)

Thermo-hygrometer Sensor (measures

temperature and humidity)

Solar collector

Solar Radiation Sensor

Battery compartment

Rain Collector (self emptying)

LED transmission indicator (turns on for 4

seconds on power up, flashes once per 16

seconds)

Bubble Level

5.3.1 Install Wind Vane

Reference Figure 2. (a) Locate and align the flat key on the wind vane shaft to the flat key on the wind

vane and push the vane on to the shaft. (b) tighten the set screw with the hex wrench (included).

(a)

(b)

Figure 2

5.3.2 Install Mounting Pole

Reference Figure 3. Remove the mounting pole collar by rotating counter clockwise.

Figure 3

Reference Figure 4. Locate and align the groove on the sensor array and mounting pole.

Figure 4

Reference Figure 5. Turn the mounting pole collar to lock the pole into place by rotating clockwise.

Figure 5

5.3.1 Install Batteries

Reference Figure 6. Locate the battery door on the bottom of the sensor array. Turn the set screw

counter clockwise to open the battery compartment. Insert 3xAA batteries (not included). We

recommend a high quality battery, such as Lithium e2 Energizer batteries.

The LED indicator on the bottom of the sensor array will turn on for four seconds and normally flash

once per 16 seconds (the transmission update period).

Close the battery door and tighten the set screw.

Figure 6

5.3.2 Mount Weather Station

There are two methods for attaching your weather station:

A. Option 1: Mounting Clamps. Fasten the mounting pole to your mounting pole or bracket

(purchased separately) with the two U-bolts, mounting pole brackets and nuts, as shown in Figure 7.

Tighten the mounting pole to your mounting pole with the U-Bolt assembly. Make sure your mounting

pole is as far away from the temperature sensor as possible, as shown in Figure 7.

Figure 7

B. Option 2: Swedged Pole Mount. Insert the swedged end of the included mounting pole

into the open end of any standard mounting pole solution (1 3/8” diameter) available from

Ambient Weather, as shown in Figure 8. For more information on mounting solutions, visit:

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

Figure 8

1. Reference Figure 9. Locate the four wind vane compass rose indicators of N, E, S, W

(representing North, East, South and West). Align the compass rose direction upon final

installation with a compass or GPS.

Figure 9

2. Reference Figure 10. Make sure the sensor array is completely level upon final installation.

Failure to do so will result in inaccurate rain gauge readings.

Figure 10

5.3.3 Reset Button and Transmitter LED

In the event the sensor array is not transmitting, reset the sensor array.

With an open ended paperclip, press and hold the RESET BUTTON for three seconds to completely

discharge the voltage.

Take out the batteries and wait one minute, while covering the solar panel to drain the voltage.

Put batteries back in and resynchronize with the ObserverIP receiver by powering down and up the

ObserverIP receiver with the sensor array about 10 feet away.

Figure 11

5.4 Indoor Thermo-Hygrometer-Barometer Transmitter

The indoor thermometer, hygrometer and barometer measures and displays the indoor temperature,

humidity and pressure and transmits this data to the ObserverIP receiver.

Figure 12

Note: Do not install the thermo-hygrometer-barometer transmitter outside. This will cause errors

in the barometric pressure due to large variations in temperature (barometric pressure is temperature

compensated for accuracy). Note that pressure readings made inside your home, business, or facility

will correspond closely to the actual barometric pressure outside.

Note: The thermo-hygrometer-transmitter transmits directly to the ObserverIP receiver. For best

results, place between 5 to 20 feet from the ObserverIP receiver.

Note: To avoid permanent damage, please take note of the battery polarity before inserting the

batteries.

Remove the battery door on the back of the sensor with a Philips screwdriver (there is only one screw,

at the bottom of the unit). Insert two AAA batteries, as shown in Figure 13.

Replace the battery door and set screw. Note that the temperature, humidity and barometric pressure

will be displayed on the LCD display. Looking at the back of the unit from left to right, the polarity is

(-) (+) for the top battery and (+) (-) for the bottom battery.

Figure 13

5.5 Best Practices for Wireless Communication

Note: To insure proper communication, mount the remote sensor(s) upright on a vertical surface,

such as a wall. Do not lay the sensor flat.

Wireless communication is susceptible to interference, distance, walls and metal barriers. We

recommend the following best practices for trouble free wireless communication.

1. Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI). Keep the ObserverIP receiver several feet away from

computer monitors and TVs.

2. Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). If you have other 915 MHz devices and

communication is intermittent, try turning off these other devices for troubleshooting

purposes. You may need to relocate the transmitters or receivers to avoid intermittent

communication.

3. Line of Sight Rating. This device is rated at 300 feet line of sight (no interference, barriers or

walls) but typically you will get 100 feet maximum under most real-world installations,

which include passing through barriers or walls.

4. Metal Barriers. Radio frequency will not pass through metal barriers such as aluminum

siding. If you have metal siding, align the remote and ObserverIP receiver through a window

to get a clear line of sight.

The following is a table of reception loss vs. the transmission medium. Each “wall” or obstruction

decreases the transmission range by the factor shown below.

Medium

RF Signal Strength Reduction

Glass (untreated)

5-15%

Plastics

10-15%

Wood

10-40%

Brick

10-40%

Concrete

40-80%

Metal

90-100%

5.6 ObserverIP Receiver

5.6.1 Hardware Requirements

1. Broadband router

2. An “always-on” connection to the Internet. A high speed DSL or cable internet connection

that maintains constant connection to the internet.

5.6.2 Software Requirements

An IP scan tool is required to locate the ObserverIP on the network.

Important Note: Download ObserverIP tools at the following location:

www.AmbientWeather.com/observerip.html

5.6.3 ObserverIP Connections

Connect the ObserverIP receiver power jack to AC power with the power adapter (included), as shown

in Figure 15, reference 10.

Connect the OberverIP receiver to your router using the Ethernet cable (included), as shown in Figure

15, reference 8.

Place the sensor array and indoor thermo-hygrometer transmitter about 5 to 10 feet from the

ObserverIP receiver and wait several minutes for the remote sensors to synchronize with the receiver.

Once synchronized, the Indoor blue LED (Figure 14, reference 2) and Outdoor blue LED (Figure 14,

reference 3) will be illuminated.

Ref.

LED

Description

On when radio frequency receiver is operating properly

Indoor

On when indoor sensor received

Outdoor

On when outdoor sensor array received

Server

On when connected to Wunderground.com® internet hosting

service

ACT

Flashes when there is internet activity

Link

Connected to the Internet (or router)

Power

AC Power connected

Figure 14

Ref.

Description

LAN connection (connect to router)

Reset button

AC Power connection

Figure 15

5.7 Finding the ObserverIP from your computer

5.7.1 PC Users

To find the ObserverIP receiver, launch the IP Tools application downloaded here:

www.AmbientWeather.com/observerip.html

The HostIP (your computers IP address) will be displayed. Press the OK button to continue.

Figure 16

Select the Search button to find the ObserverIP on your local area network.

Figure 17

Select the ObseverIP module on your network as shown in Figure 18 (the field will be highlighted)

and select the Open button (or double click this field) to view the ObserverIP module’s webpage

within your browser. Alternately, you can type the IP address in your web browser address bar

(example, Figure 19):

Figure 18

Figure 19

You are now communicating directly to the ObserverIP and can proceed to Section 5.7.

5.7.2 Mac Users

To find the ObserverIP receiver, launch the IP Tools application downloaded here:

www.AmbientWeather.com/observerip.html

The file is compressed as a zip file and must be extracted to run.

Select the Search button to find the ObserverIP on your local area network.

Figure 20

Select the ObseverIP module on your network as shown in Figure 20 (the field will be highlighted)

and select the Open button (or double click this field) to view the ObserverIP module’s webpage

within your browser. Alternately, you can type the IP address in your web browser address bar

(example, Figure 19):

Figure 21

You are now communicating directly to the ObserverIP and can proceed to Section 5.7.

5.7.3 Linux Users

If you use anApple or Linux operating system, download any commercially available IP scan tool,

such asAngryIP Scanner and find the MAC address of the ObserverIP. The MAC address is a unique

identifier for internet enabled devices.

The MAC address will be printed on the bottom of the ObseverIP receiver. An example MAC address

is 00:0E:C6:00:00:19.

We have included links to free IP Scan Tool applications here:

www.AmbientWeather.com/observerip.html

Figure 22 shows typical scan results. Locate the IP address of the ObserverIP by cross referencing the

Mac address. In the example below, the IP address is 192.168.0.105.

Figure 22

Type the IP address you located from the IP Scan Tool into your web browser (example, Figure 23):

Figure 23

You are now communicating directly to the ObserverIP and can proceed to Section 5.7.

5.7.3 Local Device Network Settings

From your web browser, access the ObserverIP from the IP address obtained in the previous section.

Select the Local Network tab to program the local network settings. Reference Figure 24:

1. IP Address. The default setting is receive automatically (DCHP), which is recommended.

The network will assign an IP address. To statically assign an IP address, select Static from

the pull down menu. This will prevent the IP address from changing each time you power up

the ObserverIP receiver.

2. Static IP Address. If Static is selected as the IP address, enter the IP address you wish to

access the ObserverIP device.

3. Static Subnet Mask. Default is 255.255.255.0. This should not be changed unless you are

familiar with networking and subnet masking.

4. Static Default Gateway. This is typically the IP address of your router.

5. Static DNS Server. This is your DNS Server setting based on your router connection.

6. Server Listening Port. Default is 5000. Enter an integer between 1024 –65535.

If you made any Static IP Address changes (not recommended), to confirm these changes, select

Apply and Reboot.

Note: If you incorrectly set the static IP settings and can no longer access the ObserverIP, press the

reset button on the back of the module.

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