Columbia Weather Systems Capricorn FLX 034B User manual

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 1
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Capricorn FLXTM
Weather Station
User Manual
Version 1.26
Serial Number: ___________________
Date Purchased: __________________
All specifications subject to change without notice.
Printed in U. S. A.

2Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
© Copyright 2019 Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. All Rights
Reserved.
Proprietary Notice: Capricorn 2000, Capricorn 2000MP, Capricorn
2000EX, Capricorn FLX, Weather Display Console, WeatherMaster and
Weather MicroServer are trademarks of Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
The information and drawings contained herein are the sole property of
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. Use of this publication is reserved
exclusively for customers of Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. and their
personnel. Reproduction of this material is forbidden without the express
written consent of Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 3
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Welcome!
Congratulations on your purchase of the Capricorn FLX Weather Station.
The Capricorn FLX is a precision instrument that requires proper
installation and a certain amount of regular maintenance.
Please read this manual completely prior to installation.

4Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Important Notice: Shipping
Damage
BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER, please inspect all system
components for obvious shipping damage. The Capricorn FLX is a
high precision instrument and can be damaged by rough handling. Your
unit was packaged to minimize the possibility of damage in transit.
Therefore, we recommend that you save the shipping container for any
future shipment of your Capricorn unit.
In the event your order arrives in damaged condition, it is important that
the following steps be taken immediately. The title transfers automatically
to you, the customer, once the material is entrusted to the transport
company.
NOTE: DO NOT RETURN THE INSTRUMENT TO COLUMBIA
WEATHER SYSTEMS until the following steps are completed. Failure to
follow this request will jeopardize your claim.
1. Open the container and inspect the contents. Do not throw away the
container or any damaged parts. Try to keep items in the same
condition as originally received.
2. Notify the transport company immediately in writing, preferably by
facsimile, about the shipping damage.
3. Wait for the transport company’s representative to inspect the
shipment personally.
4. After inspection, request authorization from Columbia Weather
Systems for return of the damaged instrument by calling (503) 629-
0887.
5. Return approved items to us at the following address:
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
5285 NE Elam Young Parkway, Suite C100
Hillsboro, OR 97124
6. After return authorization is issued and we receive the instrument, an
estimate of the cost of repair will be sent to you for submittal to the
transport company as a claim.

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 5
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Table of Contents
WELCOME! ....................................................................................3
IMPORTANT NOTICE: SHIPPING DAMAGE.........................4
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION....................................................9
THE CAPRICORN FLX SYSTEM ........................................................................... 9
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................. 9
Temperature................................................................................................... 9
Barometric Pressure ...................................................................................... 9
Wind Speed (Standard).................................................................................. 10
Wind Direction (Standard)............................................................................. 10
Relative Humidity........................................................................................... 10
Rainfall .......................................................................................................... 11
Solar Radiation Sensor (Pyranometer).......................................................... 11
Power Supply................................................................................................. 11
Control Module.............................................................................................. 11
SECTION 2: PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION...................................13
CONTROL MODULE............................................................................................. 14
STANDARD WIND SENSOR.................................................................................. 16
Wind sensor components................................................................................ 17
HEAVY DUTY WIND SENSOR.............................................................................. 18
Wind Sensor components............................................................................... 18
R.M. YOUNG WIND MONITOR............................................................................ 20
TEMPERATURE SENSOR ...................................................................................... 21
RELATIVE HUMIDITY SENSOR ............................................................................ 22
TIPPING BUCKET RAIN GAUGE (OPTIONAL)....................................................... 23
Rain Gauge Installation................................................................................. 24
Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge Options.............................................................. 25
Heated Option................................................................................................ 25
4 –20mA Interface Option............................................................................. 25
SOLAR RADIATION SENSOR -PYRANOMETER (OPTIONAL) ................................ 26
WEATHERMASTERSOFTWARE (OPTIONAL).................................................... 27
WEATHER MICROSERVER(OPTIONAL)........................................................... 28
WEATHER DISPLAY CONSOLE (OPTIONAL) ........................................................ 29
SECTION 3: INSTALLATION .....................................................31
WIRING AND COLOR CODE................................................................................. 31
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW.................................................................................. 33
UNPACKING THE UNIT ........................................................................................ 33
Installing the Control Module........................................................................ 34
INSTALLING THE MAST....................................................................................... 34

6Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
ROUTING THE SENSOR CABLES........................................................................... 34
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR SETTINGS ....................................................... 35
INSTALLING THE TEMPERATURE AND HUMIDITY SENSORS................................. 36
INSTALLING ADDITIONAL TEMPERATURE SENSORS ........................................... 37
INSTALLING THE STANDARD WIND SENSOR ....................................................... 37
Assembling the Standard Wind Sensor .......................................................... 37
Mounting Method........................................................................................... 40
INSTALLING THE HEAVY-DUTY WIND SENSOR .................................................. 40
INSTALLING THE R.M. YOUNG WIND MONITOR............................................. 42
INSTALLING THE RAIN GAUGE SENSOR .............................................................. 43
INSTALLING THE SOLAR RADIATION SENSOR ..................................................... 44
SECTION 4: OPTIONAL SENSOR MOUNTING
HARDWARE ...................................................................................45
Sensor Mast.................................................................................................... 45
Roof Mounting ............................................................................................... 45
Wall Mounting ............................................................................................... 47
Telescoping Tripod and Tiedown Kit............................................................. 48
Tripod Parts List:........................................................................................... 49
Specifications................................................................................................. 49
SECTION 5: OPERATION............................................................51
CONNECTING THE CONTROL MODULE TO A COMPUTER..................................... 51
OPERATING SOFTWARE....................................................................................... 51
COMMUNICATION SETTINGS............................................................................... 51
RS-232 Output................................................................................................ 52
CONNECTING THE CONTROL MODULE TO THE WEATHER MICROSERVER .......... 53
CONNECTING THE CONTROL MODULE TO THE WEATHER DISPLAY CONSOLE.... 53
SECTION 6: OPTIONAL CONFIGURATIONS.........................55
RS-485 CONFIGURATION.................................................................................... 55
WIRELESS SYSTEM ............................................................................................. 57
SOLAR POWERED SYSTEM .................................................................................. 59
CAPRICORN FLX 420 SYSTEM............................................................................ 60
420 Weatherproof Enclosure ......................................................................... 61
SECTION 7: VEHICLE MOUNT SYSTEM
CONFIGURATION.........................................................................63
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW.................................................................................. 63
UNPACKING THE UNIT ........................................................................................ 63
INSTALLING THE CONNECTOR PLATE ................................................................. 66
INSTALLING THE TELESCOPING MAST AND VEHICLE-MOUNT BRACKETS ............. 66
SECTION 8: PEGASUS FLX PORTABLE WEATHER
STATION..........................................................................................69

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 7
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
PEGASUS FLX CONTROL MODULE ..................................................................... 72
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW.................................................................................. 72
UNPACKING THE UNIT ........................................................................................ 73
SITE SELECTION.................................................................................................. 73
TELESCOPING TRIPOD AND TIEDOWN KIT .......................................................... 74
Tripod Parts List:........................................................................................... 75
Specifications................................................................................................. 75
DEPLOYING THE TRIPOD..................................................................................... 76
SECTION 9: CALIBRATION........................................................83
CALIBRATING THE BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR.......................................... 83
Altitude Setting............................................................................................... 83
CALIBRATING THE STANDARD WIND SENSOR .................................................... 83
CALIBRATING THE R.M. YOUNG WIND MONITOR.............................................. 83
CALIBRATING THE HUMIDITY SENSOR ............................................................... 84
CALIBRATING THE RAIN GAUGE SENSOR ........................................................... 84
CALIBRATING THE SOLAR RADIATION SENSOR .................................................. 84
SECTION 10: MAINTENANCE....................................................85
CONSOLE MAINTENANCE ................................................................................... 85
BAROMETRIC PRESSURE SENSOR MAINTENANCE............................................... 85
TEMPERATURE SENSOR MAINTENANCE.............................................................. 85
STANDARD WIND SENSOR MAINTENANCE ......................................................... 85
R.M. YOUNG WIND MONITOR MAINTENANCE ................................................... 85
RELATIVE HUMIDITY SENSOR MAINTENANCE.................................................... 85
RAIN GAUGE MAINTENANCE.............................................................................. 85
SOLAR RADIATION SENSOR MAINTENANCE ....................................................... 86
SECTION 11: TROUBLESHOOTING.........................................87
WIND SENSOR (STANDARD) ............................................................................... 87
Wind Speed Test............................................................................................. 87
Wind Direction Test....................................................................................... 87
TEMPERATURE SENSOR TROUBLESHOOTING ...................................................... 89
SECTION 12: USER SUPPORT INFORMATION.....................91
LIMITED WARRANTY.......................................................................................... 91
EXCLUSIONS................................................................................................ 91
RETURN FOR REPAIR PROCEDURE ...................................................................... 93
FIRMWARE LICENSES AND COPYRIGHT INFORMATION ....................................... 95
REFERENCE...................................................................................106
GLOSSARY.......................................................................................................... 106
Aspirating Radiation Shield........................................................................... 106
Barometric Pressure ...................................................................................... 106
Celsius Temperature Scale............................................................................. 106
Density Altitude.............................................................................................. 106

8Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Dew Point ...................................................................................................... 106
Fahrenheit Temperature Scale....................................................................... 106
Global Radiation............................................................................................ 106
Heat Index...................................................................................................... 107
Pyranometer................................................................................................... 107
Relative Humidity........................................................................................... 107
Sea Level Pressure......................................................................................... 107
Solar Radiation.............................................................................................. 107
Wind Chill...................................................................................................... 107
UNIT CONVERSION ............................................................................................. 107
Speed.............................................................................................................. 107
Temperature................................................................................................... 108
Distance......................................................................................................... 108
Pressure ......................................................................................................... 108
Solar Radiation.............................................................................................. 108

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 9
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
The Capricorn FLX System
Designed around a Control Module that is housed in a compact, utility-
grade enclosure. The Capricorn FLX offers serial communication over
RS-232 or RS-485 to various monitoring options.
Features include:
•Modular design for sensor selection and optimal sensor location
•Proven, reliable mechanical wind sensors
•Temperature and/or humidity in self-aspirating radiation shield
•Many other meteorological sensor options
•Two additional general-purpose analog channels
•Low power consumption
•One-year warranty
Technical Specifications
Temperature
Up to four temperature sensors can be connected to the Capricorn FLX.
Type: Digital Semiconductor
Range: -67° to 257°F
Accuracy: ± 0.9°F from +14° to 185°F (±0.5°C from -10° to 85°C)
± 3.6°F from -67° to 257°F (±2.0°C from -55° to 125°C)
Resolution: 0.01°F
Cable Length: maximum 400 ft.
Barometric Pressure
The board mount precision barometric pressure sensor provides
accurate pressure data with full temperature compensation. The sensor
outputs are digitized by a high resolution 24-bit analog to digital
converter.
Type: Digital Semiconductor
Range: 14.8 to 32.5 inHg (500 to 1100 hPa)

10 Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Accuracy: ±0.03 in. Hg (1 hPa)
Resolution: 0.001 in. Hg (0.03 hPa)
Wind Speed (Standard)
Type: Sealed Reed Switch
Accuracy: ± 0.25 mph from 0 to 23 mph, ± 1% from 24 to 160 mph
Range: 0 to 160 mph (139 knots)
Resolution: 1 mph
Starting Threshold: 0.9 mph
Wind Direction (Standard)
Type: Precision Potentiometer
Resolution: 2 degrees
Mechanical Range: 0 to 360 degrees
Electrical Range: 0 to 356 degrees
Accuracy: ± 4 degrees
Relative Humidity
Type: Capacitance
Range: 0 to 100%RH
Accuracy:
From 0 to +40 °C:
0 - 90 %RH: ±3 %RH
90 - 100 %RH: ±5 %RH
From -40 to 0 °C and +40 to +60 °C:
0 - 90 %RH ±5 %RH
90 - 100 %RH ±7 %RH
Stability: ±2% RH over 2 years
Resolution: 1% RH

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 11
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Rainfall
Type: Tipping Bucket
Accuracy: ±1% at 2 in/hr or less
Resolution: 0.01 inch
Solar Radiation Sensor (Pyranometer)
Type: High Performance Silicon Photodiode
Cosine Response: ± 2% at 45° zenith angle, ± 5% at zenith angle 75°
Calibration Uncertainty: ± 5%
Measurement Repeatability: < 1 %
Non-linearity: < 1 % (maximum radiation measurement is 1250 W/m-2
Field of View: 180°
Sensitivity: Custom calibrated to exactly 5.00 W/m-2 per mV
Operating Environment: -40 to 70°C, 0 to 100% relative humidity
Power Supply
Powered by a wall mount transformer
Input: 120 VAC, 60 HZ, 16 W
Output: 12 VDC, 2.08 A
Control Module
Input Voltage: 12VDC
Operating Temperature Range: -40 to 185°F (-40 to +85°C)
Current Consumption: 10mA @ 12VDC
Dimensions: 5.8" L x 4.5" W x 2.4" H
Weight: 0.4lbs

12 Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 13
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
SECTION 2: PHYSICAL
DESCRIPTION

14 Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Control Module
The Control Module consists of a System board housed in a light grey
3mm ABS plastic enclosure with a tongue-and-groove cover.
The front panel of the Control Module includes 12 terminal blocks for
sensor connections, a serial communication port, a grounding lug and a
power input connection.
The System board includes a board mount Barometric Pressure Sensor.
During operation the Yellow LED next to the power input remains solid
and the Red LED next to the terminal block, blinks once per second.
The Control Module can also be housed in a weatherproof enclosure
along with an internal power supply and an optional wireless transceiver
or a MicroServer.
Technical Specifications:
Current Consumption: 10mA @ 12VDC
Dimensions: 5.8" L x 4.5" W x 2.4" H
Weight: 0.4lbs

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 15
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.

16 Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Standard Wind Sensor
Note: Please refer to the Met One 034B wind sensor user manual for
detailed installation, calibration and maintenance information
The Model 034B Wind Sensor combines wind speed and direction
measurements into a single sensing unit.
The 034B Wind Sensor installs in minutes and will provide accurate, long
term, continuous monitoring in hostile environments.

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 17
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Features
•Wind speed and direction in a single sensor
•Long field life
•Durable aluminum and stainless-steel construction
•Low starting threshold
•Stainless steel bearings
•Ultra-low power operation
•Easy maintenance
Wind sensor components
The wind sensor consists of four parts:
1. Sensor body
2. Vane
3. Alignment adapter
4. 50 feet of Cable with quick disconnect

18 Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Heavy Duty Wind Sensor
Note: Please refer to the Met One 013A and 023A sensor user
manuals for detailed installation, calibration and maintenance
information.
Model 023 Wind Direction Sensor and Model 013A Wind Speed Sensor
are rugged sensors that accurately and reliably measure wind speed and
direction under the most adverse environmental conditions.
Wind Sensor components
The wind sensor consists of four parts:
1. Wind Speed Sensor
2. Wind Direction Vane
3. Cross arm
4. (2) Two 10 meter sensor cables with quick disconnect
connectors
5. Heater (Optional)

Capricorn FLX Weather Station 19
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Heavy Duty Wind Sensor Cross arm
Heavy Duty Wind Sensor Heater Assembly
Technical Specifications:
013 Wind Speed Sensor
Range: 0 - 150 mph (67 m/s)
Starting Threshold: 1.0 mph (0.45 m/s)
Accuracy: ±0.25 mph (0.11 m/s) or 2%
Operating Range: -50°C to +70°C (-58°F to +158°F)
Weight: 14 oz (.4 kg)
Finish: Black anodized aluminum
023 Wind Direction Sensor
Range: 0° - 360°
Accuracy: ±10° standard
Operating Range: -58°F to +158°F (-50°C to +70°C)
Weight: 1.5 lbs (.68 kg)
Finish: Black anodized aluminum

20 Capricorn FLX Weather Station
________________________________________________________________________
Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
R.M. Young Wind Monitor
Note: Please refer to the R.M. Young 05103-11 Wind Monitor user
manual for detailed installation, calibration and maintenance information.
The Wind Monitor requires a special modification to the Control Module
and the Wind Monitor electronics circuit.
Technical Specifications:
Wind Speed
Range: 0 - 224 mph (100 m/s)
Accuracy: ±0.6 mph (0.3 m/s) or 1% of reading
Wind Direction
Range: 0 –360°
Accuracy: ±3°