Columbia Weather Systems Orion 531 User manual

TM
User Manual
Orion Weather Station

Orion Weather Station 1
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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Orion Weather Stations™
User Manual
Version 3.02
Serial Number: ___________________
Date Purchased: __________________
All specifications subject to change without notice.
Printed in U. S. A.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
© Copyright 2017 Columbia Weather Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Proprietary Notice: Orion, Capricorn 2000, Capricorn 2000MP, Capricorn
2000EX, Capricorn FLX, Magellan, Magellan MX, Vela, and Pulsar
Weather Stations 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.
Parts of the Orion Weather Station™ user manual were adapted from the
Weather Transmitter WXT520 User’s Guide with permission from Vaisala
Oyj.
WINDCAP®, RAINCAP®, HUMICAP®, BAROCAP® and
THERMOCAP® are registered trademarks of Vaisala.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Welcome!
Congratulations on your purchase of an Orion Weather Station.
Please read this manual completely prior to installation.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
Important Notice: Shipping
Damage
BEFORE YOU READ ANY FURTHER, please inspect all system
components for obvious shipping damage. The Orion is a high
precision instrument and can be damaged by rough handling. Your unit
was packaged to minimize the possibility of damage in transit. Please
save the shipping container for any future shipment of your Orion sensor.
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.
3. Request the transport company’s representative inspect the
shipment personally.
4. After inspection, request a Return Materials Authorization (RMA)
from Columbia Weather Systems by calling [phone].
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 a repair evaluation, an estimate of the cost of repair will be
sent to you.

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Columbia Weather Systems, Inc.
ESD Protection
Electrostatic Discharge (ESD) can cause immediate or latent damage to
electronic circuits. The Orion is adequately protected against ESD for its
intended use. However, it is possible to damage the product by
delivering electrostatic discharges when touching, removing, or inserting
any objects inside the equipment housing.
To avoid delivering high static voltages yourself:
1. Handle ESD sensitive components on a properly grounded and
protected ESD workbench. When this is not possible, ground
yourself with a wrist strap and a resistive connection cord to the
equipment chassis before touching the boards. When neither of
the above is possible, at least touch a conductive part of the
equipment chassis with your other hand before touching the
boards.
2. Always hold the boards by the edges and avoid touching the
component contacts.

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Table of Contents
WELCOME! ..................................................................................3
IMPORTANT NOTICE: SHIPPING DAMAGE .......................5
ESD PROTECTION ............................................................................................. 6
SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION ................................................11
THE ORION WEATHER STATIONS .................................................................... 11
SPECIFICATIONS .............................................................................................. 12
Operating Conditions ................................................................................. 12
Wind Speed ................................................................................................ 12
Wind Direction ........................................................................................... 12
Relative Humidity....................................................................................... 12
Temperature ............................................................................................... 13
Barometric Pressure .................................................................................. 13
Precipitation .............................................................................................. 13
Input Voltage .............................................................................................. 14
Heating Power Source ............................................................................... 14
Sensor Housing .......................................................................................... 14
EMC Compliance ....................................................................................... 15
PRINCIPLES OF MEASUREMENTS ..................................................................... 17
Wind Measurement .................................................................................... 17
Barometric Pressure, Temperature, and Humidity (PTU) Module ............ 18
Rainfall Measurement ................................................................................ 19
SECTION 2: PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION ...............................21
ORION SENSOR TRANSMITTER ........................................................................ 21
Sensor Transmitter Components ................................................................ 22
Orion (complete/536 model) ...................................................................... 24
Orion 531 ................................................................................................... 27
Orion LT (532) ........................................................................................... 29
Orion 533 ................................................................................................... 31
Orion 534 ................................................................................................... 33
Orion 535 ................................................................................................... 35
Mounting Adapter ...................................................................................... 37
Internal Terminal Block ............................................................................. 38
Heating (Optional) ..................................................................................... 39
Interface Module ........................................................................................ 40
SURGE/LIGHTNING PROTECTOR ...................................................................... 41
WEATHERMASTER SOFTWARE (OPTIONAL) ................................................ 42
WEATHER DISPLAY CONSOLE (OPTIONAL) .................................................... 43
WEATHER MICROSERVER (OPTIONAL) ........................................................... 44
SECTION 3: FIXED MOUNT INSTALLATION ....................45

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FIXED MOUNT SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS ..................................................... 45
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW .............................................................................. 49
UNPACKING THE UNIT .................................................................................... 49
Installing the Orion Sensor Transmitter .................................................... 51
Site Selection: ............................................................................................ 51
Installing the Mast ..................................................................................... 51
Location ..................................................................................................... 51
Mounting Method ....................................................................................... 51
Routing Cable ............................................................................................ 52
Installing the Mounting Adapter ................................................................ 53
North Alignment ......................................................................................... 53
Installing the Surge Arrestor...................................................................... 55
Connecting the Sensor Transmitter to the Interface Module ..................... 56
OPTIONAL SENSOR MOUNTING HARDWARE ................................................... 57
Telescoping Tripod and Tiedown Kit ......................................................... 57
Specifications ............................................................................................. 58
Sensor Mast ................................................................................................ 59
Roof Mounting ........................................................................................... 59
Wall Mounting ........................................................................................... 60
SECTION 4: VEHICLE MOUNT INSTALLATION ..............63
VEHICLE MOUNT SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS ................................................. 63
INSTALLATION OVERVIEW .............................................................................. 63
UNPACKING THE UNIT .................................................................................... 64
INSTALLING THE TELESCOPING MAST AND VEHICLE-MOUNT BRACKETS ......... 65
INSTALLING VEHICLE MOUNT SENSOR CONNECTOR AND ROUTING CABLE ...... 67
INSTALLING THE INTERFACE MODULE ............................................................ 68
CONNECTING THE WEATHER DISPLAY CONSOLE AND COMPUTER ................. 69
INSTALLING THE SENSOR TRANSMITTER AND NORTH ORIENTATION .............. 70
Installing the Mounting Adapter ................................................................ 70
North Alignment ......................................................................................... 71
SECTION 5: ORION NOMAD PORTABLE
INSTALLATION .........................................................................75
ORION NOMAD SYSTEM CONFIGURATIONS .................................................... 75
Orion Nomad with Datalogging ................................................................ 77
Unpacking the Unit .................................................................................... 78
Orion Carrying Case ................................................................................. 79
TELECSCOPING TRIPOD AND TIEDOWN KIT .................................................... 80
Tripod Parts List: ....................................................................................... 81
Specifications ............................................................................................. 82
RS-232 Interface Module ........................................................................... 83
Installing the Mounting Adapter ................................................................ 84
SET UP INSTRUCTIONS .................................................................................... 84
Site Selection: ............................................................................................ 84
Mast Set Up and Sensor Alignment: .......................................................... 85

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Transportation Case and Sensor Plug-In .................................................. 87
Battery Power System ................................................................................ 87
OPERATION ..................................................................................................... 87
MONITORING .................................................................................................. 88
SECTION 6: OPERATION ........................................................89
COMMUNICATION SETTINGS ........................................................................... 89
Orion Sensor Data Output Definition ........................................................ 89
RS-485 Output ............................................................................................ 90
CONNECTING THE ORION SENSOR TO A COMPUTER ........................................ 91
CONNECTING THE ORION SENSOR TO THE WEATHER MICROSERVER ............. 92
CONNECTING THE ORION SENSOR TO THE WEATHER DISPLAY CONSOLE....... 93
CRC-16 Computation ................................................................................. 94
Encoding the CRC as ASCII Characters ................................................... 95
SECTION 7: CALIBRATION....................................................97
FACTORY CALIBRATION ................................................................................. 97
TEMPERATURE AND PRESSURE READING ADJUSTMENTS................................ 97
SECTION 8: MAINTENANCE .................................................99
CLEANING....................................................................................................... 99
REPLACING THE PTU MODULE ....................................................................... 99
FACTORY CALIBRATION AND REPAIR SERVICE ............................................ 100
SECTION 9: TROUBLESHOOTING .....................................101
Loss of communication with Orion sensor module: ................................. 102
Wind measurement failure: ...................................................................... 102
Pressure, humidity and temperature measurement failure: ..................... 102
SECTION 10: USER SUPPORT INFORMATION ...............103
LIMITED WARRANTY .................................................................................... 103
EXCLUSIONS .......................................................................................... 103
RETURN FOR REPAIR PROCEDURE ................................................................ 104
REFERENCE .............................................................................106
GLOSSARY .................................................................................................... 106
Aspirating Radiation Shield ..................................................................... 106
Barometric Pressure ................................................................................ 106
Celsius Temperature Scale....................................................................... 106
Dew Point ................................................................................................ 106
Density Altitude ........................................................................................ 106
Fahrenheit Temperature Scale ................................................................. 106
Global Radiation ...................................................................................... 107
Heat Index ................................................................................................ 107
Pyranometer ............................................................................................. 107
Relative Humidity..................................................................................... 107

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Sea Level Pressure ................................................................................... 107
Solar Radiation ........................................................................................ 107
Wind Chill ................................................................................................ 107
UNIT CONVERSION ....................................................................................... 108
Speed ........................................................................................................ 108
Temperature ............................................................................................. 108
Distance ................................................................................................... 108
Pressure ................................................................................................... 108
TABLES AND FORMULAS ............................................................................... 109
Wind Chill Chart ...................................................................................... 109
Wind Chill Equation ................................................................................ 110
Heat Index ................................................................................................ 111
Dew Point ................................................................................................ 112

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SECTION 1: INTRODUCTION
The Orion Weather Stations
The Orion weather stations are available in six different models to meet
the needs of a variety of applications.
Depending on the model, the Orion weather station provides ultrasonic
wind direction and speed measurements, a highly-accurate impact rain
sensor, capacitive relative humidity, temperature and barometric
pressure readings – all in a single sensor module.
High accuracy and fine resolution make this system ideal for precision
weather monitoring.
Available in three configurations – fixed-mount, vehicle-mount, and the
Orion Nomad™ portable weather station – Orion data can be monitored
with our proprietary Weather Display Console and WeatherMaster™
Software, as well as with third-party software.
The Weather MicroServer is available for Ethernet connectivity,
Modbus/TCP, Modbus RTU and SNMP interface, DNP3 Ethernet,
BACnet, Weather Underground, Anything Weather and CWOP interface,
XML weather data, and FTP.

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Specifications
Operating Conditions
Temperature Operation: -52 to +60°C (-61 to +140°F)
Relative humidity: 0 to 100%
Pressure: 600 to 1100 hPa
Wind: 0 to 60 m/s
* Due to the measurement frequency used in the sonic wind transducers,
RF interference in the 200-400kHz range can disturb wind measurement.
Wind Speed
Range: 0-135mph (0-60 m/s)
Accuracy: ±3% at 10 m/s
Resolution: 0.1 mph
Units Available: knots, mph, km/hr, m/s
Wind Direction
Azimuth: 0-360°
Accuracy: ±3°
Resolution: 1°
Units Available: ° Azimuth
Relative Humidity
Range: 0 - 100%
Accuracy: ±3% (0-90%), 5% (90-100%)
Resolution: 1%
Units Available: %RH

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Temperature
Range: -60 to 140°F (-52 to +60°C)
Accuracy: ±0.5°F (+/-0.3°C) at 68°F (+20°C)
Resolution: 0.1°F
Units Available: °F, °C
Barometric Pressure
Range: 17.50 to 32.50 InHg (600 to 1100 hPa)
Accuracy: ±0.015 InHg (0.5 hPa) at +32 to 86°F (0 to 30°C)
±0.03 InHg (1 hPa) at -60 to 140°F (-52 to 60°C)
Resolution: 0.01 InHg (0.1 hPa)
Units Available: Kpa, mbar, InHg
Precipitation
Range: cumulative
Collection Area: 602cm
Accuracy: ±5% (spatial variations may exist)
Resolution 0.001 in. (0.0254mm)
Units Available: mm, inches

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Input Voltage
The Orion is supplied with a wall mount switching power supply
Input: 100 - 240 VAC, 50/60 HZ, 0.6A
Output: 12 VDC, 2.08A
The Orion can also be powered directly using a DC voltage source
Input: 5 to 30 VDC (10 mA at 12 VDC) for unheated models
Heating Power Source
Input: 5 to 30 VDC (1.1 A at 12 VDC)
Sensor Housing
Protection class: IP66 (with mounting adapter)
Materials: Polycarbonate + 20% glass fiber, stainless steel (AISI 316)
Weight: 650 g (1.43 lbs)

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EMC Compliance
Applicable
Standard
Description Level tested Performance
CISPR 22 Radiated
emissions
30 MHz - 18
GHz
Class B
CISPR 22 Conducted
emissions
DC
150 kHz - 30
MHz
Class B
IEC 61000-4-2 Electrostatic
discharge
8 kV con / 15
kV air
B
IEC 61000-4-3 RF field
immunity
10 V/m and 3
V/m
A
IEC 61000-4-4 Electric fast
transient
3 kV B
IEC 61000-4-5 Surge 2 kV B
IEC 61000-4-6 Conducted RF
immunity
3 V A
IEC 60945 Radiated
emissions
150 kHz ... 2
GHz
All locations
including
Bridge and
Open Deck
IEC 60945 Conducted
emissions
10 kHz ... 30
MHz
All locations
including
Bridge and
Open Deck
IEC 60945 Electrostatic
discharge
8 kV con / 15
kV air
B
IEC 60945 RF field
immunity
10 V/m and 3
V/m
A
IEC 60945 Electric fast
transient
3 kV B
IEC 60945 Surge 2 kV B
IEC 60945 Conducted RF
immunity
3 V A
IEC 60945 Conducted low
frequency
interference
immunity
10 %Vnom B
IEC 60945 Extreme power
supply
variation
-10 % +30 % A
IEC 60945 Power supply
failure
3 times 60 s B

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- Performance:
A = Normal performance
B = Temporary degradation (self-recoverable)
C = Temporary degradation (operator intervention needed)
D = not recoverable
- Within frequency range 600 ... 700 MHz immunity for PTU is 8 V/m.

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Principles of Measurements
Wind Measurement
Both wind speed and direction are measured using advanced ultrasonic
technology. The sensor utilizes ultrasound to determine horizontal wind
readings. The array of three equally-spaced ultrasonic transducers on a
horizontal plane is an ideal design that ensures accurate wind
measurement from all directions, without blind angles or corrupted
readings.
The wind sensor has no moving parts, which makes it virtually
maintenance free.
Wind speed and wind directions are determined by measuring the time it
takes the ultrasound to travel from each transducer to the other two.
The wind sensor measures the transit time (in both directions) along the
three paths established by the array of transducers. This transit time
depends on the wind speed along the ultrasonic path. For zero wind
speed, both the forward and reverse transit times are the same. With
wind along the sound path, the up-wind direction transit time increases
and the down-wind transit time decreases.
The wind speed is calculated from the measured transit times using the
following formula:
Vw = 0.5 x L x (1/ tf – 1/tr)
where:
Vw = Wind speed
L = Distance between the two transducers
tf = Transit time in forward direction
tr = Transit time in reverse direction
Measuring the six transit times allows Vw to be computed for each of the
three ultrasonic paths. The computed wind speeds are independent of
altitude, temperature and humidity, which are cancelled out when the
transit times are measured in both directions, although the individual
transit times depend on these parameters.
Using Vw values of two array paths is enough to compute wind speed
and wind direction. A signal processing technique is used so that wind
speed and wind direction are calculated from the two array paths of best
quality.
The wind speed is represented as a scalar speed in selected units (m/s,
kt, mph, km/h). The wind direction is expressed in degrees (°). The wind

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direction reported indicates the direction that the wind comes from. North
is represented as 0°, east as 90°, south as 180°, and west as 270°.
The wind direction is not calculated when the wind speed drops below
0.05 m/s. In this case, the last calculated direction output remains until
the wind speed increases again to the level of 0.05 m/s.
The average values of wind speed and direction are calculated as a
scalar average of all samples over the selected averaging time (1 ... 900
s). The sample count is based on a 4 Hz sampling rate. The minimum
and maximum values of wind speed and direction represent the
corresponding extremes during the averaging time.
Barometric Pressure, Temperature, and Humidity (PTU)
Module
Barometric pressure, temperature, and humidity measurements are
combined in an advanced sensor module (PTU) utilizing a capacitive
measurement method for each parameter. The PTU module contains
separate sensors for pressure, temperature, and humidity measurement.
The measurement principle of the pressure, temperature, and humidity
sensors is based on an advanced RC oscillator and two reference
capacitors against which the capacitance of the sensors is continuously
measured. The microprocessor of the transmitter performs compensation
for the temperature dependency of the pressure and humidity sensors.
Barometric pressure is measured using a capacitive silicon
BAROCAP® sensor. The sensor has minimal hysteresis and excellent
repeatability, as well as outstanding temperature and long-term stability.
Temperature is measured with a capacitive ceramic THERMOCAP®
sensor.
Relative humidity measurement is based on a capacitive thin film
polymer HUMICAP®180 sensor. The sensor is highly accurate with
negligible hysteresis and excellent long-term stability in a wide range of
environments.
Radiation Shield: This module is mounted in a specially-designed
radiation shield which protects the sensors from both scattered and
direct sunlight and precipitation. The composite material in the plates
offers excellent thermal characteristics and UV stabilized construction.
The white outer surface reflects radiation, while the black inside absorbs
accumulated heat.
The internal sensor module is easily replaceable and readily available as
a spare component. To order a replacement module, please use Part
No. 9581.

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Rainfall Measurement
Rainfall is measured with an impact sensor, which detects the size and
impact of individual rain drops. The signals resulting from the impacts are
proportional to the volume of the drops. Hence, the signal from each
drop can be converted directly to the accumulated rainfall.
This measurement method eliminates flooding and clogging, as well as
wetting and evaporation losses.
The sensor transmitter uses RAINCAP® sensor 2 technology in
precipitation measurement.
The precipitation sensor is comprised of a steel cover and a piezoelectric
sensor mounted on the bottom surface of the cover.
The precipitation sensor detects the impact of individual raindrops. The
signals from the impact are proportional to the volume of the drops.
Advanced noise filtering technique is used to filter out signals originating
from other sources than raindrops.
The measured parameter is accumulated rainfall. Detection of each
individual drop enables computing of rain amount with high resolution.