Davis Instruments Perception II User manual

WeatherLink®
Macintosh OS X Version
For Vantage Pro, Monitor II, Wizard III and Perception II Weather Stations
Product # 6520C, 7855 & 7855SR
Getting Started
Guide
WL OSX GSG fcover D008.fm Page 1 Monday, August 19, 2002 11:24 AM

FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning
This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device,
pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection
against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can
radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions,
may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that
interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful inter-
ference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment on
and off, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following
measures:
•Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna
•Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver
•Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver
is connected
•Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
Changes or modifications not expressly approved in writing by Davis Instruments may void the
user’s authority to operate this equipment.
Product Number: 6520C, 7855, 7855SR
Davis Instruments Part Number: 7395.180
WeatherLink®Mac OS X Version
Rev. B Getting Started Guide (August 19, 2002)
© Davis Instruments Corp. 2002. All rights reserved.
Vantage Pro, WeatherLink, Weather Monitor II, and Weather Wizard III are registered trade-
marks of Davis Instruments Corp. Hayes is a registered trademark of Hayes Microcomputer
Products, Inc. Macintosh is a trademark of Apple Computer Corporation.
WL OSX GSG fcover D008.fm Page 2 Monday, August 19, 2002 11:24 AM

WELCOME TO WEATHERLINK!
Contents of Package
1
Welcome to WeatherLink!
Welcome to Davis Instruments’ WeatherLink for Macintosh OS X. The Weather-
link software and data logger allow you to connect your Apple Macintosh com-
puter running OS X to a Davis weather station so you can store, view, plot,
analyze, export, print, and put on the Internet the weather data collected by your
station.
Contents of Package
Before continuing, please make sure your WeatherLink package contains the fol-
lowing listed items:
WeatherLink for Vantage Pro, Mac OS X (6520C)
• Data Logger for Vantage Pro
• 8’ (2.4 m) cable with connector to link your station to your computer.
•9-pinDINconnector
• WeatherLink software CD ROM
•Loopbacktestconnector
WeatherLink for Mac OS X (7855)
• Data Logger for the original Davis Weather Stations: Wizard III, Monitor II,
and Perception II. Includes 8’ (2.4 m) cable to link your station to your com-
puter.
•9-pinDINconnector
• WeatherLink software CD ROM
•Loopbacktestconnector
Original
Weather Station
Data Logger
DIN Connector
Vantage Pro
Weather Station
Data Logger Loopback Test
Connector
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Required Accessories
2
Required Accessories
You will need to install a third-party serial port adapter on your Macintosh com-
puter in order to run WeatherLink for Mac OS X. The Keyspan USB Twin Serial
adapter has been tested with WeatherLink, but other serial adapters should also
work:
• USB-to-serial port adapter
Optional Accessories
The following optional accessories, designed for use with WeatherLink, are avail-
able from your dealer or may be ordered directly from Davis.
• Telephone Modem Adapter
Connects the data logger to a modem.
• Use adapter #6533 with Vantage Pro Stations.
• Use adapter #7870 with Wizard III, Monitor II, and Perception II stations.
• Standard 4-Conductor Extension Cable
Use one 40’ (12 m) extension cable (#7876-040) to extend the distance between
your station and the computer. (48’ (14.4 m) maximum)
Hardware Installation
You can connect a computer directly to your weather station using the Weather-
Link data logger (local connection), or you can connect a computer to a remote
weather station using a phone modem (remote connection). Requirements and
installation for each type of connection differ, and are explained separately below.
Hardware Requirements
The hardware requirements for local and remote connections are listed below.
Local Connection Hardware Requirements
In addition to the provided hardware, the following are required for a direct con-
nection.
• Macintosh computer running OS X v10.01 or newer with at least 5 MB of free
disk space
The amount of space necessary for the data files depends on the archive inter-
val. Database files containing data stored at a 30 minute archive interval
require approximately 36K of disk space per month of data. The file size
changes in a linear fashion depending on the archive interval. For example,
data stored at a 1–minute interval requires approximately 1 MB/month while
the data stored at a 2–hour interval requires approximately 9K/month.
• A serial port adapter connected to a Macintosh USB port.
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Connecting Vantage Pro Weather Stations
3
Remote Connection Hardware Requirements
In addition to the provided hardware and the computer equipment listed above,
the following hardware is required for a phone modem connection.
• One external modem to connect to the data logger at the remote site.
• One internal or external modem connected to your Macintosh computer
• Modems must be Hayes®–compatible and able to send data at 9600 baud for
use with Vantage Pro stations or at 1200 or 2400 baud for use with a Monitor
II, Wizard II, or Perception II weather station..
• Telephone Modem Adapter
The Telephone Modem Adapter is specially wired to provide the connection
between the data logger and the modem.
• Use a #6533 adapter with Vantage Pro Stations.
• Use a #7870 adapter with Wizard III, Monitor II, and Perception stations.
Connecting Vantage Pro Weather Stations
The instructions below explain how to connect your Vantage Pro weather station
directly to your computer. Note that if you extend the cable run beyond 48'
(14.4 m), the computer may have difficulty communicating with the station.
Local Connection for Vantage Pro Weather Stations
1. Enter the console’s Setup Mode by pressing and holding the [DONE] key,
then pressing the [-] key.
Entering Setup Mode ensures that the station is not writing any data and
saves the current daily totals, highs, and lows to memory.
2. Remove the battery cover from the console back and remove all power by
removing the batteries and AC-power adapter, if present.
Failure to remove power to the console before installing the data logger may
cause damage to the data logger or console.
3. Carefully insert the data logger into the large receptacle jack marked
EXPANSION inside the battery compartment
Guide the data logger cable through the square slot below the receptacle.
Note: Make sure that whenever you connect or disconnect the logger from the
console that the console is NOT powered up. Plugging or unplugging the
data logger while power is applied can lock up or damage the logger.
4. Restore power to the weather station by reinstalling the batteries and reat-
taching the power adapter, if present.
The weather station should beep three times; each beep should occur within
about one second of the others.
5. Replace the battery cover, ensuring that the data logger cable exits through
the square slot.
6. Connect the serial port adapter to a USB port on your Macintosh computer
and install it according to the manufacture’s instructions.
Note: You must install the serial port adapter before you connect the data logger to the
adapter.
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Connecting Vantage Pro Weather Stations
4
7. Connect the 9-pin DIN connector to the serial port adapter.
8. Insert the cable plug at the end of the short cable coming from the data log-
ger into the receptacle on the end of the 8’ cable. Then insert the cable plug
on the end of the 8’ cable into the DIN connector.
The cable connecting the data logger to the computer is 8’ (2.4 m) long. If you
need to place the station console more than 8’ from the computer, use a 40’ (12
m) standard 4-conductor extension cable. Do not attempt to use more than 40’
of extension cable, or the data logger may have difficulty communicating with
the computer.
9. Check the serial Baud rate settings on the console.
• Enter the console Setup Mode by pressing and holding the [DONE] key,
then pressing the [-] key on your console.
• Use the [DONE] and [BAR] keys to scroll to the Baud Rate screen. The
Baud Rate setting here on the console must be same as that set in the
WeatherLink software.
• Use the [+] and [-] keys to change the baud rate setting, if needed.
• Press and hold the [DONE] key to exit Setup Mode.
• The default setting is 19200 Baud.
Macintosh
Computer
USB
port
USB/Serial Port
Adapter
DIN
Connector
40 feet (12 m)
4-conductor
Extension Cable
Coupler
Option
8 feet (2.5 m)
Data Logger Cable
(standard)
Vantage Pro Console
Battery Cover
Data
Logger
Typical Local Connection for Vantage Pro Weather Stations
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Connecting Vantage Pro Weather Stations
5
Remote Connection for Vantage Pro Weather Stations
You can connect your computer to a remote Vantage Pro weather station using a
modem. This involves connecting the data logger to the weather station and to a
modem at the weather station site and connecting your computer’s modem to a
phone line.
At Your Computer:
Note: Before installing the console and modem at a remote location, test the data logger
first using a local connection as described previously.
1. If you don’t have a modem, install and set up an internal or external modem
according to the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
2. Connect the modem to the phone line.
At Your Weather Station Console:
3. Place the external modem in a location where it can connect to both the
WeatherLink data logger and to the phone jack. Do not turn the modem on
at this time.
4. Plug the external modem into the phone jack.
5. Put the Vantage Pro console in setup mode.
Press and hold the [DONE] key, then press [-] key. Entering Setup Mode
ensures the station is not writing any data to memory and saves all current
highs, lows, and daily totals.
Macintosh
Computer
Modem
port
Phone
Cable
External Modem Telephone
Modem Adapter
(25 pint)
8 feet (2.5 m)
Data Logger Cable
(standard)
Vantage Pro Console
Battery Cover
Data
Logger
Typical Remote Installation for Vantage Pro Weather Stations
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Connecting Vantage Pro Weather Stations
6
6. Remove the battery cover from the console back and remove all power by
removing the batteries and AC-power adapter, if present.
CAUTION: Failure to remove power to the console before installing the data logger may
cause damage to the data logger or console.
7. Carefully insert the data logger into the large receptacle jack marked
EXPANSION inside the battery compartment
Guide the short data logger cable through the square slot below the data log-
ger receptacle.
CAUTION: Make sure that whenever you connect or disconnect the data logger from the
console that the console is NOT powered up. Plugging or unplugging the
data logger while power is applied can damage the data logger.
8. Connect the data logger extension cable to the data logger.
The included expansion cable for the data logger is 8’ (2.4 m) long. You can use
up to a 40’ (12 m) standard 4-conductor extension cable if needed. Do not
attempt to use more than 40’ of extension cable or the data logger may have
difficulty communicating with the modem.
9. Connect the other end of the data logger extension cable to the Telephone
Modem Adapter.
10. Connect the Telephone Modem Adapter (#6533) to the external modem.
Note: Do not use a DB25 (not included) adapter with a gender changer to attach
the logger to a modem because it will not work. Do not use the older Davis
telephone modem adapter (#7870), either, as it will not work with the Van-
tage Pro.
11. Turn the modem on.
12. Restore power to the weather station by reinstalling the batteries and re-
attaching the power adapter, if used.
The console should beep three times and enter set-up mode.
13. Replace the battery cover ensuring that the data logger cable exits through
the square slot.
14. Set the Baud rate on the Vantage Pro console.
Note: The Baud Rate setup screen only appears if you have installed the data
logger.
• Use the [BAR] and [DONE] keys to scroll through the setup screens until
you reach the BAUD RATE setup screen.
Note: You can enter Setup Mode on the console at any time by pressing and
holding the [DONE] key, then pressing the [-] key.
• Use the [+] and [-] keys to set the desired Baud rate.
Use the fastest Baud rate your modem can handle. 19200 is the fastest
Baud rate available and is the default setting on the console.
• Press and hold the [DONE] key when you see the correct Baud rate on the
console screen.
Pressing the [DONE] key in this screen sends the initialization string to the
modem, so you don’t have to turn the console on and off again. Holding
the [DONE] key will exit the console from Setup Mode.
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Connecting Original Weather Stations
7
Connecting Original Weather Stations
The instructions below explain how to connect your Weather Monitor II, Weather
Wizard III, or Perception II weather station directly to your computer. Note that if
you extend the cable run beyond 48’(14.4 m), the software may have difficulty
communicating with the station.
Local Connection for Original Weather Stations
1. Make a note of the barometric pressure, total rainfall, and (if applicable)
calibration numbers.
You must remove power from the weather station console to install the data
logger. Removing power will cause these stored weather values to be erased.
Use WeatherLink to reenter these values after restoring power to the console.
2. Remove the mounting base from the console.
3. Remove all power from the console by removing the power adapter and bat-
tery backup.
Failure to remove power before installing the data logger may cause damage
to the data logger and/or console.
4. A small switch near the data logger cables controls the baud rate. The
default setting is 2400 baud. If you need to run at 1200 baud, change the set-
ting before connecting the data logger to the console.
Macintosh
Computer
USB
port
USB/Serial Port
Adapter
Din
Connector
40 feet (12 m)
4-conductor
Extension Cable
Coupler
Option
8 feet (2.5 m)
of cable
(standard)
Console
Base
WeatherLink
4 inches
(10 cm)
of cable
WeatherLink Jack
Underside
of instrument
Weather Station
Console
Typical Local Connect for Original Weather Stations
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Connecting Original Weather Stations
8
5. Connect the short data logger cable to the cable jack marked “WeatherLink”
on the bottom of your weather station console.
6. Restore power to the console by reattaching the power adapter and battery
backup.
The console should beep three times. The third beep, which should occur
within 30 seconds, indicates that the data logger is operating correctly.
7. Place the data logger inside the mounting base.
8. Reattach the mounting base to the weather station.
As you do so, guide all the cables through the slots on the mounting base.
9. Connect the serial port adapter to a USB port on your Macintosh computer
and install it according to the manufacture’s instructions.
Note: You must install the serial port adapter before you connect the data logger to the
adapter.
10. Connect the 9-pin DIN connector to the serial port adapter.
11. Connect the long data logger cable to the DIN connector.
The cable connecting the data logger to the computer is 8’ (2.4 m) long. If you
need to place the station console more than 8’ from the computer, use a 40’ (12
m) standard 4-conductor extension cable. Do not attempt to use more than 40’
of extension cable, or the data logger may have difficulty communicating with
the computer.
Remote Connection for Original Weather Stations
You can connect your computer to a remote weather station using a modem. This
involves using the data logger to connect the weather station console to a modem
at the remote site. Your computer can then use a modem to communicate to the
remote weather station via a phone line.
At Your Computer:
1. If you don’t have a modem, install and set up an internal or external modem
according to the instructions supplied by the manufacturer.
2. Connect the modem to the phone line.
At Your Weather Station Console:
3. Make a note of the barometric pressure, total rainfall, and (if applicable)
calibration numbers.
You must remove power from the weather station to install the WeatherLink
data logger, which will cause these values to be erased. Use WeatherLink to
reenter these values after restoring power to the station.
4. Place the external modem in a location where it can connect to both the data
logger and the phone jack. Do not turn the modem on at this time.
5. Remove the mounting base from the weather station.
6. Remove all power from the weather station by removing the power adapter
and battery backup.
Failure to remove power before installing the data logger may cause damage
to the data logger and/or station.
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HARDWARE INSTALLATION
Connecting Original Weather Stations
9
7. A small switch on the data logger near the cables controls the baud rate. The
default setting is 2400 baud. If you need to run at 1200 baud, change the set-
ting before connecting the data logger to the console.
8. Connect the short data logger cable to the cable jack marked “WeatherLink”
on the bottom of your weather station console.
9. Connect the Telephone Modem Adapter to the external modem.
The Telephone Modem Adapter (#7870) is required to use the data logger with
a modem. A standard DB25 connector with a gender changer will not work.
10. Connect the long data logger cable to the Telephone Modem Adapter.
11. Turn the modem on.
Note: It is very important to follow the order of these instructions. The modem must be
connected and turned on before you apply power to the weather station console.
12. Restore power to the weather station console by reattaching the power
adapter and battery backup.
The weather station should beep three times. The third beep, which should
occur within 30 seconds, indicates that the WeatherLink is operating correctly.
13. Place the data logger inside the mounting base.
14. Reattach the mounting base to the weather station.
As you do so, guide all the cables through the slots on the mounting base.
8 feet (2.5 m)
of cable
(standard)
Console
Base
WeatherLink
4 inches
(10 cm)
of cable
WeatherLink Jack
Underside
of instrument
Weather Station
Console
External Modem Telephone
Modem Adapter
(25 pint)
Macintosh
Computer
Modem
port
Phone
Cable
Typical Remote Installation for Original Weather Stations
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SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND SETUP
A Few Notes About Phone Modem Connections
10
A Few Notes About Phone Modem Connections
If you indicate a phone modem connection when setting up your station, the soft-
ware automatically dials the station whenever you initiate a program action that
requires the software to talk to the station.
While connected to a phone modem station, an “On-Line” icon appears in the
toolbar. This icon indicates that you are on-line and may be used to hang up a
remote connection. To hang up, choose the On-Line icon from the toolbar or
choose Hang Up from the File menu.
Toolbar with On-Line Icon
By default, WeatherLink will hang up the connection to the modem after one
minute without any communication with the station. Use the Serial Port dialog
box in the Setup menu of WeatherLink to change this default value. (See the
WeatherLink help files for more on this subject.)
Note: WeatherLink will not hang up the phone line ifthe Bulletin or Summary windows are
active.
Software Installation and Setup
This chapter covers software installation and setup.
Installing the Software
1. Place the Install Disk in your CD ROM drive.
2. Copy “install.sit” from the CD to your desktop and open it. The installation
software will automatically extract itself.
3. Run “install”.
4. Follow the on-screen prompts to complete the installation.
Running the Software
To run the software, double-click on the WeatherLink icon. If you have no stations
in the program directory when you run the software, the software will prompt
you to add a station (see below for details). If you have more than one station in
the program directory when you run the software, the software will prompt you
to indicate which station you’d like to open.
On-Line
(Hang Up)
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SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND SETUP
Station Setup
11
Station Setup
To interact with your station, you must add your station to WeatherLink’s database,
which means naming the station, configuring the software to work with that station
and with your computer hardware, and setting station values such as time, baro-
metric pressure, total rainfall, and calibration numbers.
Adding a Station
1. Choose New Station from the File menu.
The software opens the Add New Station dialog box.
2. Type the station name into the text box.
The station name may be up to 40 characters/spaces long. Note that the soft-
ware uses the first eight characters of the station name (not counting spaces or
punctuation marks) as the name of the directory into which it saves this sta-
tion’s database and configuration files. The first eight characters of each sta-
tion name must, therefore, be unique. The software also uses the first three
characters as the file extension for that station’s database files (the first three
characters need not be unique).
3. Choose OK.
The software saves the station, creates a directory and subdirectories for that
station, and prompts you to indicate whether you want to enter the walk-
through procedure.
About the Walkthrough
Weatherlink includes a Walkthrough option that steps you through the station
configuration procedure. After adding a new station, the software automatically
asks if you want to use Walkthrough to set up your station. You can, of course,
choose “No” and set up the station by choosing all of the necessary commands
from the menus. A Walkthrough command is included in the Setup menu that lets
you begin this set of procedures at any time.
Note: Where necessary, the software will automatically dial a phone modem station.
If you choose Yes to begin the walkthrough, the software takes you through the
following dialog boxes:
• Station Configuration
Set station name, model, accessories, download options, and data file exten-
sion.
• Choose Units
Select units of measure in which station information is displayed.
• Serial Port Settings
Set COM port to which data logger is connected. The COM port is created by
the software included with your USB/serial port adapter. Specify modem con-
nection settings such as baud rate, phone number, and modem initialization
string.
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SOFTWARE INSTALLATION AND SETUP
Station Setup
12
• Configure Console (Vantage Pro only)
Use the Configure Console dialog box to set the transmitter ID assignments,
turn on and off the console retransmit function, set daylight savings time, set
the start of the rain season, and enable or disable averaging of temperatures
over the archive period.
• Set Barometer & Elevation
Set the barometric pressure and your elevation (Vantage Pro only) on the sta-
tion and on the software.
• Set Rain Calibration
Set the station’s rainfall calibration number.
• Enter Year-to-Date Rainfall
Set the rainfall amount on the station and on the software. You must enter this
information from the software if you want you station and software readings
to agree.
•SetTimeandDate
Set the time and date on the station, software, and computer and make sure all
three are synchronized.
Note: When you set the time and date, you will be prompted to clear your archive
memory. If you do not clear archive memory, you may end up with data
stored at an incorrect time or duplicate records. We recommend that you
download before setting the time (unless you are creating a brand new sta-
tion) so you may safely clear the archive memory.
•SetArchiveInterval
Set the interval at which data will be stored in the data logger’s memory. This
will clear any data stored in the data logger.
• Set Station Alarms
Set alarm thresholds on the station.
• Set Auto Download Time(s)
Specify the stations and the times at which you want data automatically
downloaded to your computer each day.
At each step in the walkthrough procedure, the software will provide confirma-
tion boxes prompting you to indicate whether or not you wish to continue. To
continue, choose OK. To skip any step and move to the next, choose Skip. To can-
cel the entire walkthrough procedure, choose Cancel.
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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Communications Problems
13
Troubleshooting Guide
The following section answers some of the most commonly asked questions about
WeatherLink.®Please consult this guide and the on-line help files before contact-
ing Technical Support (see page 16).
Communications Problems
? Why can’t the software communicate with the data logger and station?
If you are having trouble establishing communication between the weather
station and WeatherLink, start by checking the weather station’s own diagnos-
tics. Remove all power to the weather station and then restart it by restoring
power (with the data logger still attached).
Note: Vantage Pro Only - The data logger uses non-volatile memory, so you won’t
lose any data you’ve already recorded. However, make sure to put the con-
sole in Setup Mode by pressing and holding the [DONE] key, then pressing
the [-] key before removing the batteries. This ensures the station will not try
to write any data as the power goes off.
• You should hear three beeps, each of which occurs when the weather
station passes one of its diagnostic tests. Each beep follows the previous
after about one second. The first beep tells you the processor is running.
The second beep will be for the logger (if installed) and the third beep is
for the display. If you do not hear one or more of these beeps, contact
Technical Support (see page 16). (You’ll only hear two beeps if you don’t
have the data logger installed.)
• If you hear all three beeps, See “Checking the Serial Port” on page 14 for
instructions on checking your serial port. Also check your USB/serial port
adapter to make sure it is correctly installed and operating properly.
• Make sure you are using the DIN cable connector supplied with
WeatherLink for Mac OS X. Other adapters may not work.
• Check the Baud Rate setting on the console (Vantage Pro Stations) or the
data logger (Original Stations) and in the serial port dialog box in the
software. Make sure they’re set to the same rate.
▲Vantage Pro Only-Enter the console’s Setup Mode by pressing and
holding the [DONE] key, then pressing the [-] key on the console. Scroll
through the setup choices by pressing the [BAR] or [DONE] keys until
you reach the Baud Rate screen. This screen only appears if the data
logger is plugged into the console.
▲Original Stations Only-Check the switch setting on the data logger. It
will be set to either 1200 or 2400 Baud.
If you still cannot connect or if the loopback test verifies the serial port, check
the following list of potential problems. If you have questions on how to pro-
ceed, contact the vendor or technical support for your computer.
• Your serial port uses a non-standard device name.
• Your serial port adapter is defective.
• The loopback connector or the WeatherLink adapter plug is bad.
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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Communications Problems
14
Checking the Serial Port
The software includes a procedure for testing the serial port to which your station
is connected. Using the Loopback command (as opposed to Test) will help you
determine whether the serial port or the data logger is causing a communication
problem. The loopback function will also detect and report the presence of any
modems.
To use this procedure, you will need the loopback connec-
tor (the short cable with a phone jack on one end and a red
plastic tip on the other) supplied with Weatherlink.
1. If necessary, disconnect the cable between your sta-
tion and the adapter connected to the COM port.
2. Insert the loopback connector into the adapter.
3. Choose Serial Port from the Setup menu.
The software opens the Serial Port dialog box
4. Choose Loopback.
The software will search all standard serial ports and inform you of the COM
port at which the loopback connector is located.
The software automatically selects the correct COM port for you in the Serial
Port dialog box. If it cannot find the loopback connector at any COM port,
your serial port may not be working. Consult your computer documentation
for help.
Loopback Connecto
r
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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Program Problems
15
Program Problems
? The barometer graph on the Bulletin does not “fill in” completely.
When you first load the bulletin, the barometer graph will only fill in com-
pletely when you have data in your database for the last six hours. Make sure
of the following:
• There is data in your database for the span of the barometer graph.
• The time and date of the stored barometer data is correct in your database.
• The time and date on the PC is correct.
• The time and date on the weather station are correct.
? I have duplicate records in my database. Why?
If you do not download from the data logger prior to changing the weather
station’s time and date (for a Daylight Savings time change, for example), you
may get duplicate records. Make sure to download before setting time and
date. In addition, you should be aware that the midnight records are dupli-
cated so they appear in each consecutive day. For example, a midnight record
would appear at the end of the data for November 22 and at the start of the
data for November 23. Using the record editor to change the record in one day
does not change the record in the other day.
Note: Do not delete the duplicate midnight records; it may affect your rain data-
base or NOAA monthly summary.
? No wind direction reading (or dashes instead of a reading) appears in my data-
base.
Be aware that if there is no wind speed when the direction is being sampled,
wind direction is not recorded. During intervals with very little wind speed,
no direction may be recorded.
Note: Since high wind speed is sampled more often, it is possible to have a high
wind speed but no wind speed or direction.
? WeatherLink says “No new data to download” but I know there’s data there.
What can I do?
Vantage is smart enough to send only data it hasn’t already sent to the com-
puter. So, when you initiate a new download, the program will retrieve the
first record after the last record shown in the WeatherLink’s Browse Window.
Older data is stored in the logger as a backup. To see how many of these
backup records are stored in the logger, create a new station and download the
data into this new database. Because there are no records stored in the station
you just created, WeatherLink will download everything it has stored.
Next, try clearing the archive memory using the clear dialog box. You will lose
any data not already downloaded in your archive memory, but all of your cal-
ibration numbers and alarm settings will remain intact. If this doesn’t work,
reboot your weather station (that is, remove, then restore all power to the sta-
tion).
Note: Make sure to put the console in Setup Mode (by pressing the DONE and
DOWN arrow keys) before removing the batteries. The ensures the station
will not try to write any data when the power goes off.
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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Contacting Davis Technical Support
16
? After successfully downloading, recent or new data does not appear to be in my
database. Where is it?
Check to see if the time and date on your station are incorrect. (This can hap-
pen if you have a power outage and your battery backup is dead.) If so, the
data was written into the wrong month, day, and/or time. Reset the time and
date.
It is also possible, if you have multiple stations, that you downloaded data
into the wrong station’s database. Make sure you’ve opened the correct station
before downloading.
Your data logger may be not be operating properly. If this is the case, you can
restore proper operation by repowering the data logger:
1. Remove power from the data logger by removing power from the
weather station console.
2. Remove or disconnect the data logger from the console.
3. Wait at least one minute.
4. Connect the data logger to the weather station console.
5. Apply power to the console.
6. If you can now download and see the data in WeatherLink you have
fixed the problem. If not, please contact Technical Support for assis-
tance.
? When viewing data, dashes appear in place of a value for functions other than
wind direction. Why?
If no data was recorded by a sensor (for example, the sensor was disconnected
or radio interference blocked reception) or if bad data was recorded for a sen-
sor (for example, the sensor was malfunctioning), the software dashes out the
entry rather than showing invalid data. You can use the record editor to cor-
rect these entries.
Contacting Davis Technical Support
If you have questions about the software, or encounter problems installing or
operating the WeatherLink software, please contact Davis Technical Support.
[phone] – Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.
suppor[email protected] – E-mail to Technical Support.
[phone] – For callers outside the USA or Canada.
[phone] – Fax.
www.davisnet.com – Copies of User Manuals are available on the “Support”
page. Watch for FAQs and other updates. Subscribe to the e-newsletter.
[e-mail] – General e-mail.
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TROUBLESHOOTING GUIDE
Contacting Davis Technical Support
17
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Toolbar Icons
Hot Keys
Open
Station
Exit
Program
Print
Window
This MonthÕs
NOAA Summary
Database
Window
View
Help
On-Line
(Hang Up)
Yearly
Rainfall
Plot
Window
Strip Chart
Window
Bulletin
Window
Download
Main Program Window
Ctrl-A . . . . . .Set Alarms
Ctrl-B . . . . . .View Bulletin
Ctrl-C . . . . . .Station Configuration
Ctrl-G . . . . . .Degree-Days Report
Ctrl-H . . . . . .Hang Up
Ctrl-I . . . . . . .Serial Port Settings
Ctrl-J . . . . . .Automatic Download
Ctrl-K . . . . . .Walkthrough
Ctrl-L . . . . . .Download
Ctrl-O . . . . . .Open Station
Ctrl-P . . . . . .Print Active Window
Ctrl-Q . . . . . .Open Plot Window
Ctrl-R . . . . . .Yearly Rain Report
Ctrl-S . . . . . .Open Strip Charts
Ctrl-T . . . . . .Set Time
Ctrl-U . . . . . .Select Units
Ctrl-V . . . . . .View Download Log
Ctrl-W. . . . . .Browse Database
Ctrl-X . . . . . .Auto Fax Settings
Ctrl-Y . . . . . .View Summary
Ctrl-Z . . . . . .Close Window
F1 . . . . . . . . .Context-Sensitive Help
F2 . . . . . . . . .Sunrise/Sunset Report
F7 . . . . . . . . .NOAA This Month
F8 . . . . . . . . .NOAA This Year
Strip Chart Window
ESC . . . . . . . Halt redraw
Ctrl-M . . . . . Make Default
Ctrl-P. . . . . . Print Strip Chart
F1. . . . . . . . . Context-Sensitive Help
F3. . . . . . . . . Zoom In
F4. . . . . . . . . Zoom Out
Plot Window
ESC . . . . . . . Halt redraw
Ctrl-D. . . . . . Choose Date
Ctrl-M . . . . . Make Default
Ctrl-P. . . . . . Print Plot
F1. . . . . . . . . Context-Sensitive Help
F3. . . . . . . . . Zoom In
F4. . . . . . . . . Zoom Out
F9. . . . . . . . . Overlay Plots
F10. . . . . . . . Last Year Plot
Database Window
Ctrl-D. . . . . . Choose Date
Ctrl-N. . . . . . Add Note
Ctrl-P. . . . . . Print Records
Enter . . . . . . Edit Record
Delete . . . . . Delete Record
F1. . . . . . . . . Context-Sensitive Help
Yearly Rainfall Window
Enter . . . . . . Edit Year
Delete . . . . . Delete Year
3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A.
510-732-9229 • Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] • www.davisnet.com
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