Davis Instruments Vantage Pro2 Updater User manual

For Vantage Pro2 , Vantage Pro2 Plus ,
Vantage Vue and Weather Envoy
Product numbers 6621, 6621C, 6622 & 6622C
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R™
Vantage
Connect
USER
MANUAL
Davis Instruments, 3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A. • 510-732-9229 • www.davisnet.com
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Welcome to
Vantage Connect (6621, 6621C, 6622 and 6622C)
Vantage Connect allows you to automatically upload data from a Davis
Vantage Pro2™, Vantage Vue®, or other Vantage Pro2-compatible transmitting
station to WeatherLink.com through the cellular network. You can view data online
or through a smartphone, receive alarm e-mails or texts when preset weather
conditions occur, or download data into your PC with WeatherLink®software.
Vantage Connect comes in several models, both cabled and wireless, and is
available in different packages depending on country of use.
• 6621 operates on CDMA networks in the United States. In the United States,
CDMA offers a larger coverage footprint, making it an excellent choice for rural
installations.
• 6622 operates on GSM, 2G-3G.
Contents of Package (all versions)
Cell modem antenna
Weather station status LED
Cell network status LED
Main power
cable (back)
Cover for cell
modem and
weather
receiver
Weather receiver
antenna
6-volt,
12-amp-hr
battery
Battery power
cable (middle)
Solar power
cable (front)
To solar panel
Battery
cable tie
Battery
platform
Status LED on/o
button
Main power jack
WeatherLink
software CD
Charging Circuit Board
Main power cable
Receptacle for
cabled ISS or
temp probe*
Oval split grommet
(in cabled
versions only)
*Use this receptacle if
you are using a Cabled
Vantage Connect or are
adding an external
temperature probe
(see Appendix A).

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The package contains the following:
• Vantage Connect in weather-proof shelter with 5-watt solar panel
• WeatherLink software CD
• Hardware kit (as shown below)
Requirements
• A Davis Vantage Pro2 or Vantage Vue integrated sensor suite (ISS) or other
Vantage-Pro2 transmitting station (all sold separately)
• CDMA, GSM/2G, 3G cellular network coverage in the area
• Vantage Connect service plan (sold separately)
Register & Configure Your Vantage Connect
Purchase a Vantage Connect Service Plan.
Vantage Connect requires an annual service plan. Choose #6632, 6634, or 6636 in
the version appropriate for your region (A or B). Each plan offers a different
update interval (5, 15, or 60 minutes). For more information see your Davis
reseller or purchase a plan during your registration process on WeatherLink.com.
After purchase, you will receive an e-mail with an Activation Code that you will
use to register online.
Register Online
Note: Register your Vantage Connect online and wait 5 to 10 minutes BEFORE you power
it up to avoid a delay in uploading data. If you already powered up before
registering, remove power from the Vantage Connect, register, then repower.
1. When you receive the e-mail with the Activation Code, follow the instructions
in the e-mail. (Or, go to www.weatherlink.com; click on Register. Select the
Vantage Connect option.)
1/4" Lock Washers
1/4" Hex Nuts
U-Bolts
Backing Plates
1/4" x 1 1/4" Lag Screws
#6 x 3/8 Screws
(not needed)

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2. Read and agree to the Terms of Use.
3. Enter the DID and KEY located on the
sticker on the cover of this manual and
on the sticker inside the Vantage
Connect shelter.
4. Create and enter a user name and
password, and enter your e-mail address
to create a new user account.
Note: Your user name will become part of your web page’s URL. For example if your user
name is JohnSmith, your URL will be www.weatherlink.com/user/JohnSmith
5. Enter your time zone and indicate your Daylight Saving Time preference.
6. Enter the Activation Code received in the e-mail.
7. Click Continue with Registration.
8. Agree to the Service Agreement.
9. Click Create Account.
Configure and Set Up Your Vantage Connect
You will need to know the transmitter IDs of each transmitting station before you
configure your Vantage Connect.
Follow the prompts to enter setting and configuration:
1. Reporting Stations & Units of Measure
• Enter the transmitter ID number of each of the transmitters that will be reporting
to your Vantage Connect (up to 8). Choose a station type for each. (For example,
Vantage Pro2 ID: 1, Leaf and Soil Moisture Station: ID 2.) If using repeaters,
check the “Enable Repeaters” box and choose the final repeater’s ID letter for
each transmitter using repeaters.
• Choose your preferred units.
• Click Save.
2. Device Settings
• For accurate barometric pressure data, enter the elevation at which your Vantage
Connect will be mounted. Fine tune this sensor by entering the local barometric
pressure reading. (Sources of this information include your local airport or radio
station)
• Select your anemometer and rain collector types.
• For accurate year-to-date rain data, enter the year-to-date rainfall as of today,
and when your rain season starts.
• Station Alarms (Optional): Set alarms for high and low weather conditions.
Vantage Connect will send up to 20 (counting both activate and deactivate)
email or text alarm notifications per day, outside of the plan’s intervals, when
these conditions exist.
DID: 0012746AAS00
KEY: 123456

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• If necessary, you may calibrate temperature, humidity, and wind readings. (Be
careful when deciding to calibrate; Davis weather stations are factory-
calibrated for accuracy and may not match less accurate or less local data such
as reported on television or a web page.) Enter the amount of offset you want
the temperature or humidity reading to be reported. For example, if you believe
your outside temperature data is consistently 2 degrees too low, enter +2. If you
believe the outside humidity data is consistently 5% too high, enter -5. You
must calibrate the wind direction if your anemometer cannot be mounted so
that the arm points true north. Enter the direction the arm points, if not zero, in
degrees from 1° to 359°.
• Click Save.
3. My Account. Enter your account information.
• Enter your City, State, Country, and latitude & longitude
• Enter a name for your station (this will become your web page title)
• Choose a station type and usage from the pull-down menus
• Choose whether to show display 24-hour time
• Check the “Keep ‘My Weather’ private” box if you do not want your current
weather to be seen without a password. (No private information appears on this
screen.)
4. If any erroneous data has been logged during setup and installation, you
should clear highs and lows. (For example, while setting up, the wind cups
and vane were spun. This false “high wind” data should be cleared.) To clear,
click Manage Stored Data.
5. Click Save.
6. You can edit these settings at any time by logging in to your account and
clicking My Account then [edit] (to edit account information or change your
password); or, in the My Device box: Edit Configuration, Edit Settings, or
Manage Stored Data.
Note: These settings and configurations will be pushed to the Vantage Connect at the first
update after it is set up and powered. The changes will then be sent to your
WeatherLink.com page at the next update. So the changes will not appear on your
page after at least 2 update intervals. (Update intervals are 5, 15 or 60 minutes
depending on your service plan). With high network traffic, this may take longer.
Prepare for Installation
Remove all cardboard and packing materials from inside the shelter.
Before proceeding with
installation, make sure the
main power cable is
disconnected from the main
power jack.
Main power jack
Main power cable

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Connect the battery
The Vantage Connect is shipped with one battery cable (the red, or positive cable)
disconnected to prevent battery drain. Connect the red cable to the red terminal.
Note: IMPORTANT: When putting your Vantage Connect into cold storage, disconnect the
red cable.
Install the Vantage Connect
If you have not already set up your ISS or additional station, do so first. (See the
instruction manual that came with your ISS or additional station.)
Mount the Vantage Connect shelter
Tip: Mounting the shelter may be easier if done by two people.
Choose a location for your Vantage Connect. It can be mounted on a pole or a flat
surface such as a wall or a wooden post. The shelter should be mounted within
transmission range of your ISS. (Maximum of 1000 feet (300 m), line-of-sight,
open air.)
It is important that the shelter be mounted so that the solar panel gets the greatest
amount of sunshine -- the solar shelter should be facing south (in the Northern
Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere).
Tip: While south is generally appropriate for the Northern Hemisphere (and north in the
Southern Hemisphere), your goal is to maximize direct sunlight on the solar panel. If
your location does not have a full sunrise-to-sunset exposure arc when the panel
faces south, you should face your solar panel toward a point midway in the existing
arc to maximize panel charging.

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Mounting on a Flat Surface
Attach the shelter to the mounting surface in the desired location using the lag
screws and backing plates as shown below. Use a pencil or a center-punch to mark
the location of the pilot hole.
Mounting On a Pipe
Mount the Vantage Connect onto a pipe with an outside diameter of 0.84'' to 1.84''
(21 mm to 27 mm) using the U-bolts, backing plates, washers, and hex nuts
provided.
Note: For mounting on larger diameter pipes, the housing can accommodate U-bolts with
5/6'' (8 mm) threads for pipes up to 2.40'' (61 mm) outside diameter (not provided).

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Mounting the Vantage Connect with a Sensor Suite
If your installation is between 0°and 45°latitude, North or South, and you mount
the Vantage Connect and a Vantage Pro2 or Vantage Vue sensor suite on the same
pole, it is important to make sure the sensor suite does not shadow the Vantage
Connect’s solar panel at midday, especially in the summer. If possible, mount the
sensor suite and Vantage Connect so that they are at least 4 feet (1.2 m) apart. You
can also rotate the Vantage Connect 45° to the east or west (depending on
your location). If you do rotate the Vantage Connect, you may need to return it to
face south (Northern Hemisphere) or north (Southern Hemisphere) in the winter.
You can also add a Davis Angle Shelter Bracket, product number 6671, which will
increase the Vantage Connect’s tilt to 30°.
Power Up the Vantage Connect
Note: It is important to register your Vantage Connect before powering it up to avoid a delay
in uploading data. If you accidentally power the unit before registering, it will
automatically go to sleep. After 24 hours, it will wake up and check for registration
again. If you already powered up before registering, remove power from the Vantage
Connect, register, then repower.
1. If using cabled Vantage Connect (6621C or 6622C) with a cabled ISS, remove
the plug from one of the holes in the bottom of the shelter. Run the ISS cable
up through the hole. Outside the shelter, wrap a split grommet around the cable
and push the grommet securely into the hole. Plug the cable into the ISS cable
jack.
2. For both wireless and
cabled versions, plug
the main power cable
back into the jack. You
should hear two beeps.
Vantage Connect will now
begin to acquire both the
radio signal from the
weather station as well as
the cell signal. As this is
occurring, you may see the
lights go on an off or blink,
but after about a minute,
the lights will begin to
indicate the status of your connections. You will be able to use the lights to verify
connection or troubleshoot connection problems by watching the LED lights.
The lights flash when Vantage Connect is searching for a signal from the weather
station (upper LED) or a cell signal (lower LEDs). Once the signal is detected, all
Weather Station
Cell Status:
1, 2, 3, 4
Status LEDs
Status LED
on/o
button
Jack for cabled ISS cable or
external temperature probe

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four cell status lights will turn solid and stay on for a few minutes, indicating
success. It can take several minutes to acquire all signals.
See Vantage Connect: Normal and Error LEDs on page 12 to ascertain what error
is being indicated and to report to Tech Support.
Access Data
See Current Data Online
Once your Vantage Connect is registered on the network, powered up, and
connected to both signals, it will begin uploading the latest data to the server.
Data is uploaded to your page on WeatherLink.com along with daily highs and
lows.
The My Weather page shows the weather conditions uploaded at the last upload
interval. (5, 15 or 60 minutes, depending on your service plan.)
The Summary page will show additional data and data from extra sensors as well
as highs and lows.
Download Data From WeatherLink Network to PC
You can download your data stored online to your PC through the WeatherLink
software and use WeatherLink to create graphs and reports. Downloading can be
done manually, or you can set up automatic downloads in WeatherLink software.
If you choose manual downloads, remember that the amount of data stored on the
server depends on the update interval of your service plan. Be sure to download
within the time period below for your service plan, otherwise older data will be
lost.
To set up a communication link between WeatherLink software and your
WeatherLink.com account, you must first set up the software.
1. Install WeatherLink software from the included CD.
2. Start WeatherLink. In the File pull-down menu, choose New Station... Enter a
name for the database that will store this station’s data.
3. When prompted, click Ye s to start the Walkthrough Setup.
4. Configure weather station: Enter station configuration information.
5. Set Communication Port: select TCP/IP. Click on Web Download and then
enter your weatherlink.com user ID and password.
6. Choose units you want your software to display.
Data Plan Apprx. Max
Data Stored
5-minute plan 1 month
15-minute plan 3 months
60-minute plan 1 year

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7. You may set up optional automatic downloads. In order to use automatic
downloads, the PC must always be on with the software running. Click
Download At and pick download times (from once a day to once an hour).
To manually download: In the WeatherLink software, under the File menu, select
Download to download data.
Tip: See the software’s Help files for more information on using the features of
WeatherLink software.
Configure Alarm E-mail
You can set up alarm e-mails or texts for console alarm conditions. You will
receive an e-mail or text when an alarm condition begins, even if it is outside the
interval set by your plan, and another when an alarm condition ends. You can
receive up to 20 start or stop alarm e-mail/texts per day (midnight-to-midnight).
The alarm also appears on your WeatherLink.com summary page.
1. Log in to your WeatherLink.com page and click My Account.
Note: Set up alarms first, if you have not already done so. In the My Device box, click Edit
Settings. Click the +by Station Alarms to expand. Set alarms for high and low
conditions. Click Save.
2. Click E-mail Settings on the top of the page.
3. Enter the e-mail address to which the alarm summaries should be sent. You can
add multiple addresses separated by a semi-colon (;). Make sure the “Enable”
box is checked.
4. Click Save Changes.
Appendix A: Using an External Temperature
Probe with Vantage Connect
You may use an external temperature probe (product numbers 6475 or 6477) with
your wireless Vantage Connect. This reading will replace the Vantage Connect’s
“inside temperature” reading. You will need an oval split grommet available upon
request from Davis instruments (part number 7342.805). Remove the plug from of
the holes in the bottom of the shelter and feed the probe cable up through the hole.
Plug the cable into the jack (see illustration on page 2). Attach the grommet to the
cable and insert it snugly into the hole.
Appendix B: Using AC Power to Charge the
Battery
If your installation is in a low-light area or an area with prolonged periods of time
where temperatures stay below -4°F (-20°C), charging may be inhibited. You may
use Davis’s Optional AC Charger Kit, product number 6710, to charge the battery.
The kit allows you to replace the solar charger with AC power. The adapter has a
universal input (100 -240V, 50-60 Hz) and will work anywhere in the world. (A

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wall-plug adapter may be necessary for use in some countries.) In a cold
environment, you will need to bring the Vantage Connect into a warmer
environment (above -4°F/-20°C) to charge the battery with the AC Charger Kit.,
Troubleshooting
How can I tell if my battery voltage is getting too low?
Our server will monitor your battery voltage and will trigger an e-mail warning if
it should get critically low (approximately 14 days of power). The e-mail will go
to both the registered customer’s e-mail address as well as the alarm e-mail
address (if one has been set up).
My installation is in a low light area. Can I add another solar panel?
Yes. You can add an Extra Solar Panel Kit (product number 6616).
Can I add another battery? Can I charge the battery on AC power?
Yes. You will also need a Universal Shelter (product number 6618) in which to
mount the extra battery. Contact Tech Support for parts and instructions on adding
batteries. You may also use AC power to charge the battery. See Appendix B:
Using AC Power to Charge the Battery on page 9.
My status LEDs are not blinking.
Make sure the power cord is connected. If power is connected and the LED is still
off, press and release the blue Status LED ON/OFF button shown in the
diagram. It can take up to 30 seconds for the lights to turn on. If the LEDs are still
off, try repowering your Vantage Connect (unplug the main power cable, wait one
minute, then plug it in again). If the LEDs still do not come on, contact technical
support.
No data is being uploaded.
Try these steps:
• Make sure status LED is showing normal function, otherwise the device has not
registered on the network. (See above to test LEDs.)
• Check power to the weather station. Make sure all cables are securely plugged
in.
• Measure battery power with volt meter.
• Repower by unplugging the main power cable, waiting one minute, then
plugging it in again.
If data still is not uploaded, contact Tech Support.
Status LED
on/o button
Main power
cable

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If I lose cell connectivity, but my Vantage Connect is still powered, how much data will
be stored?
The amount of data it can store is similar to a standard data logger and dependent
on your archive interval or subscription plan interval.
When the cell connection resumes, Vantage Connect will send this old data to
weatherlink.com in what we call “catchup mode.” In catchup mode, Vantage
Connect will send 15 records about every 2 minutes.
How can I access my data if I am on site but don't have a PC with an internet
connection?
If you urgently need to access your weather data at your remote site but have no
access to a PC with an internet connection, you can connect a laptop (or PC)
directly to the Vantage Connect and download all of the archive records in its
memory using the supplied WeatherLink software. You will need an interface
cable. Please call Technical Support to request a Vantage Connect interface cable.
Can I replace my battery?
Yes. Your Vantage Connect comes with a battery designed to charge in
temperatures as low as -4°F/-20°C.
If you need to replace the battery and your installation is in a location with low
temperatures, you should replace the battery with a Davis battery, product number
7011.025.
If your installation is in a warmer climate, you may replace the battery with a 6-
volt, 12 Ah, gel cell battery which will only charge at temperatures above 0°C. See
Specifications on page 13.
(With either battery, your Vantage Connect can function down to -40°F/C.)
Archive Interval Amount of Data Stored Amount of data sent every
2-minutes in “Catchup Mode”
5-minute 7 days 75 minutes
15-minute 22 days 3.75 hours
60-minute 90 days 15 hours

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What do the LED lights indicate?
If there is an error in getting a signal, the status LEDs will flash to indicate the
type of error.
Refer to the table below to ascertain what the LEDs mean so that you can report
the problem to Technical Support.
Vantage Connect: Normal and Error LEDs
Vantage Connect Status LEDs
LED Position
and What it
Indicates
Color Indicates
Green Yellow Red
Upper LED:
Weather Station
Status
Receiving
weather station
packets, normal
function.
Searching for
weather station
signal.
No weather station
signal. Contact
Tech Support.
Cell Status 1:
Modem Activation Modem activated. Modem is activating. Modem not
activated. Contact
Tech Support.
Cell Status 2:
Cellular Signal
Strength
Strong signal. Low signal.
Vantage Connect will
function in this
location, but move if
possible.
No signal.
Vantage Connect
will not function in
this location.
Cell Status 3:
Network
Registration
Registered. Searching for tower. Registration failed.
Contact Tech
Support.
Cell Status 4:
Communication
with
WeatherLink.com
Good. Waiting for
connection.
Communication
error. Contact Tech
Support.

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Contacting Davis Technical Support
For questions about installing or operating your Vantage Connect,
please contact Davis Technical Support. We’ll be glad to help.
Specifications
Cellular Bands . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
Operating Temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40° to +140°F (-40° to +60°C)
Charging Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . -4° to +120°F (-20° to +49°C)
Storage Temperature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .-40° to +140°F (-40° to +60°C)
Current Draw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25mA typical, 1A peak
GPRS class 10: 146mA typical
Transmitter Power . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2W @ 850/900 MHz (Class 4)
1W @ 1800/1900 MHZ (Class 1)
Transmission frequency: North America . . . . . . 902 - 928 MHz FHSS
EU, UK, and OV models . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 868.0 -868.6 MHz FHSS, power
output less than 10mW
Housing Material. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rugged ASA Plastic
Dimensions (width x length x height). . . . . . . . . . 13.75 X 10 X 4.15 inches
(34.9 X 25.4 X 10.5 cm)
Weight . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8.14 lbs. (3.69 kg)
Battery . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 volt, 12 Ah, gel cell with quick
disconnect 0.250” x 0.032” (6.35
mm x 0.81 mm) tabs
Dimensions without tabs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5.95” L x 3.70” H x 2.00” D;
151 mm L x 98 mm H x 51 mm D
Certifications: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . FCC PTCRB CE Carrier
Online www.davisnet.com
See the Weather Support section for copies of user
manuals, product specifications, application notes,
software updates, and more.
E-mail [email protected]
Telephone [phone]
Monday - Friday, 7:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

Vantage Connect®
Product Numbers 6621, 6621C, 6622 & 6622 Document Number: 07395.325 Rev. J, 1/12/18
For use with Vantage Pro, Vantage Pro2, and Vantage Vue and Weather Envoy.
Vantage Connect®, Vantage Pro®, Vantage Pro2™, Vantage Vue®, WeatherLink®and Weather
Envoy™are trademarks of Davis Instruments Corp., Hayward, CA.
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.
FCC ID: RI7GE865
IC: 5131A-GE865
If this equipment does cause harmful interference 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 modification not expressly approved in writing by Davis Instruments may void the warranty
and void the user's authority to operate this equipment.
EC-Declaration of Conformity
Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU
Vantage Connect 6622 (overseas models) complies with the essential protection requirements of the Radio
Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. The complete Declaration of Conformity is one our website at
https://www.davisnet.com/legal. RoHS Compliant.
© Davis Instruments Corp. 2018. All rights reserved.
Information in this document subject to change without notice. Davis Instruments Quality Management
System is ISO 9001 certified.
3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A.
510-732-9229 • Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [email protected] • www.davisnet.com
®