DAVIS Vantage Pro2 GroWeather 6820 User manual

Sensor Suite
with Solar Radiation Sensor
USER
MANUAL
Davis Instruments, 3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A. • 510-732-9229 • www.davisnet.com
R
Product numbers 6820 and 6820C
Vantage Pro2
GroWeather R
TM

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 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.
FCC ID: IR2DWW6328
IC: 378810-6328
EC EMC Compliance
This product (model 6820OV) complies with the essential protection requirements of the Radio
Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU. RoHS Compliant. The complete Declaration of Conformity is on our
website at https://www.davisnet.com/product_documents/Davis_Dec_Conform_transmitters.pdf.
Contents
Introduction ...........................................................................................1
Included Components and Hardware ....................................................2
Prepare the Sensor Suite for Installation ...............................................4
Cabled Sensor Suite Assembly ............................................................10
Wireless Sensor Suite Assembly..........................................................13
Plan the Sensor Suite for Installation ..................................................18
Install the Sensor Suite .......................................................................22
Maintenance and Troubleshooting.......................................................29
Contacting Technical Support..............................................................32
Appendix:
Specifications.....................................................................................33
Sensor Interface .................................................................................34

1
Introduction
The Sensor Suite collects outside weather data and sends the data to a receiver such
as a Vantage Pro2 console. The wireless sensor suite can also transmit data to
wireless Vantage Connect, Vantage Vue console, Envoy8X, or wireless Weather
Envoy. The wireless sensor suite is solar-powered and sends data via radio. The
cabled sensor suite sends data via cable to one cabled Vantage Pro2 console, cabled
Weather Envoy, or cabled Vantage Connect and receives power via the console,
Envoy or Vantage Connect cable.
Tip: One wireless sensor suite can transmit to any number of wireless receivers within its
range.
The sensor suite includes a rain collector, temperature sensor, humidity sensor,
anemometer, and solar radiation sensor. Temperature and humidity sensors are
mounted in a passive radiation shield to minimize the impact of solar radiation on
sensor readings. The anemometer measures wind speed and direction and can be
installed adjacent to the sensor suite or apart from it. See “Locating the Sensor Suite
and Anemometer” on page 17 for siting guidelines.
The transmitter shelter contains the “brain” of the sensor suite: the sensor interface
and the transmitter. It collects outside weather data from the sensor suite sensors and
then transmits the data to your Vantage Pro2 console, Vantage Vue console (wireless
only), Weather Envoy, Envoy8X (wireless only), or Vantage Connect.

2
Included Components and Hardware
The sensor suite comes with all the components and hardware shown in the
following illustrations.
Components
Note: Try not to touch the small white diffuser on top of the solar radiation sensor. Oil from
skin reduces its sensitivity. If you are concerned that you have touched the diffuser at
any time during the installation, clean the diffuser using a soft, damp cloth.
Anemometer
Vane
Wind Cups
Anemometer Cable
40' (12.2 m)
Anemometer
Base
Anemometer
Arm
Control
Head
Console Cable 100' (30 m)
(Cabled ISS Only)
Protective
Cap
Vantage Pro2 GroWeather
Sensor Suite with Solar Radiation Sensor
Debris Screen
with locking grooves
(locks inside cone)
Rain Collector
Bird Spike
Socket
Rain
Collector
Base
Solar Radiation
Sensor
Antenna
(wireless only)
Transmitter
Solar Panel
(wireless only)
Radiation
Shield
Bird
Spikes

3
Hardware (Included)
Some of the hardware is optional based on how the sensor suite is assembled and
installed.
Note: If any of the hardware components are missing or not included, contact Customer
Service toll free at 1-800-678-3669 about receiving replacements.
Tools for Setup
• Small Phillips head screwdriver (electric if possible)
• Scissors or wire-cutters
• 7/16" wrench (or adjustable wrench)
• Compass or local area map
• Ballpoint pen or paper clip (or other small pointed object)
• Drill and 3/16" (5 mm) drill bit (if using lag bolts)
• Small hammer (if installing optional bird spikes)
1/4" Flat Washers
1/4" Lock Washers
1/4" Hex Nuts 3-Volt
Lithium
Battery
(wireless
models
only)
Bird Spikes (15) U-Bolts
Backing Plate .05" Allen
Wrench
1/4" x 3" Lag Screws
#4 x 1-1/8"
Machine Screw
#4 Tooth
Lock Washer
#4-40 Hex Nut
Cable Ties
Metric Rain
Adapter

4
Prepare the Sensor Suite for Installation
Follow the steps in the order they are presented as each builds on tasks completed in
previous steps.
Tip: Use a well-lit work table or work area to prepare the sensor suite for installation.
Assemble the Anemometer
The anemometer measures wind direction and speed. The anemometer arm comes
partially assembled with the wind vane attached.
Note: Do not remove the vane.
Please locate the following parts to prepare the anemometer:
• Anemometer arm (wind vane and cable already attached)
• Anemometer base
• Wind cups
• Allen wrench (0.05")
• #4 machine screw, #4 tooth-lock washer, #4 hex nut
Attach the Anemometer Arm to Base
1. Insert the anemometer arm into the base, sliding the cable through the notch in the
base as shown in illustration.
2. Be sure to line up the small hole in the arm with the holes in the base.
3. Insert the machine screw through the holes in the base and arm. It may be helpful
to use a screwdriver to insert the screw.
Insert
anemometer arm
into base
Slide cable
through notch
#4 Tooth
Lock Washer
Hex Nut
#4 x 1-1/8”
Machine Screw
IMPORTANT:
Make sure cable
is secure in channel

5
4. Slide the tooth-lock washer and hex nut onto the machine screw. Tighten the hex
nut while holding the screw with a Phillips head screwdriver to prevent it from
turning.
5. Press the sensor cable firmly and completely into the zig-zagging channel in the
base, starting from the arm and progressing downward to the bottom of the base.
This provides strain relief for the cable.
Attach the Wind Cups
1. Push the wind cups up onto the anemometer’s stainless steel shaft, sliding them
up the shaft as far as possible.
2. Use the Allen wrench provided to firmly tighten the set screw on the side of the
wind cups.
The wind cups should drop slightly when you let go.
3. Spin the wind cups. If they spin freely, the anemometer is ready and can be set
aside while you prepare the rest of the sensor suite for installation.
Note: If the wind cups don’t spin freely, take them off and repeat the wind cup installation
process.
Attaching the Wind Cups
Tighten
set screw
with Allen
wrench
Push cups
onto stainless
steel shaft

6
Check Sensor Interface Connections and Connect the
Anemometer Cable
The sensor interface is located in the transmitter shelter on the front of the sensor
suite. It contains all the connections for the weather sensors of the sensor suite.
Follow the steps below to check the sensor interface and ensure that all sensors are
connected properly.
Open the Transmitter Shelter
1. Locate the white box with the solar
panel containing the sensor interface
on the front of the sensor suite unit.
The cabled model does not have a solar
panel.
2. Locate the white tab at the bottom
center of the shelter cover.
3. Pull the tab away from the box while
sliding the cover up.
4. Look on the side of the shelter. The box
cover can be easily removed from the
box when the alignment indicator on
the cover is lined up with the alignment
indicator on the box
5. Pull the cover off the box, being
careful not to stress the solar panel
cable when removing the cover.
6. The sensor interface is visible once the cover has been removed.
Note: See “Sensor Interface” on page 34 for information on locating the components and
points of interest on the sensor interface.
Optional: Disconnect the solar panel
connection wire (wireless versions).
The solar panel on the box cover is
connected to the sensor interface by a
wire. If the cover cannot be set aside
while still connected to the sensor
interface safely, the cable can be
disconnected.

7
Check the Factory Installed Sensor Connections
1. Verify that the rain collector and temperature/humidity sensor cables are plugged
into the receptacles labeled RAIN and TEMP/HUM on the sensor interface.
2. Verify that the solar radiation sensor cable is plugged into the receptacles labeled
SUN on the sensor interface.
Connect the Anemometer Cable to the Sensor Interface
Note: The anemometer comes with 40 feet (12 meters) of cable to allow for mounting the
anemometer separately from the rain collector and other sensors. The cable is coiled
and secured at the factory with enough cable unwound from the coil to allow you to
work with it and to allow the anemometer to be mounted on the same pole as the rain
collector.
1. Remove the protective cap from the RJ jack on the anemometer cable.
2. Pull the foam insert out of
cable access port and set
it aside.
3. Insert the anemometer
cable end into the cable
access port from beneath
the box.
4. Slide the cable through
the cable access port with
the connector lever down.
5. Firmly insert the end of
the anemometer cable
into the connector labeled
WIND. The lever clicks
into place.
6. Firmly insert the foam in
between the cables and at
the top of the cable access
port, taking care to ensure
that the foam seals the
access port entirely, leaving no holes or gaps large enough for weather or insects.
You may have to stack the cables to allow the foam to fit.
Note: If you are assembling a cabled station, wait to reinsert the foam until cable assembly is
complete. See “Cabled Sensor Suite Assembly” on page 10.
Foam
Insert
Sensor
Interface

8
Prepare the Rain Collector
The tipping mechanism is secured at the factory to protect it from damage during
shipping.
Note: Be careful not to scratch the silver-colored coating on the tipping spoons under the
cone.
1. Remove the rain collector cone from the
sensor suite base by rotating the cone
counter-clockwise. When the cone’s
latches line up with openings in the base,
lift the cone off the sensor suite base.
Tip: When new, the cone fits tightly in the base and may require extra pressure to
remove. Steady the sensor suite base between your knees when removing the cone.
2. Carefully cut and remove the plastic tie that holds the tipping spoons in place
during shipping (usually yellow or white in color).
3. If desired, insert the
Metric Measurement
Adapter. See
“Optional: Insert the
Metric Measurement
Adapter” on page 9.
4. Temporarily reinstall
the rain collector cone
until you are ready to
mount the sensor suite
outside.
Twist off the rain collector cone
Tipping Spoons
Cut the
plastic tie