Dotsmann DCF-77 User manual

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WIRELESS 433MHz WEATHER STATION
Instructions Manual
INTRODUCTION:
Congratulations on purchasing thisWeather Station withwireless 433MHz
transmission ofoutdoor temperature and displayof indoor temperature and
humidity, weather forecast iconsand weather tendencyindicators. It isfurther
featuring a DCF-77 radio controlled clockwith calendar display. With onlyfour easy
to use function keys, this innovative product is ideal for use in the home or office.
The Weather Station
FEATURES:
WEATHER STATION
•DCF-77 Radio controlled time with manual setting options
•Time reception ON/OFF
•12/24 hour display
•Hour and minute display,seconds indicated byflashing dot
•Time zone option ±12hours
•Date and month calendar display
•Weather forecasting with 3weather icons and weather tendencyindicator
•Weather forecasting icon sensitivitysetting
•Temperature displayin degreesCelsius (°C) or Fahrenheit (°F) selectable
•Indoor and outdoor temperature display with MIN/MAX recording
Detachable
Stand
LCD Display
Function Keys
Hanging Hole
Battery Cover

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•Indoor humidityreading displayed as RH% with MIN/MAX recordings
•All MIN/MAX temperature recordings showdate and time received
•All MIN/MAX recordings can be reset
•Indoor comfort levelindicator - happyor sad face icons
•Can take up to three outdoor transmitters
•LCD contrastsetting
•Lowbatteryindicator
•Wall mounting or table standing
THE OUTDOOR TRANSMITTER
•Remote transmission of outdoor temperature to
Weather Station by433MHz
•Shower proof casing
•Wall mounting case
•Mounting at a sheltered place. Avoid direct rain and
sunshine
SETTING UP:
1. First, insertthe batteries into the Weather station (see “Howto installand
replace batteries in the Weather Station”below). Once the batteries are in
place, all segmentsof the LCD will lightup briefly.Following some test data
display, the indoor temperature and humidity, the time as 0:00 the dateas 1.1.
and the weather icons sun and clouds will be displayed. If the indoor
temperature and humidityare notdisplayed after 30 seconds, remove the
batteries and wait for atleast 10 seconds before reinserting them. Once the
indoor data is displayed proceed to step 2.
2. Within 3 minutes of activating the Weather station, place the batteries into the
transmitter (see “How to install and replace batteries in the Temperature
Transmitter” below).
3. After a fewsecondsof inserting the batteries into the transmitter, the Weather
Station will start receiving data from the transmitter. The remote temperature
will then be displayed on the Weather Station. Ifthisdoes nothappen after 15
minutes,the batteries will need to be removed from both units and reset from
step 1.
4. The Weather Station can take up to 3 remote transmitters. If you have
purchased additionaltransmitters, followstep 2 for all extra transmitters.
However,ensure that you leave 10 seconds in between the reception of the
last transmitter and the set-up of the following transmitter.The Weather
Station will number the transmitters in the order of set-up, i.e. the first
transmitter will have the temperature displayed with the number 1 againstit
and so on.
5. When all the transmitters are set up, there is a testing period, during which the
displayswitchesquicklybetween allthe received transmitters at random,

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according towhich random transmission it receives.Pressing anykeywill stop
this process.The process also stops automaticallyifno keys are pressed for a
fewminutes.
6. Once the remote temperature has been received and is displayed on the
Weather Station, the DCF-77 time code reception is automaticallystarted.
This takes typicallybetween 3 - 5 minutes in good conditions.This time period
is an excellent opportunityto locate the transmitter(s) in suitable location(s)
outdoors. In order to ensure sufficient433MHztransmission however,this
should under good conditions be no more than 25 meters from where the
Weather Station will be finallypositioned (see notes on “Positioning” and
“433MHz Reception”).
7. Ifafter 10 minutes the DCF time has not been received, use the SET keyto
manuallyenter a time initially. The clock will automaticallyattempt to receive
the DCF time ateach full hour. When this is successful, the received time will
override the manuallyset time.The date is also updated with the received
time (Please refer also to noteson “Radio controlled time”and “Manual
time setting”).
HOW TO INSTALL AND REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE WEATHER
STATION The Weather Station uses2 x AA, IEC LR6, 1.5V
batteries. If the batteries need to be replaced, the low
batterysymbol will appear on the LCD.
To install and replace the batteries, please follow the
stepsbelow:
1. Insert finger or other solid objectin the space at
the bottom center of the batterycompartment and
lift up to remove the cover.
2. Insert batteries observing the correct polarity(see
marking).
3. Replace compartment cover.
HOW TO INSTALL AND REPLACE BATTERIES IN THE
TEMPERATURE TRANSMITTER
The Temperature Transmitter uses2 xAAA, IECLR3, 1.5V
batteries. To install and replace the batteries, please followthe
stepsbelow:
1. Unscrewthe screwon the front of the compartment and
remove the cover.
2. Insert the batteries,observing the correct polarity(see
marking).
3. Replace the batterycover on the unitand seal byre-
screwing.

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Note:
In the event of changing batteries in anyof the units, all units need to be reset by
following the setting up procedures. This is because arandom securitycode is
assigned bythe transmitter at start-up and thiscode must be received and stored
bythe Weather Station in the first three minutesofpower being supplied to it.
BATTERY CHANGE:
Itis recommended to replace the batteries in all units on an annual basis to ensure
optimum accuracyof these units.
Please participate in the preservation of the environment. Return used
batteries to an authorized depot.
FUNCTION KEYS:
Weather Station:
The weather station has four easyto use function keys.
SET key(Setting)
•Used to enter the set mode for the following functions: LCD contrast, Time
zone, Time Reception ON/OFF, 12/24 hour display,Manualtime, Year, Date,
°C/°F, and Weather forecasting icon sensitivitysettings.
•The year can onlybe displayed in the set mode (not displayed in normal
mode).
IN key(Indoor)
•Used to toggle between the current/ minimum / maximum indoor temperature
and humidity.
•Press for over 3 seconds to reset the indoor maximum and minimum
temperature and humidityrecords (will reset all records to current level).
Note: the Time/date information is only available for MIN/MAX temperature
data, and will be changed to default time after the reset operation.
•Change LCD contrast, time zone, Time Reception ON/OFF, 12/24 hour
display, hour, year, month,day, °C/°F and weather forecasting icon sensitivity
units in setting modes.
Note: in 24hr time displaymode, the dayis set byusing the INkey.In 12hr
time displaymode,the month issetbyusing the INkey
OUT key(Outdoor)
•Used to toggle between the current /minimum / maximum outdoor
temperature
Setting
Channel
Indoor
Outdoor

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•Press for around 3 secondsto reset the outdoor maximum and minimum
temperature records (will reset all temperatures to current level of the relative
transmitter being reset - each transmitter’s data mustbe resetseparately)
Note: the time/date information of MIN/MAX data willbe resetto default time
as well.
•Change minute, month,dayin setting modes
Note: in 24hr time displaymode, the month is set byusing the OUT key.In
12hr time displaymode,the dayis set byusing the OUT key.
CH key(Channel)
•Toggle between the outdoor Temperature Transmitters 1, 2 and 3 (if more
than 1 transmitter is used)
•Exit manual setting mode
LCD SCREEN
For better distinctness, the LCDscreen is split into 5 sectionsdisplaying the
information for time,date, weather forecast, indoors and outdoors.
DCF-77 RADIO CONTROLLED TIME
The time base for the radio-controlled time is a Cesium Atomic Clockoperated by
the Physikalisch Technische Bundesanstalt Braunschweigwhich has a time
Time
Date
Weather forecast icon
Indoor relative humidity %
Comfort indicator icon
Outdoor reception signal
Indoor temperature
in °C or °F
Outdoor temperature
in °C or °F
Month
Outdoor transmitter
Identification number
Weather
tendency
icon
DCF Tower icon
(for time reception)
Lowbattery indicator

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deviation oflessthan one second in one million years. The time is coded and
transmitted from Mainflingen near Frankfurt via frequencysignal DCF-77 (77.5 kHz)
and has a transmitting range of approximately1,500 km. Your radio-controlled
Weather Station receives this signaland converts it to showthe precise time in
summer or wintertime.
The qualityof the reception depends greatlyon the geographic location. In normal
cases, there shouldbe no reception problems within a 1500km radius of Frankfurt.
Once the outdoor temperature is displayed on the Weather station,the DCF tower
icon in the clockdisplaywill start flashing in the upper left corner. Thisindicates that
the clockhasdetected that there is a radio signal present and is trying toreceive it.
When the time code is received, the DCF tower becomes permanently lit and the
time will be displayed.
Ifthe tower icon flashes, butdoes notset the time or the DCF tower doesnot
appear at all,then please take note of the following:
•Recommended distance to anyinterfering sourceslike computer monitorsor
TV sets is a minimum of1.5 - 2 meters.
•Within ferro-concrete rooms (basements, superstructures), the received signal
is naturallyweakened. In extreme cases, please place the unit close to a
window and/or point its front or backtowards the Frankfurt transmitter.
•During nighttime, the atmospheric disturbances are usuallyless severe and
reception ispossible in most cases. A single dailyreception is adequate to
keep the accuracydeviation below1 second.
MANUAL SETTINGS
The following manual settings can be changed when pressing the SET keyfor:
•LCD contrastsetting
•Time zone setting
•Time reception ON/OFF setting
•12/24-Hour setting
•Manualtime setting
•Calendar setting
•Snooze setting
•°C/°F setting
•Weather forecasting icon sensitivitysetting
LCD CONTRASTSETTING
The LCDcontrast can be set to 8 different levelsto suitthe usersneeds (default
LCD contrastsetting is LCD 5). To setthe desired contrast level:
1. Press the IN keyto selectthe level of contrastdesired.
LCD (flashing)

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2. Press the SET keyto confirm and enter the “Time Zone setting” or exit the
setting mode bypressing the CHkey.
TIME ZONE SETTING
The time zone default of the Weather Station is 0. To change to another time zone:
1. Press the SET keyafter completing the LCD contrast setting in order to enter
the time zone setting (flashing).
2. Using the IN key,set the time zone. The range runs from 0 to +12 and then
runsfrom -12 backto 0 in consecutive1 hour intervals.
3. Press the SET keyto confirm and enter the “Time Reception ON/OFF
setting” or exitthe setting mode bypressing the CH key.
TIME RECEPTION ON/OFF SETTING
In area where reception of the DCF-77 time is not possible,the DCF-77 time
reception function can be turned OFF. The clock will then workas a normal Quartz
clock. (Default setting is ON).
1. The digit “ON” will start flashing on the LCD.
2. Use the IN keyto turn OFF the time reception function.
3. Confirm with the SET keyand enter the “12/24-Hour Displaysetting” or exit
the setting mode bypressing the CH key.
Note:
If the Time Reception function is turned OFF manually,the clock will not
attempt anyreception of the DCF time as long as the Time Reception OFF
function isactivated. The Time Reception icon will not be displayed on the
LCD.
12/24 HOUR TIME DISPLAY SETTING
1. After setting time reception ON/OFF, press the SET key,“12h” or “24h”
flashes in the LCD.
Time Zone (flashing)
Flashing
Flashing

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2. Press the IN keyto selectthe “12h” or “24h” displaymode.
3. Press the SET again to confirm and toenter the “Manual Time setting” or
exit the setting mode bypressing the CH key.
Note: When 24h mode displayisselected, the calendar format will be date and
month display.
When 12h mode displayis selected, the calendar format will be month and
date display.
MANUAL TIME SETTING
In case the Weather Station is not able to detect the DCF-signal (disturbances,
transmitting distance, etc.), the time can be manuallyset.The clock will then work
as a normal Quartzclock.
To set the clock:
1. The hour and minutes digits start flashing in the time displaysection.
2. Use the IN keyto adjustthe hours and the OUT keyto adjust the minutes. If
you hold the keywhile you adjust,the hoursmove 1 hour and the minutes
move 5 minutes.
3. Confirm with the SET keyand enter the “Calendar Setting” or exit the setting
mode bypressing the CH key
Note:
The unit will still tryto receive the signal at each fullhour despite it being manually
set. When it does receive the signal, itwill change the manuallyset time into the
received time. During reception attempts the DCF tower icon will flash. Ifreception
has been unsuccessful, then the DCF tower icon will not appear butreception will
still be attempted the following hour.
CALENDAR SETTING
Date (flashing) Month (flashing) Year (flashing)
The date default of the Weather station is 1. 1. of the year 2003. Once the radio-
controlled time signals are received, the date is automaticallyupdated.However, if
the signals are not received, the date can also be set manually. To do this:
1. Using the IN key,set the year required.The range runs from 2003 to 2039
(default is 2003).
2. Press the SET keytoenter the month and date setting mode.
3. Press the IN(or OUT) keyto set the date and the OUT (or IN) keyto set the
month required.
Minutes (flashing)
Hours (flashing)

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4. Confirm with the SET keyand enter the “Snooze setting” or exit the setting
mode bypressing the CH key.
SNOOZE SETTING
Important:
The snoozesetting in this Weather Station will not have anyeffect in thisunit
performance. This feature is onlyavailable in enhance model with alarm
function. Simplypress the SET keyto skip this setting and enter the “°C/°F
setting”or exit the setting mode bypressing the CHkey.
°C/°FSETTING
The default temperature reading is set to °C (degree Celsius). To select°F (degree
Fahrenheit):
1. The “°C” will be flashing, use the IN key to toggle between “°C” and “°F”.
2. Once the desired temperature unithas been chosen,confirm with the SET
keyand enter the “Weather Forecast Icon Sensitivitysetting” or exit the
setting mode bypressing the CHkey.
WEATHER FORECASTING ICON SENSITIVITY SETTING
For locations withrapid changes of weather conditions, the threshold can be set to
a differentlevel for faster displayof weather conditions.
1. Using the IN keyto set the weather sensitivitylevel. There are 3 levelsof
setting: 1, 2 and 3; level 1 is the most sensitive setting, level 3 is the least
sensitive setting (default setting is "2").
2. Confirm with the SET keyand exit the Manual settings.
WEATHER FORECASTAND TENDENCY
THE WEATHER FORECASTING ICONS
There are 3weather icons on the third section of the LCD which can be displayed in
anyof the following combinations:
Flashing
Flashing

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For everysudden or significant change in the air pressure, the weather icons will
update accordinglyto represent the change in weather. If the icons do not change,
then it means either the air pressure has notchanged or the change has been too
slowfor the Weather Station to register. However, if the icon displayed is a sun or
raining cloud, there willbe no change of icon if the weather getsanybetter (with
sunnyicon) or worse (with rainyicon) since the icons are alreadyat their extremes.
The icons displayed forecasts the weather in terms of getting better or worse and
not necessarilysunnyor rainyas each icon indicates. For example,if the current
weather is cloudyand the rainyicon is displayed, it does not mean that the product
is faultybecause it is not raining. It simplymeans thatthe air pressure has dropped
and the weather is expected to get worse but not necessarilyrain.
Note:
After setting up, readings for weather forecast should be disregarded for the next
12-24 hours. This will allow sufficient time for the Weather Station to collect air
pressure data at a constant altitude and therefore result in a more accurate
forecast.
Common toweather forecasting, absolute accuracycannot be guaranteed. The
weather forecasting feature is estimated to have an accuracylevel of about 75%
due to the varying areas the Weather Station has been designed for use in. Inareas
thatexperience sudden changes inweather (for example from sunnyto rain), the
Weather Station will be more accuratecompared to use in areas where the weather
is stagnant most of the time (for example mostlysunny).
Ifthe Weather Station is moved to another location significantlyhigher or lower than
its initial standing point (for example from the ground floor to the first floor ofa
house), remove the batteries and re-insert them after about 30 seconds. Bydoing
this, the Weather Station will notmistake the newlocation as being a possible
change in air-pressure when reallyit is due to the slight change ofaltitude. Again,
disregard weather forecasts for the next 12 to 24 hoursas this will allow time for
operation at a constant altitude.
THE WEATHER TENDENCY INDICATOR
Working together with the weather icons are the weather tendencyindicators
(located on the left and right hand side of the weather icons). When the indicator
points upwards, it means that the air-pressure isincreasing and the weather is
expected to improve, but when indicator pointsdownwards, the air-pressure is
dropping and the weather is expected to become worse.
Taking this into account, one can see howthe weather has changed and is
expected to change.For example, ifthe indicator ispointing downwardstogether
SunnyCloudywith sunnyintervals Rainy