ECOWITT WS69 User manual

7-IN-1 WIRELESS SOLAR POWERED
WEATHER SENSOR
Operation Manual
Model: WS69
Thank you for purchasing this 7-in-1 Wireless Solar Powered Weather
Sensor ( built-in: Thermo-hygrometer / Rain Gauge / Wind Speed Sensor/
Wind Direction Sensor, Light and UV sensor, Solar panel Sensor )! This
unit measures outdoor temperature and humidity, wind direction, rainfall,
wind speed, wind gust, UV & light, Solar light intensity and UV index
data. The data can be received by the Wi-Fi gateway(sold separately) and
can be viewed using the WS View Plus/ Ecowitt App mobile application
(after Wi-Fi configuration on the gateway has been completed).
To ensure the best product performance, please read this manual and
retain it for future reference.

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read English manual and keep it
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1 Table of Contents
1 TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................1
2 WARNINGS AND CAUTIONS ............................................................ 2
3 UNPACKING ......................................................................................... 3
4 FEATURES............................................................................................ 4
5 SET UP GUIDE ......................................................................................5
5.1 PRE INSTALLATION CHECKOUT ........................................................5
5.2 SITE SURVEY .................................................................................... 5
5.3 SENSOR PACKAGE ASSEMBLY ..........................................................6
5.3.1 Install U-bolts and metal plate .................................................. 7
5.3.2 Install wind vane ....................................................................... 9
5.3.3 Install wind speed cups ............................................................. 9
5.3.4 Install Batteries in sensor package ..........................................10
5.3.5 Mount assembled outdoor sensor package ............................. 11
5.3.6 Reset Button and Transmitter LED .........................................14
5.4 BEST PRACTICES FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION ...................... 14
6 SETUP GUIDE USING WI-FI GATEWAY ....................................... 16
6.1 REPLACING AN EXISTING SENSOR UNIT ..........................................16
7 MAINTENANCE ................................................................................. 17
8 SPECIFICATIONS ...............................................................................19
9 WARRANTY INFORMATION .......................................................... 21

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2 Warnings and Cautions
Warning:
Any metal object may attract a lightning strike, including your
weather station mounting pole. Never install the weather station
in a storm.
If you are mounting the weather station to a house or structure,
consult a licensed electrician for proper grounding. A direct
lightning strike to a metal pole can damage or destroy your home.
Installing your weather station in a high location may result in
injury or death. Perform as much of the initial check out and
operation on the ground and inside a building or home. Only
install the weather station on a clear, dry, day.

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3 Unpacking
Open your weather station box and inspect that the contents are intact
(nothing broken) and complete (nothing missing). Inside you should find
the following:
QT
Y
Item Description
1
Outdoor Sensor Body with built-in: Thermo-hygrometer / Rain
Gauge / Wind Speed Sensor/ Wind Direction Sensor, Light and UV
sensor, Solar panel
1
Wind speed cups (to be attached to outdoor sensor body)
1
Wind vane (to be attached to outdoor sensor body)
2
U-Bolts for mounting on a pole
4
Threaded nuts for U-Bolts (M6 size)
1
Metal mounting plate to be used with U-Bolts
1
Wrench for M6 bolts
1
User manual (this manual)
Table 1: Package content
If components are missing from the package, or broken, please contact
customer service to resolve the issue.
Note: Batteries for the outdoor sensor package are not included. You
will need 2 AA size batteries, alkaline or Lithium batteries
(Lithium recommended for colder climates).

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4 Features
Measures outdoor temperature and humidity wind direction, rainfall,
wind speed, wind gust, UV & light, Solar light intensity and UV
index data.
No display, need to work with the WIFI gateway to complete the
WIFI configuration on our WS View Plus/ Ecowitt App.
After the WIFI configuration, the live weather data can be viewed
directly on the WS View Plus/ Ecowitt App.
Supports uploads to WU/Weather Cloud/WOW. The history graph
of your WU station ID can be viewed on the WU Dashboard on the
WS View Plus/ Ecowitt App.
Works with WS2910/HP2551/HP3500/WS2320/HP2561/HP3501
Weather Station display console(sold separately). The outdoor
sensor and display console should be at the same frequency.

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5 Set up Guide
5.1 Pre Installation Checkout
To complete assembly you will need a Philips screwdriver (size PH0) and
a wrench (size M6; included in package).
Note: We suggest you assemble all components of the weather station,
including console in one location so you can easily test
functionality. After testing, place the outdoor sensor package in
the desired location. Note, however, that movement during
assembly, and movement after assembly can cause the rain
sensor to “falsely” register rain. It is therefore best if you do not
connect the console to any Internet services until you have reset
these false readings using the console. The errant values may be
hard to remove from Internet services if you do not reset first.
Attention:
Follow suggested order for battery installation (outdoor sensor first,
console second)
Ensure batteries are installed with correct polarity (+/-)
Do not mix old and new batteries
Do not use rechargeable batteries
If outdoor temperature may go below 32F or 0C for prolonged
periods, Lithium based batteries are suggested over alkaline type
batteries for the outdoor sensor array
5.2 Site Survey
Perform a site survey before installing the weather station. Consider the
following:
1. You must clean the rain gauge every few months and change the

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batteries every 2-3 years. Provide easy access to the weather
station.
2. Avoid radiant heat transfer from buildings and structures. In
general, install the sensor array at least 5’ or 1.52m from any
building, structure, ground, or roof top.
3. Avoid wind and rain obstructions. The rule of thumb is to install
the sensor array at least four times the distance of the height of
the tallest obstruction. For example, if the building is 20’ or
6.10m tall and the mounting pole is 6’ or 1.83m tall, install the
sensor array 4 x (20 – 6)’ = 56’ or 4 x (6.1-1.83)=17.08m away.
4. Mount the sensor array in direct sunlight for accurate temperature
readings.
5. Installing the weather station over sprinkler systems or other
unnatural vegetation may affect temperature and humidity
readings. We suggest mounting the sensor array over natural
vegetation.
6. Wireless Range. Radio communication between receiver and
transmitter in an open field can reach a distance of up to 330 feet
or 100 meter, providing there are no interfering obstacles such as
buildings, trees, vehicles and high voltage lines. Wireless
signals will not penetrate metal buildings. Under most
conditions, the maximum wireless range is 100’ or 30m.
7. Radio Interference. Computers, radios, televisions and other
sources can interfere with radio communications between the
sensor array and console. Please take this into consideration
when choosing console or mounting locations. Make sure your
display console is at least five feet or 1.52 meter away from any
electronic device to avoid interference.
5.3 Sensor Package Assembly
See Figure 1 to locate and understand all the parts of the outdoor sensor
package once fully assembled.

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Figure 1: Sensor assembly components
1 Wind speed cups
7 Light sensor and UV sensor
2 Wind vane
8 U-Bolts
3 Thermo- and hygro-meter sensors
9 Battery compartment door
4 Rain collector
10 Reset button
5 Bubble level
11 LED (red) to indicate data
transmission
6 Solar panel
Table 2: Sensor assembly detailed items
5.3.1 Install U-bolts and metal plate
Installation of the U-bolts, which are in turn used to mount the sensor
package on a pole, requires installation of an included metal plate to
receive the U-bolt ends. The metal plate, visible in Figure 2 on the right
side, has four holes through which the ends of the two U-Bolts will fit.
The plate itself is inserted in a groove on the bottom of the unit (opposite
side of solar panel). Note that one side of the plate has a straight edge
(which goes into the groove), the other side is bent at a 90-degree angle

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and has a curved profile (which will end up “hugging” the mounting
pole). Once the metal plate is inserted, remove nuts from the U-Bolts and
insert both U-bolts through the respective holes of the metal plate as
shown in Figure 2.
Figure 2: U-Bolt installation
Loosely screw on the nuts on the ends of the U-bolts. You will tighten
these later during final mounting. Final assembly is shown in Figure 3.
Figure 3: U-Bolts and nuts installed
The plate and U-Bolts are not yet needed at this stage but doing this now
may help avoid damaging wind vane and wind speed cups later on.
Handling of the sensor package with wind vane and speed cups installed
to install these bolts is more difficult and more likely to lead to damage.

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5.3.2 Install wind vane
Push the wind vane onto the shaft on the bottom side of the sensor
package, until it goes no further, as shown on the left side in Figure 4.
Next, tighten the set screw, with a Philips screwdriver (size PH0), as
shown on the right side, until the wind vane cannot be removed from the
axle. Make sure the wind vane can rotate freely. The wind vane’s
movement has a small amount of friction, which is helpful in providing
steady wind direction measurements.
Figure 4: Wind vane installation diagram
5.3.3 Install wind speed cups
Push the wind speed cup assembly onto the shaft on the opposite side of
the wind vane, as shown in Figure 5 on the left side. Tighten the set screw,
with a Philips screwdriver (size PH0), as shown on the right side. Make
sure the cup assembly can rotate freely. There should be no noticeable
friction when it is turning.

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Figure 5: Wind speed cup installation diagram
5.3.4 Install Batteries in sensor package
Open the battery compartment with a screwdriver and insert 2 AA
batteries in the battery compartment. The LED indicator on the back of
the sensor package (item 9) will turn on for four seconds and then flash
once every 16 seconds indicating sensor data transmission. If you did not
pay attention, you may have missed the initial indication. You can always
remove the batteries and start over, but if you see the flash once every 16
seconds, everything should be OK.
Figure 6: Battery installation diagram
Note: If LED does not light up or is on permanently, make sure the
battery is inserted the correct way and inserted fully, starting over
if necessary. Do not install the batteries backwards as it may
permanently damage the outdoor sensor.

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Note: We recommend Lithium batteries for cold weather climates, but
alkaline batteries are sufficient for most climates. Rechargeable
batteries have lower voltages and should never be used.
5.3.5 Mount assembled outdoor sensor package
5.3.5.1 Before you mount
Before proceeding with the outdoor mounting detailed in this section, you
may want to skip to setup instructions in section 5.5 and onwards first,
while you keep the assembled outdoor sensor package nearby (although
preferably not closer than 5 ft. or 1.53m from the console). This will
make any troubleshooting and adjustments easier and avoids any distance
or interference related issues from the setup.
After setup is complete and everything is working, return here for
outdoor mounting. If issues show up after outdoor mounting they are
almost certainly related to distance, obstacles etc.

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5.3.5.2 Mounting
You can attach a pipe to a permanent structure and then attach the sensor
package to it (see Figure 7).
The U-Bolts will accommodate a pipe diameter of 1-2 inches (pipe not
included).
Figure 7: Sensor package mounting diagram
Make sure the mounting pipe is vertical, or very close to it. Use a level if
needed.
Finally, place the sensor package on top of the prepared mounting pipe.
The U-Bolts should be loose enough to allow this but loosen the nuts as
necessary. Once placed, hand tightens all four nuts, taking care to do so
evenly. Do not use a wrench yet!
Now you will need to align the whole package in the proper direction by
rotating it on top of the mounting pipe as needed. Locate the arrow
labeled “WEST” that you will find on top of the sensor package right
next to the light sensor, on the opposite side of the solar panel. You must
rotate the whole sensor package until this arrow points due west. To
achieve proper alignment, it is helpful to use a compass (many cell
phones have a compass application). Once rotated in the correct

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orientation, lightly tighten the bolts a little more (use a wrench) to prevent
further rotation.
Note: The orientation to WEST is necessary for two reasons. The most
important one is to position the solar panel and light sensor in the
most advantageous position for recording solar radiation and
charging internal capacitors. Secondly it causes a zero reading for
wind direction to correspond to due NORTH, as is customary.
This orientation is correct for installations in the northern
hemisphere. If you are installing in the southern hemisphere, the
correct orientation to achieve the same optimal positioning is to
have the “WEST” arrow actually point due EAST! This has the
side effect, however, of lining up the 0 reading of the wind
direction with SOUTH. This needs to be corrected using a
180-degree offset in the calibration settings (see section 6.9.2 ).
Now look at the bubble level. The bubble should be fully inside the red
circle. If it is not, wind direction, speed, and rain readings may not
operate correctly or accurately. Adjust the mounting pipe as necessary. If
the bubble is close, but not quite inside the circle, and you cannot adjust
the mounting pipe, you may have to experiment with small wooden or
heavy cardboard shims between the sensor package and the top of the
mounting pole to achieve the desired result (this will require loosening
the bolts and some experimentation).
Make sure you check, and correct if necessary, the westerly orientation as
the final installation step, and now tighten the bolts with a wrench. Do not
over tighten, but make sure strong wind and/or rain cannot move the
sensor package.
Note: If you tested the full assembly indoors and then came back here
for instructions and mounted to sensor package outdoor you may
want to make some further adjustments on the console. The
transportation from indoor to outdoor and handling of the sensor
is likely to have “tripped” the rainfall sensing bucket one or more

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times and consequently the console may have registered rainfall
that did not really exist. You can use console functions to clear
this from history. Doing so is also important to avoid false
registration of these readings with weather services.
5.3.6 Reset Button and Transmitter LED
In the event the sensor array is not transmitting, reset the sensor array.
Using a bent-open paperclip, press and hold the RESET BUTTON (see
Figure 8) to affect a reset: the LED turns on while the RESET button is
depressed, and you can now let go. The LED should then resume as
normal, flashing approximately once every 16 seconds.
Figure 8: Reset button and Transmitter LED location
5.4 Best Practices for Wireless Communication
Wireless (RF) communication is susceptible to interference, distance,
walls and metal barriers. We recommend the following best practices for
trouble free wireless communication between both sensor packages and
the console:
Electro-Magnetic Interference (EMI). Keep the console several
feet away from computer monitors and TVs.
Radio Frequency Interference (RFI). If you have other devices
operating on the same frequency band as your indoor and/or outdoor

15
sensors and experience intermittent communication between sensor
package and console, try turning off these other devices for
troubleshooting purposes. You may need to relocate the transmitters
or receivers to avoid the interference and establish reliable
communication. The frequencies used by the sensors are one of
(depending on your location): 433, 868, or 915 MHz (915 MHz for
United States).
Line of Sight Rating. This device is rated at 300 feet or 100 meter
line of sight (under ideal circumstances; no interference, barriers or
walls), but in most real-world scenarios, including a wall or two, you
will be able to go about 100 feet or 30 meter.
Metal Barriers. Radio frequency will not pass through metal barriers
such as aluminum siding or metal wall framing. If you have such
metal barriers and experience communication problems, you must
change the placement of sensor package and or console.
The following table shows different transmission media and expected
signal strength reductions. Each “wall” or obstruction decreases the
transmission range by the factor shown below.
Medium
RF Signal Strength Reduction
Glass (untreated)
5-15%
Plastics
10-15%
Wood
10-40%
Brick
10-40%
Concrete
40-80%
Metal
90-100%
Table 3: RF Signal Strength reduction

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6 Setup Guide using Wi-Fi Gateway
If you wish to view the sensor data on your mobile device, you need to
pair this sensor device with the Wi-Fi gateway (sold separately), or
another compatible display console device(sold separately).
Before you can use the mobile application to connect to the Wi-Fi
gateway, it must be configured on your Wi-Fi network. Instructions may
be found in the gateway manual.
6.1 Replacing an existing sensor unit
If this sensor is a replacement for a previous unit, ensure the previous unit
is powered down. Also unplug the Wi-Fi gateway from the USB
connection, wait a few seconds, and re-connect the gateway to USB
power.
Now simply insert the battery to power up the sensor unit, and the Wi-Fi
gateway will quickly pick up the sensor information. It is best to always
do this in the vicinity of the Wi-Fi gateway to rule out distance or signal
interference effects, and to move the unit to the final location once correct
configuration is confirmed.

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7 Maintenance
The following steps should be taken for proper maintenance of your
station
1. Clean the rain gauge once every 3 months. Rotate the funnel
counter-clockwise and lift to expose the rain gauge mechanism, and
clean with a damp cloth. Remove any dirt, debris and insects. If bug
infestation is an issue, spray the array lightly with insecticide.
Figure 9: Rain gauge installation and maintenance
1. Clean the solar radiation sensor and solar panel every 3 months with
a non-abrasive slightly damp cloth.
2. Replace batteries every 1-2 years. If left in too long, the batteries may
leak due to environmental challenges. In harsh environments,
inspect the batteries every 3 months (while cleaning the solar panel).

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3. When replacing the batteries, apply a corrosion preventing compound
on the battery terminals, available at Amazon and most hardware
stores.
4. In snowy environments, spray the top of the weather station with
anti-icing silicon spray to prevent snow build up.