Fourier MultiLogPRO User manual

Fourier Systems Ltd.
16 Hamelacha St., POB 11681, Rosh Ha‘ayin 48091,
Tel: [phone], Fax: [phone]
www.FourierEdu.com EXPERIENCE SCIENCE!
Weather Station
User Guide

Contents
1INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................1
2WHAT’S NEW ...........................................................................................................1
3PARTS LIST .............................................................................................................2
4STATION INSTALLATION............................................................................................4
4.1INSTALLATION OPTIONS ............................................................................................4
4.1.1Standard Cable Connection ...........................................................................4
4.1.2Wireless Connection ....................................................................................4
4.2ASSEMBLING THE WEATHER STATION ...........................................................................5
4.2.1Choosing a Location.....................................................................................5
4.2.2Mounting the Tripod .....................................................................................6
4.2.3Securing the Tripod......................................................................................6
4.2.5Preparing the Rain Collector ..........................................................................6
4.2.6Preparing the Anemometer (Wind Sensor) ........................................................7
4.2.7Preparing to Install the Weather Station Components ..........................................9
4.2.8Installing the Anemometer and the Antenna Shelf...............................................9
4.2.9Installing the Solar Panel.............................................................................14
4.2.10Installing the Radiation Shield.......................................................................14
4.2.11Installing the Rain Collector .........................................................................14
4.2.12Installing the Antenna (Wireless Connection Only) ............................................14
4.2.13Installing the Main Weather Station Box..........................................................14
4.2.14Wiring the Weather Station ..........................................................................15
A. Wireless Connection.....................................................................................16
B. Cable Connection ........................................................................................17
4.2.15Programming MultiLogPRO .........................................................................19
4.2.16Connecting the Weather Station to the Computer .............................................20
A. Wireless Connection.....................................................................................20
B. Cable Connection ........................................................................................21
4.2.17Wiring Diagram .........................................................................................21
4.3POWERING THE WEATHER STATION............................................................................22
5WORKING WITH WEATHERLAB ................................................................................24

5.1INSTALL THE SOFTWARE..........................................................................................24
5.1.1System Requirements.................................................................................24
5.1.2Installation................................................................................................24
5.2OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................26
5.3GETTING STARTED ................................................................................................26
5.3.1Establish Communication with the Weather Station ...........................................26
5.3.2Operating Modes .......................................................................................28
5.3.3Start Recording .........................................................................................31
5.3.4Stop Recording .........................................................................................31
5.3.5Saving Data..............................................................................................31
5.3.6Station Settings .........................................................................................32
5.3.7Setup the Weather Station ...........................................................................33
5.3.8Open Files ...............................................................................................33
5.3.9Change Units Settings ................................................................................33
5.3.10Print 34
5.4VIEW THE DATA ....................................................................................................36
5.4.1Display Screens ........................................................................................36
5.4.2Online View ..............................................................................................36
5.4.3Offline View ..............................................................................................37
5.4.4Display Options .........................................................................................38
5.4.5One Graph Display.....................................................................................38
5.4.6Four Graph Display ....................................................................................38
5.4.7Table 39
5.4.8The Cursor ...............................................................................................39
5.4.9Zooming and Panning.................................................................................39
5.4.10Format the Graph ......................................................................................40
5.4.11Export Data to EXCEL ................................................................................40
5.4.12Copy the Graph as a Picture ........................................................................41
5.5CUSTOMIZE YOUR WEATHER STATION.........................................................................42
5.5.1Advanced Mode ........................................................................................42
5.5.2Change Sensor Properties...........................................................................42
5.5.3Use other Fourier Sensors ...........................................................................44
5.5.4Define a New Sensor..................................................................................44
5.5.5Calibrate Sensor........................................................................................45
5.6MONTHLY REPORTS...............................................................................................46
5.6.1About Monthly Reports................................................................................46
5.6.2Generating a Monthly Report........................................................................47
5.6.3Report Settings .........................................................................................48
5.6.4Heating & Cooling Degree Days....................................................................49

5.7TOOLBAR BUTTONS ...............................................................................................51
5.7.1Main (Upper) Toolbar .................................................................................51
5.7.2Online Graph (Lower) Toolbar ......................................................................51
5.7.3Offline Graph (Lower) Toolbar ......................................................................52
5.8MATHEMATICAL CALCULATIONS.................................................................................53
6WORKING WITH MULTILOGPRO ...............................................................................55
6.1GENERAL............................................................................................................55
6.1.1External Connections .................................................................................55
6.1.2AC/DC Adaptor .........................................................................................57
6.2STAND-ALONE OPERATION ......................................................................................57
6.2.1Front Panel Layout ....................................................................................57
6.2.2Input Modes .............................................................................................57
6.2.3Quick-Start...............................................................................................58
6.2.4Working with the MultiLogPRO Menus ...........................................................61
6.2.5Graphic Display.........................................................................................65
6.2.6Measuring Timing Events ............................................................................66
6.2.7Select Sensors Manually .............................................................................69
6.2.8Load the Last Setup ...................................................................................70
6.2.9Configure Your MultiLogPRO .......................................................................70
6.2.10Internal Clock and Calendar.........................................................................72
6.2.11Clear the Memory ......................................................................................72
6.2.12Choose the Right Setup ..............................................................................73
6.2.13Programming Rules and Limitations...............................................................76
6.3SENSOR CALIBRATION............................................................................................76
6.3.1Hardware Offset Calibration.........................................................................77
6.3.2MultiLogPRO Automatic Zero Calibration........................................................77
6.3.3pH Temperature Compensation ....................................................................78
6.3.4DO2 Calibration ........................................................................................78
6.3.5WeatherLab Sensor Calibration ....................................................................78
6.3.6Factory Calibration (no calibration required) ....................................................78
7THE RECEIVER ......................................................................................................79
7.1OVERVIEW ..........................................................................................................79
7.2GETTING STARTED ................................................................................................79

7.2.1Locating the Receiver .................................................................................79
7.2.2Connecting the Antenna ..............................................................................80
7.2.3Powering the Receiver ................................................................................80
7.2.4Connecting the Receiver to a Computer..........................................................80
7.3LED INDICATORS ..................................................................................................81
8EXPERIMENT NOTES, THE INFLUENCE OF NATURAL VENTILATION ON INDOOR CLIMATE82
8.1INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................82
8.2EQUIPMENT .........................................................................................................82
8.3EQUIPMENT SETUP PROCEDURE................................................................................82
8.4EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE ....................................................................................83
8.5DATA ANALYSIS ....................................................................................................83
8.6QUESTIONS .........................................................................................................84
8.7FURTHER SUGGESTIONS .........................................................................................84
9SPECIFICATIONS....................................................................................................86
10APPENDIX: FIGURES...............................................................................................88
11INDEX 89

Introduction 1
1Introduction
The MultiLogPRO Weather Station is a high performance weather station for educational
purposes.
The MultiLogPRO Weather Station consists of a data logger – the MultiLogPRO, six sensors, a
solar power supply, a mounting tripod and the MultiLogPRO WeatherLab software.
The station measures: Temperature, humidity, and barometric pressure, rainfall, wind speed and
wind direction.
The temperature and humidity sensors are in fact, a two in one sensor located inside the
Radiation Shield. The Barometric Pressure sensor is in the sensor adaptor inside the Weather
Station main box and the other three are external sensors.
The MultiLogPRO is placed in the Weather Station main box to protect it from harsh weather
conditions
The power is supplied from a solar panel and rechargeable battery.
The MultiLogPRO is connected to the computer either by a 30m long cable or by a RF transmitter
and receiver.
The software records the data from the MultiLogPRO, displays, saves and analyzes it.
2What’s New
Entirely new user interface
New Run button on the toolbar
New toolbar with new icons
Support for Windows Vista and Windows 7 Operating Systems
Support for 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Windows
Alert notification if the logger becomes disconnected or stops logging unexpectedly
Automatic COM port detection of the MultiLogPRO device
Support for number of COM ports extended to 256
New run status indicator in the upper right screen of the software
Improved handling of data for the wireless connection

2 Parts List
3Parts List
3.1 Case
3.2 Mounting Tripod and bag
3.3 Magnet antenna with antenna shelf**
3.4 Wind sensor (Anemometer)
Figure 1: Anemometer
3.5 Rain Collector mounted on tray
Figure 2: Rain collector, base and cone
3.6 MultiLogPRO
Figure 3: MultiLogPRO
3.7 Radiation Shield with Temperature
and Humidity dual sensor mounted
inside
Figure 4: Radiation shield with the
temperature and humidity
dual sensor mounted inside

Parts List 3
3.8 Solar Panel on shelf
Figure 5: Solar Panel
3.9 Weather Station main box containing
items 3.9.1 to 3.9.9
3.9.1 Two rechargeable 12V batteries
3.9.2 Adaptor box for the rain and
wind sensors and containing the
barometric pressure sensor
3.9.3 Charge controller
3.9.4 Transmitter**
3.9.5 Two sensor cables
3.9.6 MultiLogPRO – transmitter
communication cable**
3.9.7 MultiLogPRO and transmitter
power cable
3.9.8 Charge controller – batteries
cable
3.9.9 Charge controller – Solar panel
cable
3.10 Serial communication cable adaptor
Figure 6: Serial communication cable adaptor
3.11 30 meters communication cable:
9 – pin D type plug*
3.12 1.5 meters communication cable:
9 – pin D type plug
3.13 Receiver**
3.14 Whip antenna for receiver**
3.15 Computer – Receiver communication
cable:
9 – pin D type plug to stereo phone
plug**
3.16 AC-DC power adaptor for the receiver
or MultiLogPRO**
3.17 WeatherLab software CD
3.18 Compass
3.19 10 black nylon cable ties
* Not used in wireless connection
** Not used in standard cable connection

4 Station Installation
4Station Installation
4.1 Installation Options
4.1.1 Standard Cable Connection
The MultiLogPRO is directly connected to the computer by 30m serial cable.
If you are using this option skip steps 4.2.12, 4.2.14.A and 4.2.16.A of the installation.
You won’t need items 3.3, 3.9.4, 3.9.6 and 3.13 to 3.16 from the part list.
4.1.2 Wireless Connection
The MultiLogPRO is connected to an RF transmitter and the data is transmitted to a
receiver that is connected to the computer.
If you are using this option skip steps 4.2.14.B and 4.2.16.B of the installation.
You won't need item 3.11 from the part list.
The transmission range is 300m if the transmitter and the receiver are in line of sight. If
not the range is reduced considerably and depends on the medium between the
transmitter and the receiver
Note: In wireless mode, transmission is one way only, from MultiLogPRO to the computer.
There is no way of programming or operating the MultiLogPRO via the software,
therefore there are two steps to take if you wish to reprogram your Weather Station.
Firstly, temporarily connect MultiLogPRO to the computer with the supplied
communication cable (step 4.2.15) and set it up. Secondly, set the system to transmit
data by pushing the Enter button on the MultiLogPRO itself.

Station Installation 5
4.2 Assembling the Weather Station
4.2.1 Choosing a Location
Try to position your Weather Station as follows:
1. Mount the tripod on a level surface, so that the center pole is vertical.
2. Install in a location where wind flow is unobstructed by trees and nearby buildings
3. Try to avoid possible obstructions from rainfall
4. If you install the Weather Station on a roof, the anemometer (wind sensor) must be
at least 1.2 m above the roofline for accurate wind measurements
5. The Solar Radiation Shield works best in a location where there is a steady
breeze.
6. Do not install over or near water sprinklers. The Solar Radiation Shield is not
designed to protect the sensor from water sprayed upwards.
7. Avoid placing near any space that can heat up a lot during the day.
8. The solar panel works best when the surface of the panel receives full sunlight.
Mount the Weather Station away from fences, buildings, trees or any other
obstructions that may cast shadows over the panel.
9. The solar panel should be mounted facing south in the Northern Hemisphere and
north in the Southern Hemisphere.

6 Station Installation
4.2.2 Mounting the Tripod
1. Take the Tripod out of its bag and unfold it.
2. Pull out the extension tube to about 50cm and secure it.
3. Fasten all the screws tightly.
4.2.3 Securing the Tripod
You must secure the tripod to the surface.
Mounting on a wooden surface
Screw a hook into the floor adjacent to each leg and fasten the leg to the hook with a nylon cable
tie.
Mounting on a concrete surface
Insert rawlbolts with eyelets adjacent to each leg and fasten the leg to the hook with a nylon cable
tie.
If you want to avoid drilling into the floor you will have to place heavy weights on each leg
Mounting on a soil surface
Hammer pegs with eyelets adjacent to each leg and fasten the leg to the hook with a nylon cable
tie.
4.2.4 Open the case and identify the various components
(see on page 2).
4.2.5 Preparing the Rain Collector
1. Remove the cone from the base by rotating the base anti-clockwise until the
latches on the cone line up with the latch openings in the base then lift the cone
away from the base.
2. Carefully remove the tie that holds the bucket in place during shipping.
3. Place the cone back onto the base by putting the latches on the cone into the latch
openings in the base and rotating the cone clockwise until the latches “lock” into
place.
As you reattach the cone, make sure to run the cable to the cable slot in the base,
or the cone will not fit snugly against the base.

Station Installation 7
4. Place the debris screen, point down, into the cone. The screen prevents large bits
of debris from blocking the funnel hole
4.2.6 Preparing the Anemometer (Wind Sensor)
1. Open the anemometer kit and attach the drip ring. The anemometer drip rings
provide protection against icing of the wind vane and wind cups. Follow the
instructions below to attach the two drip rings:
A. Place one of the drip rings on a flat surface with the small hole facing up.
B. Securely press the wind vane on top of the drip ring.
Note: You may want to start with the vane tilted slightly.
C. Make sure the ring fits securely between the two ridges on the vane with the
lower edge parallel to the bottom of the wind vane.
Figure 7: Installing the drip ring onto the wind vane
D. Install the small end of the other drip ring on the wind cup end of the
anemometer control head as shown below.
Note: The wind cup end of the control head has the smaller of the two stainless steel shafts
E. Gently push up the drip ring until it reaches the groove on the control head.
F. Make sure the lower edge of the drip ring is aligned with the lower edge of the
control head.

8 Station Installation
Figure 8: Installing the drip ring onto the anemometer control head
2. Attach the wind cups:
A. Push the wind cups onto the stainless steel shaft at the end of the arm (see
Figure 9).
Figure 9: Installing the wind cups
B. Slide the wind cups as far up the shaft as possible.
C. Use the Allen wrench provided to tighten the setscrew on the side of the wind
cups.
Note: When you let go of the wind cups, they should drop slightly.
D. Spin the wind cups. If they do not spin freely, loosen the setscrew and lower the
cups slightly. Repeat until the wind cups spin freely.
3. Attach the Wind Vane:

Station Installation 9
A. Place the wind vane on the shaft (see Figure 10)
Figure 10: Installing the wind vane
B. Slide the wind vane down the shaft as far as it will go
C. Use the Allen wrench provided to tighten the setscrew on the side of the wind
vane.
4. Check the Anemometer Base Orientation:
A. Insert the anemometer arm into the base
B. Attempt to push the #4-40 x 1 1/4” pan head screw through the holes in the arm
and the base (see Figure 15).
4.2.7 Preparing to Install the Weather Station Components
For easy mounting we advise you to slide the Weather Station components (except for
the main Weather Station box) over the tripod's extension tube before raising it to its
maximum height. Slide the components in the following order:
1. First the Solar Panel: Slide the two -bolts that are connected to the back of the
solar panel box over the tripod’s extension tube
2. Next the Radiation Shield: Slide the two U-bolts at the back of the Radiation
Shield’s mounting bracket over the tripod’s extension tube
3. Next the Rain Collector: Slide the two -bolts at the back of the tray over the
tripod’s extension tube
4.2.8 Installing the Anemometer and the Antenna Shelf

10 Station Installation
1. Install the Anemometer Base:
A. Hold the anemometer base against the top end of the pipe and insert one U-bolt
through the back of the base into the two lower holes in the base so that the U-
bolts wrap around the pipe (see Figure 11)
B. Place a ¼ ” lock washer and a ¼ ” wing nut over each end of the U-bolt and
tighten the wing nuts slightly
Figure 11: Installing the Anemometer base
C. Position the anemometer so that it will face the same direction as the solar panel
(see section 4.2.9 and Figure 16 ), then fasten the wing nuts tightly
D. Insert the other U-bolt through the back of the base into the two upper holes and
then place the antenna shelf so it sits on top of the pipe with the U bolt passing
through its holes (see Figure 12)
Figure 12: Installing the antenna shelf
E. Place a ¼” lock washer and a ¼” wing nut over each end of the U-bolt and
tighten the wing nuts (see Figure 13)

Station Installation 11
Figure 13: the anemometer base with the antenna shelf
2. Install the anemometer arm:
A. Insert the anemometer arm into the anemometer base. Guide the anemometer
cable through the slot as you insert the arm (see Figure 14)
Figure 14: Inserting the anemometer arm to the base
B. Insert the pan head screw into one of the holes in the base and slide it through
the arm. Secure the pan head screw using the flat washer, lock washer, and hex
nut as shown in Figure 15

12 Station Installation
Figure 15: Attaching the anemometer arm to the base
3. Raise the extension tube to its maximal height and fasten tightly

Station Installation 13
Figure 16: Mounting the Weather Station
A
ntenna
Rain Collector
Anemometer
Solar panel Radiation shield
Weather Station
main box

14 Station Installation
4.2.9 Installing the Solar Panel
1. Install the solar panel facing south in the Northern Hemisphere and north in the
Southern Hemisphere so it will be exposed to the sun
2. Position the solar panel about 3cm above the lower end of the extension tube (see
Figure 16) and tighten the four wing nuts.
4.2.10 Installing the Radiation Shield
Install the radiation shield so it sits opposite and above the solar panel (see Figure 16)
1. Position the radiation shield’s mounting bracket about 12cm above the solar panel.
Make sure that the bottom of the radiation shield is just above the solar panel to
ensure good ventilation
2. Tighten the four wing nuts
4.2.11 Installing the Rain Collector
Install the rain collector above the radiation shield (see Figure 16):
1. Position the tray about 5cm above the radiation shield’s mounting bracket and
tighten the two wing nuts
2. Level the tray horizontally.
4.2.12 Installing the Antenna (Wireless Connection Only)
Place the magnet antenna on top of the antenna shelf (see Figure 16)
4.2.13 Installing the Main Weather Station Box
1. Mount the Weather Station main box about 5cm beneath the top of the base tube
(see Figure 16) so it sits under the radiation shield
2. Unscrew the two bolts from the back of the Weather Station main box
3. Hold the back of the Weather Station main box against the tripod's base tube, 5cm
beneath the top
4. Place one bolt so it wraps around the pipe and the two upper screws at the
back of the box are inserted to the U-bolt holes