Fourier MultiLogPRO User manual

Weather Station
User Guide
Fourier Education

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............................... 10
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 ..................................................................................18
4.2.15Programming MultiLogPRO ................................................................. 20
4.2.16Connecting the Weather Station to the Computer ............................... 21
A. Wireless Connection ..............................................................................21
B. Cable Connection ..................................................................................22
4.2.17Wiring Diagram..................................................................................... 22
4.3POWERING THE WEATHER STATION..................................................................23
5WORKING WITH WEATHERLAB.......................................................................25
5.1INSTALL THE SOFTWARE...................................................................................25
5.1.1System Requirements.......................................................................... 25
5.1.2Installation ............................................................................................ 25
5.2OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................27
5.3GETTING STARTED...........................................................................................29

5.3.1Establish Communication with the Weather Station ............................29
5.3.2Operating Modes ..................................................................................30
5.3.3Start Recording.....................................................................................33
5.3.4Stop Recording.....................................................................................33
5.3.5Saving Data ..........................................................................................33
5.3.6Station Settings ....................................................................................34
5.3.7Setup the Weather Station ...................................................................35
5.3.8Open Files ............................................................................................36
5.3.9Change Units Settings..........................................................................36
5.3.10Print 37
5.4VIEW THE DATA ................................................................................................39
5.4.1Display Screens....................................................................................39
5.4.2Online View ..........................................................................................39
5.4.3Offline View...........................................................................................40
5.4.4Display Options ....................................................................................41
5.4.5One Graph Display ...............................................................................41
5.4.6Four Graph Display ..............................................................................42
5.4.7Table 42
5.4.8The Cursor............................................................................................42
5.4.9Zooming and Panning ..........................................................................43
5.4.10Format the Graph .................................................................................44
5.4.11Export Data to EXCEL..........................................................................44
5.4.12Copy the Graph as a Picture ................................................................44
5.5CUSTOMIZE YOUR WEATHER STATION ..............................................................45
5.5.1Advanced Mode....................................................................................45
5.5.2Change Sensor Properties ...................................................................45
5.5.3Use other Fourier Sensors ...................................................................47
5.5.4Define a New Sensor............................................................................47
5.5.5Calibrate Sensor...................................................................................48
5.6MONTHLY REPORTS .........................................................................................49
5.6.1About Monthly Reports .........................................................................49
5.6.2Generating a Monthly Report ...............................................................51
5.6.3Report Settings.....................................................................................51
5.6.4Heating & Cooling Degree Days ..........................................................52
5.7TOOLBAR BUTTONS ..........................................................................................54
5.7.1Main (Upper) Toolbar ...........................................................................54
5.7.2Online Graph (Lower) Toolbar..............................................................54
5.7.3Offline Graph (Lower) Toolbar..............................................................55
5.8MATHEMATICAL CALCULATIONS ........................................................................57

6WORKING WITH MULTILOGPRO .....................................................................59
6.1GENERAL .........................................................................................................59
6.1.1External Connections ........................................................................... 59
6.1.2AC/DC Adaptor..................................................................................... 61
6.2STAND-ALONE OPERATION...............................................................................61
6.2.1Front Panel Layout ............................................................................... 61
6.2.2Input Modes.......................................................................................... 62
6.2.3Quick-Start ........................................................................................... 63
6.2.4Working with the MultiLogPRO Menus ................................................ 65
6.2.5Graphic Display .................................................................................... 69
6.2.6Measuring Timing Events..................................................................... 70
6.2.7Select Sensors Manually...................................................................... 74
6.2.8Load the Last Setup ............................................................................. 75
6.2.9Configure Your MultiLogPRO............................................................... 76
6.2.10Internal Clock and Calendar................................................................. 77
6.2.11Clear the Memory................................................................................. 78
6.2.12Choose the Right Setup ....................................................................... 78
6.2.13Programming Rules and Limitations .................................................... 81
6.3SENSOR CALIBRATION......................................................................................82
6.3.1Hardware Offset Calibration................................................................. 82
6.3.2MultiLogPRO Automatic Zero Calibration ............................................ 82
6.3.3pH Temperature Compensation........................................................... 83
6.3.4DO2 Calibration.................................................................................... 83
6.3.5WeatherLab Sensor Calibration........................................................... 83
6.3.6Factory Calibration (no calibration required)........................................ 83
7THE RECEIVER..................................................................................................84
7.1OVERVIEW .......................................................................................................84
7.2GETTING STARTED...........................................................................................84
7.2.1Locating the Receiver .......................................................................... 84
7.2.2Connecting the Antenna....................................................................... 85
7.2.3Powering the Receiver ......................................................................... 85
7.2.4Connecting the Receiver to a Computer.............................................. 85
7.3LED INDICATORS .............................................................................................86
8EXPERIMENT NOTES, THE INFLUENCE OF NATURAL VENTILATION ON
INDOOR CLIMATE .............................................................................................87
8.1INTRODUCTION.................................................................................................87
8.2EQUIPMENT......................................................................................................87
8.3EQUIPMENT SETUP PROCEDURE ......................................................................87

8.4EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURE.............................................................................88
8.5DATA ANALYSIS................................................................................................89
8.6QUESTIONS ......................................................................................................89
8.7FURTHER SUGGESTIONS ..................................................................................90
9SPECIFICATIONS ..............................................................................................91
10APPENDIX: FIGURES ........................................................................................93
11INDEX 94

Introduction 1
1 Introduction
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. Please refer to Section 5 for further details.
2 What’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
Support for number of COM ports extended to 256
Improved handling of data for the wireless connection

2 Parts List
3 Parts 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
4 Station 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

Station Installation 7
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.
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

8 Station Installation
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.
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.

Station Installation 9
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:
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

10 Station Installation
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
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)

Station Installation 11
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)
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)

12 Station Installation
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
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