Gill Instruments MetPak PRO User manual

User Manual
Weather Stations
Parts 1723-XB X-11X (Firmware version 2436-4.01.01)
Parts 1723-XB X-11X (Firmware version 2436-4.02.04 Modbus units only)
Doc No: 1723-PS-0022 Issue 1
Gill Instruments Limited
SaltmarshPark, 67 Gosport Street, Lymington,
Hampshire, SO41 9EG, UK
Tel:[phone], Fax: [phone]
Email: 1 Website:www.gillinstruments.com
MetPak
MetPak Pro
MetPak RG

Gill Instruments Ltd
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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 2 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
Contents
1. FOREWORD............................................................................................4
2. INTRODUCTION......................................................................................4
2.1. MetPak Part Numbers and Parameters ............................................................ 5
2.1.1. MetPak Part Number Structure................................................................5
2.1.2. MetPak Derived Parameters and Sensors................................................5
2.1.3. Wind Speed and Direction Sensor...........................................................6
2.1.4. Radiation Shield ......................................................................................6
2.1.5. Temperature, Relative Humidity and Dewpoint.........................................7
2.1.6. Barometric Pressure................................................................................7
2.1.7. Precipitation (Digital Input 1)....................................................................7
2.1.8 PRT Temperature (PRT Input).................................................................8
2.1.9 Analogue Sensor 1..................................................................................8
2.1.10 Analogue Sensor 2..................................................................................8
2.1.11 Status of MetPak Sensors .......................................................................8
2.1.12 Supply Voltage........................................................................................8
2.2. MetPak Sensors default ASCII Output Summary.............................................. 8
3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION................................................................9
4. PRE-INSTALLATION............................................................................12
4.1. Equipment supplied........................................................................................ 12
4.1.1. Optional Extras:.....................................................................................12
4.2. Connector and Cable Assembly......................................................................13
4.3. Communication Cabling..................................................................................13
4.3.1 Cable type.............................................................................................13
4.3.2 Cable length..........................................................................................14
4.4. Cable Connections General............................................................................14
4.5. Earthing.......................................................................................................... 14
4.6. Power supplies............................................................................................... 15
4.7. Power and Communication Connections........................................................ 15
4.8. Connecting to a PC using Gill RS232 to USB Configuration Cable................. 16
4.9. Connecting to a PC using RS232 (Default setting).......................................... 19
4.10. Connecting to a PC using RS422 (Not a Default Setting)................................ 19
4.11. Using RS485 (2 wire point to point only, not a default setting.......................... 20
4.12. Using SDI-12 (2 wire network) not a default setting.........................................20
4.13. Analogue, Digital and PRT Input Connections ................................................ 21
4.14. MetPak Pro Junction Box (Part 1723-PK-021)................................................25
4.15. Set up requirements ....................................................................................... 29
4.15.1. Host System:........................................................................................29
4.15.2. Software:..............................................................................................29
4.15.3. Bench system test ................................................................................29
4.16. Packaging....................................................................................................... 29
5. INSTALLATION.....................................................................................30
5.1. Example Installation Guidelines......................................................................30
5.1.1. Non Heated Wind Sensor System..........................................................30
5.2. Interference .................................................................................................... 31
5.3. Wind Sensor Installation.................................................................................31
5.4. MetPak Range Mounting and Dimensions (in mm).........................................32
5.5. MetPak Pro Junction Box Mounting (1723-PK-021)........................................ 34
5.6. Solar Installation............................................................................................. 35

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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 3 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
5.7. Rain Gauge Installation...................................................................................35
6. CONFIGURING WITH METSET............................................................38
6.1. MetPak Default Configurations ....................................................................... 38
6.2. Configuring MetPaks with MetSet...................................................................42
6.3. Polled Mode....................................................................................................53
6.3.1 To Configure a MetPak Unit for Polled Mode:.........................................53
6.4. Configuring MetPak for SDI-12....................................................................... 54
6.4.1. SDI-12 Units of Measure........................................................................54
6.4.2. SDI-12 Commands................................................................................55
6.4.3. SDI-12 Commands with CRC ................................................................57
6.5. Configuring MetPak for MODBUS...................................................................59
6.5.1 MetPak Supported Modbus Specification...............................................59
6.6. Configuring a MetPak for NMEA Output.......................................................... 63
6.7. Safe Mode......................................................................................................65
6.7.1. Safe Mode Method 1.............................................................................65
6.7.2. Safe Mode Method 2.............................................................................69
7. VIEWING METPAK DATA ....................................................................70
7.1. Use MetView to View the MetPak Data........................................................... 70
7.1.1. Opening MetView..................................................................................70
7.1.2. Scanning for Devices.............................................................................71
7.1.3. The MetView Console............................................................................72
7.1.4. MetPak Pro User External Sensor Display.............................................73
7.1.5. MetView Console Display Options.........................................................74
7.1.6. MetView Gauge Ranges and Graphs.....................................................75
7.1.7. Data logging..........................................................................................77
7.2. Use a Terminal Program to View the MetPak Data......................................... 79
7.2.1. Setting up a logging file..........................................................................81
7.2.2. To stop logging......................................................................................81
8. MAINTENANCE & FAULT-FINDING ....................................................82
8.1. Cleaning and Handling....................................................................................82
8.2. Servicing.........................................................................................................82
8.2.1. Wind Sensor (WindSonic)......................................................................82
8.2.2. UV Radiation Shield (MetSpec)..............................................................82
8.2.3. Barometer .............................................................................................83
8.2.4. Temperature, Humidity and Dewpoint Probe (Rotronic HC2-S3-GI)........83
8.2.5. Tipping Bucket Precipitation Sensor.......................................................84
8.2.6. Tipping Bucket Spare Parts ...................................................................86
8.2.7. Solar Sensor..........................................................................................86
8.2.8. Calibration.............................................................................................87
8.2.9. Returning the MetPak............................................................................87
8.3. Fault-finding.................................................................................................... 87
8.3.1. Fault Symptons/Solutions ......................................................................87
8.3.2. MetPak Range Sensor Status Codes.....................................................88
8.4. Safe Mode......................................................................................................89
8.5. Bench Test ..................................................................................................... 89
8.6. Returning Units............................................................................................... 89
8.7. Guarantee....................................................................................................... 89
9. APPENDICES........................................................................................90
9.1. Glossary & Abbreviations................................................................................ 90
9.2. Electrical Conformity....................................................................................... 91

Gill Instruments Ltd
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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 4 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
ARG100 Rain Gauge
supplied with MetPak RG
1. FOREWORD
Thank you for purchasing a MetPak unit manufactured by Gill Instruments Ltd.
To achieve optimum performance we recommend that you read the whole of this manual before
proceeding with use.
Gill products are in continuous development and therefore specifications may be subject to change
and design improvements without prior notice.
The information contained in this manual remains the property of Gill Instruments and should not
be copied or reproduced for commercial gain.
2. INTRODUCTION
All the MetPak range equipments are Professional multi-sensor instruments that measure the most
essential weather parameters. They also provide a data collection system that allows customers to
add their own selection of sensors to meet local requirements. Gill ultrasonic technology, as used
in the proven WindSonic instrument, measures wind speed and direction. Temperature and
Humidity are measured and Dewpoint calculated using an industry standard probe housed in a
naturally aspirated radiation shield. Barometric pressure is measured using an industry standard
sensor.
The MetPak RG allows in addition for the customer to use an aerodynamic tipping bucket for Rain
measurements.
The MetPak Pro in addition allows the customer to add up to four additional sensors. One PRT
(temperature sensor), one digital (contact closure rain gauge) and two analogue inputs (4-20mA or
0-5V) e.g. water level sensor, Pyranometer, pressure sensor, soil temperature etc. Other types of
sensors may be added limited by the number of inputs available.
MetPak range units combines all the instrument data into a single combined data string. This may
be configured for digital ASCII RS232/RS422/RS485 (2 wire point to point), digital MODBUS
RTU/ASCII and SDI-12 outputs.
The instrument uses a rugged mounting clamp that attaches to any vertical pipe up from 30mm to
58mm diameter.
An electrical Hub box is fitted to the mounting bracket for termination of sensors limited to cable
gland entry, data and power cables. A separate Junction box is optionally available for easier
termination of external sensors, power and communication cables.
MetPak/MetPak RG/MetPak Pro

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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 5 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
2.1. MetPak Part Numbers and Parameters
2.1.1. MetPak Part Number Structure.
2.1.2. MetPak Derived Parameters and Sensors.
MetPak Sensor Parameter MetPak MetPak RG MetPak Pro
Wind Speed, Relative Yes Yes Yes
Wind Direction, Relative Yes Yes Yes
Temperature, Air Yes Yes Yes
Humidity, Relative Yes Yes Yes
Dewpoint Yes Yes Yes
Barometric Pressure Yes Yes Yes
Rain/Precipitation No Yes Yes with user supply Rain Gauge
Temperature from a PRT No No Yes with user supply PRT
Analogue Sensor 1 No No Yes with user supply Sensor
Analogue Sensor 2 No No Yes with user supply Sensor
MetPak Derived Parameter
MetPak
MetPak RG
MetPak Pro
Status (Sensors) Yes
Yes
Yes
Volts (Supply) Yes Yes Yes
MetPak Outputs
MetPak
MetPak RG
MetPak Pro
Gill ASCII Yes Yes Yes
Modbus Yes Yes Yes
SDI-12 Yes Yes Yes
NMEA Yes No No

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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 6 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
2.1.3. Wind Speed and Direction Sensor
The MetPak uses the Gill WindSonic wind speed and direction sensor. The WindSonic measures
the times taken for an ultrasonic pulse of sound to travel from the North (N) transducer to the
South (S) transducer, and compares it with the time for a pulse to travel from S to N transducer.
Likewise times are compared between West (W) and East (E), and E and W transducer.
If, for example, a North wind is blowing, then the time taken for the pulse to travel from N to S will
be faster than from S to N, whereas the W to E, and E to W times will be the same. The wind
speed and direction can then be calculated from the differences in the times of flight on each axis.
This calculation is independent of factors such as temperature.
Compass points
The compass point and polarity of U and V if the wind components along the U and V axis are
blowing in the direction of the respective arrows.
MetPak outputs Relative wind – wind speed and/or direction relative to the north marker, which
may not be facing north.
2.1.4. Radiation Shield
A MetSpec Multi-Plate Radiation Shield provides excellent
protection to the Rotronics temperature and relative humidity
sensor, shielding the probe from unwanted errors, especially
from secondary upward reflecting solar radiation and/or wind
blown precipitation/airborne contaminants. The special shield
plate geometry, with its double louvre design, provides excellent
response time performance of quick ambient temperature
changes while still working effectively as a baffle to stop larger
contaminants such as salt or dirt from reaching the Rotronics
probe. Due to the increased protection offered to the Rotronics
probe by the MetSpec shield, the maintenance cycle can be
extended. The shield benefits from very robust material choice
and extremely high UV protection requiring no maintenance. A
further benefit of the MetSpec shield design is that the measured
temperature is now even closer to reference temperature
measurements made using artificially aspirated motors without
the drawbacks of such systems (power and the maintenance of
moving parts).

Gill Instruments Ltd
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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 7 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
2.1.5. Temperature, Relative Humidity and Dewpoint
The MetPak MetSpec shield contains a Rotronic Hygroclip module. It is a complete instrument,
with integrated temperature compensation. Calibration data is maintained within the integrated
electronics. It provides digital output signals for Relative Humidity, Temperature and Dewpoint.
2.1.6. Barometric Pressure
Barometric pressure output is provided by a solid-state device fitted on to the circuit board in the
MetPak Unit Hub box. Vent to atmosphere is via a Gore-Tex type filter which also protects the
pressure sensor from the effects of wind and rain.
2.1.7. Precipitation (Digital Input 1).
MetPak RG and MetPak Pro:-
Rainfall is measured by the well-proven tipping bucket method. Rain is
collected by a funnel and is passed to one of the two buckets situated
at either end of a short balance arm. The balance arm tips when the
first bucket is full, emptying this bucket and positioning the second
bucket under the funnel. The tipping process repeats indefinitely as
long as the rain continues to fall, with each tip corresponding to a fixed
quantity of rainfall; at each tip the moving arm forces a magnet past a
reed switch, causing contact to be made for a few milliseconds.
An ARG100 Rain Gauge is supplied with a MetPak RG to connect to the Digital input (DIG1),
which detects when two dedicated terminals are short circuited (less than 1k ohm).
Rain levels are provided by reading the number of switch closures taking place over each output
rate time period (default one reading per second). Then multiplying this number by the Rain Gauge
count figure set using MetSet (e.g. 0.2mm per switch closure) and outputting the result in the data
string.
Hygroclip
Gore-Tex
type filter

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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 8 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
2.1.8 PRT Temperature (PRT Input)
An external 2 or 4 wire PT100 device can be connected to a MetPak Pro to provide an additional
remote temperature measurement.
2.1.9 Analogue Sensor 1
An external remote analogue sensor, 0-5v/4-20mA output, can be connected to a MetPak
Pro AN1 input.
2.1.10 Analogue Sensor 2
An external remote analogue sensor, 0-5v/4-20mA output, can be connected to a MetPak
Pro AN2 input.
2.1.11 Status of MetPak Sensors
Outputs the MetPak Sensors Status Code (see para 8.3.2).
2.1.12 Supply Voltage
The DC Supply voltage measured at the MetPak unit is output in the MetPak Digital Data Output
string.
2.2. MetPak Sensors default ASCII Output Summary
MetPak Default Data String
Node, Relative Wind Direction, Relative Wind Speed, Pressure, Humidity, Temperature, Dewpoint,
Supply Voltage, Status, Checksum.
STX>Q,170,000.08,1019.5,035.0,+024.7,+008.3,+04.9,00,<ETX>55 & (CR,LF)
MetPak RG Default Data String
Node, Relative Wind Direction, Relative Wind Speed, Pressure, Humidity, Temperature, Dewpoint,
Digital Input 1, Supply Voltage, Status, Checksum.
<STX>Q,014,000.06,1011.2,042.1,+023.0,+009.4,0000.000,+04.9,00,<ETX>40 & (CR,LF)
MetPak Pro Default Data String
Node, Relative Wind Direction, Relative Wind Speed, Pressure, Humidity, Temperature, Dewpoint,
PRT, Analogue Input 1, Analogue Input 2, Digital Input 1, Supply Voltage, Status, Checksum.
<STX>Q,249,000.01,1017.3,049.2,+021.4,+010.3,+040.45,+000.06,+000.04,0000.000,+11.6,00,<
ETX>7C & (CR,LF)

Gill Instruments Ltd
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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 9 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
3. TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION
Wind Measurement
Parameters Polar Wind Speed & Direction or U and V Vectors
Units of Measurement m/s, knots, mph, kph, ft/min
Wind Speed
Range 0.01 to 60m/s
Accuracy 2% @12m/s
Resolution 0.01m/s
Threshold 0.01m/s
Wind Direction
Range 0-359 Degrees – No dead band
Accuracy 3@12 m/s
Resolution 1
Air Temperature
(Hygroclip)
Type Pt 100 1/3 Class B
Range -35C to +70C
Accuracy 0.1C
Resolution 0.1C
Units of Measure C or F
Relative Humidity
(Hygroclip)
Range 0-100%
Accuracy 0.8% @ 23C
Resolution 1%
Units of Measure % RH
Dew Point
Resolution 0.1C
Accuracy 0.15C (23C ambient temperature @ 20C dew point)
Units of Measure C or F
Barometric Pressure
Range 600 to 1100hPa
Accuracy 0.5hPa
Resolution 0.1hPa
Units of Measure hPa, mbar, mmHg, InHg
Compensated for Temperature dependency –20C to +70C
Rain
with
ARG100
Rain Gauge
connected to MetPak RG
Precipitation Intensity 0 to 1000mm per hour.
Resolution 0.2mm/tip
Accuracy 2% (ARG100)
Units of Measure millimetres, inches per tip

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MetPak/MetPak RG and MetPak Pro Page | 10 Issue 1
Doc. No. 1723-PS-0022 October 2018
Inputs
MetPak Pro (MetPak RG Digital Input only).
Analogue 1 (AN1) 0 to 5V or 4 to 20mA MetPak Pro powered or Analogue Sensor
Powered
Analogue 2 (AN2) 0 to 5V or 4 to 20mA MetPak Pro powered or Analogue Sensor
Powered
Analogue Input A-D
Conversion 12 bit resolution with an accuracy of 0.1% of reading, +35uV
offset (voltage inputs) or 0.5uA (current inputs).
Analogue Input Impedance Input impedance for 0-5v input is 330 k ohm.
Input impedance for 4-20mA input is 47 ohms.
PRT 4 wire PRT, Pt100 conforms to IEC 60751
Digital Input (DIG1)
Rain Gauge
Contact Closure input (tipping bucket rain gauge) capable of
capturing events up to 10Hz
Digital Input Capable of detecting an event with a duration of greater than
1.4mS.
Digital Input Capable of detecting a space between events (i.e. terminals
open-circuit) with a duration of greater than 11mS.
Digital Input Capable of reading a switch contact closure providing the total
Digital Switch contact resistance (contact and cabling) is less
than 1k ohm.
Outputs
Digital Outputs RS232, RS422, *RS485 (*2 wire point to point) or SDI-12.
(RS232 point to point and RS485 2 wire networkable –
MODBUS RTU/ASCII)
Baud Rates 1200 (SDI-12), 4800-57600 (ASCII RS232, RS422, *RS485)
9600-19200 (MODBUS RTU/ASCII)
Protocols ASCII, SDI-12 V1.3, NMEA 0183 (MetPak only) or MODBUS
RTU/ASCII
Data Output 1 reading per second (1 Hz), 1 reading per 2 seconds, 1
reading per 4 seconds or Polled Mode
MetPak Status Status codes provided within the data message string
*
RS485 2 wire point to point only.
Power Supply
Input voltage (RS232, RS422,
RS485) 4.5v to 30v dc
Current at 12v MetPak - 22mA
MetPak RG - 26mA
MetPak Pro - 26mA
Input Voltage SDI-12 9.6v to 16v dc (12v nominal)
Current MetPak - 30mA
MetPak RG - 35mA
MetPak Pro - 35mA