Gill Instruments MetPak RG 1723-3B-2-111 User manual

User Manual
MetPak RG
Weather Station
Doc No. 1723-PS-0013
Issue A
MetPak RG Part: 1723-3B-2-111

Foreword
©2011 Gill Instruments Ltd. All rights reserved.
Thank you for purchasing the MetPak RG 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.
Guarantee
For terms of guarantee, please contact your supplier.
Warranty is void if the coloured Wind Sensor security seal is damaged or broken,
or the Wind Sensor transducer caps have been damaged.
Trademarks
Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation.
All other brands and product names are trademarks or registered trademarks of
their respective owners.
Cautions and Notes
The following symbols are used in this guide:
CAUTION. This indicates an important operating instruction that should be
followed to avoid any potential damage to hardware or property, loss of data,
or personal injury.
NOTE. This indicates important information to help you make the best use of this
product.
Applicable Parts
MetPak RG Part 1723-3B-2-111

Contents
MetPak RG User Manual
Last Change ©Gill Instruments Ltd
12 February, 2013 Page 1
Contents
1. Introduction .........................................................................................................1
1.1 Principle of Operation...................................................................................................... 2
1.1.1 Wind Speed and Direction Sensor..................................................................... 2
1.1.2 Radiation Shield ................................................................................................ 3
1.1.3 Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor with Dewpoint Output.................... 3
1.1.4 Barometric Pressure.......................................................................................... 3
1.1.5 Rain Sensor (DIG1 Input).................................................................................. 3
1.2 Abbreviations .................................................................................................................. 4
2. Installation ...........................................................................................................5
2.1 Pre-Installation Checks ................................................................................................... 5
2.2 Installation....................................................................................................................... 6
2.2.1 Bench System Test ........................................................................................... 6
2.2.2 Bench Test Equipment Required....................................................................... 6
2.2.3 Cabling.............................................................................................................. 6
2.2.4 Communication and Power Connections........................................................... 9
2.2.5 Digital Rain Gauge Connections...................................................................... 13
2.2.6 Mounting MetPak RG ...................................................................................... 14
2.2.7 Mounting the Rain Gauge................................................................................ 16
3. Operation ...........................................................................................................19
3.1 Start Guide.................................................................................................................... 19
3.2 MetView........................................................................................................................ 21
3.2.1 Opening MetView............................................................................................ 21
3.2.2 Scanning for Devices....................................................................................... 22
3.2.3 The MetView Console ..................................................................................... 23
3.2.4 MetView Console Display Options................................................................... 25
3.2.5 MetView Gauge Ranges and Graphs .............................................................. 26
3.2.6 Data logging .................................................................................................... 28
3.3 MetPak RG Configuration ............................................................................................. 31
3.4 Configuring MetPak RG with MetSet............................................................................. 33
3.4.1 Opening MetSet .............................................................................................. 33
3.4.2 MetSet Editing Screen..................................................................................... 35
3.4.3 Monitoring MetPak RG Output Data Using HyperTerminal. ............................. 40
3.4.4 Configuring MetPak RG for SDI-12.................................................................. 42
3.4.5 SDI-12 Commands.......................................................................................... 42
3.4.6 Safe Mode....................................................................................................... 45

Contents
MetPak RG User Manual
©Gill Instruments Ltd Last Change
Page 2 12 February, 2013
4. Troubleshooting................................................................................................47
4.1 Fault-Finding................................................................................................................. 48
4.2 Servicing ....................................................................................................................... 49
4.3 Bench Tests.................................................................................................................. 49
5. Maintenance ......................................................................................................51
5.1 Wind Sensor (WindSonic) ............................................................................................. 51
5.2 UV Shield (RM Young Model 41003) ............................................................................ 51
5.3 HygroClip for Temperature, Humidity and Dewpoint (Rotronic Model HC2-S3)............. 51
5.4 Barometer (on Hub PCB) .............................................................................................. 52
5.5 Rain Gauge................................................................................................................... 52
5.6 Spare Parts................................................................................................................... 54
5.7 Returning the MetPak RG ............................................................................................. 54
6. Technical Information..........................................................................................i
6.1 Specification .................................................................................................................... i
6.2 MetPak RG Hub PCB Connections .................................................................................iv
6.3 Electrical Conformity Certificate ......................................................................................vi
Figures
Figure 1 MetPak RG Parts 1
Figure 2 Compass points 2
Figure 3 Internal view of the hub box 9
Figure 4 Hub Box with Digital Pec fitted. 10
Figure 5 Connection of Gill USB Cable (Part No. 1723-10-051) 10
Figure 6 RS232 connections 11
Figure 7 RS422 connections 11
Figure 8 RS485 Connections 12
Figure 9 SDI-12 connections 12
Figure 10 MetPak RG DIG 1 Rain Gauge Connections 13
Figure 11 Correct Mounting Position for MetPak RG 15
Figure 12 Opening MetView Screen 21
Figure 13 Scanning for MetPak RG Devices 22
Figure 14 The MetView Console 23
Figure 15 MetView Gauge Range 26
Figure 16 MetView Graph 27
Figure 17 Setting up data logging 28
Figure 18 Opening MetSet Screen 34

Contents
MetPak RG User Manual
Last Change ©Gill Instruments Ltd
12 February, 2013 Page 3
Tables
Table 1 Abbreviations 4
Table 2 Recommended Belden cable types 7
Table 3 Maximum cable lengths for supported communication and sensor network 7
Table 4 Connection status indicators 23
Table 5 MetView scale and unit options 25
Table 6 MetView averaging options 25
Table 7 Max/min markers 25
Table 8 MetView Screen Settings Options 25
Table 9 Default configuration settings 31
Table 10 MetPak RG Commands 41
Table 11 Common problems and their solution 48
Table 12 Status codes as output with the MetPak RG data string 49
Table 13 HygroClip connections (6-way connector J1) iv
Table 14 WindSonic anemometer connections (8-way connector J4) iv
Table 15 PC communications (8-way connector, J5) v
Table 16 Digital Switch Input (2-way connector, J8) v

Contents
MetPak RG User Manual
©Gill Instruments Ltd Last Change
Page 4 12 February, 2013
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Contents
MetPak RG User Manual
Last Change ©Gill Instruments Ltd
12 February, 2013 Page 1
1. Introduction
MetPak RG is a compact and lightweight multi-sensor instrument that measures
the most essential weather parameters. 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 customer is able to add one supplied digital contact closure rain gauge.
The MetPak RG 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) and digital SDI-12 outputs.
The instrument uses a rugged mounting clamp that attaches to any vertical pipe up
to 58mm (2.3 inch) diameter.
An electrical Hub box is fitted to the mounting bracket for termination of the Rain
Gauge Cable and Power/Data cable.
Figure 1 MetPak RG Parts
Gortex Vent for
Barometric
Pressure Sensor
Wind Speed and
Direction Sensor
Radiation Shield
Temperature and
Relative Humidity
Sensor
Hub Box
Mounting Bracket
Rain Gauge

Contents
MetPak RG User Manual
©Gill Instruments Ltd Last Change
Page 2 12 February, 2013
1.1 Principle of Operation
1.1.1 Wind Speed and Direction Sensor
The MetPak RG uses the WindSonic wind speed and direction sensor. The
WindSonic measures the times taken for an ultrasonic pulse of sound to travel from
the North transducer to the South transducer, and compares it with the time for a
pulse to travel from S to N transducer. Likewise times are compared between West
and East, 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.
Figure 2 Compass points
Figure 2 shows 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.

Contents
MetPak RG User Manual
Last Change ©Gill Instruments Ltd
12 February, 2013 Page 3
1.1.2 Radiation Shield
The Multi-Plate Radiation Shield protects temperature and relative humidity
sensors from error-producing solar radiation and rain. This shield relies on a
combination of plate geometry, material and natural ventilation to provide effective
shielding.
1.1.3 Temperature and Relative Humidity Sensor with
Dewpoint Output
The Rotronic HygroClip module 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 to the MetPak RG
Hub box.
Position of Temperature and Relative Humidity
Probe in the Radiation Shield.
1.1.4 Barometric Pressure
Barometric pressure output is provided by a solid-state device fitted on to the
circuit board in the MetPak RG Hub box. Vent to atmosphere is via a Gortex filter
which also protects the pressure sensor from the effects of wind and rain.
1.1.5 Rain Sensor (DIG1 Input)
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.
The Rain Gauge is connected to the MetPak RG Digital input, which detects when
two dedicated terminals are short circuited (less than 1k ohm).

Contents
MetPak RG User Manual
©Gill Instruments Ltd Last Change
Page 4 12 February, 2013
1.2 Abbreviations
Table 1 Abbreviations
Item
Meaning
ASCII American Standard Code for Information Interchange
C Centigrade
CAL Calibration
CD Compact Disc
COM Communications
CR Carriage Return
CSV Comma Separated Variable
ETX End of String
F Fahrenheit
FPM Feet per Minute
HF High Frequency
HPA Hecto-Pascals
HTML Hyper Text Markup Language
Hz Hertz
IMM International Maritime Mobile
In Hg Inches of Mercury
K Kelvin
KPH Kilometres per Hour
KTS Knots
LF Line Feed
M Bar Milli Bars
Max Maximum
MF Medium Frequency
Min Minimum
Mm Hg Millimetres of Mercury
MPH Miles per Hour
MS Microsoft
MS Metres per Second
NSEW North South East West
NVM Non-Volatile Memory
PC IBM compatible Personal Computer
ROM Read Only Memory
RS232 Communications standard
RS422 Communications standard
Rx Receive
RXD Received Data
SDI-12 Serial – Data Interface standard for microprocessor based
sensors
STX Start of String
Tx Transmit
TXD Transmitted Data
VHF Very High Frequency
WMO World Meteorological Organisation