La Crosse Technology WS-2811U-IT User manual

WS-2811U-IT
Q: Outdoor temperature shows dashes.
A: Dashes means you have lost connection between the display and the
outdoor sensor. Batteries are the most common problem.
A: Distance/Resistance can cause loss of sensor signal. If possible avoid
having more than 1 wall, window, tree etc., between the display and the
sensor. UV coated windows may actually reflect the signal. Stucco walls
will absorb the signal.
A: You may find it helpful to orient the Display 90 degrees towards the
Thermohygro sensor for better reception.
A: Please, remove the batteries from the Thermohygro sensor for 2 minutes.
Replace the batteries in the Thermohygro sensor and after 5
minutes press and hold the UP ARROW on the display until it beeps. Wait
10 minutes. If you do not receive a reading from all your sensors please
try the factory reset below.
NOTE: It can take several tries to get the Wind and the Rain to connect.
Please install batteries in the Rain and Thermohygro sensors and key the
Wind sensor and allow them to operate in line-of sight of each other
for 2 minutes before powering up the display.
A: Complete a RESTART. It is not necessary to bring the sensors in the
house unless they have never worked.
FACTORY RESTART:
A Factory Reset will erase the connection between the Display and the
Thermo-hygro sensor and allow a fresh connection to be re-established. It
is recommended to have the display and all sensors 5-10 feet apart for
this restart.
ENTER PROGRAM MENU: Press and hold the SET button until
you enter the program menu. Press and release the SET button
until you see 'rES oFF' flashing.
FACTORY RESET ON: Use the ▲UP ARROW key or ▼DOWN
ARROW key to turn rES on.
CONFIRM & COUNTDOWN: Press the SET key to confirm and
a countdown timer will begin counting down from 127. When
the timer displays dOnE, you must remove the batteries from
the display for 10 minutes.

REMOVE BATTERIES FROM THERMOHYGRO AND RAIN:
While the batteries are out of the display, also remove the
batteries from the Thermo-hygro sensor and the Rain sensor.
Wait 15 minutes.
GENTLY KEY THE WIND SENSOR: Gently key the wind
sensor one time to activate the sensor.
INSTALL BATTERIES INTO THERMOHYGO AND RAIN:
Insert fresh alkaline batteries into the Thermohygro sensor and
Rain sensor make sure to check polarity with the markings on
the battery cover and inside the battery compartment. Wait 2
minutes.
INSTALL BATTERIES INTO DISPLAY: Insert fresh alkaline
batteries into the Display. Make sure to check polarity with the
markings inside the battery compartment.
15 MINUTES: Wait 15 minutes for the outdoor weather data to
display. If the outdoor data displays dashes after waiting for 15
minutes, repeat steps the restart.
Q: Intermittent temperature and/or humidity.
A: RF communication may come and go occasionally. This can be normal in
some environments (e.g. moister climates). If a sensor goes out, please
wait 2-4 hours for it to reconnect on it’s own. Please be patience – these
stations can reconnect on after many hours out.
A: RF communication is not always 100% on. Certain temporary conditions
can cause it to go out for a time (e.g. 100% humidity).
If a miss happens:
The units try for 20 minutes to reconnect.
After 20 minutes the thermo-hygro stops trying for an hour (to preserve
battery life).
After the 1-hour break, the thermo-hygro sensor will start another 20-
minute re-connect cycle.
A: Distance/Resistance can cause loss of sensor signal. If possible avoid
having more than 1 wall, window, tree etc., between the display and the

sensor. UV coated windows may actually reflect the signal. Stucco walls
will absorb the signal.
A: Check batteries. This is our primary warranty issue.
Q: Outdoor Temperature shows OFL (outside factory limits).
A: Check batteries. This is our primary warranty issue. Over powered or
underpowered batteries can cause this reading.
A: Replace sensor
Q: Outdoor temperature and/or humidity is inaccurate.
A: Side-by-side test. Bring the sensor in the house and place it next to the
display for 2 hours. Compare indoor and outdoor temperature and
humidity. The temperatures should be within 4 degrees to be considered
within tolerance. The humidity should be within 14% to be considered
within tolerance.
A: If the sensor reads correctly while next to the display then try a different
location outside. Look for heat sources such as sunlight, door or window
frames, or reflected heat.
WIND:
Q: Wind Cups spinning slow or not spinning.
A: Check for debris or ice in cups.
A: Be sure cups are mounted below mast.
A: Check mounting location to be sure the wind is not being blocked from
reaching sensor. The pole the mast is mounted on should not be more
than 1 ¼ inch thick. In most cases, the sensor needs to be 4-6ft above
the highest point on your roof in order to clear nearby obstructions and
read accurately. A 50 –foot clearance in all directions is best.
A: Push up firmly on the center of the cups to reseat them. Occasionally they
drop a bit.

Q: Wind cups or directional vane are broken.
A: Replace the wind directional vane:
Gently remove the piece of plastic in the top center of the vane to reveal
the screw that holds the vane to the sensor.
Remove the screw.
Gently pull the vane straight up and off of the sensor.
Carefully place the new vane on the sensor; notice the groove to seat it
properly.
Insert screw through the vane to the sensor and tighten properly.
NOTE: do not over tighten.
Complete a restart to connect sensor to the display.
A: Replace wind cups.
In the bottom center of the wind cups is a plastic lock pin. Gently pry the
lock pin out of the wind cups.
Firmly grasp the wind cups and pull straight off the sensor.
Check to be sure that you have a metal magnet in the wind cups.
Check to be sure you have a metal bearing in the wind cups or on the
stem of the sensor where the cups attach.
Look at your new wind cups and be sure there is a bearing and magnet in
place.
Install the cups onto the wind sensor and press firmly.
Insert a new lock pin into the cups and push firmly until the lock pin is flush
with the bottom of the cups.
Complete a restart to connect with the display.
Q: Wind direction is working Wind speed is 0.00.
A: Check that your wind cups are still attached to the sensors. Occasionally
they can come off.
Q: Wind reading is dashes or intermittent
A: RF interference is normal; the occasional outage is possible.
A: Check for sources of RF interference such as Ham radio or electric
transformers nearby. In the house look to see if the Display is near a
cordless phone or wireless router etc.
A: Check the environment is checked for unusual moist/humid conditions (it
is a known fact that 'moist' reduces RF signal in electronics).

A: Check that the wind sensor is receiving plenty of sunlight. You can bring it
in and place under a lamp for 24-hours if needed.
A: Distance/Resistance can cause loss of sensor signal. If possible avoid
having more than 1 wall, window, tree etc., between the display and the
Thermohygro sensor. UV coated windows may actually reflect the signal.
A: Try relocating the Wind sensor closer to the Thermohygro sensor. Ideally
the Wind and TH sensor should be on the same side of the building and in
line-of-sight of each other.
A: Mounting on a metal or white PVC pole may cause RF interference or
static.
A: Please note if there are certain times of the day or night that you lose
signal. Details are helpful in resolving the problem.
Q: Wind sensor reads OFL:
A: Place wind sensor under a light source for 24-hours.
A: Please note if there are certain times of the day or night this occurs.
A: Check the solar panel for damage of breakdown.
Q: Wind area on the display shows blank (not dashes or numbers):
A: Check that other areas of the display read properly. You may have a
problem with the Display.
Q: Wind speed is inaccurate:
A: Check your unit of measure (MPH, KMH, or M/S).
A: How far away is the recording station you are using to compare wind
speed. Wind speed can be different in just a few feet.
A: Check to see if you receive the same repetitive wind speed from
the sensor multiple times.
A: Check to confirm the direction is working correctly.
A: Mounting on a metal or white PVC pole may cause RF interference or
static and inaccurate readings.

A: Check that the cups turn freely. Check for insects or debris
preventing free movement.
A: Be sure the cups are mounted below the mast.
A: Check that the cups have not dropped. Push up firmly in the center of the
cups to seat properly.
A: Be sure the Wind sensor solar panel is receiving plenty of light. The wind
sensor should be facing south.
A: Check the location of your sensor mounting and the surrounding area for
obstructions. In most cases, the sensor needs to be 4-6ft above the
highest point on your roof in order to clear nearby obstructions and read
accurately. A 50 –foot clearance in all directions is best.
A: It is helpful to send pictures if you need to contact customer support.
Q: Wind direction is dashes:
A: If the speed is working then your wind sensor is bad.
Q: Wind direction is incorrect:
A: Check that the mast and pole is on the North side of the Wind Sensor.
A: Check to see if the direction is sticking in a certain direction. What
direction?
A: Check to see if the direction only sticks at certain times of the day/night.
Please note the times.
A: Be sure the Wind sensor solar panel is receiving plenty of light. The wind
sensor should be facing south.
A: Check that the speed is reading correctly.
Q: Wind sensor frozen: Freezing rain and wet snow can clog the wind
sensor and prevent it from reading speed or temperature.
A: Bring the sensor in the house for 2-3 days. The sensor will need to thaw
out and dry out for prevent refreezing.
A: The wind sensor will need to have 40-degree temperatures for 3 days to
thaw and dry if mounted.

A: The wind sensor does not often freeze as it is always moving.
RAIN:
Q: What is 1-hour, 24-hour, weekly, monthly and total rain?
A: The 1-hour and 24-hour rain is recorded in real time with a short delay. As
the rain stops falling the 1-hour and 24-hour rainfall totals will slowly count
backwards to zero. You cannot reset the 1-hour and the 24-hour rain.
A: The 1-hour rain reflects rain that has fallen from current time and
back 1-hour. This is not a midnight to midnight or 7 to 7 system.
A: The 24-hour rain reflects the rain that has fallen from current time
and back 24-hours. This is not a midnight to midnight or 7 to 7
system.
A: Weekly rain reflects the rain that has fallen from 12AM Monday through
11:59PM Sunday of the previous week. This will always be a week
behind and update 12AM Mondays. It is important that Time and Date are
set on your station.
A: Monthly rain reflects the previous month’s rain and will update 12AM the
first day of the month. It is important that Time and Date are set on your
station.
A: Total rain will remain until you manually reset this value. Total rain reflects
the rain from time of set-up until you reset the total rain.
Q: View 1-hour, 24-hour weekly, monthly or total rain.
A: Press the ▼DOWN ARROW to select the rainfall value to display.
Q: Set Rain Alarms:
A: In either Mode 1 or Mode 2 display, press and release the MIN/MAX
button until the display shows the total rainfall value.
To reset the rainfall reading, press the ▲UP ARROW button. The total
rainfall amount will be reset to 0, and the time updated to current time.
NOTE: Until the first rainfall total reset is performed, the time and date of
the total rainfall are displayed as "- - -.--.----". After the rainfall total is reset,
the rainfall total display will indicate the date and time of the last rainfall
total reset.
Q: Rain count is not accurate.

A: PLEASE CHECK YOUR SOFTWARE VERSION:
You should be using version 1.3 software for the WS-2811U-IT
A: Check that your unit of measure (inches or mm) is correct.
A: Complete a Manual Tip Test and a Water Tip Test and compare them:
Manual Tip test: Write down the Total Rain reading or reset the Rain
Total to 0.00. Use the eraser end of a pencil to manually tip the rocker of
the rain sensor 10 times (five each way). Wait at least 30 minutes for all
the rain to collect.
Water Tip Test: Write down the Total Rain reading or reset the Rain Total
to 0.00. With Rain Gauge mounted slowly pour water into the funnel to tip
the rocker of the rain sensor 10 times (five each way). Wait at least 30
minutes for all the rain to collect.
A: Compare these tests. 10 tips equal .20. If they still read high then
contact support.
A: If the tests read low, dismount the rain gauge and re test. One of
the most common problems with low rain is that the gauge is
mounted too tight.
A: Check that the pin the rocker tips on is pushed in all the way and
that the rocker tips freely.
A: Check the funnel and inside of Rain Gauge for insect nests or debris that
may cause lack of motion.
A: Check for sources of RF interference such as Ham radio electric
Transformers, or other rain gauges nearby. In the house look to see if the
Display is near a cordless phone or wireless router etc.
Q: Where to mount sensors:
A: Please test all sensors in the house before mounting. Tip the rain gauge;
blow on the wind sensor to be sure everything reads properly. Be sure to
allow the sensors to run for 2 minutes before installing batteries into the
display.
WIND SENSOR:
A: WIND: Place the Wind sensor as high as you can install it. In most cases
4-6 ft above the peak of your roof (or more) is required for accurate

readings. (Avoid tall trees or other obstructions that may block or reflect
the wind). A 50 –foot clearance in all directions is best. For more
information on wind speed and obstructions, check this site:
http://www.talentfactory.dk/en/tour/wres/obst.htm.
A: Wind cups should be below the mast.
A: Ideally the Wind sensor should have a direct line of sight to the
Thermohygro sensor.
A: DIRECTION: Please note the proper Direction when mounting. The wind
sensor has N,S, E, W indications on the barrel. The solar panel should be
facing South for best light.
A: NOTE:Be sure not to overtighten the U bolts to mast, as the mast may
crack .
A: AVOID: Transmitting antennas, using PVC pipe (unless electrical grade),
and other sources of interference.
NOTE: most recording stations have sensors mounted 33 ft up or higher.
RAIN GAUGE:
A: RAIN: Install the Rain gauge on a level platform that is stationary. If the
gauge isn't level it will read low, and it it isn't stationary wind will cause it to
read rain that isn't falling.
A: Ideally the Rain sensor should have a direct line of sight to the
Thermohygro sensor.
A: On the bottom of the sensor there are 4 screw holes that can be used to
mount the gauge. First remove the cover. Push down and twist counter
clockwise, then pull the cover off. This will give you access to the screw
holes.
A: NOTE: Be sure not to screw the rain sensor down too tightly as that will
result in a low or inaccurate reading. It works best to use only 1 screw
that is just snug not tight.
A: Place the Rain gauge 2-3ft (or more) above the ground. This will prevent
dirt from clogging the gauge.
A: NOTE: You may need to periodically clear debris such as leaves, spider
nests etc from the rain gauge, so be sure it is accessable.

A: AVOID: Transmitting antennas, using PVC pipe (unless electrical grade),
and other sources of interference.
THERMOHYGRO SENSOR:
A: THERMOHYGRO: Place the Outdoor sensor vertically, in a well-shaded
area that is protected from direct rainfall and sun.The sensor will read high
if exposed to the sun. If the sensor gets too wet it will not read accurate
humidity. Light incidental exposure to water typically will not harm the
sensor.
A: If possible avoid having more than 1 wall, window, tree etc between the
Display and the Thermohygro sensor. UV coated windows may actually
reflect the signal causing loss of contact.
A: A good location is under the eaves on the north side of the house. You
can also build a small roof or box for it if you do not have an overhang.
Please be sure it is well vented.
A: Ideally the Wind & Rain sensors should have a direct line of sight to the
Thermohygro sensor. It is important that all sensors are on the same side
of the house.
A: It is best to mount the sensor with screws as tape can fail causing the
sensor to fall. Tape is great for positioning until you determine the best
location for your sensor to maintain contact with the display.
A: NOTE: Do not place sensor in a plastic bag.
Display
Q: Program Menu
A: There are 5 function keys located on the unit: SET, UP ARROW, DOWN
ARROW, ALARM, and MIN/MAX. You begin by pressing and holding the SET
button until the display flashes. When you press and release the SET button
after each step, you will be moved to the next step.
CONTRAST: Press and hold the SET button. LCD and a number from 1-8
will be flashing. To adjust the Contrast of the LCD display press and
release the UP ARROW or DOWN ARROW button. Press and release the
SET button.
HOUR: The Hour will now be flashing. Press and release the UP ARROW
or DOWN ARROW button until the correct Hour is shown. WATCH the
AM/PM.