La Crosse Technology WS-3500 User manual

TOUCH SCREEN WEATHER STATION MODEL
WS-3500
Operation Manual
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Table of Contents
1 ...................... General
2 ....................... Important Touch Screen Operating Notes generally applicable
3 ...................... Putting into Operation
3.1 ................ Wiring the System
3.2 ................ Power Supply
3.2.1.......... Batteries
3.2.2.......... AC/DC Mains Adapter
3.2.3.......... Cable Connection
3.3 ................ System Start
3.4 ................ Placement
4 ...................... Setting Up
5 ...................... Display of stored Min/Max Values and Alarm Value Settings
6 ...................... Radio Controlled DCF77 Clock
7 ...................... Weather Tendency
8 ...................... Air Pressure History
9 ...................... Operating and Setting of various Functions
9.1 ................ Air Pressure
10 .................... Additional Information to Function Outdoor Temperature
11 .................... Operating and Setting of Functions Backlight, Buzzer and
Alarm section
11.1 .............. EL Backlight
11.2 .............. Buzzer
11.3 .............. Alarm
12 .................... PC Connection
12.1 .............. Data Storage
12.2 .............. Data Recall
12.3 .............. Connections and Software
13 .................... Technical Data
13.1 .............. Outdoor Data
13.2 .............. Data Transmission by 433 MHz Signal
13.3 .............. Data Transmission by Cable
13.4 .............. Indoor Data
13.5 .............. Power Supply
13.6 .............. PC Connection
13.7 ........... Dimensions
14 ................. Liability Disclaimer
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1 General
Important Note:
Before inserting batteries to the units, please
carefully read the operation manual.
The shipping contents of the Touch Screen Weather Station WS-3500
include a Base Station (Receiver), a Thermo-Hygro Sensor (433 MHz
Transmitter), the respective Connecting Cables, an AC/DC Mains
Adapter and a PC Software Package on CD-ROM.
The Base Station is equipped with a Touch Screen LCD Monitor and
allows by use of comprehensive menu control the display of a vast
variety of time and weather data (from top to bottom):
•Radio Controlled Time (Time)
•Calendar (Date)
•Weather Forecast (Tendency)
•Air Pressure and Air Pressure History (Pressure, Pressure
History)
•Indoor Temperature and Humidity (Indoor Temp, Humidity)
•Outdoor Temperature and Humidity (Outdoor Temp, Humidity)
Furthermore the display of a number of additional data can be realised
by use of certain switching combinations (see further down).
Note: In case the menu is used all these indications are temporarily
replaced by the menu steps directly operable from the text section.
As an important feature exceeding the display on the LCD
Monitor the Weather Station allows by cable and software the
readout of all measured and displayed time and weather data in
form of complete history data sets, their processing and graphic
presentation on a PC as well as their tie on to Internet Web Sites.
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2 Important Touch Screen Operating Notes generally
applicable
All actions and functions of the Weather Station are started on the
Touch Screen by slightly touching (not pressing!) the switching areas
appearing in star (٭) symbols (only in the text section at the bottom of
the LCD) or the displayed values respectively.
The setting of functions, values and units is in all modes performed by
use of the switching areas ٭ON٭or ٭OFF٭, ٭UP٭or ٭DOWN٭or by
direct unit selection.
Advancing to any next respective menu step with ٭NEXT٭, leaving or
terminating all respective modes with ٭EXIT٭.
Every programming step activated by touching a switching area on the
Touch Screen is being acknowledged by an acoustic signal (with
buzzer switched ON).
If during any process previously activated by use of the Touch Screen
no further action is activated for about 30 seconds the active process
is automatically terminated and switched back to the normal display
mode (automatic time out).
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Alarm history selection
Time section
Weather
Tendency
section
Touch screen "switching area" on LCD: Touch screen "switching area" on LCD:
Date section
Pressure History
section
Pressure section
Indoor humidity
section
Outdoor humidity
section
Backlight section
key
Buzzer selection key
Text Display
(Set up Display)
Outdoor temperature
section
Indoor
Temperature
section
3 Putting into Operation
At first it is to decide whether battery supply or mains supply (AC/DC
mains adapter included) will be used to operate the system. Both
methods allow the connection of Thermo-Hygro Sensor and Base
Station by cable or by 433 MHz radio signal.
3 Putting into Operation
At first it is to decide whether battery supply or mains supply (AC/DC
mains adapter included) will be used to operate the system. Both
methods allow the connection of Thermo-Hygro Sensor and Base
Station by cable or by 433 MHz radio signal.
Note: Note: When putting the Weather Station into operation it is important
to tentatively perform in close proximity (e.g. on a table) a complete
wiring and setup of the system in the configuration of its prospective
use. This measure serves to test all components for correct function
before placing and mounting them at their final destinations.
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AC/ DC adapter
PC COM Port cable
Thermo hygro sensor
3.1 Wiring the System
Wireless
Transmission
Direct cable
connection
The direct cable connection of Thermo-Hygro Sensor and Base
Station can be used in case that:
the flexibility of 433 MHz radio transmission is not needed and
data transmission absolutely free of any environmental interferences is
wanted.
3.2 Power Supply
The provision of power to the Weather Station can be performed by
use of batteries or by AC/DC mains adapter.

3.2.1 Batteries:
•First insert two Type AA 1.5 V batteries into the battery compartment
of the Thermo-Hygro-Sensor.
•Immediately following this insert three Type AA 1.5V batteries into
the battery compartment of the Touch Screen Weather Station.
Please help in the preservation of the environment and
return used batteries to an authorized depot.
3.2.2 AC/DC Mains Adapter:
•Firstly also insert two Type AA 1.5 V batteries into the battery
compartment of the Thermo-Hygro-Sensor.
•Immediately following this connect the AC/DC mains adapter to the
Base Station and then plug it into a regular mains outlet.
Note: In both cases it is important to observe this order of succession
since the Sensor will send an identification code which has to be
received and stored by the Base Station within the first few minutes of
operation.
After doing this full operation of the entire Weather Station System is
ensured.
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3.2.3 Cable Connection:
One further feature of the direct cable connection mentioned in Item
3.1 above is that in case of AC/DC adapter operation power is
provided not only to the Base Station but to the Thermo-Hygro Sensor
as well by just this AC/DC adapter.
Note: System operation with cable connection while at the same
time providing power to the Base Station solely by batteries is not
recommended due to the considerably higher power consumption. The
batteries may however remain in the unit for emergency supply in case
of a power failure.
A change from cable operation to 433 MHz radio transmission or vice
versa is possible in any case since the Weather Station will recognize
this change and will automatically switch to the appropriate operating
mode.
3.3 System Start
After inserting the batteries respectively connecting the AC/DC adapter
the LCD of the Weather Station will for a few seconds display all
possible display segments for checking.
Immediately after this the unit will enter the so called play mode during
which for about 15 minutes all measured and received weather data
are being switched through, updated and displayed. During this time
period there will be no reception of the DCF77 time information.
Note: The play mode phase allows the user of the Weather Station
to check all cables for correct connection and all components for
correct function.
After completing the play mode the Touch Screen Weather Station will
automatically switch to the normal display mode from which all further
settings can be performed by the user. At this point of time the unit will
also automatically start reception of the DCF77 time information.
Important Note:
Reception of the radio-controlled time information will only take
place after completion of the play mode (approx. 15 minutes). In
case the user wants to start the system without waiting for
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completion of the play mode it can be terminated prematurely by
once touching the TIME display in the upper left corner of the
LCD.
Prior to manual setting or reception of radio-controlled time
information there will be no recording of weather history data.
3.4 Placement
After the Weather Station has been checked for correct function with
regard to the above points and found fit, the mounting of the system
components can take place. It must be ensured however that all
components work properly together at their chosen mounting or
standing locations. If e.g. there appear to be problems with the 433
MHz radio transmission they can mostly be overcome by slightly
moving the mounting locations.
Note: Commonly the radio communication between receiver and
transmitter in the open field reaches distances of about maximum 100
meter providing that there are no interfering obstacles such as
buildings, trees, vehicles, high voltage lines, etc.
Radio interferences as they are created by PC screens, radios or TV
sets can in bad cases entirely cut off radio communication. Please
take this into consideration when choosing standing or mounting
locations.
4 Setting Up:
Note: Because of the default settings already determined by the
manufacturer it may not be necessary for the majority of users to
perform - outside possibly the Relative Air Pressure (see further down)
- any further basic settings. Changes however can easily be realized if
desired.
For basic settings the following menu is started by touching the Touch
Screen in the center of the text display (last two lines on the LCD).
Touching the display ٭SETUP٭will enter the setup mode.
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The basic settings can now be performed in the following successive
order:
LCD Contrast →Contrast can be set in 8 steps from 0 to 7 (Default
4).
Time Zone →Time Zones can be set in the range from -12 to +12
hours (Default 0 hours for Central Europe).
DCF77 Radio Controlled Clock (RCC) →ON/OFF. In setting “OFF“
the clock is operating as a normal Quartz clock (Default RCC ON).
12/24 hour Time Display Format (Default 24 h Format).
Units
•Temperature Display (Temp) in °C or °F (Default °C).
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•Air Pressure (Press) in hPa or inHg (Default hPa).
Relative Air Pressure (Rel. Pressure) →To be set to the locally valid
reference air pressure with regard to the local height above sea level
(Default 1013,0 hPa).
Weather Tendency (Tendency) →Setting to a definite switching
threshold (2 hPa to 4 hPa) for a change in display of weather icons
(Default 3 hPa).
Storm Warning (Storm) →Setting to a definite switching threshold for
storm warning display at a decrease of air pressure from 3 hPa to 9
hPa over 6 hours (Default 5 hPa).
Activate/Deactivate storm warning alarm with ٭ON٭/ ٭OFF٭resp.
(Default OFF).
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Relearn Mode (Relearn Tx) →Allows to newly recognize the outdoor
transmitter (e. g. after a battery change in the transmitter) without the
necessity of a comprehensive re-setup of all system components →
Acknowledge with ٭CONFIRM٭.
Default Settings (Factory Reset) →Allows to clear all weather data
form non-volatile buffer memory (EEPROM) and reset of all set and/or
stored values to the factory settings set prior to shipment →
Acknowledge with ٭CONFIRM٭.
Note:
It will take about 5 minutes for the factory reset process. During this
period, the text “Factory Reset In Progress” will be shown. After the
reset process is finished, the LCD will switch off and the text “Remove
Battery” will be displayed. Remove the battery and perform system
start again. See “3 - Putting in Operation” paragraph.
Leaving the basic settings procedure (Setup Mode) with ٭EXIT٭.
5 Display of stored Min/Max Values and Alarm Value
Settings
Named values are in each case upon recall being simultaneously
displayed and flashing in their respective display sections.
To recall named measuring and alarm values the menu shown below
will have to be activated by touching the Touch Screen in the center of
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the text display section (last two lines at the bottom of the LCD). The
display of the values is started by touching the displays ٭MINMAX٭or
٭ALARMS٭resp.
The continuance of the recalling process is essentially self-
explanatory.
With ٭MINMAX٭the below shown menu step is activated, which in
return leads to the displays of the stored Min/Max values by use of
٭MIN٭/ ٭MAX٭resp., which on their part again can be directly
selected.
Note: During individual displays of the stored Min/Max values of
particular weather data, the top line of the LCD screen will
automatically display the time and date of the record.
The following menu item will appear upon touching the display
٭ALARMS٭and will analog to the last described step lead through
٭LO AL٭resp. ٭HI AL٭to the
displays of the set low resp. high alarm values, which on their part
again can be directly selected.
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Because of the constant access to the respective opposite menu item
٭MINMAX٭resp. ٭ALARMS٭it is moreover possible at any time to
toggle between the MIN/MAX and ALARMS value displays.
Any action can immediately be terminated through ٭EXIT٭.
6 Radio Controlled DCF77 Clock
The Radio Controlled DCF77 Clock is normally controlled by the radio
signal of the DCF77 time code transmitter and will thus set time and
date automatically. Under bad reception conditions however both can
be set manually as follows:
Setting the Time
The action is started by touching the time display in the TIME section
of the Touch Screen.
Start ٭TIME٭in the menu section (last two lines on the LCD).
Set the hours and minutes. Leave the mode with ٭EXIT٭or wait for
automatic time-out.
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Setting the Date
The action is started by touching the date display in the DATE section
of the Touch Screen.
Set the year, month and date of day. Leave the mode with ٭EXIT٭.
Note:
By twice touching the DATE section the display will toggle between the
following:
•Date in DD.MM.YY format (24 hour time format) or Date in
MM.DD.YY format (12 hour time format)
•Weekday (Eng. abbrev.), Date of Day, Month (24 hour
format) or Weekday, Month, Date of Day (12 hour time
format)
•Seconds
•Set Wake-up Alarm Time
Setting of Wake-up Alarm
The action is started by touching the time display in the TIME section.
Start ٭ALARM٭in the menu section (last two lines on the LCD).
Set hours and minutes of the wake-up time. Leave the mode with
٭EXIT٭.
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Note:
•The wake-up alarm is activated/deactivated by twice touching the
TIME section. Here the alarm symbol (((•))) will show or disappear
after ٭EXIT٭(or automatic time-out).
•When the alarm sounds, user may "touch" any section on the LCD
to stop the alarm.
7 Weather Tendency
Call up the tendency display by touching the weather symbol in the
TENDENCY section.
The text section (last two lines on the LCD) will show since when (with
time and date) the weather condition corresponds to the presently
displayed weather symbol Sunny, Fair (Cloudy with sunny intervals) or
Rainy.
Note:
•Up and down arrow indicate weather tendency
•Advanced storm warning is displayed by Rainy symbol with a
flashing down arrow
•Every minute, when a new pressure reading is obtained, this
value is compared to pressure readings from last 2 hours and
the biggest resulting difference is displayed in the difference
barometer.
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8 Air Pressure History (Pressure History)
The air pressure history shows the progress of the air pressure over a
time period of 24 or 72 hours in form of a 7-step bar graph, where the
length of the utmost right bar represents the present air pressure and
the remaining bars show the progress of the air pressure with regard
to the present air pressure.
Note: The time resolution of the bar graph can be changed from fine
(0 to -24 h) to coarse (0 to -72 h) and back by once touching the
PRESSURE HISTORY section.
9 Operating and Setting of the following Functions:
•Air Pressure (Pressure), Relative and Absolute
•Indoor Temperature (Indoor Temp)
•Indoor Humidity (Indoor Humidity)
•Outdoor Temperature (Outdoor Temp), Dew Point
•Outdoor Humidity (Outdoor Humidity)
Important Note!
Since the operating procedures and settings are similar for all
steps to be carried out on the Touch Screen Weather Station for
above functions, here, the procedure shall be explained only
once by means of the following example “Air Pressure”.
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9.1 Air Pressure (Pressure)
Example for Activating the Displays of Stored Maximum Values
Call up the menu on the text section by touching the PRESSURE
section.
Start with ٭MAX٭in the menu section.
Note: Display of the stored minimum values is from here possible
through ٭MIN٭analog to this example.
Display of stored value. Proceed with ٭MAX PRESSURE٭.
Resetting of the displayed value to the present value with
٭CONFIRM٭.
Without resetting advance with ٭EXIT٭.
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End of Example
Example for Setting of Alarms by means of the HI Alarms
As in the example above here too call up the menu on the text section
by touching the PRESSURE section.
Start with ٭ALARM٭in the menu section.
Proceed with ٭HI AL٭in the menu section.
Note: Setting of the LO alarms is from here possible through ٭LO AL٭
analog to this example.
Setting of high alarm value with ٭UP٭or ٭DOWN٭.
Proceed with ٭ON/OFF٭.
Activate or deactivate the alarm with ٭ON٭or ٭OFF٭.
Terminate with ٭EXIT٭.
Note:
Activation or deactivation of the alarm (Display or deletion of the (((•)))
symbol) only pertains to the respective presently displayed value.
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End of Example
Note:
Twice touching the PRESSURE section toggles the displays of the
Relative (rel) and Absolute (abs) air pressure.
All setting and display facilities only pertain to the respective presently
displayed value.
10 Additional Information to Function Outdoor
Temperature (Outdoor Temp)
Note:
By twice touching the OUTDOOR section the display will toggle
between the following:
•Outdoor Temperature (Outdoor Temp)
•Dew Point
All setting and display facilities only pertain to the respective presently
displayed value.
11 Operating and Setting of Functions EL Backlight
(Light), Buzzer and Alarm
11.1 EL Backlight (Light)
For better readability of the LCD the EL backlight can be switched ON
or OFF by once touching the LIGHT section. In condition ON the
backlight will be switched on for approximately 15 seconds every time
any one of the LCD sections is being touched.
The switching condition (Enabled/Disabled) is shown in the text
section for about 30 seconds.
Note:
In case the Touch Screen Weather Station is battery operated the
repeated use of the EL backlight will result in a considerable decrease
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