Pacific Data Systems Feedlot Weather Station User manual

Assembly Instructions
Feedlot Weather Station
Version 1.0 February 2020

2
Getting Started
Thank you for purchasing the Feedlot Weather Station. Please read this installation manual
thoroughly.
Ensure you have the following items.
1 Tripod assembly
3 Star Pickets, bolts and caps
1 Main mounting frame with logger, solar panel and battery
1 Black Body Temperature Sensor
1 Weather Sensor, mount and lead to suit
1 Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge and mounting bolts
1 1000mm cross arm with bird spikes
1 Antenna
1 Spare fuse kit inside logger
10 Cable ties
You will need general tools including the following:
PPE
Set of metric spanners
Adjustable spanner
Set of screwdrivers
Large Hammer to drive in Star Pickets
Gloves
Spirit level
Battery drill and 6.5mm bit
Grease
Customer to supply the following:
We recommend installing a fence around the weather station and protection for the exposed cables
and connectors if there is a chance of damage from animals.
Prepare the Site
Select an open, level site well away from overhead power lines, other amenities, structures, trees
and sources of excessive dust.

3
Assemble the Tripod
Unfold the tripod and secure with the supplied pin and ‘R’clip. [Fig 1]. Rotate the tripod so one of
the legs is pointing directly to the South. Drive in a Star Picket next to each leg and drill a 6.5mm hole
through the leg to secure it to the star Picket using the supplied bolts. Use a spirit level to make sure
the tripod is vertical. To help against gnawing lubricate the threads on the stainless-steel bolts
before assembly.
Fig 1
Assemble the Components
Main Enclosure:
Pass the cross arm through the main enclosure and secure with the two metal threads [Fig 2]. Lift
the enclosure over the top of the tripod and secure it, 100mm down from the top, facing the solar
panel towards the North [Fig 3].
Fig 2

4
Fig 3
Weather Sensor:
Unpack the weather sensor and attach the plug taking care to note its orientation. Secure it with the
white lock ring on the tripod adaptor. Screw the tripod adaptor and sensor on to the top of the
tripod orientating it to the North [Fig 4]
Fig 4

5
Antenna:
Cut the cable tie securing the antenna base to the enclosure. Screw the antenna to the antenna
base and hand tighten firmly making sure the O-ring is in place. [Fig 5]
Fig 5
Tipping Bucket Rain Gauge:
Fit the supplied bird spikes to the tipping bucket and attach it to the cross arm [Fig 6].
Fig 6

6
Black Body Temperature Sensor:
Remove the Black Body from its packing taking care not to dent it. Mount it to the arm using the
supplied M8 bolt [Fig 7].
Fig 7
Run the Cables
Secure the Tipping bucket and Black Body cables under the cross arm using the supplied cable ties
[Fig 8]. Secure the Weather sensor cable to the tripod. If you have problems with birds attacking
the cables they can be protected with conduit or equivalent. The connectors will pass through 32mm
conduit.
Connect the sensor connectors to the logger taking note of the orientation and location of the plugs.
Take care not to cross thread the locking rings and secure firmly. Neaten up any loose cables with
cable ties, cutting off the ends when finished.
Fig 8

7
Powering Up and Testing
Ensure the main power switch and YDOC push button switch is turned off. Connect the main battery
terminals if not already connected, Black goes to the minus terminal, Red goes to the plus terminal.
Turn on the power switch on the right-hand side of the logger. (The YDOC switch is flush when it is
on).
Refer to the SatVUE Login Details document supplied in the Customer Documentation Folder that
was shipped with your weather station. Using this document, login to the SatVUE portal, you will be
presented with an overview of your account.
Devices that
have recently
uploaded data
Click this button
to edit a device
Click this button to
view a Device’s view
Shows the location of
your devices, if a
location is configured for
the device
Shows a summary of
your device’s latest data

8
You can then quickly check the status of the weather station by clicking on the button with an icon
of an eye on it. This will bring up the Device’s view, which allows you view the latest data from the
station as well as trends over time.
More documentation on the SatVUE portal can be found here:
https://www.satvue.com.au/documentation
When the weather station
last uploaded data
Gauges and dials will show the
latest value for a parameter
A time range can be selected
Line and bar charts will
show trends over time

9
Routine Maintenance
The system should be checked at least once a year depending on conditions. Systems located in
corrosive or coastal environments should be checked more frequently.
Check that all the mountings are secure and free from damage and corrosion. Replace parts where
required.
Check that the tripod is still vertically aligned and there is no damage to it and the bolts are tight.
Check the sensors and solar panels are orientated correctly, cables, connectors, sensors and solar
panels are clean and undamaged.
Dismantle the tipping bucket clean and test.
Replace humidity sensor in the Weather Sensor. Available from PDSA. Part No. PDS-WX-RH-
MODULE
Check the logger and connectors is clean and free from damage and there has been no sign of water
or insect damage.
Ensure any vents are clean.
Check condition of the battery and replace if weak. Part No. FED-RM12-12DC
Check the connection to the SatVUE Weather Portal and all the parameters are being logged.
If you require further assistance, please contact ([phone] or [e-mail]
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Note Information found within this manual is subject to change without notice. Screen images and
hardware shown may vary slightly from actual product.
©2020 Pacific Data Systems Australia Pty Ltd. All rights reserved.