SwitchDoc Labs WeatherSense User manual

Version 1.1 March 2021
WeatherSense
Solar Powered Lightning Detector
WeatherProofing Manual
March 2021
Version 1.1

Version 1.1 March 2021
Table of Contents
Cautions when building and using WeatherSense Sensors ............................................................................... 2
Errata ..................................................................................................................................................................... 2
What is The WeatherSense Solar Powered Lightning Detector Sensor? ........................................................ 6
Before You Build Your WeatherSense Lightning ............................................................................................. 7
Step by Step Assembly and Parts List ................................................................................................................ 8
What are we doing here? .................................................................................................................................. 8
Parts List ............................................................................................................................................................ 8
Parts you need to buy separately from the kit .............................................................................................. 13
What else do you need for Assembly and Weatherproofing? ..................................................................... 14
How to select a LiPo Battery .......................................................................................................................... 14
Step by Step Assembly ........................................................................................................................................ 15
Initial Testing ................................................................................................................................................... 24
Testing WeatherSense Lightning ...................................................................................................................... 25
What does the JSON from the WeatherSense Lightning Sensor mean? ................................................... 27
Final WeatherProofing ....................................................................................................................................... 29
Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................................................ 30
Cautions when building and using WeatherSense Sensors
1) Keep all water away from the electronics and power supply at all times!
2) This is not a toy! Keep it out of reach of young children and pets.
3) SwitchDoc Labs assumes no liabilities in the use of this kit, beyond the refund of the purchase price.
Errata

6 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
What is The WeatherSense Solar Powered Lightning Detector Sensor?
Easy to build. Easy to learn about the IOT (Internet Of Things) and the Raspberry Pi.
The heart of the new WeatherSense Sensors is the our new 433MHz MiniProPlus CPU board in working in
conjunction with the AS3935 Lightning Detector Sensor.
The WeatherSense Lightning Detector kit is so simple that even middle school children can build it with just
a little adult help for configuration and installation.

7 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Full Open Source Arduino IDE compatible C Software that you can Modify and the open source Python3
software for the Raspberry Pi.
We provide the Python3 software (for the Raspberry Pi) and C for the WeatherSense Lightning Detector. All
open source with the kit. The Pure Python software can be modified to add new sensors, support new cloud
software and connect up to your own projects and software.
Before You Build Your WeatherSense Lightning
You should build and test your WeatherSense Lightning system as BEFORE you put it in the optional 3D
Printed case. The WeatherSense Air Quality Assembly and Test manual will tell you how to do that. Get it
working first, then put it in the case. Believe us, it is always easier to debug the system before you close it up
in the case! All manuals are available on the WeatherSense Lightning Product page on shop.switchdoc.com.

8 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step by Step Assembly and Parts List
Cautions: Keep your static charge to a minimum during your assembly and operation. Touch metal before
handling parts. Avoid shuffling your feet. Before starting assembly, layout all the parts above and familiarize
yourself with the various parts.
What are we doing here?
We are assembling and weatherproof the WeatherSense Lightning System.
In this manual, we are going to assemble the WeatherSense Lightning system and test all the functions.
Parts List
Part A
SwitchDoc Labs Grove Mini Pro Plus
Part B
Short USB A to Micro USB

9 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Part C
433MHz Transmitter with Antenna
Part D
ThunderBoard AS3935 Lightning
Detector

10 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Part E
330mA 6V Solar Panel
Part F
SunAirPlus2 Solar Power Data Collector
and Controller
Part G
3.7V LiPo Battery (Not included)
Part H
One (1) 20cm Grove Cables

11 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Part I
Box Bottom
Part J
Box Top
Part K
Air Quality Housing (Not used)
Part L
Optional Power Box Plug
]]]]

12 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Part M
Box Plug
Part N
Joiner
Part O
Bent Joiner
Part P
Saucer Lightning Housing Top

13 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Parts you need to buy separately from the kit
• 3.7V LiPo Battery
• Raspberry Pi
Part Q
Saucer Lightning Housing Bottom
Part R
Solar Bracket
Part S
One (1) 50cm Grove Cable

14 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
• Compatible SDR Software Defined Radio (For example: https://hpjhlytllzrwf4qn-
24552113.shopifypreview.com/products/software-defined-radio-sdr-and-antenna )
• 16GB SD Card (unless you bought the SD Card from SwitchDoc Labs)
• Power Supply for the Raspberry Pi
What else do you need for Assembly and Weatherproofing?
• 1 – 510mm x 3.6mm screen spline (any hardware store)
• 6 – 6mm M3 screws (Amazon - https://amzn.to/2K200QC)
• 8 – 5mm M3 screws
• 4 – 8mm M3 screws
• 2 – 16mm M3 screws
• 2 – 12mm M3 Screws
• 8 – 5mm M3 Brass Threaded Inserts (Amazon - https://amzn.to/39Rf9iL)
(All this hardware is available as a small hardware package here:
https://shop.switchdoc.com/products/weathersense-Lightning-Lightning-hardware-parts-kit )
1 Package of Duct Seal (for covering holes and screws)
(Amazon - https://amzn.to/33SMkyE
Any Hardware Store)
How to select a LiPo Battery
The WeatherSense Lightning requires 3.7V LiPo battery.
How large of a LiPo battery you need depends on how much sun you get and how often you have cloudy
weather. Generally, we would recommend a 6600mAh battery such as https://www.adafruit.com/product/353.
Adafruit has a great selection and you can find good ones on SparkFun.com too.
WARNING: if you get them off of Amazon, check the wiring. Most of them are wired backwards.
Here's a great website showing the problem and how to rewire the batteries if you wish:
https://docs.particle.io/tutorials/learn-more/batteries/

15 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step by Step Assembly
You will need to disassemble the unit that you assembled in the WeatherSense Lightning Assembly and Test
and follow the assembly instructions below.
Step 1: Superglue 4 5mm brass inserts into the bottom box (Part I) as in the picture below. Use a screw to help
you position and glue the inserts into the box. Apply glue to the outside of the inserts then push them into the
hole and gently unscrew the screw. If they are too tight to push in, gently pound the screw (with the insert
attached as below) into the bottom box.

16 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step 2: Attach the MiniProPlus (Part A) to the bottom box (Part I) using two 5mm screws as shown below. As
always, tighten, but don’t over tighten the screws as you will strip the plastic threads.
Step 3: Take the 433MHz transmitter (Part C) and plug it into the TX header on the MiniProPlus board (Part
A). Make sure you have bent the pins slightly (down-up-down) to ensure that you get a good connection.

17 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step 4: Take the 50cm Grove Cable (Part H) and plug it into the Grove connector marked J5-I2C on the
MiniProPlus board (Part A). Route it out the hole in the bottom box (Part I).

18 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step 5: Plug the 20cm Grove cable (Part H) into the J7-I2C Grove connector on the MiniProPlus (Part A).
Step 6: Plug the USB micro to USB Type A cable (Part B) into the MiniProPlus (Part A).

19 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step 7: Insert your LiPo Battery (not included – example shown as Part G) into the space provided. You can
use Velcro or double sided tape to secure the battery to the bottom box (Part I).
Step 8: Making sure the SunAirPlus2 switch is in the off position (slide towards the battery connector), plug in
the battery (Part G) to the JST-2 connector marked Battery on the SunAirPlus2 Board (Part F) as shown below.

20 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step 9: Attach the Solar Panel (Part E) JST-2 plug to the JST-2 connector on the SunAirPlus2 (F) board as
shown above.
Step 10: Attach the USB Cable (Part B) to SunAirPlus2 (Part F) as shown above.
Step 11: Plug in the 20cm Grove Cable connected to the MiniProPlus (Part A) (plugged into J7-I2C) into the
SunAirPlus2 board Grove connector as shown above.
Step 12: Attach the SunAirPlus2 board (Part F) to the bottom box (Part I) using two 5mm screws as shown.
Step 13: Check to see that the Box Plug (Part M) fits in the right side hole of the bottom box (Part I). If it
doesn’t, file the Box Plug (Part M) down until it does fit. And it should fit pretty snugly.
Step 14: Screw the Joiner (Part N) into the Box Plug (Part M). Don’t screw it all the way in. Just until it is
snug.

21 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step 15: Take the two 16mm screws and thread them through the lock blocks on the right side of the bottom
box (Part I) as shown.
Step 16: Take the Solar Bracket (Part R) and screw in the Joiner (Part N) and Box Plug (Part M) assembly.
Again, don’t screw it all in, just until it’s snug and oriented correctly as shown below. The wire channel on the
Box Plug (Part M) should be pointed down while the panel should up be at 45 degrees. You can use a drop of
glue if the threads don’t hold. This forms the Solar Bracket Assembly.

22 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step 17: Now take the Saucer Lightning Base (Part Q) and snap the ThunderBoard (Part D) in the slot as
shown.
Step 18: Screw the Saucer Lightning Top (Part P) onto the Saucer Lightning Base (Part Q). This forms the
Lightning Saucer Assembly.
Step 19: Screw the Lightning Saucer Assembly on to the long end of the Bent Joint (Part O). Don’t apply to
much pressure. Screw it in until tight, but it doesn’t have to go in all the way. If it is still loose, put a drop of
glue to hold it.

23 Page
Version 1.1 March 2021
Step 20: Now take the Solar Bracket Assembly and screw the Lightning Saucer Assembly into the hole on the
top of the Solar Bracket. When you have the Solar Bracket Assembly held at 45 degrees, the Lightning Saucer
Assembly should point straight up.
Step 21: Plug the other end of the 50cm Grove Cable (Part S) into the Grove connector marked I2C on the
ThunderBoard (Part D) inside the Saucer Lightning Assembly. Check it and get it in the right slot! If you don’t
plug it in the correct slot, nothing bad will happen but your Lightning Detector will not work.
Step 22: Remove the plastic from the front of the Solar Panel (Part E)