SwitchDoc Labs SkyWeather2 User manual

Version 1.1 December 2020
The SkyWeather2
WeatherProofing and Test Manual
December 2020
Version 1.1

Version 1.1 December 2020
Table of Contents
Errata ...................................................................................................................................................................... 5
Cautions when building and using SkyWeather2 ............................................................................................... 6
What is The SkyWeather2 System? ..................................................................................................................... 7
Quick Start of your SkyWeather2 System .......................................................................................................... 8
Update Your SkyWeather2 Software ............................................................................................................... 8
Initial Testing of your SkyWeather2 System ...................................................................................................... 9
Parts List ................................................................................................................................................................ 9
Needed Tools and Other Parts Not Supplied .................................................................................................... 13
Step By Step Assembly ........................................................................................................................................ 14
Final Assembly ..................................................................................................................................................... 34
Disclaimer ............................................................................................................................................................. 38

5 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Errata

6 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Cautions when building and using SkyWeather2
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.

7 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
What is The SkyWeather2 System?
Easy to build. Easy to learn about the IOT (Internet Of Things) and the Raspberry Pi.
The$heart$of$the$new$SkyWeather2$project$is$our$new$custom$made$wireless$Weather$Sensor$package$
called$the$WeatherRack2.
The$SkyWeather2$kit$is$so$simple$that$even$middle$school$children$can$build$it$with$just$a$little$adult$
help$for$configuration$and$installation.

8 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Full Open Source Python3 Software that you can Modify.
We provide the Python3 software 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.
Quick Start of your SkyWeather2 System
This manual assumes that you have completed the assembly and testing of your SkyWeather23 as described in
the “SkyWeather Assembly and Testing Manual”. If you haven’t completed the assembly and testing, go back
and complete it now. Your Pi is connected to your WiFi network.
The first thing to figure out is what your Raspberry Pi IP address is. Follow the procedures here:
https://learn.pimoroni.com/tutorial/raspberry-pi/finding-your-raspberry-pi
Update Your SkyWeather2 Software
Update SkyWeather2 to the latest version. Type the following commands into a terminal window.

9 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
cd
cd SDL_Pi_SkyWeather2
git pull
You will see something like this:
pi@SwitchDocLabs:~/SDL_Pi_SkyWeather2 $ git pull
remote: Enumerating objects: 19, done.
remote: Counting objects: 100% (19/19), done.
remote: Compressing objects: 100% (2/2), done.
remote: Total 12 (delta 10), reused 12 (delta 10), pack-reused 0
Unpacking objects: 100% (12/12), done.
From https://github.com/switchdoclabs/SDL_Pi_SkyWeather2
f2193a0..c98a45c master -> origin/master
Updating f2193a0..c98a45c
Fast-forward
README.md | 2 ++
SkyCamera.py | 2 +-
SkyWeather2.py | 2 +-
pclogging.py | 12 +++++++-----
state.py | 3 +++
testWirelessSensors.py | 18 ++++++++----------
6 files changed, 22 insertions(+), 17 deletions(-)
Or, if your software is up to date:
pi@SwitchDocLabs:~/SDL_Pi_SkyWeather2 $ git pull
Already up to date.
Initial Testing of your SkyWeather2 System
Please refer to the “Testing SkyWeather2” in the “SkyWeather2 Assembly and Test Manual”.
Parts List
Note: you can print your own 3D Printed parts with the STL files located here:
https://github.com/switchdoclabs/SDL_STL_SkyWeather2

10 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Part A
Assembled SkyWeather2 System
Part B
SkyWeather2 Base Unit
Part C
SkyWeather2 Top
Part D
SkyWeather Camera Cover

11 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Part E
SkyWeather2 Camera Cover Insert
Part F
SkyWeather2 USB C Washer
Part G
SkyWeather2 USB C Washer
Part H
Laser AQI Housing

12 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Part I
Laser Air Quality Sensor (Optional)
Part J
20cm Grove Cable (Optional)

13 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Needed Tools and Other Parts Not Supplied
Tools
Drill
Small Screwdrivers
Small files
Super Glue
To assemble, you will need the following additional hardware:
14 - M3 Threaded Brass Inserts
Amazon - https://amzn.to/39Rf9iL
4 - 20mm M3 screws (we use Steel Button Heads)
8 - 11mm M3 Screws (we use Steel Button Heads)
Amazon - https://amzn.to/2K200QC
6 - 5mm M2 Plastic screws (or threaded posts)
https://shop.switchdoc.com/products/140pcs-box-m2-nylon-hex-thread-assortment-kit
1 - USB Type A Female Waterproof Socket (for Raspberry Pi ZeroW, A+, 3B+)
EBay - https://www.ebay.com/itm/USB-female-socket-plug-panel-mount-adapter-USB-3-0-waterproof-
connector-IP67-rSU-/373133327431?hash=item56e07abc47
Amazon - https://amzn.to/37NdurE
OR
1 - USB Type C Female Waterproof Socket (for Raspberry Pi 4B) – includes internal cable
Amazon - https://amzn.to/39Ngd7j
Short (10 inch or less) USB Micro (for Raspberry Pi ZeroW, A+, 3B+) Cable for internal wiring. The cable is
built into the socket for the Raspberry Pi 4B)
Amazon - https://amzn.to/3mTHfgW
You will also want a 30mmx30mmx1mm quartz window for the front:
https://shop.switchdoc.com/products/double-side-polished-far-uv-fused-silica-quartz-glass-sheets-plate-30-30-
1mm
1 Package – Screen Spline – 0.140in (0.36cm)
Amazon - https://amzn.to/2LdpoUd
Any Hardware Store
1 Package of Duct Seal (for covering holes and screws)

14 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Amazon - https://amzn.to/33SMkyE
Any Hardware Store
1 O-Ring - 023 Silicone O-Ring, 70A Durometer, Red, 1-1/16" ID, 1-3/16" OD, 1/16" Width
Amazon - https://amzn.to/33PQI1p
1 O-Ring - 031 Silicone O-Ring, 70A Durometer, Red, 1-3/4" ID, 1-7/8" OD, 1/16" Width
Amazon - https://amzn.to/36X3zkn
Step By Step Assembly
Step 1: Layout all of your 3D Printed Parts

15 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Note: The optional USB C Spacers are not shown in the above picture.

16 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Step 2: Set out 12 Brass Inserts and a 20mm 3M Screw
Step 3: Thread a M3 20mm Screw partially through a Brass Insert (the helps position the Brass Insert for
insertion)
Step 4: Add super glue around the edge of each of the four top holes in the SkyWeather2 Base Unit (Part B)

17 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Step 5: Push the Brass Insert Screw Assembly (from Step 4) into the hole in the top of the SkyWeather2 Base
Unit (Part B). Remove the screw and repeat for the other three holes of the SkyWeather2 Base Unit (Part B).

18 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Step 6: Check the fit of the Brass Inserts in the SkyWeather Top (Part C) using the 20mm M3 Screw technique
as above. If they don’t fit, then use a file to slightly enlarge the holes.
Step 7: Take your SkyWeather2 Top (Part C) and apply small amounts of super glue around the hole edges in
preparation to insert four Brass Inserts in the top of Part C.

19 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Step 8: Insert four Brass Inserts into the SkyWeather2 Top (Part C) using the M3 20mm Screw technique as in
Step 3 above.
Step 9: Return to the SkyWeather2 Base Unit (Part B) and place two Brass Inserts in the Laser AQI Mounting
Holes on the side using the fit check first and then gluing in the Inserts as above.

20 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Step 10: Take the SkyWeather Top (Part C) and push a screw driver through to clear the top screw holes. Try
to screw a 20mm M3 through the holes (or screw them in). If you can’t do that, the use a drill and a small drill
(0.115 inches – 2.87mm) to clear the holes.
Step 11: Take the Laser AQI Housing (Optional) and using the same techniques as above insert the Brass
Inserts in both mounting holes.

21 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Step 12: Now layout the parts for the Camera Housing as below:
Step 13: Gently check the fit of the 30mm x 30mm x 1mm quartz window in the Camera Housing (Part D).
Don’t force it. It should fit, but not too tight. Use a file to shave any corners if necessary. Don’t break the
window! After it fits, remove the quartz window from the Camera Housing (Part D).

22 Page
Version 1.1 December 2020
Step 14: Place the smaller O-Ring in the Camera Housing (Part D). It does not need to fit perfectly, but put as
much of it the ring slot as possible.
Step 15: Now gently push the quartz window into the Camera Housing (Part D). Make sure it is resting on top
of the O-ring.