Texas Instruments Weather Report Logger WRL-25 User manual

Weather Report Logger™
Digital Weather Station
WRL-25, WRL-32 & WRL-128
Thank you for purchasing a Weather Report. Your package should contain a WRL console, wind
sensor, temperature/humidity sensor, rain collector serial cable and a diskette that contains the
TWI_LOG software. The WRL is unique because it can be programmed and queried by both the
buttons on the display and by PC via the RS-232 serial port. Also data can be saved internally or by
an external device via its RS-232 port. By accessing the logging mode (press select and time hold)
the user can access previously logged data, up to 8000 lines in the WRL-128 Version, 2000 lines of
data in the WRL-32 or 30 lines of data in the WRL-25.
Normal Operation
When in normal operation (no buttons depressed). the instrument displays current wind direction
and speed, cycles current time and date, cycles current indoor, outdoor and if selected, aux
temperatures (if both the indoor and outdoor indicator lights are extinguished, Aux. temperature is
displayed) cycles current barometric pressure, current relative humidity, and cycles daily, monthly
and term cumulative rainfall. By utilizing the hold buttons associated with each display, the user may
select the most important readings to the user. When wind speed in excess of 99 miles per hour are
experienced a small light will turn on between the digits of the wind speed display.
Trend indicators (arrows) are located to the right of the temperature, relative humidity, and
barometric pressure displays. If, for example, the current relative humidity was increasing the up
trend arrow would be lit. If there was no change, no arrow would be lit.
INSTALLATION
index / top
We strongly suggest that all the weather station cables and sensors be connected to the
weather station and tested prior to installation so that you may become familiar with the
operation of the instrument.
The WRL uses three sensors to gather weather data. The wind direction and speed sensor, the
temperature and humidity pagoda and the rain collector (see figure 1). All are designed to mount to
a television type mast (not provided). The cables from the sensors go into a junction box, where
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

they connect via RJ45’s to two multi-wire cables (intermediates) that are routed into the building and
attached to the console. All cables are color coded. The yellow wind sensor cable plugs into the
yellow RJ45 connector in the junction box. The yellow intermediate (wind) also plugs into a yellow
RJ45 connector in the junction box. Plug the temperature/humidity pagoda and the rain collector
(both colored blue) and the blue intermediate into the blue RJ45 connectors in the junction box You
may place any blue cable in to any blue RJ45 connector, the order does not matter.
C A U T I O N !! :BE EXTREMELY CAREFUL NOT TO TOUCH ANY HIGH POWER LINES
DURING INSTALLATION OF THE VARIOUS SENSORS!!!
There is lightning protection (transient voltage suppressers) built into the junction box. It is very
important that the mast be grounded or the transient voltage suppressers will not protect your
instrument. The junction box picks up earth ground through the hose clamps mounting the box. We
suggest that you install a copper grounding rod (available at Radio Shack) and run the heavy gauge
wire directly behind the hose clamps of the junction box. This arrangement will ground your mast
and your junction box.
The wind direction and speed sensor is normally mounted on television type antenna masts (see
Figure 1). For best results the wind sensor should be mounted at twenty feet above the roof of the
building. The higher the installation, the more accurate the readings. There is one yellow cable that
must be strung from the wind sensor to the console via the junction box. The wind direction sensor
is calibrated at the factory and should be installed with wind sensor arm pointed to the North. The
wind sensor can be mounted and calibrated via the WRL console in any direction at al later time,
but it is more convenient to use the precalibrated North reference. If calibration is necessary after
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

the unit is already mounted, pick a calm day or immobilize the wind vane by hand. Enter calibration
mode on the display (see page 9) and step the direction around using the min or max key, or load
the TWI_LOG program (see page 14) in your computer and change item 7, wind dir offset, until the
proper direction achieved.
The outside temperature/humidity pagoda should be mounted about two feet under the wind sensor.
Again we suggest a twenty foot mast for commercial installations to overcome the artificially high
readings generated by a hot roof. Plug the temperature/humidity pagoda cable into the blue RJ45
connector in the junction box.
The rain collector is normally mounted on the mast. It should be mounted as low as possible to
reduce windage and to limit movement of the mast which can cause false readings. The collector
should be mounted in a manner that allows rain to enter the collector unencumbered by surrounding
obstacles. Use a bubble level to make sure that the collector is perfectly level with the ground.
Failure to level the collector will cause inaccurate rainfall readings. The rain collector has one blue
cable which must be connected to the console via the junction box.
Mount the junction box under the rain collector using the hose clamps that are installed on the box
(see figure 1). Remove the front cover of the junction box, inserting the connectors from the sensors
and the cables from the console through the hole in the bottom of the junction box and then out of
the front of the box. Plug all the yellow connectors in the yellow RJ45 connectors and all the blue
connectors into the blue RJ-45 connectors and then pull the excess cable out of the j-box. Carefully
seal the bottom hole in the box from the inside by using the plumbers putty provided. Be sure and
replace the rubber gasket on the junction box so that it can remain watertight.
Plug the yellow intermediate cable (wind) into the yellow pigtail exiting the back of the console. Do
the same for the blue cable (temp/humidity & rain). cables. Next plug in the serial cable into the
connectors in the rear of the console and the proper serial port of your computer. If you are
supplying your own serial cable be sure that you have a null modem adapter attached to the cable
or that the cable is a null modem cable. The cable with four ends that is supplied with your
instrument has a null modem built in. Plug the wall transformer into a 120V wall socket to power
up the unit.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

OPERATION
FUNCTION KEYS
index / top
Select The select key, when pressed at the same time as the report key, puts the unit into
time/date and lunar/tide cycle set mode. When the select and scale keys are pressed at the same
time, the unit enters the calibration set mode. When the select and average keys are pressed at
the same time, the unit enters the printer set mode. When select and last are pressed at the same
time the instrument enters rainfall history set. When select and time hold are pressed at the same
time the instrument enters logging mode. Once the instrument is in its respective mode, the select
key is used to step through the different functions.
Clear The clear key, when depressed, causes the unit to display the date and time of the last
memory clear. Pressing clear and minimum at the same time clears the unit's memory. Pressing
clear and maximum at the same time also clears the unit's memory. Pressing clear and last rain
clears the term rainfall.
Minimum The minimum key, when repeatedly depressed, steps through
wind-speed/wind-direction, temperature, barometric pressure, humidity and rainfall rate, displaying
the minimum reading of each of these functions since the last time the unit memory was cleared. In
addition to the minimum reading, the unit displays the date and time of its occurrence. The date and
time display must not be on hold in order to display both date and time.
Maximum The maximum key functions the same as the minimum key, but with maximum
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

readings.
Scale The scale key changes the displays from reading in English values to those of Metric
values. The inch light near the rain display is on when the instrument is in English mode. The
English to Metric equivalents are miles per hour or Knots to Kilometers per hour, Fahrenheit to
Celsius, Inches of Mercury to Millibars, Inches of rain to Centimeters of rain. Pressing the select
and scale key at the same time puts the unit into calibration mode.
Report Pressing the report key sends current data to the serial port. The report key, when
depressed at the same time as the select key, puts the unit into its time setting function. Pressing
the report key while in logging mode will send all data in memory from the currently displayed
record forward to the RS-232 port.
Hold The hold key when depressed (toggled on) stops the cycling between two different
parameters on the same display.
Windchill The Windchill key, when depressed, calculates and displays, using wind speed and
temperature, a factor which represents how cold the temperature and wind feel to bare flesh.
Pressing the windchill and the comfort key at the same time will display the dew point.
Comfort The comfort key, when depressed, calculates and displays, using humidity and
temperature, a factor which represents how warm the temperature feels.
Last The last key, when pressed, displays the time and date of the last rainfall and its rainfall
rate. When pressed at the same time as the clear key, the instrument clears the term rainfall
register. When last pressed at the same time as select, the unit enters into rainfall history mode.
Average When toggled on, the dot below the Av light (near the wind speed display), indicating
that the unit is in wind averaging mode. When in wind averaging mode, the instrument displays the
previous minute's average wind direction and speed. When pressing the average key and the
select key at the same time, the unit enters into the printer set mode.
Time Setting Mode:
index / top
Press select and report at the same time, and the last two digits of the year displays (i.e., 90 =
1990). Press the maximum button to advance the year; the minimum button to retard the year.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

.
Press select a second time, and the month will be displayed (i.e., 1 = Jan. and 12 = Dec.). Press
the maximum and minimum key to set the month.
Press select a third time, and the day of the month (1-31) digits light. Press the maximum to
advance the date and minimum to retard the date.
Press select a fourth time, and the day of the week is displayed (1 = Sunday, 2 = Monday, 3 =
Tuesday, 4 = Wednesday, 5 = Thursday, 6 = Friday, and 7 = Saturday. Press the maximum button
to advance the day of the week and minimum to retard.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Press select a fifth time (note the colon between the hours and minutes), and the unit will display
the time in military hour style. Press the maximum button to advance the hour or minimum to
retard the hour.
Press select a sixth time (note the colon between the hours and minutes), and the unit will display
minutes. Press the maximum or minimum buttons.
Press select a seventh time (note only the right two digits); the unit will display seconds. Press the
maximum or minimum buttons to set the seconds. (note: the seconds is updated on the display
only when the maximum or minimum button is being depressed).
Press select a eighth time (a single dot at the bottom separates the hour and minute); the lunar/tide
clock will display the number of hours in a cycle.
Press the maximum or minimum buttons to set the hours of the cycle (explained in the Lunar Tide
section).
Press select an ninth time (the single dot remains at the bottom, separating the hour and minute);
the lunar/tide clock will display the minutes of the cycle. Press the maximum or minimum buttons
to set the minutes of the cycle.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Press select a tenth time (the single dot is now located at the top, between the hour and minute);
the peak of the cycle hour (usually high tide) will be displayed. Change as desired.
Press select an eleventh time (the single dot remains at the top between the hour and minute), and
the minutes of the peak hour will be displayed. Change as desired.
Press select a twelfth time and the unit will return to normal display mode.
Calibration mode
index / top
See the calibration reference section on page 22 for other details.
Calibration Method
Press select and scale at the same time, and the unit enters the calibration mode, first displaying
the Aux value. If necessary, press the maximum or minimum key to enter the proper temperature.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Press select a second time and the unit displays the indoor temperature. Press the maximum or
minimum key to enter the actual temperature.
Press select a third time - the unit displays the outdoor temperature. Press the maximum or
minimum key to enter the actual temperature.
Press select a fourth time, and the unit displays barometric pressure. Press the maximum or
minimum key to enter the actual barometric pressure.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Press select a fifth time, and the unit displays in the rainfall window: 0, 1, 2, or 3. 2 is the normal
display. Press the maximum or minimum key to enter the proper number (see calibration
reference, page 23, for more information).
Press select a sixth time; the unit will display in the rainfall window a reading ranging from .01 to .1.
Press the maximum or minimum button to enter the proper number.
Press select a seventh time - the unit displays wind direction on the compass rose and the offset
number in the temperature display. Press the maximum or minimum key to enter the actual wind
direction.
Press select an eighth time - the elevation calibration number will be in the pressure window. Leave
this set to 0.
Press select a ninth time - the unit will return to the normal display mode.
Humidity Sensor Calibration
This function is only used if a new humidity sensor is installed. Press select and humidity hold to
enter this mode. The first number to appear is the voltage at 0% humidity that the sensor outputs.
Press select again and a second number will appear. This larger number is the voltage that the
sensor outputs at 75% humidity. The humidity calibration numbers are found on the
humidity/temperature sensor and on the back of the instrument console. These calibration numbers
are supplied to us by the manufacturer of the sensor and are normally not changed.
Logging Mode
index / top
Press select and time hold at the same time to enter logging mode (note that all the trend
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

indicators are on when in this mode).
Logging mode allows the user to view previously logged data via the display. (You can only enter
logging mode if there is data in the logging memory). You may choose at what interval of time you
would like the data saved through the print set routine (see page 12). Once in logging mode press
the minimum and maximum key to move forward and backward through the data. The date and time
of the line of date will be displayed in the time/date window. If you have a printer connected to the
display, pressing the report key from within the logging mode, directs the WRL to output data from
the data displayed point forward. Press select again to exit logging mode. The WRL will start writing
over the oldest data records in memory with new data , when the capacity of the memory is
achieved.
The TWI_LOG program supplied with this unit is a PC based software program that allows the user
to access many features of the WRL that are not possible from the display. Please see the
TWI_LOG (page 15)) section in this manual for information.
Print Set
index / top
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

There are two settings that will affect the deposition of data. The first, report interval , determines
how often the WRL will automatically dump data to the RS-232 port. The second, log interval,
determines how often the unit saves data to its internal memory.
Pressing select and average at the same time puts the unit into print set mode. The unit first
displays the report interval in number of hours between lines of printed information. Press the
maximum and minimum keys to change display.
Pressing select a second time displays the number of minutes between lines of information. Press
the maximum and minimum keys to change the display.
Press select a third time, and the minimum/maximum and form feed options 0 through 7 may be
selected as illustrated in the table below:
SETTING MIN/MAX FORM FEED RAIN RATE
0 OFF OFF OFF
1 ON OFF OFF
2 OFF OFF OFF
3 ON ON OFF
4 OFF OFF ON
5 ON OFF ON
6 OFF OFF ON
7 ON ON ON
When rain rate is off, term rain is substituted.
Press select a fourth time to select the baud rate of the serial output. Press the maximum and
minimum keys to change the display.
Press select a fifth time to select log interval hours. The log interval tells the Weather Report to
send data to the internal memory and at what interval to do so. Press the maximum or minimum to
change the display.
Press select a sixth time to select the log interval minutes. Press the maximum or minimum to
change the display.
Press select a seventh time and a number between 0 and 255 will appear in the pressure/humidity
window which represents output options. Enter the proper option number by pressing the
maximum or the minimum keys. The output options control the selection of such things as AM PM,
wind speed knots, auxiliary display and average wind speed output. (Look at the first item in the
reference section called control options for more information, page 20.)
Press select a eighth time and the unit will return to a normal display.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Communicating with the WRL
index / top
The WRL via its RS-232 interface can communicate with computers running either the TWI-LOG
program or standard computer communication programs. The WRL responds to the following ASCII
characters sent by computers, with ASCII space delimited text.
Command Characters
V- Firmware version number
S- Firmware Serial#
I- Unit ID number
C- Unit responds with a daily minimum and maximum of all parameters, then clears. The rainfall
rate is present rather than term rain.
Sample
MIN 07/24/90 SW 00MPH 070F 067F 067F 054% 30.00" 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.00"R
MAX 07/24/90 SSE 25MPH 052F 071F 092F 099% 30.06" 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.72"R
c- Unit responds with a daily minimum and maximum of all parameters, then clears. The term rain is
present rather than rainfall rate.
Sample
MIN 07/24/90 SW 00MPH 070F 067F 067F 054% 30.00" 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.00"T
MAX 07/24/90 SSE 25MPH 052F 071F 092F 099% 30.06" 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.72"T
The minimum and maximum associated with the C command is cleared automatically at midnight
D- Unit responds in an identical manner as the C command but does not clear the system memory.
d- Unit responds in an identical manner as the c command but does not clear the system memory
E or e- Unit responds with minimum and maximums along with date and time of occurrence. This
uses the same buffer as the c and d command.
M- Unit responds with all minimums and maximums with the date and time of their occurrence, then
clears.
m- Unit responds in an identical manner as with the M command but does not clear the system
memory.
Sample
TA 10:33 038F TA 09:32 056 F
TO 04:15 075F TI 15:03 080 F
TO 10:33 038F TO 16:10 056 F
RH 15:44 033% RH 01:40 060 %
BP 16:11 29.57” BP 10:20 30.15"
RD 04/29 00:00“ RT 01:00"
RM 03.32“ WS 00:00 000 MPH 048
The system has two completely separate memory buffers (C and M commands).
R- Unit responds with current conditions. The rainfall rate is present rather than the term rain. (Note:
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

in 30.04R the “R” denotes rising pressure)
Sample
5:15 07/24/90 SSE 04MPH 052F 069F 078F 099% 30.04R 00.19"D 01.38"M 11.78"T
r- Unit responds with current conditions. The term rain is present rather than the rainfall rate. (Note:
in 30.04F the “F” denotes falling pressure, a “S” character denotes steady pressure.)
Sample
5:15 07/24/90 SSE 04MPH 052F 069F 078F 099% 30.04F 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.72"R
K- Unit responds with current calculated values, for dew point, Windchill and heat index.
The following commands respond if the WRL has logged data in memory.
T- Data logger top, moves pointer to the top of the data records, then sends data
N- Data logger next, moves pointer to the next data record, then sends data.
A- Data logger again, sends same data again.
P- Data logger previous, moves pointer to the previous data record, then sends data.
B- Data logger bottom, moves pointer to the bottom of the data records.
Sample
01/01 23:00 052F 053F 085F 000% 29.92" 00.00"D 000MPH NNE
date time temp humidity bp rain wind speed direction
Twi_Log Program
index / top
The TWI_LOG program. TWI_LOG is an IBM PC software utility which enables the user with
special applications to communicate and set various functions of the WRL. Insert the TWI_LOG
diskette into your disk drive and type TWI_LOG then press enter.
Note: TWI LOG is no longer sent with the weather stations. The TWI Cal Windows program has
replaced TWI_LOG and is included with the weather station. If for some reason you still need the
TWI_LOG program it is available on our website at www.texas-weather.com.
The first screen of the program will look this:
1 Com1
2 Com2
3 Modem
enter index of station name: ?
Pressing selection 1 accesses the WRL, if it is plugged into com1.
Pressing selection 2 accesses the WRL if it is plugged into com2.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Pressing selection 3 accesses the WRL via modems and phone lines.
WRL access can be modified by editing the twi_com.dat file on your TWI_LOG disk. To change the
configuration load twi_com.dat into a text editor and change to your preference. The first station in
this example is identified as green. It is set up on com 1 at 2400 baud, no parity, eight data bits and
one stop bit. BIN, DSO, CD0, and CS0 are various configuration parameters that must be in the
string. The TWI station is configured as a remote unit. A modem would be connected to com1 set at
2400 baud, no parity, 8 data bits and one stop bit. The ATE0QV1M1X4S0=0 is the modem
configuration string required by this particular modem. The DT1,214,234-1309 is the phone number
where the remote unit and its modem are located. Please note that TWI_LOG does not support
Com3 or Com4.
Sample twi_com.dat file
Com1 COM1:2400,N,8,1,BIN,DS0,CD0,CS0
Com2 COM2:2400,N,8,1,BIN,DS0,CD0,CS0
Modem COM1:2400,N,8,1,BIN,DS0,CD0,CS0 ATE0Q0V1M1X4S0=0 DT1,214,234-1309
After you make your selection the following screen will appear:
TWI Main Menu
F1 Report Output
F2 Retrieve Log Data
F3 Display Log Data
F4 Purge Log Data
F5 Display Cal Data
F6 Graphic Log Data
F7 Print Log Data
F8 Get Version again
F9 Set Date/Time
F10 Exit Program
Pressing F1 enables the user to communicate with the WRL using all the commands referred to in
the Communicating with the WRL (page 14) Section of this manual.
Pressing F2 instructs the computer to retrieve data from the WRL and place that data in a file on
the disk drive. Only new data will be written to disk during successive retrievals. Any number of
WRL’s or WPS’ can be accessed and their data will be put in different files on the drive. There will
be two files written on to your drive, log_day.??? and log_rec.???. Log_day. ??? has the minimum
and maximum values and log_rec.??? has the individual records. Each file has a file extenuation
that corresponds to the ID number of each weather unit. The ID number can be changed through
the calibration (F5) routine in Twi_Log. For example if you downloaded data from a unit with the ID
of 124 the data for that unit would be found in log_rec.124.
Pressing F3 displays the data written on disk. Press the up arrow key to go up or down one record
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

at a time, press the page up or down keys to display one screen of data at a time, press the home
or end key to go to the top or bottom of the file. The delete key takes all records prior to that
displayed at the top of the screen and transfers that data to an archive file arc_log.??? file. The
extension ??? will be the same as the unit number. The data that is archived is removed from the
current display and log file.
Pressing F4 purges any duplicate data written on disk.
Pressing F5 -the calibration screen.
Inx Value Description Inx Value Description
1 85 temp:aux 20 94 clock years
2 65 temp: inside 21 11 clock month
3 73 temp: outside 22 22 clock day of month
4 29.92 barometric pressure 23 2 clock day of week::Mon:
5 0 elevation 24 11 clock hours
6 0.750 MVP @ 0.0% HR 25 24 clock minutes
7 3.255 MVP @ 73.3% HR 26 54 clock seconds
8 8 wind dir. offset 27 0 log interval hrs
9 2 rain inc flag 28 30 log interval minutes
10 0.01 rain inc value 29 0 Scale: 0=FPS 1=CGS
11 0.00 rain fall: daily 30 0 ID number
12 0.00 rain fall: monthly 31 8 POR Counter
13 0.00 rain fall: term 32 0 RR Interval , sec
14 0 report interval HI 33 0 Wsp units : MPH
15 0 report interval LO 34 1 Time dispaly : AMPM
16 0 report Min/Max :Off 35 1 aux Temp
17 4 report end of day 36 1 Wsp/Wdir
18 0 report interval Units: M:S: 37 4 baud rate: 2400
19 0 report character: r 38
enter parameter index: ?
Note: This screen and its index numbers will vary depending on what options are installed.
Any item in this index can be changed by:
(1)entering the index number
(2)entering the new value
(3)entering Y to set the new value or N to reject the new value.
1) Aux temperature calibration
2) Inside temperature calibration
3) Outside temperature calibration
4) Barometric pressure calibration
5) Elevation correction ( not used)
6)1st humidity sensor calibration factor
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

7) 2nd humidity sensor calibration factor
8) Wind direction calibration, increase number to move clockwise or decrease number to move
counterclockwise.
9) Rain collector type (most rain collectors are type 2 including TWI, 0 turns of the rain collector
counter)
10) Rain increment value ( the value that is added for each click of the rain collector, most rain
collectors should be set for 0.01 including TWI)
11) Daily rainfall history register
12) Monthly rainfall history register
13) Term rainfall history register
14) Report output interval HI, sets the automatic data dump interval to the RS232. Value can be in
hours or minutes depending on the setting of the report interval units (19)
15) Report output interval LO, sets the automatic data dump interval to the RS232. Value can be
in minutes or seconds depending on the setting of the report interval unites (19).
16) Report Min/Max turns on the min-max function for the log and the report output (for the
printer).
17) Report end of day- sends a formfeed at midnight to the RS-232 (for the printer).
18) Report Interval Units sets the ouput values to minutes or seconds.
19) Sets which command the report output will use, r, R, q or Q.
20) Sets the years..
21) Sets the month.
22) Sets day of month.
23) Sets the day of the week. (1=Sunday, 2=Monday, 3= Tuesday, 4=Wednesday, 5=Thursday, 6=
Friday, 7=Sunday)
24) Sets hours in 24 hour format..
25) Sets minutes
26) Sets Seconds.
27) Sets the logging interval hours (saves data in the units memory when set)
28) Sets the logging interval minutes.
29) 0for English or 1for Metric scale
30) Sets the ID number (0 through 255)
31) Displays number of power ups (0 through 255)
32) Displays the rainfall rate interval in minutes.
33) Wind Speed scale, changes wind speed to knots when set to 1. A 0 setting when in English will
output miles per hour and a 0 when in metric will output kilometers per hour.
34) Time display, when set to 0 the unit will display time in a 24 hour military format. When set to 1
the unit will be in AM or PM.
35) Aux disable, when set to 0 will cycle the temperature display through three values, indoor
temp, outdoor temp and the aux value (aux temperature or solar). When Aux disable is set to 1 the
temperature display will cycle through indoor and outdoor temperatures only.
36) Wind speed and direction, when set to 0 the unit outputs one minute average wind data to the
RS-232 port. When set to 1 the output is instant. This setting does not effect the display which has
its own button.
37) Selects baud rate, 0=38.4 1=19.2, 2=9600, 3=4800, 4=2400, 5=1200, 6=600, 7=300.
(Warning! Do not change this number unless you understand that you will lose
communication with the WRL until the host baud rate is also changed. Also note that
TWI_LOG does not support a baud rate fo 38.4.)
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Pressing F6 will graph the data, if you have a VGA monitor.
Pressing F7 will take the current binary data file and convert it to a text file. The text file will be
named prn_day.??? for the minimums and maximums and prn_rec.??? for the record. The
extension of the files will correspond with the ID number of the weather unit whose record is being
converted.
Pressing F8 will display the version number of the firmware in the WRL.
Pressing F9 will set the weather station time to match that of the computer.
Pressing F10 will exit the program.
Direct data retrieval from a DOS prompt may be accomplished by entering TWI_LOG ? /dl, where
the ? equals the line of the unit as defined in the twi_com.dat file. For example entering TWI_LOG 1
/dl would access in our current setup the Green unit. Entering TWI_LOG 2 /dl would access the Red
unit. After the data is retrieved the program will return to the DOS prompt. For automatic data
retrieval of multiple units at a predetermined time a commercial PC scheduling program may be
use.
You may look at data that is stored on disk even if you are not tied directly to that weather station by
entering TWI_LOG /ixxx where xxx equals the ID number of the unit (the unit ID may be set using
the F5 function key within TWI_LOG). At the DOS prompt TWI_LOG /I135 would access the data
for unit 135.
REFERENCE
index / top
Control Options
Control options can be changed through the print set routine, see page 12 for directions on
changing this number. These control options can also be changed through the TWI_LOG program
F5 screen. The first control option is wind speed scale. When turned on, the wind speed is in knots
instead of the normal mile per hour or kilometer per hour when in metric scale. The second control
option selects the manner in which the time is displayed. 24 hour military style or the AM PM format.
When on, the AM PM style is displayed. Aux display disable is the third option, when it is on the
temperature display cycles between the indoor and outdoor values only. If you do not have options
such as aux temperature or solar radiation aux display disable should be turned on. Instant wind
speed output is the fourth option. When turned on the windspeed output to the RS-232 port is an
instant reading rather than a one minute average.
To turn on the desired control options via the weather station display, refer to the table below, add
up the values of the controls that should be turned on and enter that value into the weather
instrument via the print set function (see page 12). The default value is 224. For example if you
wanted AM PM turned on and instant wind speed output turned on you would add 32+128 which
equals 160. Enter 160 into the weather instrument via the print set function.
Option Value
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Knots on 16
AM PM on 32
Aux disable on 64
Instant wind speed on 128
total
You may also change these functions via the software program TWI_LOG F5 routine (see page 17).
RS-232 Interface
The pin out on the RS-232interface is as follows:
.DE 9 Plug Header
Pin 1 Pin 1 . . .
Pin 2 Pin 3 . . . Receive Data
Pin 3 Pin 5 . . . Transmit Data
Pin 4 Pin 7 . . . . Data Set Ready
Pin 5 Pin 9 . . . Signal Ground
Pin 6 Pin 2 . . . Data Terminal Ready (must be true to send data)
Pin 7 Pin 4 . . . Clear to Send
Pin 8 Pin 6 . . . Request Send
Pin 9 Pin 8 . . .
Modem Installation
A modem may be used with the WRL for remote operations. A modem adapter which is available
from TWI must be used to properly connect the weather station to a modem. For auto answering, an
auto-answering modem with non-volatile memory must be used. The WRL does not send AT
control signals, so in order for the modem to properly answer, the modem must be told
(programmed with a computer) to answer on whichever ring the user desires. (Modems
pre-programmed in non-volatile memory are available from Texas Weather Instruments.)
Typical Output
Temperature Daily Monthly Rainfall
Time Date Direction Speed Aux Indoor Outdoor Humidity Pressure Rain Rain Rate
15:00 07/24/90 SE 03MPH 070F 069F 082F 090% 30.04S 00.01"D 01.20"M 00.00"R
15:15 07/24/90 SSE 04MPH 052F 069F 078F 099% 30.04S 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.72"R
15:30 07/24/90 SE 02MPH 065F 068F 072F 089% 30.04S 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.00"R
MIN 07/24/90 SW 00MPH 070F 067F 067F 054% 30.00" 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.00"R
MAX 07/24/90 SSE 25MPH 052F 071F 092F 099% 30.06" 00.19"D 01.38"M 00.72"R
Computer Interface
The WRL with a null modem adapter, may be plugged directly into computers equipped with
RS-232 interfaces. Data may be captured to disk by using a communication program (i.e., Crosstalk
or Procomm for the IBM-PC) or the TWI_LOG program. The WRL sends data in a serial format at
300 to 19.2 baud rate, 8 data bits, no parity and one stop bit.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual

Note: The WRL has two separate minimum and maximum memories. Clearing the M command
minimum and maximum memory will not affect the C command minimum and maximum memory
and vice- versa. The printer/computer memories clear at 12:00 midnight every day and/or when the
c key is pressed on the computer console.
Calibration Reference
index / top
The Weather Report comes pre-calibrated from the factory, but it is possible to recalibrate most of
the primary functions of the instrument using the F5 function of the TWI_LOG program.
Barometric Pressure
Normally, barometric pressure is the only item that needs to be recalibrated (adjusting for altitude).
The proper local barometric pressure can be obtained from the local news. Set the barometric
pressure reading you obtained from the local media by using the calibration mode function.
Temperature
If for some reason you suspect that the temperature is not calibrated properly, use a quality bulb
thermometer with which to calibrate. Remember, the WRL will be most accurate near the
temperature at which it was calibrated.
Humidity Sensor Calibration
The humidity sensor is calibrated by inputting two voltages found on humidity sensor into the WRL.
This may be done by utilizing the TWI_LOG program calibration routine. Index 6 is the voltage at
0% humidity that the sensor outputs. Index 7 represents the voltage that the sensor outputs at 73%
humidity. The humidity calibration numbers are found on the humidity/temperature sensor and
inside the instrument console. These calibration numbers are supplied to us by the manufacturer of
the sensor and are normally not changed. If it appears that re-calibration is necessary, try
increasing or decreasing index 7.
Rainfall
The WRL is compatible with most rain collectors on the market today. The rain inc flag is only
utilized to tell the WRL what type rain collector is installed. Actual measurement calibration is
accomplished inside the rain collector by adjusting two stainless steel screws.
Setting 0 turns the rainfall counter off. Setting 1 or 2 tells the WRL to react with one count for every
momentary switch closure of the rain collector.
Setting 3 tells the WRL to react with one count for every rain collector switch transition from an open
or closed state. Rain inc value tells the WRL how much rainfall to display for each count. Use the
TWI_LOG F5 calibration routine to change these settings.
THE PROPER SETTING FOR THE TEXAS WEATHER INSTRUMENTS RAIN COLLECTOR IS
"2" FOR THE COUNT AND ".01" FOR THE MEASUREMENT.
WRL Instruction Manual
Texas Weather Instruments, Inc. WRL Instruction Manual