WeatherHawk Signature Series User manual

Signature Series User’s Manual

Table of Contents
Overview 1
Sensor Specifications 1
Site Considerations 2
Site Selection 2
Ground Installations 2
Roof Installations 3
Power Considerations 4
Solar Power 4
AC Power 4
Communication Considerations 4
Direct Communication 4
Cable Length 5
Grounding Issues 5
Wireless Communication 5
Transmission Range 5
Line-of-Sight 5
Other Communication Options 6
Pre-Installation Tests 6
Installation Procedures 7
Procedure 1: TP1 Tripod Installation Procedures 7
Procedure 1a: Tripod Preparation for Installation 7
Procedure 1b: Ground Installations 8
Procedure 1c: Flat Roof Installations 9
Procedure 1d: Peaked Roof Installations 10
Procedure 2: TP1-GK Guy-Wire Kit Installation 11
Procedure 3: Mounting a WeatherHawk Station on a Tripod or Pole 12
Procedure 4: Solar Panel Installation 15
Procedure 5: TP1-GR Ground Kit Installation 15
Appendix A: WeatherHawk Equipment
Communications Options
USB-AD Serial-to-USB Adapter
RS485-KT Communications Module Kit
Power Supplies
SP2-KT 5 W Solar Panel Kit
ACP2 AC Converter
Mounting/Installation Kits
TP1 Tripod/Mast Assembly
TP1-TK Tripod Installation Kit
TP1-SK Tripod Stake Kit

TP1-MX Tripod Mast Extension
TP1-GK Tripod Guy-wire Kit
TP1-GR Tripod Grounding Kit
HM Series (House Mount) Mast Components
Appendix B: WeatherHawk Setup Diagrams
Direct Connect Diagram
Wireless Connect Diagram
Roof/Wall Installation Diagram
Appendix C: WeatherHawk Setup Special Notes
Pyranometer Shipping Cap Removal Note
Appendix D: Preventive Maintenance Procedures

1
WeatherHawk®
815 W 1800 N Logan, UT 84321-1784, Email: [e-mail] Copyright© 2004, 2013
Toll free in USA: 866-670-5982, International: 435-227-9802, FAX: [phone] Printed 2013
Overview
The WeatherHawk Signature Series weather station is a meteorological platform designed to measure a standard set
of meteorological variables. The variables measured by the WeatherHawk Signature Series include: air
temperature, relative humidity, solar radiation, precipitation, barometric pressure, and wind speed and direction.
This weather station is designed for ease of use while providing reliable, long-term measurements. No special skills
or special tools are needed to install and maintain a WeatherHawk system therefore providing a wide range of
applications a WeatherHawk system can be used for.
All instruments on the WeatherHawk are manufactured to published standards and require no user calibration.
However, over time sensor accuracy will degrade and sensors will need replacement. For this reason all sensors on
the WeatherHawk are easily replaceable by the user therefore making it unnecessary to send the platform to the
factory for sensor replacement. User replaceable parts also cut down on shipping costs, and minimize data gaps in
long term measurements.
Sensor Specifications
Table 1 below gives the accuracy of each sensor used in a WeatherHawk Signature Series weather station.
Air Temperature
Type
10K Thermistor
Operating Range
-40 to 65° C (-40 to 150° F)
Sensor Accuracy
+/- 0.5°C (+/- 0.9° F)
In-system accuracy
+/- 1° C (+/- 1.8° F)
Relative Humidity
Type
Precision bulk-polymer device
Operating Range
0-100%
Accuracy
+/- 3% (@25°C, 10-90%)
+/- 5% (@25°C, 90-100%)
Barometric Pressure
Type
Motorola MAP sensor
Operating Range
15-115 kPa
Accuracy
Within 1.5%
Wind Speed
Type
3-Cup anemometer
Operating Range
0.78-98 m/s (1.75-214 mph)
Starting Threshold
0.78 m/s (1.75 mph)
Wind Direction
Type
Vane
Operating Range
360° mechanical, 352° electrical
Sensitivity
1 m/s (2.2 mph)
Rainfall
Type
Tipping Spoon
Resolution
1 mm (0.04”) per tip
Solar Radiation
Type
Silicon Pyranometer
Range
0-2000 W/m^2
Accuracy
+/- 5%
Table 1: Instrument Specifications

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WeatherHawk®
815 W 1800 N Logan, UT 84321-1784, Email: [e-mail] Copyright© 2004, 2013
Toll free in USA: 866-670-5982, International: 435-227-9802, FAX: [phone] Printed 2013
Site Considerations
Certain aspects should be considered when choosing the best location to place a WeatherHawk system. To ensure
the absolute best measurement, a weather station should be placed far away from any natural or artificial structure
that could affect the measurement such as trees, buildings, artificial surfaces, steep slopes, etc. At times this is not
possible, not practical, or not consistent with the application and decisions must be made as to the best location to
place a weather station. The following sections will briefly discuss some considerations that should be made prior to
installing a WeatherHawk station.
Site Selection
Ground Installations
For ground installations, WeatherHawk recommends a TP1 Tripod Kit. However, the signature series weather
station will mount on any tubing with an outer diameter of 1-1.5 inches and can be easily mounted on a user-
supplied mast. With the TP1 Tripod Kit, the WeatherHawk can be mounted at a height of 38 to 60 inches. Mast
extensions are available for the TP1 Tripod Kit in order to raise the height of the weather station. Guy-wire kits are
also available for use with the TP1 Tripod Kit to enhance the stability of the mast. Other equipment for the TP1
Tripod Kit available from WeatherHawk includes a tripod installation kit, tripod stake kit, and a tripod grounding
kit. The specific contents of all kits can be found in Appendix (A). Maximum station height with the tripod and
accessories is 10 feet (3 meters).
The ideal WeatherHawk site is level and well away from obstructions such as buildings, trees, and steep slopes. If
obstructions exist, use the “Ten Times the Height Rule”, which is illustrated in Figure 1.
An option when obstructions exist is to raise the weather station height above the obstruction by using mast
extensions or mounting the WeatherHawk on a roof.
Figure 1: Ten Times the Height Rule. If
the height of the tree, T, is 13 feet and the
height of the shed, H, is 12 feet, then the
WeatherHawk station should be placed at
least 130 feet from the tree and at least
120 feet from the shed.

3
WeatherHawk®
815 W 1800 N Logan, UT 84321-1784, Email: [e-mail] Copyright© 2004, 2013
Toll free in USA: 866-670-5982, International: 435-227-9802, FAX: [phone] Printed 2013
a. If the WeatherHawk station will be inside a fence to discourage vandalism, the fence top edge must be
lower than the wind sensors even if the fence is chain-link
b. Accurate wind measurements require the WeatherHawk to be located at the highest point in a
particular region.
c. The TP1 tripod/mast height cannot exceed 10 feet (312 cm), and you must use a guy-wire kit if you
increase the mast to the maximum height. If you need a higher mounting structure contact
WeatherHawk for recommendations.
Roof Installations
For roof mounts, WeatherHawk recommends either the TP1 Tripod Kit, Non-penetrating mast mount, or the HM3
Low Profile Mast Assembly. The HM3 is suitable for rooftop and well supported fascia board installations.
WeatherHawk also offers mast extensions for the HM1 to increase the height of the sensor platform.
The WeatherHawk needs to be 4 -8 feet (1.25 –2.5 m) above the roof peak, which requires one or two extensions
(TP1-MX) and a guy-wire kit (TP1-GK) when using the TP1 tripod and two extensions. If your roof has a chimney
or is flat with decorative trim, or has nearby trees taller than the house, follow the “Ten Times the Height Rule”
described in Figure 1.
If a WeatherHawk is installed on a roof, heat reflected and radiated by the building tends to influence
temperature and relative humidity readings of the station.
Do not install your WeatherHawk near a functional chimney. When the chimney is in use, the carbon
particles in the soot may degrade and damage the bearings in the sensors. The heat may also affect the
air temperature and relative humidity measurements.
Do not install your WeatherHawk on a mast or tripod with a television antenna because the additional
wind loading from the WeatherHawk may cause the antenna mast to fail and topple.
Because of electrical isolation and earth ground requirements, WeatherHawk recommends that a
qualified electrician install and ground a directly connected roof mounted weather station. Your
WeatherHawk Warranty is void if the weather station is not properly grounded.

4
WeatherHawk®
815 W 1800 N Logan, UT 84321-1784, Email: [e-mail] Copyright© 2004, 2013
Toll free in USA: 866-670-5982, International: 435-227-9802, FAX: [phone] Printed 2013
Power Considerations
WeatherHawk weather stations are provided with an integral sealed rechargeable lead acid battery that must be
recharged to assure continued system operation. The battery supplied with the WeatherHawk is a 0.8 AHr battery
which will operate the station for approximately 3-4 days without any external charging. WeatherHawk also offers
a 7 AHr external battery pack for use in higher latitudes and colder climates. To charge the internal or external
battery, WeatherHawk offers a solar panel option or an AC/DC converter option. If no power supply has been
ordered with the weather station, the user must provide an external DC power source with an output of 18 Volts @
1.2 amps.
Connecting an incompatible power source to your WeatherHawk voids your Warranty. Please check
with WeatherHawk Customer Service before connecting a power source not purchased from
WeatherHawk.
Solar Power
WeatherHawk offers a 5 Watt Solar Panel Kit for use with WeatherHawk Signature Series systems. The kit is
suitable for use with any WeatherHawk Signature Series weather station however, if the station location is near or
above 66° latitude, solar power is most likely not an option for recharging the internal battery of the weather station.
Locations near or above 66° latitude do not receive enough sunlight in the winter months to effectively charge the
internal battery using a solar panel. For these high latitude applications, the external 7 AHr battery is recommended.
AC Power
WeatherHawk offers an AC/DC Converter for use in recharging the battery using an AC power source. The ACP2
recharges the WeatherHawk battery by converting 110-220 VAC, 50/60 Hz power to 18 VDC. The ACP2 requires
the weather station to be located within close proximity to a source of AC power. The ACP2 must be installed in a
non-condensing environment or a weatherproof enclosure. The ACP2 is compatible with all WeatherHawk
Signature Series weather stations.
Communications Options
Direct Communications
Direct Communications with a WeatherHawk Signature Series weather station involves using an RS232 cable to
directly connect the WeatherHawk to a host computer. To do this, the WeatherHawk must be located close enough
to the host computer for a direct connection to be made. When using direct connection communications, it is very
highly recommended that an isolation kit be used to protect the host computer in the event of a lightning strike or
other electrical surge.

5
WeatherHawk®
815 W 1800 N Logan, UT 84321-1784, Email: [e-mail] Copyright© 2004, 2013
Toll free in USA: 866-670-5982, International: 435-227-9802, FAX: [phone] Printed 2013
Cable Lengths
The maximum cable length for RS232 communications is 75 feet. If a user requires a longer cable length than this,
an MD485-KT Communications Module Kit can be used. The MD485-KT Communications Module Kit enables
the distance of direct communications to be lengthened to approximately 4000 feet of cable. However, if multiple
WeatherHawk stations are used as in a network, the total combined cable length cannot exceed 4000 feet.
Grounding Issues
Outdoor cables may be subject to induced currents due to lightning or other environmental factors. Therefore proper
grounding is imperative to avoid damage to the WeatherHawk and/or any connected host device or computer.
To minimize the possibility of equipment damage or personal hazard, we strongly recommend a
qualified electrician design and install the grounding and data isolation components of a directly wired
installation.
Wireless Communications
WeatherHawk wireless stations use spread-spectrum radios to transmit the data over short distances. These radios
must have line-of-sight between the station and the radio base station connected to a host computer to operate
effectively. WeatherHawk wireless stations are available in three frequency ranges: 916 MHz, 922 MHz, and 2.4
GHz. Higher gain antennas are also available to increase the transmission distance of the data.
Transmission Ranges
Typical line-of-sight transmission ranges are listed below:
Up to ½ mile (0.8 km) for the frequencies 916 MHz and 922 MHz
Up to ¼ mile (0.4 km) for the frequency 2.4 GHz
Up to 7 miles if optional higher gain antennas are used on both the WeatherHawk station and the RF base
station
The transmission ranges assume standard WeatherHawk antennas are used at the computer site. User-
supplied, higher gain antennas at the base station and/or on the WeatherHawk can affect the
transmission range.
The ranges assume no obstructions are in the line-of-sight.
Line-of-Sight
Line-of-sight is defined as a straight path between a transmitting and receiving antenna that is unobstructed by
intermediate topography or obstructions (see Figure 2). A clear line-of-sight is required to achieve the optimum
transmission range. Since the effect of obstructions on transmission range can vary, radio transmission tests should
be performed before permanently installing a WeatherHawk station if obstructions lie within the line-of-sight.

6
WeatherHawk®
815 W 1800 N Logan, UT 84321-1784, Email: [e-mail] Copyright© 2004, 2013
Toll free in USA: 866-670-5982, International: 435-227-9802, FAX: [phone] Printed 2013
Figure 2: Line-of-sight. As the dotted line indicates, Station 1 has a clear line-of-sight with the Computer Site. The
mountain obstructs Station 2's line-of-sight and would attenuate the RF signal or prevent wireless communications
completely
Other Communication Options
WeatherHawk Signature Series weather stations can use other communications options if the application requires it.
Other options include an IP server module that can send the data to an Ethernet making it accessible on a network.
This option requires the purchase of a WeatherHawk IP server module, and the presence of an ethernet cable at the
module location. Cellular communications can also be used to send the data from a location that is not within radio
transmission range of the host computer. This option requires the purchase of a cellular modem, and cellular
coverage at the site location. Another option is the use of satellite communication. This option requires purchasing
the necessary hardware and a clear sky view from the station.
Pre-Installation Tests
Upon receiving a WeatherHawk weather station, it is a good idea to run some communication and software tests to
ensure the system is working properly before permanently installing the station in the field. In order to test the
system, the host computer will need an available serial port or a USB port with a serial-to-USB converter. A serial-
to-USB converter is available for purchase from WeatherHawk if necessary. Refer to the Quick Start Guide for pre-
installation tests.
Station 1
Station 2

7
WeatherHawk®
815 W 1800 N Logan, UT 84321-1784, Email: [e-mail] Copyright© 2004, 2013
Toll free in USA: 866-670-5982, International: 435-227-9802, FAX: [phone] Printed 2013
Figure 1: Box of standard and
wireless equipment. The lift straps
allow easy removal of the
WeatherHawk from the box.
Lift Straps
Quick Start Guide
Signature Series Model 232/916/922/240
Read Me First
Computer Requirements
Available Serial Port or USB Port (Serial-to-USB Converter
Cable required)
WeatherHawk Setup Procedure
1. Remove the top foam packing from the WeatherHawk box and
verify you have all ordered equipment; then unpack equipment.
a. Use the lift straps to remove the WeatherHawk
station, since removing the station by lifting on the
sensors may damage the sensors (see Figure 1).
b. Avoid resting the WeatherHawk on the wind speed
and wind direction sensors.
c. Report missing or damaged equipment to
WeatherHawk Customer Service before installing
your system.
2. Install your application software on your computer.
3. Connect the serial cable male connector to the WeatherHawk RS-232 port and the serial cable female
connector to a computer serial port (Figure 2).
a. If you are using a serial connection, ensure the serial port is not already assigned to an open program.
b. If you’re connecting the cable to a USB port, a serial-to-USB converter cable is required and
optionally available from WeatherHawk (P/N 16878, USB-AD).
4. Turn the key to the on position (Figure 3), and observe a red flashing light through the small rectangular
Scan/Receive window on the underside of the WeatherHawk.
Figure 2: Serial cable (left) and the
WeatherHawk serial port in which the serial
cable male connector connects. A dust cover
must be removed from the WeatherHawk
RS-232 port before connecting the cable.
Figure 3: Keyed power switch
is located on the bottom of the
WeatherHawk station.