[werk_ag]

Yes, it could be an interesting experiment to try and replace the Reed Switch with a Hall Sensor.

First test, with a modified Fine Offset anemometer, using a Hall effect sensor. At least it works... for now I have no idea if the readings are correct or not. I'm just testing the hardware.

[werk_ag]

I started this weekend the first outside tests with a modified Fine Offset anemometer, using a Hall effect sensor.

Two units are mounted side by side, 10 meters high. One with the original reed switch the other with the reed switch changed by a hall effect sensor. After the first minutes of readings, I just don't believe in what I'm getting. I checked and double checked all the test software, and don't find any error.
The case is that I'm getting exactly the same average wind speed readings from the two units! And exactly, is until the decimal point. Unbelievable for a first test.
After two days running, I observe that the unit with the Hall Effect sensor is not so propense to spurious spikes (none detected until now).

Work will continue... Below two comparative images from 12 hours of samples.


3 cups FO anemometer with default reed switch.



3 cups FO anemometer modified with a Hall Effect Sensor.

[tyntop]

Hi,
I have been following this topic and I am interested in doing this mod myself, could you tell me what hall effect sensors you are using and how are they mounted. I am assuming you are using a pcb. Have you got any pictures or diagrams of the circuit, so I can try this myself.

Regards

Tyntop

[werk_ag]

I didn't any schematics or diagrams yet. The hall effect sensor I'm using is the Aleggro A1102EUA-T, just mounted inside of the FO anemometer in the path of the magnet, and fixed with some glue.

As we have to supply power to the sensor I decided to have separate cables for the anemometer and the vane. A very small board is used to join the signals from both and connect them to the WeatherDuino TX board.

R1 is just a 180 Ohm protection resistor, and R2 a 10K pull up resistor.
If the weather help, tomorrow I'm going to replace the FO anemometer that feeds my weather station, for this modified. I'm testing it with my test unit, since last three weeks, and it seems to work well.

The TX software needs a small change, as this modified anemometer, produces just one click per revolution instead of two, as the original FO.

Does anybody know about any possible good or bad effects, that a change from two to one click per revolution can do?

[Liknus]

Hi all!
I'm new to this forum and pretty much to the weather stations world too!

I read this thread, and the post with the proposition of building an homemade anemometer chatched my attention. Through a quick search on the net I gathered a series of link and discussion. I'm not an electrician expert, and hence I would not know what to do with those informations, but they maybe can help you!

The most interesting of all would be this one-that AFAIK-would be the more complicated to build:
Ultrasonic anemometer for an absurdly accurate weather station (extremely precise project logs here) [via]

Standard-Egg's_Cup-like anemometer (in this site, in the 'sensor' quadrant, there are a tons of good post about different projects regarding various kinds of sensors for weather stations)

This one taken from archive.org also very detailed, but unfortunately without photos

These are those that to me seemed more 'precise'. Again, I'm not an engineer, nor an electronic savvy, so all these links may be useless to your aims..
In every case, still looking forward to buy your weather station---as long as the pcb returns to be available again---as my first one!

P.s.: I've listed the links here and not in the DIY area of the forum, forgive me

EDIT1
Digging the net for more infos on Inspeed instruments, I came across their blog. At the bootom of this page, the Wind Speed Sensor can be bought for $22.55, as well as the Wind Direction Sensor for $24.45
These should be the sensor you've mentioned in a previous post.
By adding the 'speed'-sensor to this we should be able to get a pretty decent and accurate anemometer for a quite accessible price, isn't it? Or are there missing parts whom I am not awere of?

Unfortunately there is no the metal cups spare parts options! Didn't asked them if it is possibile to order them as well 'outside' their online market (the price should be $40.00 which, I think, is more than acceptable for nearly always living parts).

[werk_ag]

EDIT1
Digging the net for more infos on Inspeed instruments, I came across their blog. At the bootom of this page, the Wind Speed Sensor can be bought for $22.55, as well as the Wind Direction Sensor for $24.45

Hi Liknus

I belive you had not saw the prices correctly!
The wind sensors from Inspeed Instruments seems good, but the wind vane costs around $130, and the wind speed sensor a little less.

Some time ago I talked with a guy from Inspeed Instruments, I was tempted to buy both units, to do some tests and possibly add support for them in the WeatherDuino software. The guy seem receptive, but communication is very slow... wait a week or more for each e-mail reply is to much for me, I gave up.

[JT118]

I didn't any schematics or diagrams yet. The hall effect sensor I'm using is the Aleggro A1102EUA-T, just mounted inside of the FO anemometer in the path of the magnet, and fixed with some glue.

As we have to supply power to the sensor I decided to have separate cables for the anemometer and the vane. A very small board is used to join the signals from both and connect them to the WeatherDuino TX board.

R1 is just a 180 Ohm protection resistor, and R2 a 10K pull up resistor.
If the weather help, tomorrow I'm going to replace the FO anemometer that feeds my weather station, for this modified. I'm testing it with my test unit, since last three weeks, and it seems to work well.

The TX software needs a small change, as this modified anemometer, produces just one click per revolution instead of two, as the original FO.

Does anybody know about any possible good or bad effects, that a change from two to one click per revolution can do?

Should be OK, I recently modified some FO anemometers for some students to work on one click and they are OK. All Davis anemometers are one click. See attached photo.

[werk_ag]

Since I have installed it, mine is working fine in just one sensor, giving exactly the same reading than the original with two reed switches. The next software release will include a user config option to support Fine Offset anemometers with this modification.
What hall effect sensor, you used in your experiment?

[JT118]

My single click modification is just a reed switch with the tail bent down to interfere with the magnet only once. Not sure how a Hall sensor would work with an old Weather Wizard; it would probably be OK.

Here's a list of anemometers on UK ebay which may be of interest; not all suitable for weatherduino as currently configured but probably can be made to work.

Walker wind speed direction sensor P296 and Indicators
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301643285485?_...EBIDX%3AIT
Anemometer: Model：JL-FS2
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/321721534658?_...EBIDX%3AIT
Anemometer 24v Three Cup Aircraft 4 Way Plug
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/261886288376?_...EBIDX%3AIT
Somfy WIND SPEED SENSOR FOR SENSOR STATION
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/301136922764?_...EBIDX%3AIT
Davis Instruments Anemometer 7911 for Wizard, Monitor
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/291250989221?_...EBIDX%3AIT
Rainbird Anemometer for the Maxicom2 wind speed meter
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/231490378630?_...EBIDX%3AIT
Inspeed Vortex Wind Speed Meter Digital Anemometer
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Inspeed-Vortex...1662009111?
Raymarine Autohelm ST50 Wind Speed PCB Windvane Vane Circuit Board
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370834161057?_...EBIDX%3AIT
A.P.C.S RC7852M TIPPING RAIN BUCKET
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/111668745494?_...EBIDX%3AIT

and bargain!:

Pack of 5 Maplin / FO Replacement Wind Speed Sensors for N96FY:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pack-of-5-Mapl...1e9f0eb7d6

[werk_ag]

Thank you for all those links: I'm aware of some of those anemometers, others I never seen them.

Maybe it's a bit early yet, but I think I can advance right now a first hand news:

We will gonna add support for the VORTEX 8-Pulse High Resolution Anemometer, and Inspeed E-VANE2 Electronic Wind Direction Sensor, in to the WeatherDuino Pro 2 system.



Certainly this will not be done in time to be included in the next software version, announced to be released at 10 of Jun, but it will be done.

I don't have the Inspeed Wind sensors yet, but they already are travelling from EUA to my home. I ordered them directly from Gary, the guy who has developed the electronics behind those fantastic sensors. They are certified instruments, and certainly one of the best all around.

Of course we will keep support for the Fine Offset sensors, we are just enlarging the horizons.