Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless

Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - Printable Version

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Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - sperry russ - 20-08-2015

Hello,

I currently have a Weather Station that is a Fine Offset emulated station. It is direct wired with ethernet cable instead of wireless. The reason for this is that the building I am in has thick concrete, steel reinforced walls and roof. Wireless devices are pretty much useless here. I am using CumulusMX software with it.

I like the idea of what you are doing here with the different components where a person can add different sensors and boards to create the station you want. I am not an expert with soldering irons etc. but have done some before.

Is there some way I could use your components and have it direct wired?

If there is completed boards that have wind speed/direction, rain, temp/humidity and maybe extra temp sensors, lighting detector or could be easily added later? If so what is the cost?

If I built it myself using the parts from you what would be the cost?

Thanks,
Sperry

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - uncle_bob - 20-08-2015

Without trying to put words in Werks' mouth....
Just about anything is possible. But, I think as the WeatherDuino stands at the moment, all this is outside the scope of the system.

Removing the Wireless code and writing in serial would be a big ask and task. It's likely that people have used parts of Werks code and married it into other code including serial wired comms, but they are unknown to me.
Anyway, I think you could be surprised how well the 433Mhz modules in this project work and the signal would probably pass through concrete etc, of course with more attenuation and a hit to the range.

Extra sensors are supported but currently it's limited to a few different types.

I too would love to see an Arduino based lightning detector as the current off the shelf jobs are well outside my price range. I have doubts that the WeatherDuino would have enough "grunt" to run lightning detector or enough spare memory to fit the code in.

Anyway, that's my take on this, we'll have to wait to get the official word from the boss Wink

(20-08-2015, 06:33)sperry russ Wrote: Hello,

I currently have a Weather Station that is a Fine Offset emulated station. It is direct wired with ethernet cable instead of wireless. The reason for this is that the building I am in has thick concrete, steel reinforced walls and roof. Wireless devices are pretty much useless here. I am using CumulusMX software with it.

I like the idea of what you are doing here with the different components where a person can add different sensors and boards to create the station you want. I am not an expert with soldering irons etc. but have done some before.

Is there some way I could use your components and have it direct wired?

If there is completed boards that have wind speed/direction, rain, temp/humidity and maybe extra temp sensors, lighting detector or could be easily added later? If so what is the cost?

If I built it myself using the parts from you what would be the cost?

Thanks,
Sperry

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - uncle_bob - 20-08-2015

Oh, I just had a thought, maybe it's possible to connect the antennas with single core length of cable. I've never tried it and it could possibly load the transmitter module too much. maybe one of the radio guys could comment on this idea.

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - AllyCat - 20-08-2015

Hi,

(20-08-2015, 08:48)uncle_bob Wrote: ... maybe it's possible to connect the antennas with single core length of cable. .... it could possibly load the transmitter module too much.

It's more likely to overload the receiver than the transmitter, but it might work (or maybe you could introduce a RF attenuator into the cable). But probably the easiest solution (if the walls are too thick for reliable comms) is to use the cable to "extend" the connection to one of the antennas (probably the transmitter). Then locate the two antennas close together where they can "see" each other reliably.

Cheers, Alan.

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - werk_ag - 21-08-2015

(20-08-2015, 06:33)sperry russ Wrote: Is there some way I could use your components and have it direct wired?

Unless the suggested idea of using a RF cable work, which I do not really know if it works, I think there is no way to use the system with cables.

(20-08-2015, 06:33)sperry russ Wrote: If there is completed boards that have wind speed/direction, rain, temp/humidity and maybe extra temp sensors, lighting detector or could be easily added later? If so what is the cost?

Only ocasionally I have completed boards, but never any of the required sensors.

Do you know of any lighting detector module that really works?
I have done some tests with the two Arduinos modules that use the AS3935 chip, and I'm very disappointed with the results. According to what I have read in other forums about this matter, I'm not the only one to be disappointed. I run a Blitzortung Red System, so I have a good source of data to compare.

(20-08-2015, 06:33)sperry russ Wrote: If I built it myself using the parts from you what would be the cost?

I can't give an estimate of the cost. The system allows a lot of customization and options, which can have great impact on the final cost. One person can build it and spend X, and another can spend 2X.

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - sperry russ - 22-08-2015

I have used some parts from a place called Hobby Boards before that seem to work well. They have a lightning detector that according to one reviewer worked well. But I have never used a lightning detector before.

Recently I was able to know when a bolt of lightning struck. I heard a loud crack! And then my computer turned off. It took out my Raspberry Pi, motherboard in my computer, and the cable modem. The strike came in through the Internet Cable. But, that is not a very good way to detect a strike Wink

We have a lot of lightning here in Central Florida.

Thanks for all of the information and advice.

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - sperry russ - 17-09-2015

I have read the documents and parts lists for building one of these weather stations. But it seems that there are updates to the boards and parts recently and it seems confusing to me. I am one that needs step by step in order to understand it.

I have not built any electronic parts before but I have done some soldering and modifying of a weather station I have. I cannot solder smd conponents, they are too small.

I am not sure how to start going about ordering the boards and parts. Also, what are the basics of what I need to get started? I want , wind speed & direction, rainfall, outside temp and humidity, solar and uv, inside humidity and temp, and maybe the possibility of adding a couple of temp/humidity sensors in other locations in the future.

What would be good is if I could get you to build it for me instead. Would that be possible? If so what would be the cost completed? And cost of shipping to Florida.

As I mentioned in my first post I have thick concrete with steel in my building so even if I able to have one I will be taking a risk to see if it works.

But I would rather have a station like this that I can modify or update in the future instead of a factory built one. And, I want to stick with CumulusMX.

Thanks.

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - uncle_bob - 17-09-2015

Hi Sperry,
In my opinion I think this project might be a little too advanced for a complete beginner to electronics.
The WeatherDuino isn't a kitset nor does it currently come with step by step instructions.

That said, Werk_AG does sometimes have completely built and tested boards that he sells. Other than that, it may be a good idea to start off with some Arduino kitsets (there's plenty on Google) that will teach you the basic electronic components and orientation and once you are comfortable after constructing those, then it would be possible to tackle the WeatherDuino Pro 2.

Sorry to sound blunt but really that's the bottom line currently. I've thought about writing a step by step construction guide but Werk_AG keeps adding features Smile

I've also got time constraints :/

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - sperry russ - 17-09-2015

Bob,

Thanks for the reply. I will try to keep and eye on this forum in case he decides to build any. I understand myself that it might be a daunting task to do it all as a beginner. Especially with no clear cut instructions. I have undertaken different projects over the years with success but as I get older it doesn't seem as easy Smile

RE: Build With Wired Connection Insead of Wireless - werk_ag - 17-09-2015

Hi Sperry

I can't agree more with the words from uncle_bob.
Some knowledge of the Arduino environment is essential.

Assembling all the boards is not hard (boards which use SMD parts are always supplied with them already assembled). The most important thing is understanding how all the system works, this is why I have always been reluctant in having something like a step by step guide, having such thing may pass the idea that building the WeatherDuino Pro2 system is something like building an electronic kit, which is not true, because there are many things which are personal choices (type of sensors, type of wind instruments, etc, etc, etc).

When you feel, that you have gathered all the necessary info (and all are on the forum, a bit here a bit there), you will see that almost your current doubts will disappear. Then building the system, will be surprisingly easy.

Regards