Author Topic: Vantage pro2 temp/hum problems (Read 2216 times)

Roelle · « **on:** July 21, 2009, 10:40:36 AM »

Hey all!

For about 10 month ago my Temp/hum sensor failed, I got a new as sparepart

Now a friend of mine have same problem, hi try locate the temp/hum sensor by
searching the net, Davis and dealers around the world, but it seems like the sensor
vanished as a sparepart

Any here know if that`s right?
If some of u guys have link to dealers my friend would be happy
BTW, he use Weatherlink software

Roelle

munrobaggins · « **Reply #1 on:** July 21, 2009, 10:46:17 AM »

McMurdo are the UK importers of Davis Wx Stns....you may have some luck with them

sm6kiw · « **Reply #2 on:** July 22, 2009, 06:58:16 AM »

Hello !
I got a new one last winter from Archer Trading Post.
You find them on Ebay, http://cgi.ebay.com/DAVIS-REPLACEMENT-TEMPERATURE-HUMIDITY-SENSOR-7346-029_W0QQitemZ380137791489QQcmdZViewItemQQptZWeather_Devices?hash=item5881fa6001&_trksid=p4634.c0.m14.l1262&_trkparms=%7C293%3A3%7C294%3A30

I had to pay some customs fee as usual to the Swedish customs

Regards
Bo

Roelle · « **Reply #3 on:** July 22, 2009, 10:00:08 AM »

Hey again!

Thanks for your answers, special thanks`s to you Bo, my mate are ordering the sensor from the link you added

Regards
Roelle

ricky · « **Reply #4 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:15:00 AM »

Just for peoples interest..

My VP2 humidity readings gradually started to max out lower and lower reaching only 80% recently.
Investigating, I found the actual sensor was a Sensirion SHT11 http://www.sensirion.com/en/01_humidity_sensors/02_humidity_sensor_sht11.htm
I ordered and fitted the higher accuracy SHT15 for about NZ$70 from Farnell, but the original SHT11s were available for only $15 so I grabbed a few at the same time!
Anyone used to doing any surface mount component replacements would have no problem replacing the sensor in this way.
I figured it was the best repair option for me as it only takes 1 day to get parts from Farnell and I wanted it fixed immediately, the higher accuracy device was a bonus too

prodata · « **Reply #5 on:** July 24, 2009, 09:28:16 AM »

Quote from: ricky on July 24, 2009, 09:15:00 AM

Just for peoples interest..

Do remember though that the Davis implementation of the T/H sensor is now quite heavily encapsulated to prevent premature failure due to liquid water ingress. Unless you mimic this protection carefully and thoroughly, chances are that the bare sensor will only have a life measured in months

ricky · « **Reply #6 on:** July 25, 2009, 01:21:04 AM »

I wonder if they've changed anything in the housing since my version? It was all just removable covers and screens that reassembled once the sensor was replaced on the board, no conformal coating or anything though it would probably be a good idea here. The actual sensor opening is rated for full immersion so it's just the connections that would need protection.
I was really thinking that it could be a good idea for anyone that had obtained a replacement and wanted to repair their old one as a spare..

niko · « **Reply #7 on:** July 25, 2009, 02:29:41 AM »

Good find Ricky

Here are the old (upper) and new (lower) versions of the sensor assembly (not much chance of swapping the chip in the new one

). Note that it is also now mounted inverted so there is less chance of condensation but the plastic/"gold" mesh cage is the same.

Roelle · « **Reply #8 on:** July 25, 2009, 07:20:06 AM »

Good news Ricky

Here answer from Davis "The sensor was discontinued from production"

Not so good news for VP2 owners, that know the temp/hum sensor are vulnerable.
Seems to me that Davis service leaves customers in the lurch

Roelle

prodata · « **Reply #9 on:** July 25, 2009, 08:10:27 AM »

Quote from: Roelle on July 25, 2009, 07:20:06 AM

Here answer from Davis "The sensor was discontinued from production"

Not so good news for VP2 owners, that know the temp/hum sensor are vulnerable.
Seems to me that Davis service leaves customers in the lurch

I think there's some misunderstanding here. First you need to be clear which temp/hum sensor board you need. The link to the Archer site was to part 7346.029 which is the old 'analogue' T/H sensor and only relevant to VP stations made up until 31 Dec 2005. I know that there were only a finite number of these .029 boards left in stock when production ended but we've not had any trouble getting them so far and they're not yet shown as discontinued on the Davis site at present. (This could be out of date of course but various dealers/distributors will still have at least a few.)

For more recent VP2 stations (ie made 1 Jan 2006 onwards), the only reliable fix is to get a 6930 upgrade kit - the instructions for fitting this are in the PDF that Niko linked to. The more recent digital board used to be 7346.166 (or the later 7346.166G) but I'm not sure whether the most recent boards (which will be included in the latest 6930 kits) might not have had a further revision to the part number.

Edit: Just to clarify this: 7346.166 (or more recent version) is the actual temp/hum sensor board. 6930 is an upgrade kit that contains the .166-type board together with a few additional items of hardware - a new heat shield for the top of the radiation shield, screws, instructions etc.

Note that if your VP2 needs an analogue T/H board (because it's an older model) then the digital one will not work, unless you also fit a new SIM board.

There's more info on the VP-KB at http://vp-kb.wikispaces.com/Compatibility+Info#TempHum

Roelle · « **Reply #10 on:** July 25, 2009, 10:42:26 AM »

Thanks Prodata!

Fine information here, but a little confusing

My VP2 are older than 2006 so I still would have problems sooner or later,
I don't know exact age and numbers of my friends VP2, but I mail him the link you gave here

Thanks a lot all, great forum

Roelle

Pilot · « **Reply #11 on:** August 22, 2009, 07:59:28 PM »

O.K - I need a new sensor (rev. A 2006 07315.176a)
Couldn't find a new one on eBay or even Davis (they don't accept non-USA Visa...)
Please, where did you order yours ?????
pitzi2@bezeqint.net