Davis Vantage Pro 2 - separating rain bucket and temp on ISS

[kaimaikid]

I haven't looked as yet but is it possible to remove the temp sensor or rain gage from the ISS on a cabled Davis Vantage Pro 2 6152C ?

As I wish to mount the temperature sensor separately from the rain bucket due to getting high temp readings during the day however need to leave the rain bucket where it is.

[iomkiwi]

You could just extend the cable from the rain bucket. Otherwise I "think" you can do it with the anemometer transmitter kit if you want/need it to be wireless. (I asked a similar question to Davis but never got a reply)
Either way you would need to get a new base plate for the rain bucket assembly.

[chucl1932]

You may be better off getting a fars unit for your iss unit. I installed one on mine and have very good temp readings from then to now.
Chuck

[kaimaikid]

Just had a look inside the ISS board box it, both the temp/hum sensors and rain sensor are plug ins as to being hard wired, the temp/hum unit is just held on to the bottom of the bucket by 3 screws making it simple to detatch, so hopefully by adding an extention cable to the temp/hum sensors won't alter the readings by adding extra resistance from a longer cable...

EDIT: Might be safer to extend the rain lead by moving the board box with the temp/hum sensors.

[Budgie]

I think I'd save all the hassle and go with Chuck's suggestion: Daytime FARS

I use this and it does make a difference in keeping the daytime temps in check. 

[niko]

EDIT: Might be safer to extend the rain lead by moving the board box with the temp/hum sensors.

Much better idea.

You can get another rain gauge base and use that to mount the electronics box and the shelter, or it's not too difficult to make a mounting.

[kaimaikid]

I think I'd save all the hassle and go with Chuck's suggestion: Daytime FARS

I use this and it does make a difference in keeping the daytime temps in check. 

Biggest problem that I have is the terrain where I live, the perfect place for the temp sensor is no good for rain, but alas, will have it all sorted very soon once I get myself motivated 

[jerryg]

i have my 6152c completely apart so i could put my anny up at 33 feet on my tower. I put the iss box inside workshop and ran cat 5 out to the sensor which i have in a fars located about 50 feet from the iss box and the temp/hum reads right on. I have the rain guage about 40 feet away and just used a two conductor wire with connectors on each end, one with a splice at the rain gauge end sealed and the other plugged into the iss. I have all the devices in the best spots possible. All works the same as if it was together.

[kaimaikid]

Darn, wished I knew that the temp/hum sensor cable could handle being extended as then I could have left the ISS more central allowing me to put up the wind anny higher...

ah well....   

[kaimaikid]

ok, a couple of piccys of my set up

The temp/hum sensor is on the southern end of the house above grass where it virtually never gets any direct sun and the wind sensor is about 5m above the roof, I changed it all around again separating the temp/hum from the ISS so that I can add a solar sensor at some stage.

[beun.net]

Darn, wished I knew that the temp/hum sensor cable could handle being extended as then I could have left the ISS more central allowing me to put up the wind anny higher...

ah well....   

*kicks old topic*

What is the length of the cable going to your temp/hum sensor?

I'm thinking about doing the same to my Vantage Pro2 Plus (6162). Wind/UV/Solar/Rain are all up on the roof. Best place for all those sensors in my case. It's just the temp/hum sensors that should go somewhere else. Preferably in my garden, about two meters above the grass or so. At least not up on the roof.
But to make this happen, I would have to extend the temp/hum cable about 15 meter... Any idea whether or not that would work?

[prodata]

But to make this happen, I would have to extend the temp/hum cable about 15 meter... Any idea whether or not that would work?

There's a debate going on about this elsewhere currently. Davis say, no - don't do it (because there's no signal conditioning on the relevant SIM input adequate to cope with long T/H cables - it was only ever designed to accommodate short cables).

But some users are apparently using longer extension cables and getting away with it.

I think the problem here is that long T/H cables are clearly not a recommended or supported option. But it may work nonetheless. The problem as I see it is that while it may well work in the sense of still getting T/H readings, you may very probably lose confidence in the accuracy of those readings. To be on the side side, the best advice is not to lengthen the T/H cable.

[N7XSQ]

The ISS mounting bracket/plate is available as a a replacement part.
This part can be used to make separation of the rain bucket from the ISS relatively easy.
The rain bucket cable can be extended quite a ways, while it is not recommended to extend the temp/humidity cable

See this post and the rest of the thread:
http://www.weather-watch.com/smf/index.php/topic,26187.15.html#msg206847

Steve

[jerryg]

Like i said above i ran my t/h sensor around 50 feet using cat5 cable and it was just fine. The sensor outputs a digital signal so as long as the signal reachs the sim it is accurate, the only possible problem i see is if the voltage drop down the cable got low enough to not power the sensor. Just my observations here.

[aardvark]

I would have two major concerns.  First, separation will void your warranty, but then who cares?   Second, will the temperature difference be that significant from moving the radiation shield off the rain collector floor and placed in, I assume, a similar shield elsewhere.

You can always do anything you can, with a wireless, but with a cabled, you need a way to run your wires to the transmitter, being concerned about length restrictions, water tight connection between the sensor cables and plugs. Protection of your cables from the elements.  All will make a great project for you, good luck... have fun.