Solar sensor: Solar Cell + LabJack + Weather Display

[SkyHawk]

Ok, thanks for your help.



One thing, what do I have to do to enter in Sationless mode?



To set the local Metar what I have to do is:

Control Panel ---> FTP & Connections   METAR/NOAA ---> METAR Download ---> Select the Metar Station from the list ---> Tick "Use this METAR to update Weather Display's data" and "Use this METAR for local sky/icon conditions" ---> Set the switch to "METAR ON" ---> OK

It is correct?



And Budgie, if you can check with your solar sensor if it works I will be very grateful with you.



So, if I have understood all correctly; I only need a PC with WD, the Solar Sensor, the USB Adaptor and the cables that Budgie has said in his post.
And it really does not need any calibration?



Finally, have the problems with the Solar Graphics that Breitling stated on this post been solved, or it will not happen usin the 1 wire solar sensor?

http://www.weather-watch.com/smf/index.php/topic,22204.msg182036.html#msg182036




Sorry for being boring and tedious, but I want to be sure and have everything clear before buying or doing something.


Thanks again for your help.

[jmcmurry]

Selecting the METAR and data will go just as you mention.  You'll also have to go Control Panel - Station Type & Settings then the Stationless/WLK/Vortex/VWS tab and select Stationless there I believe.

Others will have to answer about the sensor.

If you haven't already, you can download WD and get some of this going.  It has a 30 free trial so you can check it out.

- Jim

[SkyHawk]

Thanks. Yes, setting "Stationless" is like you have said. Currently I am using the 30 days trial version.


Thanks for your help, I will continue waiting the answers about the sensor.

[niko]

Thanks for your help, I will continue waiting the answers about the sensor.

This post was the software author confirming that it will work.

stationless will work (and yes you could set to use a local Metar for data)
and then use a 1 wire solar sensor

[SkyHawk]

OK. Thanks.


One thing, in a Spanish forum I have found that one user says that there are some problems with the Hobby Board Solar Sensor (translated with Google):

http://forum.meteoclimatic.net/index.php/topic,168.msg40163.html#msg40163

1. - The photodiode generates too much voltage. Above 250mv saturates the 1-wire bus with unpredictable results. That's what they do is put some kind of diffuser, but you have to do it right.

2. - The receiving angle of the photodiode is 140 º, for low angles of the sun begins to measure less.

Does somebody have this kind of problems?



And it is sure that this 1 wire sensor does not need any kind of calibration?

[niko]

1. - The photodiode generates too much voltage. Above 250mv saturates the 1-wire bus with unpredictable results. That's what they do is put some kind of diffuser, but you have to do it right.

A lot of the users on here have good results using a ping pong ball as a diffuser.

2. - The receiving angle of the photodiode is 140 º, for low angles of the sun begins to measure less.

The diffuser will help, but you did say:

as I have said, it do not have to be very accurate) the sensor.

And it is sure that this 1 wire sensor does not need any kind of calibration?

You will need to adjust the settings in Weather Display to get the readings approximately correct. It should be good enough for your described purpose.

[SkyHawk]

A lot of the users on here have good results using a ping pong ball as a diffuser.

How do you do that, putting the solar sensor or the photodiode inside the Ping Pong ball?

It has some repercussion in the data received by the sensor?


The Solar Radiation Chase can work as a diffuser?

http://www.hobby-boards.com/store/products/Solar-Radiation-Case.html

[SkyHawk]

The diffuser should be something like this?

[SkyHawk]

Hi again.

Finally the solar sensor and the other things I bought in Hobby Boards have arrived.

But I have a doubt, the solar radiation sensor comes with a moisture resistant coating and it is also inside of a case, as you can see in the photos.


My doubt is that, inside the case, it is not possible to use the Ping Pong ball as a diffuser so, ¿what would you do?

¿Should I remove the case and then put the diffuser in the solar sensor? ¿Can the case work as a diffuser?



Thanks again for all your help and sorry with the spelling mistakes.

[Budgie]

If you don't mind a bit of soldering you can detach the sensor from the PCB and extend it, then put it into a diffuser of your choice.

Although the PCB has the coating, it should still be contained within some sort of waterproof housing as the coating isn't waterproof it just protects against moisture. 

[SkyHawk]

If I leave the sensor inside the case without any diffuser, will it work correctly?

Because now that it is inside the case I would prefer not to touch it much; if it can work without a diffuser.



There is some kind of waterproof housing that does not interfere in the solar sensor readings?

[Budgie]

The case is simple that, it just protects the PCB and sensor, and you can remove it if you want too.
I removed the top of the case on mine to give the sensor a better view of the sky and then put the whole thing inside a plastic tub. The tub acted like a diffuser and it worked fine. 

[SkyHawk]

The case is simple that, it just protects the PCB and sensor, and you can remove it if you want too.
I removed the top of the case on mine to give the sensor a better view of the sky and then put the whole thing inside a plastic tub. The tub acted like a diffuser and it worked fine. 

So, in your case, the only diffuser that you are using is the plastic tub? You do not have any Ping Pong ball or something for the style?


Budgie, can you confirm me if the solar sensor only has a 150 degree acceptance angle?


I am also worried because on my location we sometimes reach the 1000 w/m2, can the sensor became saturated? (I have read that above 250mv the sensor saturates the 1-wire bus with unpredictable results)


http://www.meteoclimatic.com/perfil/ESCAT4300000043201B

http://www.meteoclimatic.com/perfil/ESCAT4300000043202B



Thanks for your help.


PD: Have you got a photo from the top of your sensor inside the plastic tub?

[Budgie]

Yep, just the plastic tub, no one could see it so style wasn't an issue. 

I'm not sure about the 150° acceptance angle but it sounds about right.

I get over 1200 W/m2 here and didn't have an issue, although the sensor was connected direct to the USB adaptor and not through a bus or hub so that may make a difference although I've not heard of any issues with this.

I don't have any photos, other than the one I posted, and the sensor is long gone as I have Davis do the job now.

[SkyHawk]

OK, thanks for all your help.


Next week when I will get the computer to use with the sensor I will tell you how it works.


And the last thing Budgie, when you had the sensor, did you see if with the Sun the sensor became overheated?
And, now that you have the Davis; were the readings of the Hobby Boards' sensor quite similar to the professional solar sensor?



Thanks again.