- If you already have a Serial logger.
RS-232 Serial to Ethernet TCP/IP device servers used to be quite expensive, I paid about $200 for a major brand one some years ago (and it took multiple calls to tech support to get it configured) but now they are available from China for less than $30. Add your own power supply (5 volts with a common connector, you probably have one left over from some unused piece of gear), some kind of box, a 9 pin gender changer (or two male DB9 connectors and three pieces of wire) and you have an easy way to connect a Davis VP(2) with a serial weatherlink to the PC through your network.
The documentation isn’t very clear but I’ve done it a couple of times so here’s the quick guide to making it work:
The “server” comes with software on a mini-CD. Connect the power supply, and connect to your network. Start the TCPIP-232-V4.0.exe (version may change) and hit the “Search in LAN” button. You should see that it has found the server at its default 192.168.0.7 address. (If your network does not use 192.168 addresses you may have to connect the server direct the to PC to change the IP.)
Make the changes as highlighted below.
TCP Server!
The (fixed) IP you choose should be compatible with your network set up.
Default gateway is usually your router IP.
Baud Rate 19200 = Default for the Davis VP(2)
Hit “Setup via NET”, you should get a success message in the log window. Wait a while and hit “Search in LAN” again, you should see that the server has been found at the new IP.
From the weather PC ping the IP of the unit, if it responds you are in business.
Connect the weatherlink serial connector to the 9 pin connector on the server. Uh oh, they are both female connectors, so we need a gender changer which is two male connectors back to back with the transmit and receive connections reversed. You can buy or, if you can solder, make one of these. Male DB9’s are only $2.49 each at Radio Shack and for this application you only need connect three pins between them.
If you are running WD you can connect directly using TCP/IP mode. Open Control Panel, Com Port, TCP/IP Connection tab and enter the IP and port number of the unit and check “Enabled”, and hit “OK”.
Save and exit, and restart WD and data should start to be collected. Assumes WD was already setup for the VP, if not you’ll need to use Control Panel, Station Type, first to do that.
I don’t know if WD supports other brand serial stations directly over TCP/IP and I don’t have another serial station to test with, but I do run other serial devices over my network using virtual com port software so I imagine any serial station would work that way. If anyone wants the virtual serial port setup then ask and I will post it. I did not find the supplier’s suggested virtual comport software to be any use but I know of another good and free one that works on W7/32 and W7/64.