Important Info for Davis VP USB data logger users and potential users

Hardware Weather Station Equipment
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I know you’ve now dropped the Meteohub idea, but had you seen these
http://www.nslu2-linux.org/wiki/HowTo/ForcePowerAlwaysOn
ideas for auto-starting an NSLU2 on power restore? All unofficial and likely to affect warranty…

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I had not seen those items on the Meteohub. Thanks.

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I should also have mentioned that within the last couple of weeks the Meteohub software has also become available for hardware other than the NSLU2, including ‘generic x86’ and a VMware virtual machine. At least some of the other hardware does do auto-on.
http://www.meteohub.de/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=45&Itemid=68

You are probably aware of this, but maybe others aren’t so lest anyone should think I’m directing anyone away from WD with my Meteohub talk I’ll point out that WD can still be very relevant even with Meteohub involved, since data can be pulled from Meteohub into WD either via export as ‘logfiles’ or via the ‘logging protocol’ (which is what I use) to gain access to the vast array of features that WD offers.

If pulling in large (days or months worth) of backlogged data, the logfile route is probably more efficient, if pulling in data from overnight or a WD PC power failure then the logging protocol is better. For pulling in live data the logging protocol is the obvious choice.

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Hi all. All week has now gone by since installing the serial data logger without one glitch let alone a crash. So to anyone out there contemplating buying a Davis VP system, follow Brian’s advise and order a serial data logger. It will save an awful lot of time & head scratching.

Thanks to everyone for all your help. :smiley:

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Follow up on my last post in this subject, which was August 7, 08…

I have had NO data logger issues, no random lockups since switching to the serial data logger which Davis provided. It certainly seems it was the USB.

Just an update.

Mike

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I must be one of the lucky ones. I have and use a USB logger. For two years now it has been running without a single lockup. And it has been on two different computers.

Mark

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3 years for me as well not one problem with the USB logger.

Steve

41

Same here. Almost 4 years and 3 different computers

((knocks on wood))

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6 weeks now with the serial data logger & not one hitch. It is interesting to note the Campbell Scientific don’t even mention USB.

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Just to make it clear because this is a long thread now, you previously had problems with the USB and swapped to Serial - is that right?

44

Could it be linked to what chip your USB is using?

Mark

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I went with a USB logger and its been running since about 12/25. My machine randomly looses connection (2x today). I ordered WL-IP so I hope I am able to stay connected once I set it up.

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I would have recommended getting the serial data logger (always have) and then a good quality USB to serial adaptor

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Just to make it clear because this is a long thread now, you previously had problems with the USB and swapped to Serial - is that right?

Yes, I had all sorts of problems with the USB data logger (see earlier on in this thread) but since swapping to a serial data logger I have not had any problems of any type. :lol:

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I’m running a Davis Vantage Pro2 Plus wireless system with a USB Weather Envoy data logger. The fix I found was to use the VirtualVP software from SoftWx (http://www.softwx.com/) it will monitor the Davis USB port and reset it if it stops responding. I’m not sure why Davis can’t do the same with their software but Steve at SoftWx can and has. I also run a “WxPC G” microcomputer, from SoftWx, as the weather station computer (WinXP Home). It runs an 8-gig CF card as the main hard drive. I’ve been live (24/7 unattended) for a week or two and the system is still on line and running. The log indicates that the USB has been reset once or twice, but the station is as solid as a rock and uses only a few watts of power to operate. Stuart DW0581

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Anyone run the Davis USB Datalogger in 64 bit OS?

EDIT:

I just picked up a used one on eBay for $57. I sure hope I can get it working…

50

I have used the USB logger on a winxp64 and server 2008 64bit system it worked fine, the problem I ran into was other software is not compatible. Specifically, the N8VBvCOM driver so that made VirtualVP and VPlive unusable.

But if your just using Weather Display it should be fine just grab the latest drivers from Silabs. This version also supports windows 7.

P210x Windows Driver v5.4.24 Release Notes Copyright (C) 2009 Silicon Laboratories, Inc.

This release contains the following components:

  • x64 directory
    • silabser.sys
    • silabenm.sys
  • x86 directory
    • silabser.sys
    • silabenm.sys
51

Steve,

Thanks a bundle. I didn’t even know who made the adapter so this will help me out a ton so I’m prepared!

52

Thanks for the advice chaps. I’ve just got my SERIAL data logger and it’s working a treat. Cheers :slight_smile:

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