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HOBO Weather Station User's Guide

1. Compass Phillips head screwdriver HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 19 Chapter 4 Field setup Task Soil Moisture Sensor Gather the tools required for setup continued Temperature RH or Temp Sensor Item Y Item Trenching shovel spade or flat bar Phillips head screwdriver 1 if sensors are not already installed Water optional Conduit optional Barometric Pressure Sensor Pulse Input Adapter Item Y Item Hook and loop tape Two wire nuts 0 5 Volt Input Adapter 4 20 mA Input Adapter Item Y Item Hook and loop tape Hook and loop tape 3 m or 2 m Tripod with Mast M TPA or M TPB Cross Arm M CAA or M CAB Item Y Item 1 2 inch wrench 1 2 inch wrench Mast level Part M MLA Crescent wrench Medium size wire cutters Crescent wrench Redimix cement optional Stake Kit M SKA or M SKB Shovel optional Item All purpose grease Sledgehammer Tape measure Eye protection safety glasses Tie wraps 3 m Mast M MPA 1 5 m Mast M MPB Item Y Item 1 2 inch wrench Sledgehammer or post driver Sledgehammer or post driver Eye protection safety glasses Eye protection safety glasses if using sledgehammer post driver Mast level Part M MLA Mast level Part M MLA Redimix cement optional Redimix
2. oio 0 3 Replace the battery door cover and thumbscrews 4 Insert one or more sensors into the sensor ports It is recommended that you test all sensors you plan to deploy with the logger 5 Plug the PC interface cable into the internal communications port on the logger 6 Using the logger software click the Launch icon If the logger is not found make sure the correct COM port is selected Refer to the software manual for details on changing the COM port 7 Make sure all the sensors connected to the logger are visible in the Launch screen 8 Choose a logging interval of a few seconds so that your test will yield enough data to analyze Select the Start Logging Now option and click the Start button to launch the logger The logging ok light on the logger should blink every two seconds during logging 9 Aftera couple of minutes click the Readout icon in the logger software to offload data from the logger You can choose to either stop the logger before reading it out or let it continue logging while reading out 10 Check the data and make sure it appears normal for all sensors Congratul
3. Step 7 Mount the logger enclosure to the upper mast sss 40 Step 8 Install the Guy Wire Kit esiste 42 Step 9 Final positioning and leveling of sensors sse 44 Step 10 Plug in sensors tie cables and begin logging sssssssssss 45 Chapter 5 Troubleshooting eeeeeeeeeennenenennn nnne nnne nnne nnns 49 Chapter 6 Maintenance support and service eneenme 51 Maintenances 2 Eesti o die tm tete toe 51 Performing a visual inspection esses 51 Cleaning the Weather Station sees 51 Checking the desiccant pack sese nnne nnn enne 52 Replacing the batteries irte Met teet retine rer eain inten 52 Verifying the sensor accuracy secsi ia nnne nenne enne nnn nnn 52 Who to contact for technical support sssssssssssseeeee 52 B efore calling diet ER epe tr ite terrent 53 Onset Computer contact information eese 53 Warranty ar T tiet meta b Mi gem dn bte ben qs 53 ISetuns celo utr MM m M UN MADE 54 RE Pali POMC ee E 54 ASAP repair Dolly srs acces tet ets teda gerat dta tea aao de ea eda tede oto duse 54 Data back Servicenet nni dee are eM pede d HOME dH Pe e HERI p PRA ER 54 TUNG UP SCIVICE e c r 54 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 1 Introduction Chapter 1 Introduction The HOBO Weather Station is a dat
4. 4 ce tti t duh eb i LE ead ERA IR 19 Steps for setting up the Weather Station 21 Step 1 Assemble level and stabilize the 2 or 3 m tripod lower mast 22 2 meter tripod lower mast assembly instructions seeeeeeeee 22 3 meter tripod lower mast assembly instructions sene 25 Step 2 Install the Grounding Kit 2 2 ccccccececeeseeeececeseeneeaeeeseteseseeaaeeeseseeeesenseaneetetess 29 Step 3 Temporarily install the upper mast sss 30 Step 4 Mount the cross arm and wind sensor sss 31 To mount the cross arm rient tee rbi ieee T 31 To mount the wind sensor on the cross arm sssssee 31 Step 5 Install other smart sensors sss esee 33 Guidelines for installing sensors 33 Rain gauge installation instructions 33 Light sensor installation instructions 35 Temperature or temperature RH sensor with solar radiation shield installation instructioris 2 1e toe ettet ere eot eee edene espe Dee ERE ERIS UCM etd qms e d de zov a 35 Soil moisture sensor installation Instructions reenen 37 Mount the barometric pressure sensor ssssssssssssee eene 38 Mount the 4 20 mA or 0 5 volt input adapters sse 38 Mount the pulse input adapter eee een 38 Step 6 Mount the upper mast to the lower mast senes 39 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide iii
5. Make sure the Use Before date on the battery housing is at least two years from the current date Alkaline batteries will lose up to 1096 of capacity a year sitting on a hot shelf and can lose up to 50 or more if cooked repeatedly for example stored on a car dashboard Keeping batteries in the refrigerator can reduce self discharge to 1 to 296 per year however be sure to avoid condensation forming on the batteries Use new batteries 1f you expect the deployment to require a substantial portion of battery life based on the table above Batteries are relatively inexpensive don t take a chance with suspect batteries Checking battery status There are two ways to check the battery status of the logger Check the Bat Low light on the logger This light blinks when the battery has 25 or less capacity remaining Check the status with the logger software For alkaline batteries the status 1s displayed in the percentage of capacity remaining Lithium battery voltage is either listed as good which represents anywhere from 25 to 100 of capacity remaining or empty which represents 0 to 25 of capacity remaining Lithium batteries have a relatively flat discharge curve which means the voltage does not vary much with use until they fail Because of the uncertainty in capacity it is recommended that you start new launches with fresh lithium batteries that you know are at 100 rather than relying on old ones Changing b
6. blinking until you press and hold the button on the logger for a couple of seconds OK Every two seconds while the logger is Sensors cannot be added at this time recording data from sensors Bat Low The battery power is less than 25 The logger will continue to run However you capacity should read out the logger and then replace the batteries soon Mem Low Less than 25 of memory is available The logger will continue to run until all memory is for saving data used This light will only blink if the launch parameter Wrap Around When Full is not selected see the Launching section on page 9 for details on the Wrap Around When Full setting Error There is or has been a sensor If this light is blinking in conjunction with the OK communication failure light there was a communication failure The System has recovered but you may have an intermittent problem If this is the only blinking light then at least one sensor is currently not communicating Immediate investigation is recommended In general it is recommended that you read out any data when this light is blinking investigate the problem and re launch the logger Communicating with the logger You can launch read out or check the status of the Weather Station with logger software on the computer You can also use HandCar software to launch the logger read out and check status with a Palm handheld custom launch parameters can only be specified with the compute
7. Attn RMA as described in the Returns section below Mailing Address P O Box 3450 Pocasset MA 02559 3450 Toll free phone 1 800 LOGGERS 1 800 564 4377 Phone 508 759 9500 Fax 508 759 9100 E mail loggerhelp onsetcomp com Internet www onsetcomp com Warranty Onset Computer Corporation Onset warrants to the original end user Purchaser for a period of one year from the date of original purchase that the HOBO product s purchased will be free from defect in material and workmanship During the warranty period Onset will at its option either repair or replace products that prove to be defective in material or workmanship This warranty is void if the product has been damaged by the Purchaser as a result of improper maintenance abuse misuse mishandling misapplication error or negligence of Purchaser or if there has been an unauthorized alteration attachment or modification THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES BEYOND THE EXPRESSED WARRANTY AS PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT IN NO EVENT SHALL ONSET BE LIABLE FOR LOSS OF PROFITS OR INDIRECT CONSEQUENTIAL HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 53 Chapter 6 Maintenance support and service INCIDENTAL SPECIAL OR OTHER SIMILAR DAMAGES ARISING OUT OF ANY BREACH OF THIS CONTRACT OR OBLIGATIONS UNDER THIS CONTRACT INCLUDING BREACH OF WARRANTY NEGLIGENCE STRICT LIABILITY OR ANY OTHER LEGAL THEORY LIMITATION OF LIABILITY The Purchaser s sole re
8. The error increases as the temperature deviates from 25 C see the figure below If the temperature were a constant 20 C the logger time error could be as much as 35 ppm 21 seconds per week 60 Megative s Positive Seconds per week PPM error Temperature in C Figure 4 Worst case time error Reading out the logger and relaunching it will reset the logger s clock This is useful when your logger has been running for a while and its clock needs to be reset Just be sure the computer or Palm handheld clock is set accurately before relaunching HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 15 Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation Logger memory The logger uses non volatile memory which means it retains data indefinitely once power runs out Specifically the logger uses a high capacity Flash memory to store data which can retain the data even when the batteries are removed This type of memory is very durable If the logger dies in the field from dead batteries replace them and read out the logger immediately Do not relaunch the logger until the data has been recovered If your logger is damaged contact Onset Computer because there is a chance the data can be recovered Refer to Chapter 6 for information about returning loggers for data recovery The logger contains 512K bytes of memory Up to 10K of this memory is used to store the launch configuration and user notes leav
9. alkaline batteries are unsuitable use lithium instead If the temperature is variable across the extremes use lithium batteries Use the following figure to help you choose the battery type based on the expected temperature range in your deployment 40 C 30 C 20 C 10 C 0 C 10 C 20 C 30 C 40 C 50 C 60 C 70 C ALR KAL AA VUA 127327772 EX Sm Alkaline 40 F 22 F 4 F 14 F 32 F 50 F 68 F 86 F 104 F 122 F 140 F 158F Et Recommended in this YA Works in this temperature temperature range range but not best choice Figure 3 Recommended battery type based on temperature Note e The logger is not designed to run with rechargeable or Carbon Zinc Heavy Duty batteries e The use of types other than 1 5 Volt alkaline or lithium batteries may result in poor battery performance and erroneous battery state indication WARNING Fire Explosion and Severe Burn Hazard Do not mix battery types either by chemistry or age batteries may rupture or explode When replacing the batteries read and follow their disposal instructions dispose of lithium batteries A according to local regulations Do not dispose of batteries in fire Never attempt to recharge a lithium or alkaline battery Do not heat the batteries above 185 F 85 C Do not mutilate or rupture the battery housing Lithium batteries may explode if the logger is exposed to
10. either stop the logger before reading out or let it continue logging while reading out Readout speed depends on the method used to connect to the logger and the device being used Typically a readout via PC interface cable with the computer will take about six minutes for full memory 512K of data A full logger readout via the Remote or Radio Modem may take up to 20 minutes and 30 minutes with a Palm handheld For more details on logger capacity see Logger memory later in this chapter Selecting and installing batteries The Weather Station requires four 1 5 V AA batteries The logger is shipped with four alkaline batteries but it is also compatible with lithium batteries For most applications alkaline batteries are the preferred solution because e They are relatively inexpensive e The battery gauge in the logger software will provide an accurate battery status e They have slightly more usable capacity than 1 5 Volt lithium batteries in temperate environments 10 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation In cold applications below 0 C 32 F and hot applications above 40 C 104 F lithium batteries will generally outperform alkaline batteries Alkaline batteries will still work in temperatures ranging from 40 to 50 C 104 to 122 F and from 20 to 0 C 4 to 32 F however they may not be the best choice At temperatures lower than 20 C 4 F and higher than 50 C 122 F
11. with a cable tie m Figure 2 All logger components Start logging button use this button when the logger is configured to launch with button start Press and hold until all lights flash Internal communications port used for connecting to the computer or Palm handheld External communications port used for connecting to the computer or Palm handheld with an optional weatherproof communications cable Part CABLE HWS2 allowing you to keep the logger closed while reading out launching or checking status Battery door thumbscrews unscrew these to remove battery door HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation Status lights There are seven lights on the Weather Station that indicate logger activity and status The following table explains the function of these lights This light Blinks when Sensor Activity There is activity on the sensor Network activity is defined as communication from network the logger to the sensor or vice versa Delay Start The logger has been configured to The logger will not record measurements while this launch with a delayed start will light is blinking Sensors can be added at this time continue blinking until the defined start date time Button Start The logger has been configured to The logger will not record measurements while this start with a button start will continue light is blinking Sensors can be added at this time
12. 2 Close the hose clamps until the rain gauge side bracket easily slides into the clamp 3 Hold the rain gauge bracket against the mast with the top of the rain gauge above the top of the mast 4 Slip the upper clamp over the side bracket and tighten the clamp until the rain gauge is secure Note Be sure the collector is above the top of the mast so you don t get any splashing wind shedding or shadow effects 34 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup 5 Install the lower clamp and check that the top of the bucket is level Note For windy locations it is recommended that you use the Guy Wire Kit Part M GWA to reduce vibration and ensure data collection accuracy installed later Light sensor installation instructions 1 Position the light sensor on top of the light sensor bracket Part M LBA slot with its cable running through the slot in the bracket 2 Using the two screws and lock washers supplied attach the sensor to the bracket through the two holes on either side of the slot Note Do not completely tighten the screws until you level the sensor 3 Position the bracket so it faces opposite the dimple on the upper mast This will position the sensor so it will be facing south in the northern hemisphere minimizing the chance of shading 4 Mount the light sensor bracket on the upper mast with the two U bolt assemblies mounting it high enough on the mast to avoid the possibility of shading
13. 5 cm 2 inches of mast extending below the lower tri clamp 2 Make sure the upper mast dimple is still facing north if in northern hemisphere and then re tighten the tri clamps Once the tri clamp bolts are tight tighten the lock nuts to lock the bolts in place This requires two wrenches one to hold the bolt and one to tighten the lock nut against the tri clamp 3 Loosen the bolt on the wind sensor mounting rod and raise or lower it as necessary so the center of the wind sensor anemometer cups is at the desired height Re tighten the bolt 32 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup Step 5 Install other smart sensors This section explains how to install the following sensors Rain Gauge page 33 Light page 35 Temperature or Temperature RH page 35 Soil Moisture page 37 Barometric Pressure page 38 4 20 mA or 0 5 Volt Input Adapter page 38 Pulse Input Adapter page 38 If you are not installing any of these sensors skip to Step 6 Mount the upper mast to the lower mast on page 39 Guidelines for installing sensors If running cables along the ground we recommend running them through conduit to protect them from animals some animals like to chew on the cables lawn mowers and being tripped on For information on protecting the sensors properly refer to the Sensor Manuals Leave enough slack in the cables so that they can be routed into the logger If you are deploying multiples o
14. Check communications cable connections 50 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 6 Maintenance support and service Chapter 6 Maintenance support and service This chapter explains Y Recommended maintenance for the Weather Station v Who to contact for support v Warranty information v Return repair and service policies Maintenance Regular maintenance on the Weather Station is essential because it extends the life of the components and helps to ensure the accuracy of recorded measurements When the logger is deployed in the field potential damage can come from numerous sources such as rodents birds vandals and heavy storms Periodic check ups in the field allow you to e Check that the station is still set up and functioning as you intended e Check for damage e Minimize the impact of any damage found This is particularly important if the logger is being deployed for a long period of time such as several months or a year Regular checkups will help ensure that you are continuing to gather data as expected Performing a visual inspection Periodically perform a visual inspection of the Micro Station tower and logger enclosure Check that e Cables and wires are not damaged cracked cut split or broken e All the screws and bolts are tightly secured e The mast is still level if in use e The ground attachments are fastened to the tripod and logger if in use e There is no excess rust replace rusty
15. User s Guide 39 Chapter 4 Field setup Step 7 Mount the logger enclosure to the upper mast 1 Attach the two gray mounting feet to the back of the logger housing using the flat head screws provided if you have not already done so Make sure the feet are positioned correctly for the screws to fit into the holes properly Mounting foot with larger screw hole opening facing out Figure 27 Mounting feet on logger 2 Using the two 1 5 8 inch U bolt assemblies provided mount the logger enclosure on the lower end of the upper mast in line with the upper mast dimple see Figure 28 The lower housing U bolt can be placed directly above the U bolt holding the mast pieces together Note When assembling the U bolts place the U bolts around the upper mast and install the saddle clamp Place the logger enclosure against the saddle clamps and screw on the top U bolt nuts only 40 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup 9 ee Mounting plate o o HOBO Weather Station Logger enclosure Mast dimple Figure 28 Logger Housing on Mast 3 Ifyou are using the Guy Wire kit position the logger enclosure so that it will not be in the way of guy wires 4 Attach the logger s ground wire to the lower housing U bolt Screw on the lower U bolt nuts and then tighten all the U bolt nuts HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 41 Chapter 4 F
16. bolt assembly 3 Take one of the nut and bolt assemblies and insert it through a tri clamp hole with the bolt head facing outward 4 Loosely install a nut on the bolt to the inside of the tri clamp Figure 8 Tri clamp and bolts 5 Install the remaining five nut and bolt assemblies in the same manner for both upper and lower tri clamps Make sure the bolt assemblies on the upper and lower mast tri clamps leave enough room for the lower mast section to slip through 6 Slide the lower mast from the top into the tri clamps with the creased end of the mast facing up see Figure 9 The creases on the lower mast should face north and south HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 23 Chapter 4 Field setup 7 Tighten the tri clamp bolts by hand so that the mast is temporarily locked into position Note The lower mast can rest on the ground at this time You will adjust the height of the lower mast later es Lower mast Tri clamps Figure 9 Two meter tripod and lower mast 8 Because the tripod for the 2 meter configuration has non adjustable legs you must verify that the mounting surface area is level If it is not use shims or remove soil as needed You can attach the Post Level Part M LVA to the mast to verify that it is vertical as you level the surface You can also use the tri clamp bolts to fine tune the vertical adjustment later after you adjust the height of the mast 9 Secure the tripod Use either the 14 inch
17. cement optional Shovel optional Shovel optional All purpose grease All purpose grease Tape measure Tape measure 20 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup v Task Grounding Kit M GKA Guy Wire Kit M GWA Item Y Item Y 1 2 inch wrench Phillips head screw driver 2 Sledgehammer 1 2 inch wrench Eye protection safety glasses Medium size wire cutters Medium size wire cutters Crescent wrench Solar Radiation Shield M RSA Light Sensor Bracket M LBA Item Y Item Y 1 2 inch wrench 1 2 inch wrench Phillips head screwdriver 1 if sensors aren t already installed Steps for setting up the Weather Station The steps to assemble the Weather Station on a tripod are The following steps explain how to set up the logger on a tripod Step 1 includes instructions for both the 2 and 3 meter tripod assembly Steps 2 through 10 are the same whether you use the 2 or 3 meter tripod e Step 1 Assemble level and stabilize the 2 or 3 m tripod lower mast page 22 e Step 2 Install the Grounding Kit page 29 e Step 3 Temporarily install the upper mast page 30 e Step 4 Mount the cross arm and wind sensor page 31 e Step 5 Install other smart sensors page 33 e Step 6 Mount the upper mast to the lower mast page 39 e Step 7 Mount the logger
18. enclosure to the upper mast page 40 e Step 8 Install the Guy Wire Kit page 42 e Step 9 Final positioning and leveling of sensors page 44 e Step 10 Plug in sensors tie cables and begin logging page 45 If you choose an alternate configuration you can still follow these instructions but skip the steps specifically for the tripod assembly Also refer to the recommendations in Guidelines for other mounting configurations on page 18 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 21 Chapter 4 Field setup Step 1 Assemble level and stabilize the 2 or 3 m tripod lower mast There are two types of tripods available the 2 meter Part M TPB and 3 meter Part M TPA The 2 meter instructions begin on this page The 3 meter instructions begin on page 25 2 meter tripod lower mast assembly instructions This is an example of a typical 2 meter tripod assembly PAR sensor Upper mast Solar radiation shield Logger Rain gauge Tripod 1 5 meter mast Lower Mast Rain gauge cable Figure 6 Typical 2 meter Weather Station configuration with rain gauge mounted on separate 1 5 meter mast the rain gauge should be further from the tripod in the field than shown in this example 22 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup 1 Open the 2 meter tripod and place it in an upright position 2 Usinga 1 2 inch wrench build six nut and bolt assemblies 5 16 18 like the one shown below Bolt Figure 7 Nut and
19. extreme heat or conditions that could damage or destroy the battery case Do not expose the contents of the battery to water Estimating battery life Battery life will vary with e Logging and sampling intervals most important factor e The number of sensors connected e Battery type e Operating environment Use the following table to help you estimate how long the batteries will last the run time based on the logging interval selected and the number of sensors connected Note The run times in this table assume that the recommended battery type for the temperature range is being used HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 11 Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation Logging Interval Sampling Interval 1 to 5 sensors 5 to 10 sensors 10 to 15 sensors 1 second Off 30 to 50 days 20 to 40 days 15 to 30 days 1 minute Off 12 months 9 to 12 months 7 to 10 months 10 minutes 1 minute 12 months 12 months 9 to 12 months 15 minutes 1 minute 12 months 12 months 9 to 12 months Additional guidelines Turn off the sampling interval unless you have sensors that support measurement averaging At the time of publication only the 12 bit Temperature Soil Moisture Barometric Pressure Photosynthetically Active Radiation and Solar Radiation smart sensors and the 4 20 mA and 0 5 Volt input adapters supported measurement averaging Check the sensor manual to see if your sensor supports measurement averaging
20. on connecting to the logger and launching 15 Once the logger is launched make sure the OK status light is blinking This indicates the logger is recording data properly You may need to cup your hand over the top of the logger to see the lights in full sunlight 16 If the logger is being used in a wet environment place several dry desiccant packs inside the logger enclosure remove desiccant pack from its foil pouch before installing 17 Close the logger door and tighten the four cover screws Congratulations The Weather Station setup is complete For details on reading out the logger see Chapter 3 Be sure to read Chapter 6 for details on performing routine checkups on the Weather Station 48 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 5 Troubleshooting Chapter 5 Troubleshooting This chapter lists common problems you may encounter with the Weather Station and possible resolutions Individual sensors are not found or are missing in the logger software launch Screen If a sensor is removed and then immediately re inserted it may not be auto detected and therefore will not appear in the launch screen Click the Reset or Add Sensor button in the launch screen Check for a loose connection between the sensor and the logger Make sure you haven t exceeded the maximum of 15 sensors connected to the logger Note that some sensors are dual sensors and count as two such as the temperature RH sensor and the wind
21. the assembly flat on the ground Leg brace assembly Figure 12 Leg brace and 3 meter tripod 26 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup 5 Attach each of the three inner legs to each of the leg U bolt assemblies 5 16 18 inch using the inner stud of the U bolt To attach each inner leg remove the nut from the inner stud slide the leg over the stud and then tighten the nut finger Leg u bolt assembly Inner leg Anchor plate Figure 13 Three meter tripod inner leg 6 Loosen the three lock nuts on the bolts on the upper and lower mast tri clamp assemblies Back the three bolts out of the upper and lower mast tri clamp assemblies so that the lower mast section can be slipped down through the upper mast tri clamps and into the lower mast tri clamp with the creased end of mast facing up When the lower mast section is installed hand tighten the upper and lower mast tri clamps Upper mast tri clamp Post level 3rd tripod leg Lower mast tri clamp Perd Lower mast U bolt Figure 14 Three meter tripod lower mast HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 27 Chapter 4 Field setup Install a Post Level Part M LVA on the lower mast as shown in the previous figure When the tripod is oriented on the site secure one of the three tripod legs to its mounting location and tighten the U bolts on this leg Adjust the second leg to level in
22. the sensor Note If you mount the sensor above eye level you will need a stepladder or other secure platform so that you can clearly view the light sensor level when you level your sensor Light sensor Upper mast P d Thumbscrew Light sensor bracket T cd Light sensor cable U bolt assemblies Figure 21 Light sensor on the mast Temperature or temperature RH sensor with solar radiation shield installation instructions In the Field Preparation Checklist in this chapter it was recommended that you install the sensor in the solar radiation shield Part M RSA before going into the field If you already installed the sensor skip to step 2 of these instructions on the next page 1 To install the temperature RH sensor into the solar radiation shield Remove the bottom two shield plates by removing the three wing nuts Install the temperature RH sensor using the two black loop clamps two washers and two self tapping screws see Figure 22 Be careful not to block the RH sensor openings Feed the cable out through the third and fourth shield plates see Figure 24 Replace the bottom two shield plates HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 35 Chapter 4 Field setup Threaded rod self tapping screw Temperature RH sensor cable SLM Temp RH sensor Loop clamp Figure 22 Temperature RH sensor inside solar radiation shield To install the temperature sensor into the solar radiation shield R
23. the sensor or to sensor cables with wire nuts To use the wire nuts strip about 1 cm 3 8 inch of insulation from the end of the wires taking care not to nick the metal conductors Twist the stripped wires together clockwise and then screw on the wire nut clockwise Check the connection by gently pulling on the wires to verify a solid mechanical connection Always strain relief the connection to make sure that it 1s not broken by being jerked or repeatedly worked back and forth Refer to the sensor manual for more information on how to use the pulse input adapter 38 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup Step 6 Mount the upper mast to the lower mast This section explains how to attach the upper mast to the lower mast of the tower If you already performed this step go to Step 7 Mount the logger enclosure to the upper mast It is recommended that two people work together to attach the upper mast to the lower mast 1 Lightly grease the creased upper end of the lower mast 2 While holding the upper mast securely cut the cable ties that were temporarily holding the upper mast to the lower mast 3 Slide the upper mast onto the lower mast with the dimple going into the crease and oriented north if you are in the northern hemisphere and south if you are in the southern hemisphere 4 When the upper and lower masts are aligned install the 1 5 8 inch U bolt assembly onto the upper mast placing it just abov
24. Battery Life 1 year typical use up to 10 sensors with 10 minutes or longer logging interval HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 1 Introduction HOBO Weather Station Battery Type Four standard AA alkaline batteries included for operating conditions 20 to 50 C 4 to 122 F optional AA lithium batteries available for operating conditions of 40 to 70 C 40 to 158 F Time Accuracy 0 to 2 seconds for the first data point and 5 seconds per week at 25 C 77 F Data Type Supports measurement averaging based on availability of supporting data from sensor Logger Start Modes Immediate push button or delayed start options Data Communication Current reading while logging offload while logging or offload when stopped Environmental Rating Weatherproof Mounting Mast 3 8 cm 1 5 inches maximum diameter or wall mount Enclosure Access Hinged door secured by four screws Sensor Network Cable Length 100 m 328 ft maximum Part Number H21 002 C Specification This product meets CE specification EN61326 criterion C for ESD criterion C for Radiated Immunity criterion B for Fast Transient criterion A for Conducted Immunity and criterion A for Power Frequency Magnetic Fields To minimize measurement errors due to ambient RF use the shortest possible probe cable length and keep the probe cable as far as possib
25. HOBO Weather Station User s Guide U g OC H21 106 E art oc g O Contact Information For support please contact the company that you bought the product from Onset Computer Corporation or an Onset Authorized Dealer Onset Computer Corporation 470 MacArthur Blvd Bourne MA 02532 Mailing Address P O Box 3450 Pocasset MA 02559 3450 Phone 1 800 LOGGERS 1 800 564 4377 or 508 759 9500 Fax 508 759 9100 Hours of Operation 8AM and 5PM Eastern Time E mail loggerhelp onsetcomp com Main Onset Web site www onsetcomp com FTP site ftp onsetcomp com If you purchased the products through an Onset Authorized Dealer you can also refer to www hobohelp com for support information Safety Information Read first WARNING Severe shock hazard Before installing weather station tripod or mounting poles ensure that there are no electrical power lines overhead Do not install the system during any atmospheric electrical activity Do not assemble or transport tripods mounting poles or other structures unless there is sufficient clearance from potential electrical sources or other obstructions WARNING Do not climb on or around the weather station tripod The weather station and any of its associated hardware towers poles etc are not designed to support the weight of a person Injury may result WARNING If using stakes to stabilize the tower ensure that there are no underground wires or pip
26. Sampling interval For use with sensors that support software selectable measurement averaging The sampling interval sets how often sensors will take measurements between logging intervals Check the sensor s data sheet or manual to determine if your sensor supports measurement averaging When a sampling interval is used during launch all the sampled measurements for the sensor are averaged together and the average is then recorded as one data point at each logging interval The individual data points that comprise the average are not saved only the final averaged data point is saved Set the sampling interval to one of the predefined settings from 1 second to 4 minutes The sampling interval must be less than or equal to the logging interval Sampling rates shorter than 1 minute will reduce the logger s battery life Important If you do not have any sensors that support measurement averaging set the sampling interval to Off as there will be no benefit and it will reduce HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 9 Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation When to start logging Choose one of the following start modes for the logger e Start logging now The logger will start recording measurements as soon as you are finished configuring the launch Delayed start The launch is postponed until the exact date and time you specify You can add sensors to the logger any time before the specified start time Button start The launc
27. Who to contact for technical support If you have questions about the Weather Station contact the company where you bought it either Onset Computer Corporation or an Onset Authorized Dealer 52 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 6 Maintenance support and service Before calling Before calling for technical support you can evaluate and often solve the problem if you do the following e Check this manual or online technical support at onsetcomp com or hobohelp com It may only take a few moments to get the answers you need e Write down the events that led to the problem When contacting Onset Computer Corporation or an Onset Authorized Dealer please indicate that you need technical support for HOBO products Be prepared to provide e Most important A datafile showing any anomalies e The part and serial numbers for the logger and the sensors e The software version number e Details on the hardware and software configuration of your computer including the manufacturer model number peripherals and operating system version e Acomplete description of the problem or question By providing detailed information technical support response time will be faster and the assistance will be more accurate Onset Computer contact information Shipping Address Onset Computer Corporation 470 MacArthur Blvd Bourne MA 02532 Note Returns must also have the RMA obtained from Onset listed on the box with the address
28. a logger designed for multi channel climate monitoring The Weather Station represents the next generation of data logging because it uses a network of smart sensors for taking measurements Key features of the smart sensors include e Automatic detection No extensive programming wiring or calibrating is required to set up sensors e Easy expansion Because the logger is not pre configured up to 15 sensor parameters of any type or combination can be added simply by plugging them in before logging begins e Digital network The connections between the smart sensors and the logger are digital ensuring accurate reliable data collection and storage Specifications HOBO Weather Station Operating Range 20 to 50 C 4 to 122 F with alkaline batteries 40 to 70 C 40 to 158 F with lithium batteries Sensor Inputs 10 expandable to 15 with optional adapters Data Channels Maximum of 15 Some sensors use more than one data channel see sensor manual for details Communication 3 5 mm serial port or weatherproof external connector Dimensions 23 cm H x 10 cm D x 18 cm W 9 x 4 x 7 inches Weight 0 9 kg 2 Ibs Memory 512K nonvolatile flash data storage Memory Modes Stop when full wrap around when full Operational Indicators Seven status lights provide logging and sensor network status Logging Interval 1 second to 18 hours user specified interval
29. ant pack is indicating which means it changes color from blue to pink when it is no longer absorbing moisture If the desiccant pack is blue it is still good If it is pink it is bad and needs to be reconditioned To recondition a desiccant pack place it in a warm dry spot until it turns blue For example place the desiccant pack in an oven set to 50 to 70 C 122 to 158 F for 24 hours Once it turns blue again you can place it back in the logger If the desiccant pack is pink also check for condensation within the logger If there is condensation check that the fittings are still tight and secure and the cover s rubber gasket is clean or consider moving the logger to a drier location Replacing the batteries Batteries are cheap insurance Replace them at least once a year to prevent any loss of data Be sure to read out the logger before replacing the batteries If you do not want to interrupt the data logging to change batteries temporarily insert a 9 Volt battery while you remove the old AA batteries and replace them with new ones For more details refer to the Selecting and installing batteries section in Chapter 3 Verifying the sensor accuracy For most sensors it is recommended that you test sensor measurement accuracies once a year Onset Computer can verify the accuracy of all sensors and recalibrate applicable sensors For more details on verifying sensor accuracy refer to the Sensor Manuals included with the sensors
30. ations You have now launched and offloaded the Weather Station There are many additional features to the logger described in Chapter 3 Refer to Chapter 4 for a checklist to help you prepare for deploying the logger Chapter 5 has detailed instructions for assembling the Weather Station system 6 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation This chapter explains key elements of Weather Station operation including Y Definition of logger components How to communicate with the logger including launching and reading out v Y Guidelines for selecting and installing batteries Y Time accuracy of the logger v Logger memory Logger components The following diagram explains the key parts of the Weather Station N O f N O f Status light th z S atus lights see the table in this section for details on each of the rl T e seven lights o 9 4 QO Q h Sensor connection si II ports where up to 10 o o smart sensors can be a plugged in Use a sensor adapter Part S ADAPT to plug up to 15 sensors in these ports L1 HE O er Battery door covers four AA batteries and auxiliary 9 Volt battery port 0d EJ L1 Oi CG oo Eo 7 eS T Cable tie bracket use to secure the sensor cables J OX KN Z
31. atteries It is always recommended that you read out the logger before replacing batteries If you replace the batteries while the logger is logging it will stop recording data The data will not be overwritten however until the next launch Follow these steps to change the batteries 12 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation Ld NDA AER par up If the logger is currently logging you will need to stop logging and readout the data If you do not want to stop the logger see the next section for instructions on how to use a 9 volt battery to temporarily continue power while changing the batteries Unscrew the two thumbscrews on the battery door cover and remove the battery door Remove the old AA batteries Insert the new AA batteries Replace the battery door cover and thumbscrews Launch the logger using the computer or Palm handheld Double check the battery gauge in the logger software to make sure the batteries you installed are full capacity Replace the battery door cover and thumbscrews Using a 9 Volt battery The Weather Station has an additional 9 volt battery connector adjacent to the four AA battery compartment Insert a 9 volt battery to temporarily maintain the power to the logger which allows you to replace aging AA batteries with fresh ones without interrupting logging To do this l 2 Di Ie Ne Pen OU Unscrew the two thumbscrews on the battery door co
32. d recommended maintenance HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 3 Chapter 1 Introduction 4 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 2 Initial setup and logger test Chapter 2 Initial setup and logger test Before setting up the Weather Station in the field it is strongly recommended that you test the logger to make sure it is functioning properly Items required To test the logger you will need the following materials Flat head screwdriver Four AA alkaline batteries included with the logger or four AA lithium batteries One or more smart sensors PC interface cable included with logger software Computer with logger software installed Initial setup and bench test instructions Complete the following steps to test your Weather Station l Use a flat head screwdriver to loosen the four screws on the front cover of the logger Open the logger door HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 5 Chapter 2 Initial setup and logger test 2 Unscrew the two thumbscrews on the battery door cover and remove the battery door Insert four AA alkaline or lithium batteries observing polarity Once the batteries are installed correctly the status lights will blink for a second a emn fre IUE 9 Status lights au o o Od Internal I communications port Battery door j thumbscrews B YN AN AN m fo for oe Figure 1 Logger components
33. diameter stake kit Part M SKB or bolt the tripod to cement pads with 4 inch anchors Install a stake or bolt through one of the holes on each of three tripod feet 10 If site conditions high winds etc warrant further stabilization of the tripod use the Guy Wire Kit Part M GWA Instructions for installing the Guy Wire Kit are later in this chapter 24 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup 3 meter tripod lower mast assembly instructions This is an example of a typical 3 meter tripod assembly Wind speed gt sensor P PAR sensor pA 4 Rain gauge Upper mast Solar radiation shield Guy wire 4 Lower tripod Anchor plates Figure 10 Typical 3 meter Weather Station configuration with mast mounted rain gauge HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 25 Chapter 4 Field setup 1 Using 5 16 inch nuts attach the three anchor plates to the three tripod foot brackets with the large holes to the outside see Figure 11 Tighten the nuts securely 2 Attach the three leg U bolts with saddle clamps one each onto the outer legs about 20 cm 8 inches up from the anchor plates U bolts with saddle clamps Figure 11 Three meter lower tripod 3 Open the tripod and place it in an upright position 4 Unfold the leg brace assembly and place
34. e product could lead to personal injury or death or should any Onset supplied product or equipment be used in or with any nuclear installation or activity or in or with any aeronautical or related application or activity Purchaser will indemnify Onset and hold Onset harmless from any liability or damage whatsoever arising out of the use of the product and or equipment in such manner LEGAL REMEDIES This warranty gives you specific legal rights You may also have other rights which vary by jurisdiction The remedies provided herein are in lieu of all other remedies express or implied Returns Note Please direct all warranty claims to the place of purchase Before returning a failed unit directly to Onset you must obtain a Return Merchandise Authorization RMA number from Onset You must provide proof that you purchased the Onset product s directly from Onset purchase order number or Onset invoice number Onset will issue an RMA number that is valid for 30 days You must ship the product s properly packaged against further damage to Onset at your expense with the RMA number marked clearly on the outside of the package Onset is not responsible for any package that is returned without a valid RMA number or for the loss of the package by any shipping company Loggers must be clean before they are sent back to Onset or they may be returned to you Repair policy Products that are returned after the warranty period or are damaged by the custo
35. e the dimple about 2 5 cm or 1 inch from the upper mast bottom Tighten the clamp Upper mast U bolt assembly Seer ee o em CY ol e U t i deus aa eee Upper mast dimple facing north in northern hemisphere Lower mast Lower mast crease Lower mast aa tri clamp Figure 26 Upper and lower mast assembly If you haven t attached the cross arm and wind sensor See the instructions in Step 4 Mount the cross arm and wind sensor If you are using the 2 meter or 3 meter tripods and the wind sensor You can adjust the wind sensor to a height suited for your needs Adjust the height by raising and lowering the entire mast the wind sensor on the cross arm or a combination of both 1 Loosen the tri clamp bolts and raise or lower the entire mast so that the wind sensor is close to the desired height Make sure there is at least 5 cm 2 inches of mast extending below the lower tri clamp 2 Make sure the upper mast dimple is still facing north if in northern hemisphere and then re tighten the tri clamps Once the tri clamp bolts are tight tighten the lock nuts to lock the bolts in place This requires two wrenches one to hold the bolt and one to tighten the lock nut against the tri clamp 3 Loosen the bolt on the wind sensor mounting rod and raise or lower it as necessary so the center of the wind sensor anemometer cups is at the desired height Re tighten the bolt HOBO Weather Station
36. emove the bottom two shield plates by removing the three wing nuts Install the temperature sensor using the small black loop clamp washer and screw see Figure 23 Feed the cable out through the third and fourth shield plates see Figure 24 Replace the bottom two shield plates 2 Threaded rod self v ed T tapping screw Loop clamp 1 Temp RH sensor Temperature Im F sensor cable Figure 23 Temperature sensor inside solar radiation shield 2 Mount the white solar radiation shield assembly onto the upper mast using the two U bolts provided see Figure 24 36 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup 3 Position the solar radiation shield to the desired height and tighten the U bolt assemblies Optimum orientation of the solar radiation shield is to face it into the direction of the predominant wind Solar radiation shield bracket 734 t U bolt assembly Solar radiation shield ES Sensor cable Upper mast Figure 24 Solar radiation shield attachment Soil moisture sensor installation instructions This sensor measures the water content in the space immediately adjacent to the probe surface Air gaps or excessive soil compaction around the probe can profoundly influence soil water content readings Do not mount the probes adjacent to large metal objects such as metal poles or stakes Maintain at least 8 cm 3 i
37. ensors supported ssssssssssssssssssssse eene 2 Chapter 2 Initial setup and logger test eeeeeeeen 5 Items required fortis ths tmt etu ERE Uh 5 Initial setup and bench test instructions sssssssssm 5 Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation eese 7 Logget compong its ser iarna p tee nC te ten 7 Status lighls ost ter ee or e rates ts ue iud 8 Communicating with the logger ssssee nemen 8 Eaunchlngis o Soie scite ate essit e asa tete retro ee ie s 9 Reading Ott dal a b Ted sa a ea eta epe regen e Hag 10 Selecting and installing batteries sssse em 10 Estimating battery Iife 3 ic nequ te rese eed 11 Checking battery status esses sessi iae as nennen itn nena nnns sns ra nn nsn r nnns 12 Changing balteries eme e teet Dee P the xe ipee etae ole Ideen gn 12 Using a 9 Volt battery meriate oed ort eet be Eee Renner ag eti 13 Using a 9 Volt battery eliminator eese nennen 14 Adding and removing sensors ssssssesseeeeenee nennen enne 14 Time accuracy ioo ed t Dre caret n Das tee e I e e edd 15 IWorefe igiene 16 Chapter 4 Field set p 5 eene egere nter cours 17 Guidelines for typical field setup essem 17 Guidelines for other mounting configurations seenee 18 Field preparation chiecklist
38. es under the weather station WARNING Fire Explosion and Severe Burn Hazard The logger may contain a lithium battery The battery may explode if the logger is exposed to extreme heat or conditions that could damage or destroy the battery case Do not attempt to recharge or heat the logger or battery above 185 F 85 C Do not dispose of the logger or battery in fire Do not expose the contents of the battery to water Dispose of the battery according to local regulations for lithium batteries r Fr gt WARNING Do not use weather station as part of a critical control system This system is not A intended to be a fail safe mechanism for anticipating life threatening conditions such as flash floods C The CE Marking identifies this product as complying with all relevant directives in the European Union EU 2001 2004 Onset Computer Corporation all rights reserved Printed in USA Part DOC H21 Doc 6106 E Onset HOBO BoxCar and HandCar are registered trademarks of the Onset Computer Corporation Palm is trademark of Palm Inc Other products and brand names may be trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective owners ii HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Table of Contents Chapter 1 Introduction uueeeeeeeseeesesieeisessesseeseee ennt nennen nnne tnnt 1 Specifications aee we eee Le ae el netos d Hone 1 How to use this mamal eseria minean A A ATR AT 2 Smart s
39. f the same sensor type be sure to note the serial number on the cable associated with each measurement location so you can interpret the data later Rain gauge installation instructions For the most accurate rainfall measurements it is recommended that you mount the rain gauge upslope about 3 meters 10 feet away from the tripod on a 1 5 meter high mounting pole Part M MPB Alternatively you can mount the rain gauge on the tripod mast This section includes steps for both configurations If mounting the rain gauge on a separate pole Secure the rain gauge to the separate mounting pole using the two hose clamps provided see the instructions on the next page This separate mounting pole can either be pounded in the ground or mounted in concrete depending on how firm the ground is In either case be sure the pole is vertical when you install it The top of the pole should be slightly less than the height desired for the top of the rain gauge 1 meter or 3 feet is typical HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 33 Chapter 4 Field setup Hose clamps Rain gauge sensor cable Figure 19 Rain gauge on separate mounting pole If mounting the rain gauge on the tripod mast Secure the rain gauge near the top of the mast on the side opposite the cross arm using the two hose clamps provided Rain gauge sensor cable Figure 20 Rain gauge on the tripod mast 1 Open each hose clamp and place it around the mast
40. h will not start until you press a button on the logger This allows you to configure the launch settings in advance but start the actual launch when you want without choosing a specific date and time You can add sensors any time before pressing the button on the logger Save settings for a later launch Select this option when you want to save the current launch settings for a future launch but not start the launch now for example prior to heading into the field This is useful if you plan on launching the logger with a Palm handheld which doesn t allow you to change launch settings Wrap around when full When this box is checked new data will overwrite the oldest data in the logger sequentially one sample at a time when the memory is full The logger will continue logging indefinitely until either the logger is read out and stopped or the battery fails If this box is not checked the logger will stop logging when the memory is full and preserve acquired data For more information on memory see the Logger memory section on page 16 Edit sensor locations Give each sensor a name of up to 30 characters to help identify individual sensors Deployment notes Add up to 2000 characters of notes about the launch Reading out data You can read out data offload the logger with logger software Connect to the logger as described in Communicating with the logger on page 8 and then read it out If the logger is logging you can choose to
41. ield setup Step 8 Install the Guy Wire Kit If you are not the installing Guy Wire Kit Part M GWA skip to Step 9 Final positioning and leveling of sensors If you are using the 2 meter tripod you will need to attach the guy wires to three 1 2 inch stakes Part M SKA which should be spaced evenly around the tripod at a distance of 3 to 4 m 10 to 13 ft from the mast 1 Ifyou haven t already done so attach the upper mast tri clamp to the upper mast Orient the eyebolts on the upper clamp so they align with each tripod foot or a 1 2 inch stake 2 Attach one end of the guy cable to one eyebolt on the upper mast tri clamp Open the wire clamp by loosening the screw on it Place the clamp over the wire and tighten Leave 2 5 cm 1 inch of wire protruding from the clamp Upper mast 78 tri clamp Eyebolt Wire clamp screw Upper mast 1 in 2 5 cm of exposed cable Figure 29 Guy wire attachment 3 Hook one S hook and one turnbuckle onto the corresponding stake see Figure 30 or leg see Figure 31 Turnbuckle S Hook Figure 30 Guying to 1 2 inch Stakes 42 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup Figure 31 Guying to 3 Meter tripod feet 4 Cutthe guy cable so that it can be put through the loose end of the turnbuckle and the wire clamp see Figure 29 if using the 2 meter tripod see Figure 30 if using the 3 meter tripod Make sure the tu
42. igital communications portion of the sensor cables If you are using multiple sensors be sure to check the length of each smart sensor network cable reported in the Sensor Manuals Add them together and make sure they do not exceed 100 meters 328 feet 14 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation Time accuracy Upon launch the logger s clock is set in Coordinated Universal Time UTC which is determined from the clock on your computer or Palm handheld Once the logger is logging it will keep fairly accurate time However there are three main sources of errors with time reporting Host clock error A common source of error is an incorrect time in the computer or Palm handheld used to launch the logger Make sure the clock on your computer or Palm handheld is set to the correct date and time before launching the logger One resource for calculating accurate time settings for UTC colloquially known as Greenwich Mean Time or GMT is the www time gov web site Also be sure to set the correct time zone in HandCar if launching the logger with the Palm handheld Start up error The logger can lose as much as 2 seconds when it is launched This is a one time error that occurs as part of the start up sequence and cannot be avoided Clock drift The long term time accuracy is a function of temperature The worst case error is 8 parts per million PPM a week at 25 C which is about 5 seconds per week
43. ilable for use with the logger e Remote Modem for communicating with the Weather Station via an analog phone line e Radio Modem for communicating with the Weather Station wirelessly within a specified range Both solutions require Remote Site Manager software and connecting the logger to the modem with the external weatherproof communications cable For instructions on setting this up refer to the Remote Modem User Guide Radio Modem Operation Manual and Remote Site Manager User s Guide Launching There are several parameters you can enter when launching the Weather Station with the logger software To launch the logger connect to it as described in Communicating with the logger on page 8 and then enter the following launch parameters Note If you are launching the logger with HandCar on a Palm handheld the logger will be launched with the parameters you last entered in the logger software on the computer Description Enter a description of the launch Battery type Make sure the appropriate battery type is selected otherwise the battery gauge will not be accurate when checking the logger status Logging interval Set how often the logger will record data for example every 30 minutes hour etc The minimum logging interval is 1 second and the maximum is 18 hours Keep in mind that the faster the logging interval the more quickly the batteries will be depleted See the Estimating Battery Life section on page 11 for more details
44. ind sensor This section explains how to attach the cross arm and wind sensor to the upper mast It is recommended that you use the cross arm to mount the wind sensor because it keeps this sensor away from other sensors that could cause wind turbulence or wind shadows It is also the best way to ensure the sensor is vertical If you are not installing a cross arm proceed to Step 5 Install other smart sensors To mount the cross arm 1 Attach the cross arm to the upper mast using the two 1 4 20 x 2 3 4 inch hex head bolts Mount the cross arm on the side opposite the dimple at the bottom of the upper mast with the word TOP on the upper surface of the cross arm 2 Pass the two bolts with flat washers on them through the two holes on the cross arm and through the two holes at the top of the upper mast Install a nylock nut on each bolt Do not securely tighten the bolts yet 3 Install the mast plug into the upper mast top with the slot facing down and going over the two bolts Note After the mast plug is installed it should be flush with the top of the mast 4 Tighten the two nuts equally Mast plug not inserted yet Half cross arm Upper mast Figure 17 Half cross arm setup is same for full cross arm To mount the wind sensor on the cross arm Note Although the wind sensor is designed to operate in 100 mph winds it can be damaged with improper handling Store the sensor in its shippi
45. ing a 9 Volt battery eliminator In some applications where AC power is available it may be convenient to use a 9 Volt batter eliminator to power the logger 9 Volt DC supplies are commonly available from electronics supply stores Radio Shack catalog number 273 1552B Minimum DC current should be 9 mA If four AA batteries are also used with the 9V battery eliminator they will serve as back up batteries Note The batteries will NOT be charged and rechargeable batteries should not be used with the logger Adding and removing sensors Smart sensors plug into the logger and collect data about various weather parameters Before you bring the logger and sensors to the field it is important that you gather and test all the sensors Specifically you should e Plug in all the sensors you plan to use e Make sure they are communicating and e Make sure the readings are valid To add a sensor simply plug it into a sensor port on the logger Follow these guidelines when adding sensors e Never add or remove sensors while the logger is recording data Sensors should only be added while the logger is stopped when configuring the launch parameters with logger software or after configuration but before the start of logging in Delayed Start or Button Start modes for more information on these modes see the Launching section on page 9 e Any sensors added while the logger is recording data will be ignored Logging will continue normally for other se
46. ing at least 502K bytes for data storage The logger software automatically estimates how long the logger will record data until the memory is full the run time based on the logging interval and the number and type of sensors connected In general adding sensors decreases running time while increasing the logging interval increases running time In most applications battery life limits the duration of the data logging before memory capacity The following figure shows the expected run time for several logging intervals based on the total number of bits in place which is determined by adding together the bits per sample for each sensor measurement parameter in your system For example a logger with the following sensors is using 70 total bits 4 Temperature X 8 32 1 Wind Speed X 16 16 1 PAR X 10 10 1 Rain Gauge X 12 12 Total number of bits 70 At a logging interval of 5 minutes the memory run time for a Weather Station using 70 bits would be approximately 200 days based on Figure 5 See the sensor s manual for the number of bits each type of sensor uses 500 450 400 350 4 300 1 minute 4 5 minutes 250 m 10 minutes 15 minutes e 20 minutes Run Time Days 200 30 minutes 150 4 100 4 50 4 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200 Total Number of Bits Figure 5 Memory run time 16 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Cha
47. ither level it or use shims to level the tripod Be prepared to dig if necessary Suggested Mounting Use 1 4 inch Stake Kit Part M SKB 3 meter Tripod Tower Assembly Part M TPA The maximum ground slope is 13 degrees The legs on the 3 meter tower allow for limited adjustment on uneven ground Be prepared to dig if necessary if the slope is significant Suggested Mounting Use 1 2 inch Stake Kit Part M SKA It is recommended that two people set up most tripod systems Some assemblies are heavy and are easier to handle with two people Be sure to stabilize level and secure the tripod on firm ground It may be necessary to adapt the installation to the existing site conditions as necessary for example if mounting the tripod on ice or rock you may need to use a masonry clamp to secure it If operating in a wet environment place several desiccant packs in the logger and plug the vent hole in the bottom of the logger enclosure to minimize moisture Guidelines for other mounting configurations It is possible to mount the logger and sensors on either a 1 5 meter or 3 meter mast Part M MPB and M MPA respectively The shorter mast 1s especially useful for smaller system configurations where you are trying to minimize the size and visibility of the system There are many ways to install the mast depending on the site Common mounting methods include pounding the post into the ground setting it into concrete and bolting it to exis
48. laced Check the polarity make sure the batteries are installed properly It is possible one cell is reversed Make sure you are using the correct battery type The logger uses four 1 5 volt AA alkaline or lithium batteries The type must be specified in the launch screen for the correct battery status Make sure you aren t using a combination of alkaline and lithium batteries Never mix battery types Check the battery expiration date make sure it is at least two years from the current date Batteries can lose significant capacity if stored at elevated temperatures Check the voltage with a voltmeter Alkaline batteries should be at least 1 5 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 49 Chapter 5 Troubleshooting volt per cell when new lithium batteries should be 1 6 volt per cell Batteries die prematurely e Check for excessive moisture in the logger enclosure Severe and or repeated condensation in the logger enclosure can lead to short circuits and battery failure It may be necessary to add additional sealing and or desiccant to the logger enclosure to prevent condensation e Check to make sure that both the logging and sampling intervals are set for atleast 1 minute or greater Sampling Logging intervals faster than 1 minute will rapidly deplete the battery See the section on Estimating battery life on page 11 for more details e Check for damaged wiring and or sensors Damaged cables or connectors can res
49. le from other cables How to use this manual This manual walks you through the steps of setting up operating and maintaining the HOBO Weather Station Use this manual to learn how to e Perform an initial test e Operate the logger e Setup the Weather Station in the field e Troubleshoot problems e Maintain the Weather Station and get service and support It is important that you test your system using the steps in Chapter 2 before continuing with other chapters in the manual and installing the Weather Station on site For your convenience this manual includes three section dividers to organize sensor manuals and hardware packing lists It is recommended that you add all sensor manuals and hardware packing lists to this binder Smart sensors supported At the time of printing the following smart sensors and input adapters are available for use with the Weather Station HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 1 Introduction e Temperature e Temperature relative humidity e Rain e Barometric pressure e Soil moisture e Wind speed e Wind speed and direction e Solar radiation e Photosynthetic active radiation PAR e 0 5 Volt Input Adapter e 4 20 mA Input Adapter e Pulse Input Adapter contact closure and electronic switch Refer to www onsetcomp com for a current list of available sensors Refer to the manuals provided with the sensors for sensor specifications mounting information an
50. medy and the limit of Onset s liability for any loss whatsoever shall not exceed the Purchaser s price of the product s The determination of suitability of products to the specific needs of the Purchaser is solely the Purchaser s responsibility THERE ARE NO WARRANTIES BEYOND THE EXPRESSED WARRANTY IN THIS DOCUMENT EXCEPT AS SPECIFICALLY PROVIDED IN THIS DOCUMENT THERE ARE NO OTHER WARRANTIES EXPRESS OR IMPLIED INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE NO INFORMATION OR ADVICE GIVEN BY ONSET ITS AGENTS OR EMPLOYEES SHALL CREATE A WARRANTY OR IN ANY WAY INCREASE THE SCOPE OF THE EXPRESSED WARRANTY OFFERED WITH THE SALE OF THIS PRODUCT INDEMNIFICATION Products supplied by Onset are not designed intended or authorized for use as components intended for surgical implant or ingestion into the body or other applications involving life support or for any application in which the failure of the Onset supplied product could create or contribute to a situation where personal injury or death may occur Products supplied by Onset are not designed intended or authorized for use in or with any nuclear installation or activity Products supplied by Onset are not designed intended or authorized for use in any aeronautical or related application Should any Onset supplied product or equipment be used in any application involving surgical implant or ingestion life support or where failure of th
51. mer as specified in the warranty provisions can be returned to Onset with a valid RMA number for evaluation ASAP repair policy For an additional charge Onset will expedite the repair of a returned product Data back service HOBO Weather Station data loggers store data in non volatile flash data storage Onset will if possible recover your data to disk Tune up service Onset will examine and retest any HOBO Weather Station logger or sensors 54 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide
52. nal connections and make the probe unusable HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 37 Chapter 4 Field setup Mount the barometric pressure sensor If you did not mount the barometric pressure sensor before leaving for the field follow these steps 1 Open the logger enclosure by loosening the four outside housing screws 2 Affix the hook and loop tape to the back of the barometric pressure sensor housing 3 Remove the backing and place the barometric pressure smart sensor on top of the battery cover sensor error Barometric pressure sensor cable Battery cover Barometric pressure sensor Figure 25 Barometric pressure sensor in logger enclosure Mount the 4 20 mA or 0 5 volt input adapters To mount the 4 20 mA or 0 5 Volt input adapters use the self adhesive hook and loop tape to mount the input adapter on top of the battery cover If another sensor is already mounted on the battery door then use the back of the logger enclosure door Refer to the sensor manual for more information on how to use the input adapter Mount the pulse input adapter To mount the pulse input adapter secure the adapter housing to the mast or sensor mounting arm Coil excess cable and secure it with cable ties When making a connection to a third party sensor take time to make sure the connection is reliable and is protected from rain dirt and direct exposure to the elements The input cable can be connected directly to screw terminals on
53. nches of separation between the probe and other objects Any objects other than soil within 8 cm 3 inches of the probe can influence the probe s electromagnetic field and adversely affect output readings 1 Use a thin implement like a trenching shovel gardening spade or flat bar to make a pilot hole in the soil Make sure the hole is straight in the direction you will be orienting the probe The probe can be oriented in any direction However orienting the flat side perpendicular to the surface of the soil will minimize effects on downward water movement and avoid the possibility that water will pool on top of the sensor 2 Insert the probe into the hole making sure the entire length of the probe is covered 3 Insert a shovel into the soil a few inches away from the probe and gently force soil toward the probe to provide good contact between the probe and the soil 4 Water the soil surrounding the sensor to facilitate settling of the soil 5 Do not excessively pack or compress the soil adjacent to the sensor The soil should contact the sensor surface but should not be packed For deeper installation excavate down to just above the level you wish to measure then install the probe as described above If you need to calibrate the probe for the soil you may want to gather soil samples from each sample depth at this time When removing the probe from the soil do not pull it out of the soil by the cable Doing so may break inter
54. ng This section explains how to finish the logger setup 1 Ifyou haven t already done so open the logger enclosure by loosening the four outside housing screws 2 Pass all the sensor cable ends through the opening on the bottom of the logger enclosure Note that some of the cables have a small circuit board near the plug in connector that gets inserted into the logger housing as well Be careful not to force or flex the circuit board as you install the cables If there are a lot of cables push them to one side of the hole to make room for inserting the next cable 3 Plug all the sensors with tabs facing up into the logger board located within the logger enclosure It does not matter which connector you plug each sensor into You can use a maximum of 15 channels and 100 meters 328 ft of smart sensor cable Note If you are installing more than ten sensors you will need to install an adaptor Part S ADAPT for each additional sensor The adaptors fit into any of the connectors on the logger board except the upper left connector and the connector second from the bottom on the right 4 Ifyou have a laptop or Palm handheld on site check current readings to ensure the sensors are all working Note that you cannot check current readings if the logger 1s waiting for a Button Start or a Delayed Start 5 Check that the batteries are securely seated in their holder and reattach the battery cover 6 Neatly wrap all the sensor cables
55. ng box until you are ready to install it on the cross arm 1 Insert the end of the black mounting rod through the top of the cross arm see Figure 18 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 31 Chapter 4 Field setup 2 Insert a 1 4 20 x 1 3 4 inch hex head bolt with a flat washer on it through the 1 4 inch hole on the end of the cross arm 3 Install another flat washer and nylock nut on the bolt allowing the black mounting rod to protrude 1 2 inch 1 3 cm from the bottom of the cross arm 4 Tighten the nut and bolt until the rod is clamped in place and the cross arm just starts to deform Cross arm Mast plug inserted T a into mast Wind sensor cable Mounting rod Upper mast Point at which the cross arm starts to deform Wind speed sensor cable Washer nut assembly Figure 18 Wind sensor attachment If you are attaching the sensors to the upper mast while it is temporarily attached to the tripod base Go to Step 5 Install other smart sensors If you are installing the sensors on a mast that is already mounted on top of the lower mast You can adjust the wind sensor to the desired height from the ground This can be accomplished by raising and lowering the entire mast the wind sensor on the cross arm or a combination of both 1 Loosen the tri clamp bolts and raise or lower the entire mast so that the wind sensor is close to the desired height Make sure there is at least
56. nsor Cables on Mast 11 Once you verify that the cables are secured in the inside of the logger box take all the cables and push them over to one side of the logger enclosure opening Using the duct seal make a ball that is bigger than the logger enclosure opening stuff the duct seal into the hole from the outside HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 47 Chapter 4 Field setup filling the void between the cables and the housing This minimizes the possibility of dust insects and driving rain getting into the logger housing This step is especially important if the system is located in a wet environment Flare out the duct seal on the inside to lock it place 12 All cables should be neatly secured to the mast when complete 13 Recheck that all the U bolts nuts and clamps are secure for the entire system 14 The logger is ready to begin logging e f you configured the logger to launch with a button start the Button Start light should be blinking To start logging press and hold the button inside the logger enclosure for a second until all lights flash the logger cover must be off to access the button e If you configured the logger to launch in delayed start mode the Delay Start light should be blinking The logger will start automatically at the date time you entered e f you did not set up the logger with a button or delayed start connect the logger to the computer or Palm handheld and launch it See Chapter 3 for details
57. nsors If a sensor is removed while logging the Sensor Error status light will blink when the next logging interval is reached The data for that sensor will then display as missing or erroneous in readouts e You cannot replace one sensor with a new sensor of the same type while logging If you would like to replace a sensor with another sensor of the same type for example swap a temperature sensor with a new temperature sensor it is necessary to read out the current data from the logger and re launch with the new sensor e A maximum of 15 data channels can be used with one logger Most sensors use one data channel which means the sensor is measuring one property only for example a temperature sensor uses one data channel that records information for temperature However there are some sensors that measure more than one property such as the combination temperature RH sensor which uses two data channels e To expand the number of sensors plugged in and data channels used use 1 to 2 sensor adapters Part S ADAPT which allow you to plug two sensors into one port Note that the 1 to 2 adapter is similar to a standard telephone splitter but it has 6 conductors Most telephone splitters have only 4 conductors A 4 conductor splitter may work but it is not recommended because the shield in the cable will not be properly grounded e The logger can work with a maximum of 100 meters 328 feet of smart sensor network cable which is the d
58. o the ground rod Cut off excess cable length and discard or recycle 5 Tighten the clamp bolt Ground rod clamp Ground rod clamp lt bolt Ground wire Ground rod Figure 15 Ground wire attachment HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 29 Chapter 4 Field setup Step 3 Temporarily install the upper mast This section explains how to temporarily attach the upper mast to the tripod base This allows you to easily work on the upper mast while it is resting on the base of the tripod Note If you prefer to permanently install the upper mast at this point because you will be able to reach the fully assembled tower go to Step 6 Mount the upper mast to the lower mast on page 39 and then return to Step 4 Otherwise follow these temporary steps and then permanently attach the upper mast later 1 Ifyou will be using the Guy Wire Kit Part M GWA install the guy wire upper mast clamp about two thirds up the upper mast Tighten the clamp by hand to temporarily hold it in place You will need to adjust it later 2 Standthe upper mast upright and tie a cable tie to one leg brace and one leg of the tripod using the cable ties supplied Remove the cable ties after the cross arm and sensors are installed Upper mast Post level Temporary cable tie Figure 16 Upper mast temporary 30 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup Step 4 Mount the cross arm and w
59. one direction and secure this leg Use the third leg to adjust the mast close to level When the mast is close to being level secure the third leg Fine tune the mast level by sliding the U bolts slightly up or down Tighten all three leg tri clamps using a 1 2 inch wrench Again verify that the mast is level After checking level and orientation tighten all upper and lower mast U bolts and lock nuts Orient the lower mast creases so they face north and south Tighten the tri clamp bolts so that the mast is locked into position Note the lower mast should be about 8 inches 20 cm above the ground at this time assuming that if you are using the wind sensor you want it to end up at 3 meters or almost 10 feet 28 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup Step 2 Install the Grounding Kit This section explains how to install the grounding rod from the Grounding Kit Part M GKA and attach it to the lower mast of either the 2 meter and 3 meter tripods 1 Attach the ground wire to the lower mast of the tripod using the U bolt assembly delivered with the grounding kit 2 Slide the ground rod clamp over the ground rod prior to driving it into the ground This allows you to work with the clamp before the top of the rod is damaged from impact 3 Using a sledgehammer drive the ground rod into the ground as close as possible to the lower mast of the tripod 4 Attach the ground wire t
60. or in or near the ground to protect against animals lawn mowers tractors exposure to chemicals etc Beware of rodents birds cattle and other animals that can bite peck or trample the Weather Station Avoid placing the sensors near falling rocks dead trees or other objects that could fall on the HOBO Weather Station A Grounding Kit Part M GKA is required if using the wind speed or wind speed and direction sensor with the logger A Grounding Kit is recommended if the logger will be placed in an exposed location on a tripod or tower to reduce the chance of damage from atmospheric electrical activity HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 17 Chapter 4 Field setup If possible avoid sites immediately adjacent to radio television microwave towers and equipment In rare situations strong electromagnetic interference may result in sensor network errors Take note of the mounting considerations in the Sensor Manuals for additional guidelines relative to the particular sensors you are using For areas with winds greater than 50 mph or if the rain gauge is attached to the top of the mast use the Guy Wire Kit Part M GWA and 1 2 inch Stake Kit Part M SKA to reduce wind induced vibration 2 meter Tripod Tower Assembly Part M TPB You must set up the tower on level ground there should be no ground slope The legs on the 2 meter tower are non adjustable If the site you are using is not level then you will need to e
61. parts as necessary Cleaning the Weather Station The logger enclosure does not require regular cleaning However it is recommended that in dusty locations you regularly clean these items HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 51 Chapter 6 Maintenance support and service e Solar radiation shield Wash with soap and water Dirt cobwebs obstruct air flow Discoloration can cause increased solar absorption which can result in increased errors Do not get the temperature RH sensor wet see the temperature RH sensor manual for instructions on cleaning it e Light sensor Make sure the drain hole is not plugged If you need to clean the sensor head see the sensor manual for details and cautions on proper cleaning e Rain gauge Make sure there are no leaves or debris in the collector Make sure the funnel is not plugged use a cotton swab 1f necessary to clean e Anemometer on wind speed sensor Make sure the cups do not have any dirt dust cobwebs Spray bearing with a light oil e Anemometer on wind speed and direction sensor Apply a couple drops of 3 in 1 oil or other motor oil to the bearings on the vein and anemometer e Logger enclosure Remove dust with compressed air Do not get water inside the enclosure e Tower Hose with fresh water if necessary Checking the desiccant pack If the Weather Station is located in a wet environment it is recommended that one or more desiccant packs be placed inside the logger The desicc
62. pter 4 Field setup Chapter 4 Field setup After you ve configured the logger and gathered the necessary materials for the field you are ready to assemble the Weather Station This chapter includes v v v v Guidelines for typical field setup Guidelines for other mounting configurations Field preparation checklist Steps for setting up the Weather Station Guidelines for typical field setup Use the following guidelines to help you choose an appropriate site for setting up the Weather Station and protecting against field hazards When possible select a location away from trees and buildings particularly if you will be using the rain gauge or wind speed sensors Place the rain bucket at a distance away from obstructions that is equal to at least three times the height of the nearest tree building or other obstruction and the wind speed sensor at a distance away from obstructions that is equal to at least five times the height of the obstruction WARNING Severe shock hazard Do not set up the HOBO Weather Station near power lines Contact between the HOBO Weather Station and power lines may result in a fatal shock electrocution or death Avoid placing the logger in extremely hot locations such as on a dashboard or the roof of a greenhouse and chronically wet locations such as in a well or any place that is wet most or all of the time Also avoid rising water and flood zones Conduit is recommended when placing a sens
63. quired to connect these sensors to the shield that could easily get lost in the field It is strongly recommended you install these sensors in the solar radiation shield before going to the field See page 35 in Step 5 for instructions If you are using the barometric pressure sensor attach it to the logger now See page 38 for details Repack the logger and sensors for transit It is strongly recommended that you use the original packaging when possible because it is custom designed to protect the weather station and its components Gather the tools required for setup Use the following checklists to make sure you have the necessary tools to set up the logger in the field Optional Items depend on your site needs Logger Rain Gauge Sensor Item v Item v 1 2 inch wrench Mast level Part M MLA optional for mounting on separate mast Flathead screwdriver Sledgehammer or post driver optional for mounting on separate mast Desiccant optional Eye protection safety glasses if using sledgehammer post driver Slotted screwdriver Conduit optional Light Sensor Wind Speed Direction Sensor Item Y Item Y Ladder if deploying sensor above 7 16 inch wrench eye level Light sensor level Part M LLA Crescent wrench or second 7 16 inch wrench Phillips head screwdriver 1 1 06 inch 2 00 inch hose clamps if mast mounting without cross arm
64. r The logger has both an internal and external communication port for connection with a computer or Palm handheld The internal port is located inside the logger enclosure labeled comm port The external port is located outside the logger enclosure see Figure 2 and requires the weatherproof external communications cable Part CABLE HWS2 Use this port to quickly connect to the logger without having to open the logger door 8 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation To connect the logger to the computer or Palm handheld 1 Open the logger and plug the PC interface or Palm to Logger cable into the Comm Port serial jack Or keep the logger closed and plug the cable into the optional external weatherproof communications cable Part CABLE HWS2 on the side of the logger 2 Plug the other end of the PC interface cable into an open COM port on the computer Or connect the other end of the Palm to Logger cable to a Palm handheld Once connected to the computer use logger software on the computer to configure the launch read out the logger or simply check the status With the Palm handheld use HandCar to launch read out or get current sensor readings See the following sections for general information on launching and reading out Refer to the software user s guide for detailed information In addition to serial communication the following optional communication methods are ava
65. rnbuckle is extended as shown in the figures before feeding the cable through Install the hooks turnbuckles and cables onto the other two stakes or tripod legs Tighten the three guy wires evenly by turning the turnbuckles Attach a Post Level Part M LVA on the upper mast to maintain the mast at vertical Cos USD ON oen The guy wires should be taut when the installation is complete HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 43 Chapter 4 Field setup Step 9 Final positioning and leveling of sensors Once the upper mast 1s locked in place and guyed position the sensors at the correct heights and check that the rain gauge is level if on a tripod Follow these steps to level the light sensor l 2 3 Make sure the screws holding the sensor to the mounting bracket are loose Place the light sensor level Part M LLA on the sensor Adjust the height of the thumbscrews to level the sensor start with the thumbscrews protruding about 1 16 inches from the bracket Once the sensor is near level tighten the mounting screws Check the light sensor level and repeat these steps as necessary When the sensor is level be sure to remove the light sensor level Light sensor level remove after sensor is leveled Light sensor gt Figure 32 Light sensor and light sensor level 44 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup Step 10 Plug in sensors tie cables and begin loggi
66. speed sensor If you have more than 15 sensors remove one or more until you have 15 or less Make sure you haven t exceeded 100 meters 328 ft of network cable All sensors are missing in the logger software launch Screen Remove all but one sensor then check if the sensor appears in the launch screen Continue to remove and re insert the sensors one at a time until you find the bad sensor If you find a bad sensor or if none of the sensors communicate contact your Onset dealer or Onset Computer Corporation The error status light is blinking If the error light is blinking in conjunction with the OK light there was a communication failure The system has recovered but you may have an intermittent problem Try checking the sensors one at a time to make sure they are all communicating If you find a bad sensor or if no sensor communicates contact your Onset dealer or Onset Computer Corporation If the error light is the only light blinking then at least one sensor is currently not communicating Immediate investigation is recommended Look for a loose connection which could cause bad electrical contact with a sensor If found remove the offending sensor and check its wires and connector for damage and or signs of moisture In general it is recommended that you read out any data when this light is blinking investigate the problem and re launch the logger The battery low light is blinking after the batteries were rep
67. ting structures If you will be mounting PAR wind speed or rain gauge sensors be sure that you install the mast vertically using Mast Level Part M MLA Use the Guy Wire Kit Onset Part M GWA to stabilize a tall mast Use 1 2 inch stakes Part M SKA to secure the guy wires Mount the logger vertically and high enough that ground splash will not enter the vent on the underside of the enclosure If using U bolts make sure they are for 1 5 8 inch pipe because that is the hole spacing on the logger mounting bracket If mounting the logger to a post or wall note that it is 2 06 inches between the center of the holes in the mounting brackets It is recommended that you use 5 16 inch diameter bolts to mount the logger HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup Field preparation checklist Use the following checklist to make sure you have all the necessary materials for setting up a Weather Station system v Task Check that you received all the parts for the Weather Station system as ordered Configure the logger Install batteries and set up the logger for launch For details see Chapters 2 and 3 If you opened any parts Double check the packing lists to make sure no pieces are missing Attach the mounting feet See instructions on page 40 If you are using the Solar Radiation Shield Set up the Temperature and Temperature RH sensors There are several small pieces re
68. together using a cable tie and secure the cables to the square white bracket under the battery door see Figure 33 Again be careful not to bend the circuit boards in the cables Battery door Barometric pressure sensor White bracket Logger enclosure opening Cable tie Figure 33 Logger with sensor cables attached HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 45 Chapter 4 Field setup 7 Use cable ties to secure the wind sensor cables to the cross arm bracket and mast The sensor cables should run below the cross arm and brackets to minimize the chance of birds pecking and damaging the cables Cable ties should be spaced no more than 3 m 1 foot apart Wind sensor cable Upper mast Wind sensor cable Figure 34 Securing the wind sensor cable 8 Tie the sensor cable below the light sensor bracket Light sensor cable Figure 35 Securing the light sensor cable 9 Use cable ties to secure cables to the mast see Figures 36 and 37 Also secure any cables running to remote sensors to the mast or to one of the tripod legs 46 HOBO Weather Station User s Guide Chapter 4 Field setup Cable tie Figure 36 Securing the sensor cables on upper mast 10 Gather the excess cable and attach the cable ties to the upper mast behind the logger enclosure see Figure 37 Leave about a 2 inch 5 cm drip loop of cable below the logger Sensor cables Drip loop Figure 37 Se
69. ult in complete or partial sort circuits that will rapidly drain batteries No status lights are e The lights are very faint In direct sunlight shield the sun and check again flashin 9 e Make sure the batteries are not dead Batteries should have at least 1 volt per cell e The memory may be full Read out offload data from the logger and re launch e The logger may not have been launched Check the status with the logger software OK status light is not Make sure the logger is launched If you configured the logger to launch with a flashing delayed start check the date and time you selected and make sure the Delay Start light is flashing If you configured the logger to launch with a button start press and hold the button on the logger for a second until all the lights flash Data file contains errors If you are missing data for a particular sensor check that the sensor was properly installed Remove and re insert the sensor and check that it can take current readings If you find that itis not communicating it may be a bad sensor Contact your Onset dealer or Onset Computer Corporation Data file can t be opened The data file may have become corrupted In rare circumstances the data file may have errors Offload the logger again and try opening the file again If that does not work contact your Onset dealer or Onset Computer Corporation Logger is not found e Check and replace the batteries e
70. ver and remove the battery door Plug a 9 Volt battery into the battery connector to the right of the four AA batteries observe polarity Press firmly to make sure the connection is solid Remove the old AA batteries Insert the new AA batteries Remove the 9 Volt battery Replace the battery door cover and thumbscrews Verify that the logger is operating normally by checking that the Logging OK status light is still blinking every two seconds While it is possible to run the logger with only a 9 Volt battery it is not recommended for extended deployment for the following reasons A 9 Volt battery will only last about one to two months typical use The logger and its software do not provide an accurate battery level indication for a 9 Volt battery The logger battery door cannot be used with a 9 Volt battery in place it 1s possible that the batteries will shake loose The 9 Volt battery cannot be used as a backup battery The opposite actually occurs the 9 Volt battery will be used first and then the AA batteries will be used Note When changing batteries on the fly the 9 Volt battery must have at least 7 5 volts remaining If the 9 Volt battery has less than 7 5 volts the battery gauge will not reset when new AA batteries are installed Use a fresh 9 Volt battery if you find that the battery gauge does not reset HOBO Weather Station User s Guide 13 Chapter 3 Logger configuration and operation Us

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