Ambient Weather WS-1401-IP User Manual

Observer solar powered wireless ip weather station

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Ambient Weather WS-1401-IP OBSERVER Solar Powered

Wireless IP Weather Station User Manual

Introduction ..................................................................................................................................... 2

What's new with the WS-1401-IP .......................................................................................... 2

1.1

Warnings and Cautions ................................................................................................................... 2

Quick Start Guide ............................................................................................................................ 2

Pre-Installation Checkout and Site Survey...................................................................................... 3

4.1

Pre Installation Checkout ....................................................................................................... 3

4.2

Site Survey ............................................................................................................................. 3

Getting Started ................................................................................................................................ 3

5.1

Parts List ................................................................................................................................. 4

5.2

Recommend Tools .................................................................................................................. 5

5.3

Sensor Array Set Up ............................................................................................................... 5

5.3.1

Install Wind Vane ............................................................................................................... 7

5.3.2

Install Mounting Pole ......................................................................................................... 7

5.3.1

Install Batteries................................................................................................................... 9

5.3.2

Mount Weather Station ..................................................................................................... 11

5.3.3

Reset Button and Transmitter LED .................................................................................. 13

5.4

Indoor Thermo-Hygrometer-Barometer Transmitter ............................................................ 14

5.5 Best Practices for Wireless Communication ............................................................................ 15

5.6

ObserverIP Receiver ............................................................................................................. 15

5.6.1

Hardware Requirements ................................................................................................... 15

5.6.2

Software Requirements .................................................................................................... 15

5.6.3

ObserverIP Connections ................................................................................................... 16

5.7

Finding the ObserverIP from your computer........................................................................ 17

5.7.1

PC Users ........................................................................................................................... 17

5.7.2

Mac Users ........................................................................................................................ 18

5.7.3 Linux Users .......................................................................................................................... 19

5.7.3

Local Device Network Settings ........................................................................................ 20

5.8

Weather Network Settings .................................................................................................... 21

5.8.1

WeatherUnderground.com ............................................................................................... 22

1.8.2

AmbientWeather.net ......................................................................................................... 25

1.8.3

Station Settings ................................................................................................................. 28

1.8.4

Live Data .......................................................................................................................... 30

1.8.5

Calibration ........................................................................................................................ 31

Updating Firmware ....................................................................................................................... 35

Glossary of Terms ......................................................................................................................... 37

Specifications ................................................................................................................................ 38

8.1

Wireless Specifications ........................................................................................................ 38

8.2

Measurement Specifications ................................................................................................. 39

8.3

Power Consumption ............................................................................................................. 39

Maintenance .................................................................................................................................. 39

9.1

Advanced Rain Gauge Cleaning .......................................................................................... 40

10.

Troubleshooting Guide ............................................................................................................. 42

11.

Accessories ............................................................................................................................... 45

Version 2.0

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Page 1: Table Of Contents
Ambient Weather WS-1401-IP OBSERVER Solar Powered Wireless IP Weather Station User Manual Table of Contents Introduction ............................. 2 What’s new with the WS-1401-IP ..................2 Warnings and Cautions ........................2 Quick Start Guide ..........................2 Pre-Installation Checkout and Site Survey..................3 Pre Installation Checkout .......................
Page 2: Introduction
To download the latest manual, firmware upgrades and IP Finder Tools, visit: http://www.ambientweather.com/observerip.html 1.1 What’s new with the WS-1401-IP The WS-1400-IP uses rechargeable batteries for energy storage. The WS-1401-IP improves on this design by charging a super capacitor instead of rechargeable batteries. The non-rechargeable batteries provide back-up energy.
Page 3: Pre-Installation Checkout And Site Survey
Please take this into consideration when choosing ObserverIP receiver or mounting locations. Make sure your ObserverIP receiver is at least five feet away from any electronic device to avoid interference. 6. Visit Ambient Weather Mounting Solutions for assistance and ideas for mounting your weather station: http://www.ambientweather.com/amwemoso.html 5.
Page 4: Parts List
5.1 Parts List Item Image ObserverIP Receiver Dimensions (LxWxH): 3x2x1” Thermo-hygrometer-barometer transmitter Thermo-hygrometer-barometer mounting bracket plus 3 mounting screws Sensor Array Wind Vane 5V DC Adaptor Version 2.0 ©Copyright 2017, Ambient LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 4...
Page 5: Recommend Tools
Item Image Ethernet Cable Pole (straight and crimped) Pole mounting U-bolt Pole mounting clamps Pole mounting U-bolt nuts Allen wrench User manual 5.2 Recommend Tools  Precision screwdriver (for small Phillips screw on battery cover door)  Adjustable wrench (for mounting pole) ...
Page 6 Figure 1 Description Description Wind Vane (measures wind direction) Reset button Wind Speed Sensor (measures wind speed) Thermo-hygrometer Sensor (measures temperature and humidity) Solar collector Solar Radiation Sensor Battery compartment Rain Collector (self emptying) LED transmission indicator (turns on for 4 Bubble Level seconds on power up, flashes once per 16 seconds)
Page 7: Install Wind Vane
5.3.1 Install Wind Vane Reference Figure 2. (a) Locate and align the flat key on the wind vane shaft to the flat key on the wind vane and push the vane on to the shaft. (b) tighten the set screw with the hex wrench (included). Figure 2 5.3.2 Install Mounting Pole Reference Figure 3.
Page 9: Install Batteries
Reference Figure 5. Turn the mounting pole collar to lock the pole into place by rotating clockwise. Figure 5 5.3.1 Install Batteries Reference Figure 6. Locate the battery door on the bottom of the sensor array. Turn the set screw counter clockwise to open the battery compartment.
Page 11: Mount Weather Station
B. Option 2: Swedged Pole Mount. Insert the swedged end of the included mounting pole into the open end of any standard mounting pole solution (1 3/8” diameter) available from Ambient Weather, as shown in Figure 8. For more information on mounting solutions, visit: http://www.ambientweather.com/amwemoso.html Version 2.0...
Page 12 Figure 8 1. Reference Figure 9. Locate the four wind vane compass rose indicators of N, E, S, W (representing North, East, South and West). Align the compass rose direction upon final installation with a compass or GPS. Figure 9 Version 2.0 ©Copyright 2017, Ambient LLC.
Page 13: Reset Button And Transmitter Led
2. Reference Figure 10. Make sure the sensor array is completely level upon final installation. Failure to do so will result in inaccurate rain gauge readings. Figure 10 5.3.3 Reset Button and Transmitter LED In the event the sensor array is not transmitting, reset the sensor array. With an open ended paperclip, press and hold the RESET BUTTON for three seconds to completely discharge the voltage.
Page 14: Indoor Thermo-Hygrometer-Barometer Transmitter
5.4 Indoor Thermo-Hygrometer-Barometer Transmitter The indoor thermometer, hygrometer and barometer measures and displays the indoor temperature, humidity and pressure and transmits this data to the ObserverIP receiver. Figure 12 Note: Do not install the thermo-hygrometer-barometer transmitter outside. This will cause errors in the barometric pressure due to large variations in temperature (barometric pressure is temperature compensated for accuracy).
Page 15: Best Practices For Wireless Communication
Figure 13 Best Practices for Wireless Communication Note: To insure proper communication, mount the remote sensor(s) upright on a vertical surface, such as a wall. Do not lay the sensor flat. Wireless communication is susceptible to interference, distance, walls and metal barriers. We recommend the following best practices for trouble free wireless communication.
Page 16: Observerip Connections
5.6.3 ObserverIP Connections Connect the ObserverIP receiver power jack to AC power with the power adapter (included), as shown in Figure 15, reference 10. Connect the OberverIP receiver to your router using the Ethernet cable (included), as shown in Figure 15, reference 8.
Page 17: Finding The Observerip From Your Computer
Ref. Description LAN connection (connect to router) Reset button AC Power connection Figure 15 5.7 Finding the ObserverIP from your computer 5.7.1 PC Users To find the ObserverIP receiver, launch the IP Tools application downloaded here: www.AmbientWeather.com/observerip.html The HostIP (your computers IP address) will be displayed. Press the OK button to continue. Figure 16 Select the Search button to find the ObserverIP on your local area network.
Page 18: Mac Users
Figure 17 Select the ObseverIP module on your network as shown in Figure 18 (the field will be highlighted) and select the Open button (or double click this field) to view the ObserverIP module’s webpage within your browser. Alternately, you can type the IP address in your web browser address bar (example, Figure 19): Figure 18 Figure 19...
Page 19: Linux Users
Select the Search button to find the ObserverIP on your local area network. Figure 20 Select the ObseverIP module on your network as shown in Figure 20 (the field will be highlighted) and select the Open button (or double click this field) to view the ObserverIP module’s webpage within your browser.
Page 20: Local Device Network Settings
Figure 22 shows typical scan results. Locate the IP address of the ObserverIP by cross referencing the Mac address. In the example below, the IP address is 192.168.0.105. Figure 22 Type the IP address you located from the IP Scan Tool into your web browser (example, Figure 23): Figure 23 You are now communicating directly to the ObserverIP and can proceed to Section 5.7.
Page 21: Weather Network Settings
Figure 24 5.8 Weather Network Settings Select the Weather Network tab to program the Weather Underground station settings and Ambient Weather Network settings (AmbientWeather.net requires firmware Version 4.0 or greater). Reference Figure 25: Figure 25 Version 2.0 ©Copyright 2017, Ambient LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 21...
Page 22: Weatherunderground.com
5.8.1 WeatherUnderground.com Enter the Station ID and Station Key obtained from Wunderground.com®. Select the Apply button to confirm changes. 5.8.1.1 Creating a WeatherUnderground.com Account Note: The Weather Underground website is subject to change. 1. Visit Wunderground.com, and select the Join link in the upper right and corner and create a Free Account.
Page 24 Figure 28 1.8.1.2.3 Mobile Apps Visit: http://www.wunderground.com/download/index.asp for a complete list of Mobile apps for iOS and Android. Alternately, you can find your data on your mobile device’s web brower. Version 2.0 ©Copyright 2017, Ambient LLC. All Rights Reserved. Page 24...
Page 25: Ambientweather.net
Figure 29 1.8.2 AmbientWeather.net Reference Figure 25. Enter and update schedule and select Apply. Make a note of the MAC address. It will be required when you sign up at AmbientWeather.net. 1.8.2.1 Creating an AmbientWeather.net Account Visit: www.AmbientWeather.net to create an account and select Add Device, as shown in Figure 30. Figure 30 Next, enter the MAC address found on your IP Module Weather Network Panel (Figure 25), as shown Version 2.0...
Page 26 AmbientWeather.net is a responsive design and mobile friendly, so there is no need for a mobile app. Simply open your mobile devices web browser, browse to AmbientWeather.net, and bookmark your dashboard. If you save the bookmark to your desktop, it will automatically save the Ambient Weather icon, as shown in Figure 33.
Page 27 AmbientWeather.net. Enable the skill and get started: say "Alexa, ask Ambient Weather for a weather report.". This will provide you with your outdoor weather report, but you can ask for your indoor weather report as well by saying, "Alexa, ask Ambient Weather about the indoor conditions."...
Page 28: Station Settings
AmbientWeather.net Link your account to get started: say 'hey google, Ambient Weather... weather report.' This will provide you with your outdoor weather report. You can ask for your indoor weather report as well by saying, ' indoor conditions'.
Page 29 The following table provides times zones throughout the world. Locations in the eastern hemisphere are positive, and locations in the western hemisphere are negative. Hours from Time Zone Cities -12 IDLW: International Date Line West -11 NT: Nome Nome, AK -10 AHST: Alaska-Hawaii Standard Honolulu, HI CAT: Central Alaska...
Page 30: Live Data
Figure 34 1.8.4 Live Data Select the Live Data tab to view your live data from the weather station. To freeze the live data updates, select the Stop Refresh button. 1.8.4.1 Reset and Change Rain Totals During the installation of your weather station, you may report false rain do to vibration of the tipping mechanism.
Page 31: Calibration
Figure 35 1.8.5 Calibration Select the Calibration tab to view your calibration data from the weather station. Select the Apply button to confirm changes. Calibration of most parameters is not required, with the exception of Relative Pressure, which must be calibrated to sea-level to account for altitude effects.
Page 32 1. The local relative pressure from TV, the newspaper or the internet for the official station in your area is 30.12 inHg. 2. From the Live Data panel, your absolute pressure (measured, and not corrected to sea-level) reads 28.90 inHg. 3.
Page 33 Parameter Type of Default Typical Calibration Source Calibration Temperature Offset Current Value Red Spirit or Mercury Thermometer (1) Humidity Offset Current Value Sling Psychrometer (2) Offset Current Value Calibrated laboratory grade Barometer barometer REL Barometer Offset Current Value Local airport (3) Wind Direction Offset Current Value GPS, Compass (4)
Page 34 Without a calibrated source, wind speed can be difficult to measure. We recommend using a calibrated wind meter (available from Ambient Weather) and a constant speed, high speed fan. (7) The rain collector is calibrated at the factory based on the funnel diameter. The bucket tips every 0.01”...
Page 35: Updating Firmware
6. Updating Firmware You must own a PC to update the firmware. Sorry, Linux and Apple products are currently not supported. Ambient Weather will update your ObserverIP at no cost (appropriate shipping charges will apply). 1. Download the latest version of firmware at: http://www.ambientweather.com/observerip.html...
Page 36 Figure 38 5. Select the Upgrade Firmware button. Reference Figure 39. The dialog box will display Received a Read Request from the ObserverIP module. A green progress bar will provide you with the upgrade status. DO NOT OPERATE THE MOUSE OR KEYBOARD WHEN UPGRADING to prevent interruption of the upgrade.
Page 37: Glossary Of Terms
Figure 40 7. Wait about one minute for the ObserverIP module to reboot. You can now Exit the upgrade window, and access the module again, as referenced in Section 5.7. You may be required to enter some settings, so check all of the panels for completeness. 7.
Page 38: Specifications
Term Definition as millibars (1 hPa = 1 mbar) Hygrometer A hygrometer is a device that measures relative humidity. Relative humidity is a term used to describe the amount or percentage of water vapor that exists in air. Inches of Mercury (inHg) Pressure in Imperial units of measure.
Page 39: Measurement Specifications
8.2 Measurement Specifications The following table provides the specifications for the measured parameters. Measurement Range Accuracy Resolution Indoor Temperature 32 to 140 °F ± 2 °F 0.1 °F Outdoor Temperature -40 to 149 °F (lithium ± 2 °F 0.1 °F batteries) -4 to 140 °F (alkaline batteries)
Page 40: Advanced Rain Gauge Cleaning
Figure 41 2. Clean the solar radiation sensor every 3 months with water and towel. 3. Replace batteries every 1 to 2 years. 9.1 Advanced Rain Gauge Cleaning If the rain gauge stops updating, it is possible for spiders and other insects to nest inside the sensor array housing and interfere with the rain gauge mechanism.
Page 42: Troubleshooting Guide
10. Troubleshooting Guide If your question is not answered here, you can contact us as follows: 1. Email Support: support@ambientweather.com 2. Live Chat Support: www.ambientweather.com/chat.html (M-F 8am to 4pm Arizona Time) 3. Technical Support: 480-346-3398 (M-F 8am to 4pm Arizona Time) Problem Solution The maximum line of sight communication range is about 300’.
Page 43 Outdoor sensor array The sensor array may have initiated properly and the data is registered by the does not communicate ObserverIP receiver as invalid, and the sensory array must be reset. The to the ObserverIP reset button is next to the LED, near the mounting point on the sensor array, Receiver.
Page 44 2. Confirm your station ID is correct. The station ID is all caps, and the most common issue is substituting an O for a 0 (or visa versa). Example, KAZPHOEN11, not KAZPH0EN11. 3. Make sure your time zone is set properly. If incorrect, you may be reporting old data, not real time data.
Page 45: Accessories
The following software and hardware accessories are available for this weather station at www.AmbientWeather.com Accessory Description Ambient Weather Mounting Ambient Weather provides the most comprehensive mounting solutions Solutions for weather stations, including tripods, pole extensions, pole mounting kits, guy wires, ground stakes and more. 12. Liability Disclaimer Please help in the preservation of the environment and return used batteries to an authorized depot.
Page 46 However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures: •...

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