I wondered if anybody had a step-by-step setup guide for using this sensor with WD. I have the rom id setup as the solar sensor in the 1-wire setup page and I have had a look at the solar sensor setup page, but that’s where I’ve come unstuck. I can see settings for VP and to use the temp sensor as a solar sensor, but nothing for a “real” hobby-boards type sensor. I assumed there would be some sort of mV setting to enter for 0%, 100% but can’t see anything, so how is it “calibrated”?
Hi Brian,
Yes I saw that but really had no idea what the max voltage would be. I guess I need to wait for a really good day and set it then. Yesterday I could see 125 mV (which didn’t change any no matter what the sky was doing) in that info window, but this morning it was about. 0.2mV even though it was quite light. I’m hoping the unit is pretty linear, not just an on/off switch :!:
I have seen reports that sensitivity may be a little lacking in these sensors so I might take it off the roof and experiment a bit more. I know its hooked up to the 1-wire net OK as I can read the temp off the DS2438 chip.
Unfortunately the TMEX software I have says it does not support this chip - which seems kind strange :?
Well it looks like WD is seeing the raw voltage, what there was of it :lol: I expected to see it changing quite a lot , but maybe my expectations are wrong. :?
I understand that it graphs on the top graph on the main page ? I’ll have to play a bit more tonight and let you know the results later or tomorrow.
Hmmmm…humidity sensor has come right, which leads me to think that it got a shot of condensation in and/or on it. I’m guessing that a I need to aspirate the pagaoda as I had intended to do. :roll:
This will drive you nuts. The biggest problem is the narrow solid angle that the detector sees. That makes the max output a function of about everything–clouds, time of year.
The sensitivity is also very low with the sun at the horizon-- unless you point the detector at one horizon.
I gave up and replaced the hobby boards photodiode with three photocells.
I’m much more satisfied with it. See the Weather station siting and setup category for more details.
I’m now getting a “curve” which has the profile of “butt head”. The lower sun angles are emphasised and the full sun values compressed. Periods of cloudiness don’t go nuts. The large solid angle seen by the three photocells seem to reflect what my eyes perceive as ambient lighting.
Hi Brian,
Thanks for the input. I was looking back at my PMs and realised it was you who told me about the sensitivity isssue. I guess the whole solar thing is very subjective, but I agree on your observations about the horizons. Maybe thats why the expensive units have the fancy lenses on top.
I see Eric is selling the sensors themselves for $3.75, so I wonder if it would be possible to add another 2 (assuming I could just parallel them up :? and do basically the same as you have done under my “dome”. The long leads are flexible enough that I could bend them around and point them at the relevant horizons.
