Mounting a lightning sensor?

Archive Archived Weather Display Usage Questions
1

I have searched the forums yes… b4 you ask…

I have a hobby-board lightning sensor…

Has anyone got any good ideas on the best way of setting up the lightning sensor?

What is the best way to mount a antenna? What material is best to use?

What is the best way to mount the box with the 9V battry in it?

How do i get a successfull antenna, IE does it have to be in the compartment? or can I run a wire up to the roof and mount something in there? if so how?

How is the best way of grounding the unit so it gets the best reception for the lightning?

Thanks in advance

2

Hi Tucker ,

I’ve mounted mine on my weather station frame ( sensor board and battery are mounted in a pvc box ) on top of the pvc box lid I’ve mounted a VHF antenna base ( the one’s you use with mobile VHF radio ) . The stainless steel whip is the antenna ( approx 500 mm long )
Make sure you provide a seperate earth pin . ( 6 foot pin driven into the ground ).

You need to change the 9 volt battery out once a year .
I’ll probably change my setup to run on 12 vdc ( gel cell and solar panel ) . I’ve also got a leaf sensor to install which requires 12 vdc .

3

Hi,
Here is the link to one of Tim Bitsons original designs. http://homepage.mac.com/tbitson/weather/bslam/index.html
also this one http://homepage.mac.com/tbitson/weather/owlm/

Here’s the picture

I have mine mounted in exactly the same pvc pipe enclosure, except that the pcb is all-in-one now so I mounted the 9v battery at the bottom of the vertical pipewith the PCB. My antenna is a piece of copper wire connected straight onto the PCB about 30 inches long. I’m not sure what the optimum length is. The earth cable should run from the 3rd terminal of the PCB direct to your ground stake. I put in a special ground stake out next to the garage where the sensor is. Make sure it is a very good ground, otherwise the static will likely fry your sensor.

4

I made my first setup ( similiar to Colin’s ) nice picture .
Jim Jenning’s advised me that all that was needed was a VHF radio base and stainless steel whip ( work’s fine ) has 360 degree un-obscured viewing and less wind resistance .Also enable’s you to experiment with different lenght antenna’s etc…

5
was needed was a VHF radio base and stainless steel whip

What is a stainless steel whip?

What sort of VHF radio base do you suggest?

Do you have a picture of it?

Can I mount the board in the house using this methord with a longer cable for the antenna or does it still need to be outside?

6

the one they use on commercial vehicles ( mobile radio telephones )
like the cops use .

post picture tommorrow ( if the weather has improved )

7
Can I mount the board in the house using this methord with a longer cable for the antenna or does it still need to be outside?

The system is designed such that the antenna must be attached almost directly to the PCB.

8

Hi ,

here a picture of my lighning detector antenna setup .
the pvc box also houses the lightning board and is a junction box for all my other sensors

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v148/vinayr/lightning.jpg

9

OK kewl. What is the black rubbery thing under the box?

Also what is the sensor to the left of the detector and in the front of it?

10

black rubber thing is a grommet ( connection to the sensor LHS - solar sensor ) .
Sensor in front is my outdoor humdity sensor ( and outside temperture ) . most of my cat5 cabling is within the box section aluminium .

hope this is of help