Having dumped my Heavy Weather set up and replaced it with a David VP2 - quick deliery from Prodata - I have spent an afternoon in the rain setting it up. The station works fine and the console is showing everything it should. I have installed the data logger and am getting three beeps when the console starts up.
When I try to connect the software it can’t find the station. I have tried the loop back and this confirms that it is on COM1. Com1 is set to 19,200 8n1 and none - the console is set to 19,200. All cables are firm and checked. I have checked that WD is not holding onto the port.
David, couple of more things to try, 1st make sure that the data logger is plugged in to the console properly, it’s a good practice to remove the power from the console before you plug the logger, so try to power down the console (remove all power to it) then unplug and replug the data logger and make sure it clips in. Then apply power to the console again. While you doing that make sure the serial cable is removed from the PC.
Peter
I have updated the software to the latest version on David’ web site.
I have un-installed Weather Display and restarted to ensure that it sn’t still holding the serial port.
I have re-installed a fresh copy of Weather Display and tried that but it can’t find the weather station either.
A few things I have noticed.
I haven’t installed any batteries. I assume that this will not affect the data logger.
Since starting the VP2 station up 2 hours ago I have had to adjust the time four times!!
If neither Weather Display or Weather Link can talk to the console the problem will have to be either with the data logger or the console itself… It can’t hurt to try batteries however I don’t think that would really make a difference.
mmm…Yes it is better to have batteries in the Console although not essential…ie in the event of a mains power cut the Console will automatically go onto the internal batteries and continue to run (no missed data therefore)
Ok not quiet sure how the console synchronizes the clock, but a lot of electronic clocks use the mains frequency for running, so defiantly you need the batteries installed so you get your clock right, also check your power pack that comes with the unit and see what the input frequency is, USA units have 120VAC 60Hz, it’s best if you find a pack with your local specs (unless it comes with one). Run the console on batteries till you get it talking to your PC. Also make sure that no other programs running using serial com ports like UPS etc. if you have another serial port try that. Also check the task manager just to make sure nothing is running like WD in the background. You can only run one program at a time, WD or WL not together. If it all fails use a serial to USB adaptor if you have any, just to check.
Peter
The VP console clock does not rely on, or care about, the AC power frequency. There’s something strange happening if the clock is changing time, but the console time can be changed via the weatherlink so it could all be connected to the same problem.
Great news. I called John at Prodata at 9 am on Monday. We went through the problem and he didn’t have a quick answer. He called me back an hour later to tell me that he wanted to swap the cosole unit to ensure that I had a good one. He is about 55 miles or so from me ut he was coming to Bury St. Edmunds - 28 miles from Ipswich - and offered to call in with it. True to his word, he arrives around 2.30 with a replacement console. That evening it took 2 minutes to install and everything worked perfectly.
Well… maybe on topic or not… but I found that if I plugged the AC adaptor into the battery backup side of my UPS (APC brand), the clock would lose about a minute a day. AC adaptor plugged into the surge side of the UPS, clock is fine. Batteries are in the console…
This issue was confirmed by at least one other VP2 owner…
So I’d say that either I have a wierd setup, or the console clock does care about the source of power to its AC adaptor…
this does occur to others as well
its because of a change in the AC frequency or wave form when going through the UPS I would say (and so that stuffs up the timing of the console clock I would say)
