Modified sensors, meteohub and WSWIN

[J.S.]

Hej,

WSWIN and WD both have the ability to add modified sensors. A temp sensor in a jar makes a solar duration sensor, modiyng the rain gauge so it becomes more accurate , raindurationsensors out of yet another temp sensor...

WSWIN does not directly support OS WM100/200. I think WD and WSWIN offer a lot of capabilities, the design of WSWIN appeals to me. Much more than WD.

So a few questions:

- Does Meteohub software it self have possibilites to add a solarduration sensor, a raindurationsensor,(I already noted that adjustments for a larger gauge is possible)..

- Does WSWIN work with WMR-100/200 sensors and adjuested ones via Meteohub??

IF you have something to add on this topic, tips are welcome.

Thanks for the answers!

[skyewright]

- Does WSWIN work with WMR-100/200 sensors and adjuested ones via Meteohub??

When WSWIN (and WD) see data from Meteohub they don't know (or care) which weatherstation collected the data.

WD and WSWIN offer a lot of capabilities, the design of WSWIN appeals to me. Much more than WD.

I've been using WD since I first got my WMR200 over 6 months ago. I am now starting to use WSWIN as well, and I like it.

I 'feed' both WD and WSWIN data collected by Meteohub.

- Does Meteohub software it self have possibilites to add a solarduration sensor, a raindurationsensor

One of the sensors collected by my Meteohub is a 'temp in a jar'. Both WD and WSWIN are happy to do their tricks with that, the same as would be the case with direct connection to a weatherstation.

(I already noted that adjustments for a larger gauge is possible)..

Yes. I have a modified rain gauge. Meteohub handles that. WD and WSWIN see the aleady 'adjusted' data.

Does WSWIN work with WMR-100/200 sensors and adjuested ones via Meteohub??

Yes - the brand of the sensor isn't relevant by the time the data reaches WSWIN.

I hope that helps.

[J.S.]

It helps a lot! Thanks again. BTW: if you read out the same readings with WD and WsWin, are there differences with this sensor in jar way of measuring solar irradation?

BTW: I am now testing a simple way to prevent overflowing water with a large downpour if you use an adjusted raingauge. I don't know how you call it in English, the thing you put in yoiur mouth when you drin something from a mineralwater bottle. You know, it is closed with a thing you open with your teeth and than you can drink? If you open it a little bit and place it under the gauge you bought to enlarge the existing gauge it will slow the water down. I threw a 11 mm equivalent in such a modified bottle in 1 minute. Which equals 110 tips, which is far to fast for the tipping mechanism to keep up with. Must be once every 6 seconds or so. With this simple system, it slowed down in such a away that all water was gone after 11 minutes. This means the tipping mechanisme tips every 6 seconds. In theory, this should be oke.
At the end, just one small drop was left. About 50 drops in a 31,8 cm diamter gauge equals 0.1 mm. So one drop less is no problem.
A "sift" would be nice, to filter sand and other smalle particles out of the water, to prevent the mechanism to become full with debries.

BTW: I still have three Davis weatherstations (WWIII and WMII) and in heavy downpours they really have big problems!! Teh mechanism cannot keep up in their standard shape. This ha sbeen noted by many Dutch enthousiasts.

best regards!

[skyewright]

if you read out the same readings with WD and WsWin, are there differences with this sensor in jar way of measuring solar irradation?

What WD and WSWIN do with the data is different - but for a given set of values both produce the same 'Solar %'.

WSWIN just uses the data to give 'Sunshine Hours', i.e. time hours with Solar % > 85% (trigger percentage is configurable).

WD goes further by extrapolating a W/m2 figure as well. Werner, the WSWIN developer, does not provide the extrapolation because he doesn't feel it is justified (i.e. valid enough to be worth while) with home made sensors - I have some sympathy with that view.

BTW: I am now testing a simple way to prevent overflowing water with a large downpour if you use an adjusted raingauge. I don't know how you call it in English, the thing you put in yoiur mouth when you drin something from a mineralwater bottle.

What a great idea! As you say, it would need regular checking for particles, and there is the possibilty of it 'holding on to' water but I'm sure it is an idea well worth testing.
I'll be interested to hear if you decide to keep it!

[J.S.]

Well, I did some further testing. Swept my wet hands over the street and picked up many very tiny particles and the thing stopped letting water threw rapidly. A lot of particles though, good for a week or so.

Then I took a very small sponge and repeated the excercise. At the end, the once pink sponge became brown. Also some cats hair in it etc. Virtually no particles came through. This sponge was one of those cheap ones with a sponge side and a rough side, you use for the dishes etc. Took a 1-2cm circle, 3-4mm thick slice out of it. Did the job quite nicely. It only soaks up a few drops and then passes the water threw.
To be sure I took an exact amount of 100 mm water and put it through...I ended up with exactly that amount. May be 2-5 drops (at most) missing. 50 of those drops equals 0,1 mm. So that is okay.

The best thing is to use a very fine net. Found one in the Black and Decker machine (don't know the name, but its like a hoover but only for crums..you know?). Luckily, my girlfriend isn't here...So I can make a mess and possible damage the Black and Decker (in her eyes, it won't happen of course..). This thing lets absolutely zero particles through. Water remains perfectly clear even after I put a lot of it with many partciles through the filter. If you can make a filter out if it, which should be easy, this is the best option.

I will do some further testing, once I have the raincollector in. I can test it next to KNMI Vlissingen station and next stations here in Middelburg (we have an KNMI rainstation over here). But KNMI Vlissingen or Wilhelminadorp or both nearby and I can stand there just 2-3 metres form the raincollector, piranometer and sensorscreens. I think I will put some pictures on the net for you (and others). Just like I did with my homebrew KNMI sensor screen. That was, if I may say so, spot on! I tested it at KNMI Vlissingen and former meteorologist, who I know a bit, came up and couldn't see the difference at first. He was really amazed! Always nice if some pro is honestly amazed by your work, isn't it.

About Werner Krenn. That is very German, I think. And I like this attitude a lot. I try to remain as logical and rational as I can. But may be Brian is right and may be you just can get really close to a W/m2 measurement. Unfortunately, the KNMI does not put the solar irradiation data on the net but I could compare with a friend who lives 15-20 km away. He has got a DAvis Vantage 2 with piranometer. I do not know him too well, but could ask him. I guess it is reasonable test. Have to buy WD or can I get a free copy, which is restricted for personal use??

I'll keep you posted on my "project" with the raingauge. It will take at least a month before I can truley test I think.

Best regards!

[skyewright]

Have to buy WD or can I get a free copy, which is restricted for personal use??

When first installed WD allows 30 days evaluation before purchase of a licence is required.

There is a free WD Basic but that only works with WMR100 & WMR200 and it has a reduced feature set:
http://www.weather-watch.com/smf/index. ... #msg228301

I'll keep you posted on my "project" with the raingauge. It will take at least a month before I can truley test I think.

Sounds very interesting. :)

What I'm not clear about is how you have fitted the 'throttle' (for want of a better word).
Is it somehow attached to the bottom of the wide funnel?