Ways to connect Meteobridge RPI to a Weather station

[Bart]

Hello,

I have a Vantage Pro2 plus.
What is the best way to get an MB RPI to communicate with a VP2plus?

I now do that by having the RPI retrieve the information from my WLL via the IP address of that WLL. So I choose the WLL as the primary weather station. Is there another route possible?

The reason I ask is because I see that there is a difference in the measurement on a few sensors, with my MB Pro. For example rain (rate) but also the output on sun radiation.

I can imagine that by recalculating the data from the (and as a result of) the different components, differences arise, but I want to know exactly.
So I want to change one variable (ceteris paribus) and see if there are still differences.
If there is another option of course...

Thanks in advance,

Bart

[BigAlT]

I believe the only way to get the data directly from the Vantage Pro 2 plus Into your RPi is to install a Davis data logger ( either USB or Ethernet ) into your Console. The logger would then connect directly to your RPi using the a USB or Ethernet cable.

[Bart]

OK, thanks. If so, then it seems logical to me that a Nano (SD) can be connected for the same investment (Davis Logger vs Nano) in money. Then I can still specify the WLL as a staion, but with the IP of the Nano? Or is this not correct, due to a different way of presenting the data by the WLL?

Bit nonsensical you would think but I am trying to discover the cause of the error / the difference in observations.

Bart

[BigAlT]

I don’t know the answer to your question. As far as the cost, you might be able to find a used Davis Logger on eBay for much less cost. In fact, there is a Davis USB data logger on eBay now ( compatible with your Vantage Pro2 plus ) for $65 CAD ( Canadian ). It’s listed as “as is” and only shipped free to Canada & the USA. If you’re interested, you might contact the seller and see what he’d charge for shipping to Holland. It’s item # 165431705572.

[admin]

OK, thanks. If so, then it seems logical to me that a Nano (SD) can be connected for the same investment (Davis Logger vs Nano) in money. Then I can still specify the WLL as a station, but with the IP of the Nano? Or is this not correct, due to a different way of presenting the data by the WLL?

NANO connects directly to the serial port at the back of the console. No IP or alike needed here.
NANO can also connect to the WLL as an additional station by specifying the IP of the WLL.
That way you will have two stations defined in the NANO that read data from the same sensors. I am not sure what the benefit is, but it will work.

NANO does not emulate a WLL but can emulate a WLIP at the NANO's IP. When using the NANO as a WLIP, it will leave the task of requesting data from the console to the calling program and will just listen to the data passed trough and will try to keep its own weather data recent by doing so. But NANO is then just sitting on the side, not controlling the communication and not taking actively care that all data needed (LOOP2 packets for example) will be requested and provided in a timely manner.

[Bart]

Thanks. Now I have little knowledge of how hardware works under the hood. Is the Nano extra burdened by also using it for these activities? Or is that just part of "normal" activities, the Nano just does it on the side. I ask because I assume that the capabilities of such a Nano also have a limitation. As a result, the main task may be partly missed.
This would then apply to both options offered. Or is that overly concerned.

(Incidentally, and indirectly, I wondered whether there is an extra load on the WLL. Can it be addressed multiple times via IP to provide information?)

Bart

[admin]

Despite its small size the NANO is not less capable than a Meteobridge PRO. Reading data from additional stations should not bring it into trouble.

[Gyvate]

Despite its small size the NANO is not less capable than a Meteobridge PRO. Reading data from additional stations should not bring it into trouble.

This definitely depends on the number of sensors the primary and the added station come with (and minute data archiving).
In my setup having more than one station (with 35 different sensor data items each) connected to a MB Pro makes a proper running almost impossible.
Then I regularly cannot see e.g. the Min/Max data as the message that the logger is busy comes up. Many spontaneous reboots etc. You name it.
That's why I moved to the RPi solution and use a RPi4B-2GB where the data, reports, drawings etc. come up at high speed - with two stations 35+ sensor data items each and minute-based archiving. It's running now for over 120 days without interruption and meticulous performance.

My MB Pros now host one station each only. With reasonable response times. But slow like a turtle (better tortoise as turtles in the water can be rather fast) compared to the RPi solution.
I think though that two stations with the base sensors only on a MB Pro should also work.

[Bart]

Thanks,

I get it. The small, added question remains. In order to have my picture complete and to understand it completely, I would like it if that also became clear to me.

thanks,

Bart

……….(Incidentally, and indirectly, I wondered whether there is an extra load on the WLL. Can it be addressed multiple times via IP to provide information?)
…..

[admin]

I didn't test this, may be the Davis forums can answer that question on WLL performance.

[Bart]

I totally understand, you can't test everything. But I meant it generically.
Is there an extra 'workload' if, for example, you request a Meteobridge several times via the IP address. I don't know how it works in the background hence my perhaps clumsy and maybe wrong question....

Bart