Using Multiple Sensors To Report To Weather Sites

[bluegrassguitar]

Just a quick note to express appreciation for the ability to use secondary sensors to report data to weather sites. Like many AcuRite users, my main 5in1 sensor has temperature spikes in the morning and late afternoon when the aspirating fan is not working due to the sun's position in the sky, especially during spring and summer. I tried to get around this by "electrifying" the fan motor, using a 3v converter (motor is rated to 5v) and it worked beautifully for 6 months...then the motor burned out. So, I bought a cheap tower sensor ($12), placed it deep in the canopy of a large shade tree. I replaced the 5in1 top, which includes the fan, and after monitoring both sensors for a few weeks, I found that the tower matches the 5in1 temp almost perfectly, but without the spikes. I now report temperature from the tower and all other readings from the 5in1. Again, thanks...you've done a great job!

[KrazyKanuk]

Just a quick note to express appreciation for the ability to use secondary sensors to report data to weather sites. Like many AcuRite users, my main 5in1 sensor has temperature spikes in the morning and late afternoon when the aspirating fan is not working due to the sun's position in the sky, especially during spring and summer. I tried to get around this by "electrifying" the fan motor, using a 3v converter (motor is rated to 5v) and it worked beautifully for 6 months...then the motor burned out. So, I bought a cheap tower sensor ($12), placed it deep in the canopy of a large shade tree. I replaced the 5in1 top, which includes the fan, and after monitoring both sensors for a few weeks, I found that the tower matches the 5in1 temp almost perfectly, but without the spikes. I now report temperature from the tower and all other readings from the 5in1. Again, thanks...you've done a great job!

I want to also second those kudos! I recently had a problem with the wind direction data and the admin was quick to jump in and help. He logged onto the MB and identified that problem with the code and rewrote it. It now works perfectly! I am able to send data from my 5in1 for the wind and wind direction and rainfall. But send separate data from the tower sensors for temp and humidity.

I see that you electrified the motor. Do you think that the motor burn out was due to a defect in the motor? It would seem that it should run for longer. Did you rewire it to run off batteries? I would be interested since I was contemplating doing this however I may have less enthusiasm for this knowing that the motor is not up to continuous use.

[bluegrassguitar]

I used a little 3v ac/dc converter along with a cheap Instamatic lamp timer to send 3v to the motor from 7:00 am until 7:00 pm...12 hours per day. I simply pulled the wires from the dual solar panel, ran them through the slot above the motor and hooked them to two ends of a 100' invisible dog fence twisted wire. I plugged the Instamatic timer into household current and plugged the ac/dc converter into the timer. I ran the dog fence wire through my bark beds, up the 5in1 mounting mast and into the sensor top through a drilled hole, using tiny alligator clips to connect to the motor wires. Pretty simple, actually, and it did work for a few months. No temp spikes from lack of sunshine. Even now, the motor will start up if I flick it with my finger but stops again an hour or so later.

If you try something like this, I suggest going with a 1.5v converter instead of 3v to see if that will extend the motor life. It should, I would think.

[joe002]

Just a quick note to express appreciation for the ability to use secondary sensors to report data to weather sites. Like many AcuRite users, my main 5in1 sensor has temperature spikes in the morning and late afternoon when the aspirating fan is not working due to the sun's position in the sky, especially during spring and summer. I tried to get around this by "electrifying" the fan motor, using a 3v converter (motor is rated to 5v) and it worked beautifully for 6 months...then the motor burned out. So, I bought a cheap tower sensor ($12), placed it deep in the canopy of a large shade tree. I replaced the 5in1 top, which includes the fan, and after monitoring both sensors for a few weeks, I found that the tower matches the 5in1 temp almost perfectly, but without the spikes. I now report temperature from the tower and all other readings from the 5in1. Again, thanks...you've done a great job!

I know this is an old post, but I'm thinking you have a 5-in-1 and a 3-in-1 and you can select to use the 5-in-1 for pressure, rain, wind and wind speed and use the 3-in-1 for the temperature and humidity, correct?

How do you do it?

[joe002]

Oh wait, I think I finally found it. On the Live Data page if you hover of the Historical Data Sensor column there are options to enable or disable the sensors - that must be it!

On the Live Data display (after rebooting) I see Outdoor, Wind, Rain, Outdoor #1, Wind #1, Indoor. I'm guessing the #1 stuff is from the 3-in-1, correct? Any way to know for sure (maybe since the 5-in1 has rain then the other stuff must be fro the 5-in-1).

In the History section I'm also seeing #2 stuff, not sure why, but I deleted it.

In the Select Station there's a "unlink sensors" checkbox that is cleared once you hit "save". Not sure what it's for???

Anyway if that is the way it works then I agree, thanks for adding this feature!!!

I have also made some mods to my 5-in-1 to "fix" the temperature spike problem - more sensors and new motors. It works great... for 6 months or so until the motor burns out. I have a spare "top" that I can swap in 5 minutes or so then solder in a new motot in my spare top (an hour or so), and I'm good for another 6 months or so. I'm going to find a good spot for my 3-in-1 and then switch to reporting from it and no more 5-in-1 temperature issues!!! Happy days!