Weather Station Accessories
Frequently Asked Questions
Troubleshooting
JUNCTION BOX/PROTECTED JUNCTION BOX
Is it ok to put the junction box in the attic or basement?
No, the junction box should not be put outside, in an attic, a basement, crawlspace, or garage. The junction box may corrode in any environment where the temperature and humidity fluctuate. The junction box should be put in a stable environment such as a living room, bedroom, closet, or office.
What is the purpose of the protected junction box?
The Protected Junction Box gives upgraded protection against the electrical disturbances that can come through sensor cables, including radio frequency interference (RFI), electrostatic discharges, and voltage surges caused by nearby lightning strikes. The Protected Junction Box is for use with the Weather Wizard III or Weather Monitor II (it cannot be used with the Weather Wizard II-S ).
Can I put the protected junction box outside?
Yes. You can place the Protected Junction Box outdoors, but only if it is placed inside one of Davis'shelters or other weather-proof enclosures.
How do I know if the surge absorbers blow?
If the current load is too great, surge absorbers blow (the surge absorbers have a surge current capacity of 500 amps). When they blow they appear black inside. In extreme cases, absorbers can shatter, so keep the clear plastic cover on the Protected Junction Box at all times. Unless it has been otherwise damaged, the Protected Junction Box continues to function normally when surge absorbers blow however, the surge protection is no longer present.
CABLES
If I have to extend cables should I extend the sensor cables or the junction box cable?
You can extend either or both cables. Keep in mind that the junction box should be kept in a stable indoor environment. When adding extensions to the sensor cables use the yellow 3M splice buttons if the splice is outdoors, in the attic, or basement. If you do not have the 3M splice buttons or need more, call us at 1-800-678-3669 and ask for the Universal Coupler Kit #7957. Please note that the 6-pin coupler that also comes with the Universal Coupler Kit is only meant to be used if your splice is in an indoor stable environment, otherwise use the 3M splice buttons.
How far can I extend the cables?
We recommend extending the cables no longer than the following lengths for the entire distance from the sensor to the display.
Outside Temperature/Humidity Sensor - 300 feet.
Rain Collector - 1000 feet.
Outside Temperature Probe - 600 feet.
Anemometer - 200 feet.
Are they just like telephone cable?
Our cable is 26 gauge, 4, 6, and 8 conductor flat telephone type cable. Our sensor cable extensions come in 40 foot lengths and include a coupler kit. Our junction box cables are available in 8, 25, 50, and 100 foot lengths. If you attempt to use your own extensions be forewarned that both phone cable and couplers can change the order of the internal colored conductors as they go from plug to plug. Please make sure that the colored conductors get to the junction box in the same order as if there were no extension cable. If your splice is outdoors, in the attic, or basement, do not use a coupler. Use some form of weatherproof electronic splicing such as the 3M splice buttons. If you do not have the 3M splice buttons or need more, call us at 1-800-678-3669 and ask for the Universal Coupler Kit #7957.
SURGE PROTECTORS
What is the purpose of the surge protectors?
The Surge Protector gives increased protection from lightning-induced power surges, power-cross conditions, and ground potential rises that can occur in your system. You can use surge protectors on any system cable.
What is the surge protector's rating?
The Surge Protectors have a surge capability of 20K amps.
How many surge protectors do I need for each sensor?
Anemometer - 2
Leaf Wetness Sensor - 1.5
Rain Collector - 1
Solar Radiation Sensor - 1.5
Temperature Probe - 1
Temp/Humidity Sensor - 2.5
UV Sensor - 1.5
Junction Box - 4
RADIATION SHIELDS
What does the radiation shield do?
The Radiation Shield protects your temperature sensor from rain, solar radiation and other sources of radiated and reflected heat. It is for use with any of our temperature sensors or probes, including the External Temperature/Humidity Sensor.
Where should I install the radiation shield?
The Radiation Shield works best in a location with a steady breeze. Mount it away from objects that may radiate heat. Install it over plants or soil if possible. Do not install over or near sprinklers. The Radiation Shield is not designed to protect the sensor from water sprayed upward. If attached to a building, the preferred location would be on the north side in the Northern Hemisphere
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SOLAR POWER KIT
The solar panel and regulator do not keep the battery charged, my display is blank and I only read 3 to 4 volts from the sun to ground test points on the regulator board.
This problem happens on Revision C regulator boards. It does not happen in earlier versions. To increase efficiency and to prevent reverse flow and deep discharge of the battery, we changed the board to improve the variance of the charging voltage as a function of temperature for maximum efficiency. To do this, ground the lug on the Rev. C board. The weather station must also be grounded. To ground the weather station, do the following. If you have a GroWeather, Energy EnviroMonitor, or Health EnviroMonitor, ground the ground terminal (s) on the Sensor Interface Module. If you have a Weather Monitor II or a Weather Wizard III with a Protected Junction Box, ground the ground terminal (JP2) on the Protected Junction Box. If you do not have a Protected Junction Box, ground the station by running a wire to ground from the "Black" wire P1 terminal on the regulator board.
NOTE: If you want to "Float" the station (no ground at all), connect the solar panel to the station using a jumper between the ground terminal on the regulator board and the "Black" wire P1 terminal on the regulator board.
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