ecowitt WS68BN Wireless Solar Powered Anemometer User Manual

WIRELESS SOLAR POWERED ANEMOMETER
WITH UV &LIGHT SENSOR
Operation Manual
Model: WS68BN

WS68BN Wireless Solar Powered Anemometer

Thank you for purchasing this Wireless Solar Powered Anemometer with UV & Light Sensor! This unit measures wind direction, wind speed, wind gust, UV & light . The data can be received by the GW1000 Wi-Fi Gateway(sold separately) and can be viewed using the WS View mobile application (after Wi-Fi configuration on the gateway has been completed).
To ensure the best product performance, please read this manual and retain it for future reference.

Note: The stainless steel pole is not included.

Unpacking

Open your outdoor sensor box and inspect that the contents are intact (nothing broken) and complete (nothing missing). Inside you should find the following:

Direction Sensor, Light and UV sensor, Solar panel

1| Wind speed cups (to be attached to outdoor sensor body)
1| Wind vane (to be attached to outdoor sensor body)
2| U-Bolts for mounting on a pole
4| Threaded nuts for U-Bolts (M5 size)
1| Metal mounting plate to be used with U-Bolts
1| Wrench for M5 bolts
1| User manual (this manual)

Table 1: Package content

If components are missing from the package, or broken, please contact customer service to resolve the issue.
Note: Battery for the outdoor sensor package is not included. You will need 1 AA size batteries, alkaline or Lithium batteries (Lithium recommended for colder climates).

Features

• Measures wind direction, wind speed, wind gust, UV & light data.
• No display, need to work with GW1000 WIFI gateway to complete the WIFI configuration on our WS View App.
• After the WIFI configuration, the live wind, UV & light data can be viewed directly on the WS View App.
• Supports uploads to WU/WeatherCloud/WOW. The history graph of your WU station ID can be viewed on the WU Dashboard on the WS View App.
• Wind and UV & light sensor calibration functions available on the WS View App.
• Works with HP3501 Weather Station display console(sold separately).
  The outdoor sensor and display console should be at the same frequency.

Set up Guide

4.1 Pre Installation Checkout
To complete assembly you will need a Philips screwdriver (size PH0) and a wrench (size M5; included in package).

Attention:

• Ensure battery is installed with correct polarity (+/-)
• Do not use rechargeable batteries
• If outdoor temperature may go below 32F or 0C for prolonged periods, Lithium based batteries are suggested over alkaline type batteries for the outdoor sensor array

4.2 Site Survey
Perform a site survey before installing the weather station. Consider the following:

• Ideally mounted at 32.8 feet (10 meters) above ground level.
• Try to make the anemometer the highest object around. 7 feet(2.76 meters) or more above the surrounding obstructions is best.
• Wireless Range. Radio communication between receiver and transmitter in an open field can reach a distance of up to 300 feet or 100 meter, providing there are no interfering obstacles such as buildings, trees, vehicles and high voltage lines. Wireless signals will not penetrate metal buildings. Under most conditions, the maximum wireless range is 100’ or 30m.
• Radio Interference. Computers, radios, televisions and other sources can interfere with radio communications between the sensor array and console. Please take this into consideration when choosing console or mounting locations. Make sure your display console is at least five feet or 1.52 meter away from any electronic device to avoid interference.

4.3 Sensor Package Assembly
See Figure 1 to locate and understand all the parts of the outdoor sensor package once fully assembled.

Table 2: Sensor assembly detailed items

4.3.2 Install U-bolts and metal plate
Installation of the U-bolts, which are in turn used to mount the sensor package on a pole, requires installation of an included metal plate to receive the U-bolt ends. The metal plate, visible in Figure 2, has four holes through which the ends of the two U-Bolts will fit. The plate itself is inserted in a groove on the right bottom of the unit.
Note that one side of the plate has a straight edge (which goes into the groove), the other side is bent at a 90-degree angle and has a curved profile (which will end up “hugging” the mounting pole). Once the metal plate is inserted, remove nuts from the U-Bolts and insert both U-bolts through the respective holes of the metal plate as shown in Figure 2.

Loosely screw on the nuts on the ends of the U-bolts. You will tighten these later during final mounting. Final assembly is shown in Figure 3.

The plate and U-Bolts are not yet needed at this stage but doing this now may help avoid damaging wind vane and wind speed cups later on. Handling of the sensor package with wind vane and speed cups installed to install these bolts is more difficult and more likely to lead to damage.
4.3.3 Install wind vane
Push the wind vane onto the shaft on the bottom side of the sensor package, until it goes no further, as shown on the left side in Figure 4. Next, tighten the set screw, with a Philips screwdriver (size PH0), as shown on the right side, until the wind vane cannot be removed from the axle. Make sure the wind vane can rotate freely. The wind vane’s movement has a small amount of friction, which is helpful in providing steady wind direction measurements.

4.3.4 Install wind speed cups
Push the wind speed cup assembly onto the shaft on the opposite side of the wind vane, as shown in Figure 5 on the top side. Tighten the set screw, with a Philips screwdriver (size PH0), as shown on the right side. Make sure the cup assembly can rotate freely. There should be no noticeable friction when it is turning.

4.3.5 Install Batteries in sensor package
Open the battery compartment with a screwdriver and insert 1 AA battery in the battery compartment. The LED indicator on the back of the sensor package (item 6) will turn on for 3 seconds and then flash once every 16.5 seconds indicating sensor data transmission. If you did not pay attention, you may have missed the initial indication. You can always remove the batteries and start over, but if you see the flash once every 16.5 seconds, everything should be OK.

Note: If LED does not light up or is on permanently, make sure the battery is inserted the correct way and inserted fully, starting over if necessary. Do not install the battery backwards as it may permanently damage the outdoor sensor.
Note: We recommend Lithium batteries for cold weather climates, but alkaline batteries are sufficient for most climates. Rechargeable batteries have lower voltages and should never be used.

4.3.6 Mount assembled outdoor sensor package
4.3.6.1 Before you mount
Before proceeding with the outdoor mounting detailed in this section, you may want to skip to setup instructions in section 5-6 and onwards first, while you keep the assembled outdoor sensor package nearby (although preferably not closer than 5 ft. or 1.53m from the GW1000 gateway(sold separately)). This will make any troubleshooting and adjustments easier and avoids any distance or interference related issues from the setup.
After setup is complete and everything is working, return here for outdoor mounting. If issues show up after outdoor mounting they are almost certainly related to distance, obstacles etc.
4.3.6.2 Mounting
You can attach a pole to a permanent structure and then attach the sensor package to it (see Figure 7).
The U-Bolts will accommodate a pole diameter of 1-2 inches (pole not included).

Make sure the mounting pole is vertical, or very close to it. Use a level if needed.
Finally, place the sensor package on top of the prepared mounting pipe. The U-Bolts should be loose enough to allow this but loosen the nuts as necessary. Once placed, hand tightens all four nuts, taking care to do so evenly. Do not use a wrench yet!
Now you will need to align the whole package in the proper direction by rotating it on top of the mounting pipe as needed. Locate the arrow labeled “NORTH” that you will find on top of the transparent cover on the sensor package (Item 8 ). You must rotate the whole sensor package until this arrow points due north. To achieve proper alignment, it is helpful to use a compass (many cell phones have a compass application). Once rotated in the correct orientation, lightly tighten the bolts a little more (use a wrench) to prevent further rotation.
Note: The orientation to NORTH is necessary for two reasons. The most important one is to position the solar panel and light sensor in the most advantageous position for recording solar radiation and charging internal capacitors. Secondly it causes a zero reading for wind direction to correspond to due NORTH, as is customary.
Make sure the sensor package is installed vertically. If it is not, wind direction and speed readings may not operate correctly or accurately. Adjust the mounting pipe as necessary.
Make sure you check, and correct if necessary, the north orientation as the final installation step, and now tighten the bolts with a wrench. Do not over tighten, but make sure strong wind and/or rain cannot move the sensor package.
4.3.7 Reset Button and Transmitter LED
In the event the sensor package is not transmitting, reset the sensor package. Using a bent-open paperclip, press and hold the RESET BUTTON (item 10) to affect a reset: the LED turns on while the RESET button is depressed, and you can now let go. The LED should then resume as normal, flashing approximately once every 16.5 seconds.

Setup Guide using Wi-Fi Gateway

If you wish to view the sensor data on your mobile device, you need to pair this sensor device with the Wi-Fi Gateway (sold separately), or another compatible device.
Before you can use the mobile application to connect to the Wi-Fi Gateway, it must be configured on your Wi-Fi network. Instructions may be found in the gateway manual.
5.1 Replacing an existing sensor unit
If this sensor is a replacement for a previous unit, ensure the previous unit is powered down. Also unplug the Wi-Fi Gateway from the USB connection, wait a few seconds, and re-connect the gateway to USB power.
Now simply insert the battery to power up the sensor unit, and the Wi-Fi Gateway will quickly pick up the sensor information. It is best to always do this in the vicinity of the Wi-Fi Gateway to rule out distance or signal interference effects, and to move the unit to the final location once correct configuration is confirmed.

View Online Data on WS View

After correct Wi-Fi configuration on the gateway, you can view all sensor data on the “Live Data” screen of the WS View application

Note:

1. This sensor data supports uploads to WU/WeatherCloud/WOW. The sensor history graph of your WU station ID can be viewed on the WS View App.
2. You can also choose to upload the data to our own weather server: www.ecowitt.net, then you can view or download the history graph and records on the website.

Specifications

Note: Out of range values will be displayed using “—” on WS VIEW:

Transmission distance in open

field

| 100 m (330 ft.)
RF Frequency| 433 / 868 / 915 MHz depending on location

United States: 915 MHz

Wind speed range| 0 – 50 m/s (0 ~ 100 mph)
Wind speed accuracy| ± 1 m/s (speed < 5 m/s)

± 10% (speed ≥ 5 m/s), or

± 0.1 mph (speed < 11 mph)

± 10% (speed ≥ 11 mph)

UV-Index range| 0 – 15
Light range| 0 – 120 kLux
Light accuracy| ± 15%
Sensor reporting interval| 16.5 seconds

Table 9: Outdoor sensor specification

1.5V Lithium battery (not included)

Table 11: Power specification

The primary power source for the outdoor sensor is the solar panel. When available solar power (light over recent period) is insufficient, the batteries will be used. In outdoor climates that frequently have sustained temperatures below 0°C (or 32°F) the use of Lithium batteries is strongly suggested as these are performing better than Alkaline  batteries under such circumstances.

Warranty Information

We disclaim any responsibility for any technical error or printing error, or the consequences thereof.
All trademarks and patents are recognized.
This limited warranty begins on the original date of purchase, is valid only on products purchased, and only to the original purchaser of this product. To receive warranty service, the purchaser must contact us for problem determination and service procedures.
This limited warranty covers only actual defects within the product itself and does not cover the cost of installation or removal from a fixed installation, normal set-up or adjustments, or claims based on misrepresentation by the seller, or performance variations resulting from installation-related circumstances.

FCC WARNING
This device complies with part 15 of the FCC Rules. Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause harmful interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference received, including interference that may cause undesired operation. Any changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible for compliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
NOTE: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for a Class B digital device, pursuant to Part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits are designed to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in a residential installation. This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications. However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:

• Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
• Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
• Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to which the receiver is connected.
• Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.

References

• Ecowitt Weather

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