DAVIS 6805 EnviroMonitor IP Gateway User Manual

DAVIS 6805 EnviroMonitor IP Gateway User Manual

Welcome to Your EnviroMonitor System

An EnviroMonitor System includes a Gateway and a number of Nodes, each with up to four sensors that form an advanced mesh network operating at 902 – 928 MHz (868 MHz in the EU). The Nodes transmit the sensor data to a “mesh parent,” either the Gateway or another Node. The Gateway then sends the data via Ethernet connection to WeatherLink.com. Enviro Monitor can be customized for different sized installations. Each Gateway can have up to 32 Nodes. Additional Gateways can be added to your account to receive data from another set of Nodes. A Davis wireless or cabled GroWeather Sensor Suite can also be plugged into the Gateway. This manual will show you how to set up both the EnviroMonitor Gateway and Nodes. If you are just installing a Node and have already installed the Gateway, you can skip to page 9: Set Up Nodes and Sensors.

Note: Your IP Gateway is designed to be installed either indoors or in a Davis Universal Shelter, product number 6618.

The steps for setting up your EnviroMonitor system:

1. Plan: What sensors do you need and where? Decide where you will install the Gateway and Nodes. See page 2: Planning Your System.
2. Power up your Gateway. See page 6: Power-up and Connect your Gateway.
3. Connect your Gateway to WeatherLink.com with the EnviroMonitor app.
4. Power up the Node. See page 10: Power-up and Connect the Node.
5. Connect the Node to the Gateway with the EnviroMonitor app.
6. Mount the Node. See page 13: Mount the Node.
7. Add and Install the sensors with the EnviroMonitor app.

Planning Your System

After determining which sensors you want and where you want to install them, make sure you have the correct number of Nodes to support those sensors. The maximum distance between two Nodes and a Gateway and a Node will vary depending on many factors including environment, height, terrain and RF noise.

To get optimal transmission range:

• Ideally, locate the devices with unobstructed lines of sight between them. A large hill or large metal barrier will block signals. If transmitting under a canopy or in an orchard, range will be reduced.
• Mount the devices as high above the ground or the highest crop height as possible. The higher they are mounted, the longer the transmission distance.
• The Gateway should be placed in a window or as close to the outside of the building and as close to the Nodes as possible; higher is better.

This illustration shows how installation height affects general transmission distances. Many variables affect transmisstion distance. Results will vary based on environmental conditions. To extend range, see Appendix A: Using a Long Range External Antenna.

Make a Sketch

It is helpful to make a sketch of your installation to get an idea of where the Gateway and Nodes should go.

Note: If you are mounting the IP Gateway outside, enclose it in a Universal Shelter, product number 6618.

Siting the Nodes

• Ideally, the mesh network will be most effective at “self healing” any temporarily impaired transmission paths if each Node has more than one way to reach the Gateway. While the system is designed to handle a mesh, a “star” or nodes in single lines, it is a good idea whenever possible to site each node so that it is within transmission distance of either two (or more) other Nodes, or the Gateway and another Node. A Node can even be installed simply to transmit data from more distant Nodes to the Gateway, without any sensors installed in it. By planning the system’s “transmission mesh,” data can be relayed in from the most remote corner of your installation.

• Nodes can also be used to transmit data around or over obstacles, such as hills.

Get around an obstruction by using a Node with no sensors as a relay

Set up your Gateway

Contents of Gateway

IP Gateway Requirements & Tools

• Wi-Fi or router Ethernet internet connection
• Wi-Fi password
• Smartphone
• 4 AA batteries (not included)

Power-up and Connect your Gateway

Install the EnviroMonitor App

1. Install the EnviroMonitor app on your Smartphone. Find the app by searching for the Davis EnviroMonitor app in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store

The EnviroMonitor app will guide you through creating an account on WeatherLink.com, adding the Gateway, adding Nodes to the Gateway, and adding sensors to the Node.

Power Up and Connect Your Gateway

1. Plug the AC adapter into the socket on the bottom of the Gateway and plug the adapter into the wall.
   There are cable channels to the front and back, as well as the side, in which to run the cable.

Note: The Gateway is powered by AC power with battery backup. AC power is required; it cannot be set up or run on batteries alone. It is highly recommended that you install batteries to prevent loss of data if AC power is lost. If AC power is lost, the Gateway will stop trying to upload data to WeatherLink.com, but it will continue to receive sensor data and store it. When AC power is resumed, it will reconnect with WeatherLink.com and send the records it stored during the outage to your database on the WeatherLink cloud.

2. Install the batteries. Open the battery compartment on the bottom of the Gateway. To do this, slide the cover forward then lift up. Insert four AA batteries, making sure you insert them with the positive and negative ends oriented as indicated on the underside of the battery compartment cover.

3. If the IP Gateway on Wi-Fi, follow the prompts in the EnviroMonitor app to connect to Wi-Fi.
   Note: You will need your Wi-Fi- password.

4. If you are connecting your Gateway via Ethernet, plug the included Ethernet cable into the socket on the Gateway. Connect the other end of the cable to your router. You will see a green light when the connection has been established.

5. The blue LED light will begin flashing indicating that the device is ready to connect to the smartphone app

Tip: The device will “go to sleep” and the blue LED will turn off if you don’t use the EnviroMonitor app to connect the device within a few minutes. You can “wake it up” when you are ready to proceed by touching the recessed touch pad.

Connect the Gateway to WeatherLink.com

1. Make sure the Bluetooth function on your smartphone is on.

2. Open the EnviroMonitor app and choose Sign Up to create an account, or Log in if you have already created an account

3. Tap Add Gateway.

4. Bring the phone close to the Gateway.

5. If a message appears that an upgrade has been detected, select Upgrade. Upgrading can take several minutes.
   Tip: The blue LED flashes to show that the Gateway’s configuration radio is on. If it is not flashing, press the recessed touch pad. For the location of the recessed touch pad, see the illustration on page 5: Contents of Gateway.

6. The LED will turn solid blue when the Gateway has successfully connected to your smartphone.

7. Once connected, enter a name for this Gateway. Choose a name based on the use or location so you can easily identify this Gateway if you install others.

8. Follow the prompts to finish adding the Gateway.

9. Once done, you will be prompted to add a Node or sensor suite.

Add a Davis Sensor Suite (optional)

You can add a cabled or wireless Vantage Pro2 sensor suite, such as GroWeather (product number 6820 or 6820C), to your system, which will report rain, wind, temperature, humidity and solar radiation data to the Gateway.
Connect a cabled station by plugging the cable into the socket on the IP Gateway. Connect a Wireless station by following the prompts in the EnviroMonitor app, the same way you connect Nodes to the Gateway

Set Up Nodes and Sensors

Contents of Node

Hardware Kit

Requirements & Tools for Installation of Nodes and Sensors

• Included precision/miniature slotted screwdriver; ideal size: 2.5 mm or 3/32”; see actual size image of screw head and screwdriver blade at right.

• Four D-cell batteries

• Smartphone with EnviroMonitor app installed. See page 6: Install the EnviroMonitor App.

• Wire cutter/stripper and wrench

• Mounting pole or post

Note: You should install Nodes starting with the Node that will be closest to Gateway, then working outward to the Node furthest from Gateway. This allows each Node to establish a connection with the Gateway or a Node that has already been installed.

Power-up and Connect the Node

Make sure the EnviroMonitor app has been installed on the smartphone you will be using to install the Node. It will guide you through adding Nodes to the Gateway that has already been installed.

Power Up the Node : See Contents of Node

1. Install 4 D-cell batteries according to the + and – marks in the battery compartment. The Node will power up. The mesh status LED will indicate connection.
   IMPORTANT: Install the D-cell batteries FIRST. Make sure they are firmly installed and not tilted outward.

2. Remove the battery pull tab from the factory-installed lithium battery.

3. Plug in the solar panel cable.

Connect Node to Gateway

1. Take the Node and smartphone to the general location in which you wish to install your Node. Make sure the phone’s Bluetooth is on.
2. Open the app on the smartphone.
3. Open the door of the Node. (This turns the Node’s Bluetooth on.) The Bluetooth status LED will blink blue. See the illustration on page 9: Contents of Node.
4. In the app, select the Gateway to which this Node will send its data.
5. Tap Add Node.
6. Bring the phone close to the Node.
7. Follow the prompts in the app as it finds the Node and connects it to the Gateway. This transmits the Gateway’s identifying information to the Node and allows its data to be received by the Gateway. Having specific identification for each Gateway/Node pair allows you to have multiple Gateways without cross transmission. Using the app, you will be see this Node’s serial number appear on the list for the Gateway. You will know the Node has found its “mesh parent” (a Gateway or another Node) when you see the Bluetooth status LED go solid blue. If it cannot “find” its parent, try moving the Node to a different location. If the location of the Node cannot be changed, consider installing another Node closer to the parent, to act as a repeater. It does not need to have any sensors installed. When the connection is complete, the mesh status LED will turn solid green. See: Contents of Node.

Install the Sensor(s)

The list of sensors your EnviroMonitor system supports is constantly growing. Check www.davisinstruments.com/em-sensors for the current list.

Note: Wiring diagrams for each sensor are shown in the EnviroMonitor app.

Each Node has four sensor ports.You can install the sensors before or after mounting the Node. For example, if you plan to mount the node on a tower, you will want to install the sensor first.

1. Install the sensor in the environment per the manufacturer’s instructions, making sure the sensor is installed within cable reach of the Node when it is mounted.

2. On your smartphone, open the EnviroMonitor app and select this Node. Tap Add Sensor. From the menu, first select the sensor type, then the specific sensor. Follow the wiring diagram in the app to correctly wire the sensor into one of the green 6-wire sensor connectors. Using a 2.5mm (3/32”) precision slotted screwdriver, loosen the appropriate screws and insert the bare wires.

3. Tighten the screws very tight.

4. Insert the 6-wire sensor connector into the sensor port indicated by the app. Make sure it is aligned properly and not offset.
   Note: If the Davis sensor has an RJ-plug on its cable, use the Davis RJ Adapter, product number 6860. Or, you can remove the plug and strip the wires. Try not to strip the covering back so far that the bare wires can touch each other when the connector is plugged in, but make sure the clamp in the sensor port is closing on wire, not plastic. (About 1/4” [6.4 mm] of exposed wire is ideal.)

5. Run the sensor cable down and out of the box through the bottom. Make sure it will be enclosed by the foam when the Node door is closed.

6. When all sensors are installed, close the Node door, making sure all cables are against the foam and not the hard plastic of the door. Use included zip ties and adhesive mounts if desired.

Mount the Node

The Node can be mounted on a pole or a flat surface such as a wall or a wooden post.

It is important that the Node be mounted so that the solar panel gets the greatest amount of sunshine — the solar panel should be facing south (in the Northern Hemisphere) or north (in the Southern Hemisphere).

Tip: Mounting the Node may be easier if done by two people.

Mounting On a Fence Post or Pole
Mount the Node onto a fence post or a pole with an outside diameter of 0.84” to 1.84” (21 mm to 27 mm) using the U-bolts, backing plates, washers, and hex nuts provided.

Note: For mounting on larger diameter pipes, the housing can accommodate U-bolts with 5/6” (8 mm) threads for pipes up to 2.40” (61 mm) outside diameter (not provided)

Mounting on a Flat Surface

Attach the Node to the mounting surface in the desired location using the lag screws and backing plates as shown below. Use a pencil or a center-punch to mark the location of the pilot hole.

Note: To increase transmission range from Node to Gateway or Node to Node, you may replace the internal mesh antenna with an external Long Range Antenna. See page 17: Appendix A: Using an External Long Range Antenna.

Manage Your Data

Log on to WeatherLink.com to view and manage your data.

You can also use view and manage your data on your smartphone with the Mobilize app. Find the app by searching for Davis Mobilize in the iOS App Store or Google Play Store.

Maintenance

The solar panel on your Node will perform well even with dust on it. However, keep the panel charging optimally by periodically cleaning any bird droppings, heavy dust, dirt, snow, leaves, or insect nests or webs from the solar panel. Cleaning frequency will depend on your installation, but at least once a year. Those near roads or railroad tracks, for example, may collect more dust and dirt than those in the center of a field. Use a soft, damp cloth to remove any debris from the solar panel.

Troubleshooting the Gateway

What do the Gateway status LEDs indicate?

Gateway Status LEDs

LED Behavior| Indicates| What to do
No blue Led.| Configuration radio is in low- power mode.| Touch the recessed touch pads.See page 5: Contents of Gateway.
LED flashes blue.| Gateway is ready to connect to the EnviroMonitor app.| Use the EnviroMonitor app to configure the Gateway.
LED is solid blue.| The Gateway is connected to the EnviroMonitor app.|

My Gateway can’t accessWeatherLink.com

Have you configured your Gateway in the EnviroMonitor app? If you have done so, you may need to relocate the Gateway or contact Technical Support.

I’m not getting data from my Node to the Gateway?

• Make sure the D batteries in the Node are installed correctly.
• Make sure the green sensor adapters in the Node are aligned properly and not offset.
• Make sure the screws on the sensor adapters are very tight.
• Make sure none of the sensor cables are pinched in the Node door.

If these steps don’t solve the problem, consider mounting the Node and Gateway higher above the canopy. See page 2: To get optimal transmission range:.

Troubleshooting the Node

My Node can’t connect to the Gateway or mesh parent

Give the Node more time, at least 15 minutes, to negotiate a connection to the mesh network. If it still cannot connect, the Node is not within transmission distance to a parent. To solve this you can relocate the Node closer to the Gateway or another Node, or you can install another intermediate Node between it and the mesh parent to help it connect to the mesh network.

How can I tell if my Node batteries are getting too low?

The mesh LED will be solid or blinking amber to show that the Node’s batteries are low. See the table above. You can also see the battery power in the app: choose this Node’s Gateway, then this Node, then Node Power.

What do the Node status LEDs indicate?

Node Status LEDs

LED Behavior| Indicates| What to do
No BLE LED.| BLE radio is in low-power mode.| Close, then open the door to activate the BLE radio.
BLE LED flashes blue.| Node is ready to connect to the EnviroMonitor app.| Use the EnviroMonitor app to configure the Node.
BLELED is solid blue.| The Node is connected to the EnviroMonitor app.|
No Radio LED.| The radio LED has timed out to save power.| Close then open the door to activate the radio LED.
Radio LED is solid amber for 3 seconds when powering up.| The Node is powering up.|
Radio LED is blinking green.| The Node is trying to connect to a mesh parent.| Wait for the LED to turn solid green. See below: My Node can’t connect to the Gateway or mesh parent.
Radio LED is solid green.| The Node has connected to a mesh parent.|
Radio LED is blinking amber.| The Node is trying to connect to a mesh parent and the Node’s batteries are low.| Replace the D-cell batteries and see below: My Node can’t connect to the Gateway or mesh parent.
Radio LED is solid amber.| The Node is connected to a mesh parent and its batteries are low.| Replace D-cell batteries.
Radio LED is solid red.| The Node has not been configured.| Configure the Node using the EnviroMonitor app.

Appendix A: Using an External Long Range Antenna

Add a high gain external antenna to your Gateway and/or Nodes to increase the transmission distance of an EnviroMonitor mesh network up to 10,000 feet (3,000 m). Antennas can be used for either Node-to-Node or Node-to-Gateway transmission.

Choose either product number 7676, 5dBi; or 7678, 8dBi. The table below shows estimated transmission ranges of each of the antennas. (The antenna that comes installed in your Gateway or Node is a standard dipole.).

Antenna   Ranges

Antenna| Distance Above Ground or Highest Crop Height
6 ft/ 2m| 8ft./2.5 m| 10ft./3 m
Standard Dipole| 1,700 –

2,000

| 515 –

610 m

| 1,800 –

2,400’

| 545 –

730 m

| 2,400 –

4,000’

| 730 –

1,220 m

5dBi External| 2,600’| 790 m| 4,000 ‘| 1,200 m| 6,000’| 1,800 m
8dBi External| 5,000’| 1,500 m| 7,000’| 2,100 m| 10,000’| 3,000 m

If you need a longer cable for installation of the antenna, use an Antenna Extension Cable, product number 7692.025. See page 20: Adding an Extension Cable to your Long Range Antenna.

Using an external antenna with the IP Gateway

Note: If you are using your IP Gateway in a Universal Shelter, remove the solid grommet from one of the holes in the base of the shelter. Run the antenna cable up through this hole. Use the split grommet with a round hole that was included with the antenna to seal the hole. Then follow the steps below.

1. Screw the antenna cable into the connector on the side of the IP Gateway.

2. Use the EnviroMonitor app on your smartphone to set up the antenna: In the app, navigate to this Gateway.
   You will know you are on the right screen when the word Gateway at the top of the screen is underscored:

3. Click the menu icon in the upper right corner.

4. Click “About.”

5. Click: “Antenna: Internal.”

6. Choose “External.”

7. Click Save.

Using a Long Range Antenna with a Node

1. Open the Node.

2. Remove the installed mesh antenna by unscrewing it from the connector on the right side of the Node shelter. You may need to use a 5/16”/8 mm wrench or small pliers.

3. Screw the external antenna cable into the connector. Do not over tighten.

4. Run the cable out the bottom of the Node, making sure it exits against the foam.

5. Close the Node shelter.

6. Mount the antenna on a pole, as high as possible, using the mounting hardware included with the antenna.

Note: If you need a longer cable for installation of the antenna, use an Antenna Extension Cable, product number 7692.025. See page 20: Adding an Extension Cable to your Long Range Antenna.

Adding an Extension Cable to your Long Range Antenna

You can extend the length of your Long Range Antenna cable with the Antenna Extension Cable, product number 7692-025.

To use the extension cable:

1. Loosen the end caps of the weatherproof junction cover and insert the extension cable through the cover.
2. Connect the extension cable to the antenna cable.
3. Slide the cover over the junction of the two cables and tighten the end caps.

Specifications

Gateway

• Operating Temperature: 32° to +140°F; 0° to +60°C
• Current Draw: Average: 100 mA; Peak 700mA
• Housing Material: Rugged ASA Plastic
• Backup Batteries: 4 AA (not included)
• Battery Life: 5 days
• AC Adapter: 5 VDC, 1000 mA
• Wi-Fi Frequency Range & Power: 2412-2472 MHz, 802.11b/g/n; less than 72mW
• BLE Frequency Range & Power: 2402-2480 MHz, less than 1mW
• Certifications: FCC CE IC

Sensor Data (internal sensors) Barometric Pressure

• Resolution and Units: 0.01″ Hg, 0.1 mm, 0.1 hPa, 0.1mb. (user selectable)
• Range: 16.00″ to 32.50″ Hg, 410 to 820 mm Hg, 540 to 1100 hPa or mb
• Elevation Range: -1500′ to +15,300′ (-460 m to 4670 m)
• Update Interval: 1 minute

Weather Station Wireless Communications

Range

• Line-of-Sight: up to 1000 feet (300 m)
• Through Walls: 200 to 400 feet (60 to 120 m)

Node

• Operating Temperature: -4° to +140°F (-20° to +60°C)
• Storage Temperature: -40° to +140°F (-40° to +60°C)
• Current Draw: 12mA typical Housing MaterialRugged ASA Plastic
• Dimensions:  (width x height x depth) . 8.25 X 11.25 X 5.5 inches (21.00 X 28.58 X 14.00cm)
• Weight: 3.40 lbs. (1.54 kg) (without batteries)
• Batteries: Four D-cells (LR20, not included), One lithium-ion (18650, included)
• Certifications: FCC CE IC

Gateway and Node Mesh Frequency Range and Output Power

• USA: 902 – 928 MHz FHSS, <25 mW
• EU: 868.0 – 868.6 MHz FHSS, <25 mW
• Australia, Brazil: 918 – 926 MHz FHSS, <25 mW
• New Zealand, Peru: 921 – 928 MHz FHSS, <25 mW
• India: 865 – 867 MHz FHSS, <25 mW
• Russia: 868.7 – 869.2 MHz FHSS, <25 mW

FCC Part 15 Class B Registration Warning

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.

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, including interference received, including inference that may cause undesired operation.

This device complies with Industry Canada license-exempt RSS standard(s). Operation is subject to the following two conditions: (1) this device may not cause interference, and (2) this device must accept any interference, including interference that may cause undesired operation of the device.

Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada ICES-003 Compliance Label: CAN ICES-3 (B)/ NMB-3(B)

Contacting Davis Technical Support

For questions about installing or operating your Gateway or Nodes, please contact Davis Technical Support. We’ll be glad to help.

Online www.davisinstruments.com
See the Weather Support section for copies of user manuals, product specifications, application notes, software updates, and more.

E-mail support@davisinstruments.com
Telephone 510-732-7814
Monday – Friday, 7:00 a.m. – 5:30 p.m. Pacific Time.

EnviroMonitor® IP Gateway and Node
Product Numbers 6805, 6810 Document Number: 07395.371 Rev. F 10/14/21
EnviroMonitor®, Vantage Pro®, Vantage Pro2™, Vantage Vue® , and WeatherLink® are trademarks of Davis Instruments Corp., Hayward, CA.

© Davis Instruments Corp. 2021 All rights reserved.
Information in this document subject to change without notice. Davis Instruments Quality Management System is ISO 9001 certified.

3465 Diablo Avenue, Hayward, CA 94545-2778 U.S.A.
510-732-9229 • Fax: 510-732-9188
info@davisinstruments.com 
www.davisinstruments.com

References

• WeatherLink Home
• Davis Instruments
• davisinstruments.com/em-sensors
• Quality and Compliance — Davis Instruments

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