A digital weather station with an indoor console and a solar-powered outdoor sensor measuring temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, wind, precipitation, UV index and illuminance, for weather observations in the school physics and geography classrooms.
This digital weather station is intended for measuring and remotely transmitting the main parameters of the weather in educational institutions and for home monitoring. It consists of an indoor console with a multi-colour display and a remote outdoor sensor: the station measures the temperature and humidity indoors and outdoors, the barometric pressure, the speed and the direction of the wind, the amount of precipitation, the level of ultraviolet radiation and the illuminance, and the data are transmitted over a radio channel to the console, where they are shown in a convenient format. The station serves for keeping weather observations in classes of the natural science profile, in the physics and astronomy classroom and in the geography classroom alike. Mounting on the mast and the initial setting up are done by the teacher or the laboratory assistant, students work with the console under supervision, and the recommended age of learners is from 10 years, that is pupils of grade 5 and above.
The console carries a liquid crystal display with multi-colour indication measuring 130 × 80 mm, large enough for the readings to be read from a distance, and it is placed on the teacher’s table or a wall shelf within direct sight of the class. The station measures indoor temperature from -10 to +60 °C and outdoor temperature from -40 to +65 °C with an error of ±1 °C; relative humidity from 0 to 99 % with an error of ±5 %; barometric pressure from 300 to 1100 hPa with an error of ±3 hPa; wind speed from 0 to 50 m/s; wind direction from 0 to 360° with an accuracy of ±10°; precipitation from 0 to 9999 mm; the ultraviolet index from 1 to 15 and higher; and illuminance from 0 to 200000 lux with an error of ±15 %. The radio link works at a frequency of 433.92 MHz with a range of 90 m in open ground, and the sensor data are updated every 16 seconds. The console is powered by a 5 V, 1 A adapter or by three AAA batteries, and the sensor by three AA batteries or by charging from its solar panel, the batteries of the sensor lasting 12 months under normal conditions. The sensor assembly has a solar panel for recharging the batteries during the day and a built-in antenna for the wireless link, its sensors are protected against moisture and it has a reliable fastening for installation on a mast; the sensor housing is made of stainless steel and impact-resistant plastic. Marking and operating documentation are in Ukrainian, the marking carries the trade mark, the model and a place for the inventory number, and the documentation comprises the passport with the warranty coupon and the operating instructions. Operating conditions are the premises of an educational institution at an air temperature from +5 to +40 °C and relative humidity from 40 to 60 % without condensate. The service life is 5 years and the warranty period is 12 months from the date of sale.
The set includes the console with the display and the control keys — 1 pc; the outdoor sensor in full assembly with the solar panel — 1 pc; the wind vane, the wind direction sensor — 1 pc; the cup anemometer, the wind speed sensor — 1 pc; the funnel of the rain gauge — 1 pc; the stainless steel mounting mast — 1 pc; U-shaped bolts M5 for fastening to the mast — 2 pcs; washers and nuts for the bolts — 4 pcs of each; the L-shaped aluminium base — 1 pc; fastening screws of various sizes — 3 pcs; waterproof rubber plugs — 2 pcs; an M5 spanner for tightening the nuts — 1 pc; a precision screwdriver — 1 pc; the 5 V, 1 A power adapter — 1 pc; the passport with the warranty coupon — 1 pc; and individual transport packaging — 1 pc. The console and the sensor are supplied ready for assembly according to the instructions and no special tools are needed. Batteries for the console and the sensor are not part of the set and are bought separately, and before the first use the sensor has to be assembled and the time set on the console.
In preparation three AAA batteries are placed in the console or the adapter is plugged in, three AA batteries are placed in the outdoor sensor and the battery compartment is closed, and the console is switched on with the Power key, after which the display shows all its elements for a few seconds as a check of serviceability. The date and the time are set with the SET keys and the console and the sensor are allowed two to three minutes to synchronise, after which the values of temperature, humidity and pressure appear. The welcome page of the console shows the phase of the Moon and the weather forecast, and the outdoor sensor sends its signal to the console every 16 seconds; if no data arrive within a minute, the search symbol lights up on the display. The SET key moves through the modes of display, the date and time, precipitation, the dew point, the average wind speed and the pressure, while the CHANNEL/+ and MAX/MIN/- keys switch between units of measurement and ways of showing the data; the indoor and outdoor temperature and humidity, the pressure and the forecast are always visible. One press of MAX/MIN shows the highest values of the parameters for the period and a second press the lowest, while holding the key for three seconds resets all the recorded extremes. The ALARM key opens the setting of upper and lower limits for the various parameters with the CHANNEL/+ and MAX/MIN/- keys, and the station gives a sound signal and flashes when a parameter goes beyond the limit set. The data are kept in memory even when the console is switched off.
The mast is placed 1.5 metres away from buildings, trees and other obstacles to the wind, and only the supplied M5 U-shaped bolts are used, without overtightening the nuts, which can damage the sensor. Work at height is done in calm dry weather with appropriate means of protection, and the station is never installed during a thunderstorm or when thunderstorm activity is near, because the mast can attract a lightning strike. The wind vane is oriented by the compass with the letter S pointing south in the northern hemisphere, otherwise the wind direction readings are wrong. The adapter is rated for 5 V direct voltage and no adapter of another voltage or polarity is used; the adapter and the console are kept in a dry place and neither the console nor the sensor is immersed in water or washed under running water. The console and the sensor are wiped with a soft dry cloth every month, dust is removed from the display and the keys with a soft brush or air, stubborn contamination is removed with a cloth slightly moistened with distilled water and then wiped dry, and abrasives, solvents, alcohol and chlorine-containing agents are never used. The funnel of the rain gauge is cleared of leaves, insects and debris once a year and the tipping mechanism is checked for free movement, the state of the batteries is checked monthly and they are replaced when the low battery symbol appears, and the solar panel of the sensor is kept clean and in sufficient light. If the console loses the data from the sensor, the sensor is moved closer to the console, keeping between 1.5 and 30 metres. For storage the station is kept in a dry well ventilated room at a temperature from +5 °C to +40 °C and relative humidity that does not exceed 80 %, and for storage longer than three months the batteries are taken out of the console and the sensor to prevent leakage.
