Aercus Instruments Troubleshooting

Below is a list of the most common issues and fixes for Aercus Instruments weather stations.  If you require an ELECTRONIC COPY OF A MANUAL you will find it by clicking here.

1.   Not Receiving Some or All Outdoor Readings

2.   Rainfall Measurement Issues

3.   Wind Sensor Not Responding

4.   Outdoor Temperature Reading Too High

5.   Barometer Seems Inaccurate

6.   Forecasts Seem Inaccurate

7.   Temperature Differences Between Indoor and Outdoor Sensors

8.   Transmitter Jammed in Solar Shield

9.   Console Beeping Randomly

10. Issues with Cumulus Software

11. How Do I Connect the Aercus Instruments WeatherRanger to PC/Mac to Download the Data?

12. Console Keeps Freezing or Disconecting When Connected to a PC With the USB Cable

13. Changing the Logging Interval on my WS3083/WS2083/WS1093 Console

14. The SET Button on my WS1173 Appears to be Faulty

15. The Server Light on my WeatherSleuth Is Not Going On and Data Is Not Sending to Weather Underground

1.  Not Receiving Some or All Outdoor Readings

Wireless communication is susceptible to interference, distance, walls and metal barriers.  Your weather station is rated at 100m line of sight (no interference, barriers or walls) but typically you will get 20-40m maximum under most real-world installations, which includes passing through barriers or walls.  To troubleshoot double check the following:

Note: If 3. or 4. is an issue you may need to relocate the sensor array, receiver, or both. 

If this does not resolve your problem your station has most likely developed a faulty transmitter. If you are still within the 12 month warranty period then contact us by clicking here and our support team will help you out. Remember to let us know you have already tried the troubleshooting steps.

If you are outside the 12 month warranty period you can purchase a replacement transmitter by clicking on the link below (note: spare parts are not able to be broken down into smaller parts and only come as shown on our website):

https://greenfrogscientific.co.uk/accessories/

2.  Rainfall Measurement Issues

There are some common errors to watch out for when checking your rain gauge performance.  When comparing your rain gauge’s readings to another device be aware of the following: 

Comparing the readings to a manual rain gauge that reads in mls.  Our stations, like all modern weather stations, measure in mms which will produce a different reading to a gauge reading in mls.  To convert between the two you divide the mls by the surface area of the weather station rain gauge and multiply by 10.  If you have a rectangle rain gauge the surface area is 55cm² so 12mls for example is equivalent to  12/55cm² x 10 = 2.2mms.  If you have a round 10cm diameter rain gauge the surface area is 78.5cm² so 12mls for example is equivalent to  12/78.5cm2 x 10 = 1.5mms.  If you have a round 12cm diameter rain gauge the surface area is 113cm² so 12mls for example is equivalent to  12/113cm² x 10 = 1.1mms.

Tipping water from one rain gauge into the weather station rain gauge.  Even if both gauges read in mms, unless both rain gauges have exactly the same size mouth opening the reading will be different.  To explain, “mm” as used in rain measurement means “mm per square meter” so the wider the area capturing the rain the more volume of water each mm equates to (and vice versa), e.g. to cover a football field in 1mm of water takes considerably more water than to cover the bottom of an ice cream container in 1mm.  Weather stations of course make a calculation to convert the volume of water they measure to a standard ”mm per square meter” but the actual volume of water captured before this calculation is made depends on the surface area of the gauge in question.   

Comparing to local weather data or a rain gauge not located exactly next to the weather station rain gauge.    Rainfall varies significantly in different locations.  Not only that but even small differences in location can cause significant variations due to the impact of wind and/or obstructions from buildings etc.  Even two rain gauges placed side by side at the same height will read slightly differently as each will react differently to wind and splash out (although you would expect them to be close).

Comparing over different time periods.  When comparing two rain readings they must be measured over exactly the same time period.  It is easy to confuse the start and end times.

To test whether your gauge is reading correctly please follow these steps:

If you’ve followed the steps above and your rain gauge appears to be working ok but you experience rain readings higher than you believe you should then double check the following:

If this does not resolve your problem your station has most likely developed a faulty transmitter. If you are still within the 12 month warranty period then contact us by clicking here and our support team will help you out. Remember to let us know you have already tried the troubleshooting steps.

If you are outside the 12 month warranty period you can purchase a replacement transmitter by clicking on the link below (note: spare parts are not able to be broken down into smaller parts and only come as shown on our website):

https://greenfrogscientific.co.uk/accessories/

3.  Wind Sensor Not Reporting

Is the wind sensor spinning freely?  To test, manually spin the sensor(s) in both directions. If it is spinning freely double check that the connection of the wind speed sensor into the underside of the wind direction sensor is firmly pushed in and also that the connection from the wind direction sensor into the transmitter is firmly pushed in.

If the wind sensor is not spinning freely the likely cause is a seized bearing and you will need a new wind sensor.  If you are still within the 12 month warranty period then contact us by clicking here and our support team will help you out. Remember to let us know you have already tried the troubleshooting steps.

If you are outside the 12 month warranty period you can purchase a replacement transmitter by clicking on the link below (note: spare parts are not able to be broken down into smaller parts and only come as shown on our website):

https://greenfrogscientific.co.uk/accessories/

4.  Outdoor Temperature Reading Too High

Temperature comparison (and in fact comparison of any of your station’s readings) is only useful if you have a known calibrated source you can compare it against.  Comparing your readings to those obtained from sources such as the internet, radio, television or newspapers may well produce differences as readings can differ significantly from location to location.

To compare temperature we recommend a mercury or red spirit (fluid) thermometer. Bi-metal (dial) and digital thermometers (from other weather stations) are not a good source and have their own margin of error.  Using a local weather station in your area is also a poor source due to changes in location, timing (airport weather stations are only updated once per hour) and possible calibration errors.

Once you have a mercury or red spirit (fluid) thermometer place the sensor in a shaded, controlled environment next to the fluid thermometer, and allow the sensor to stabilise for 48 hours. Compare this temperature to the fluid thermometer.

If you believe your station is reading outdoor temperature too high there are a number of things you can do.  Firstly, make certain that the sensor array is not too close to heat generating sources or structures, such as buildings, pavement, walls or air conditioning units (at least 1.5m apart).  Secondly, you can make a simple Stevenson screen to provide your temperature sensor additional solar protection.  You will find a guides on how to do this here:

http://www.vwlowen.co.uk/picaxe/stevenson-screen/stevenson-screen.htm

http://www.weatherforschools.me.uk/html/weatherboxes.html

5.  Barometer Seems Inaccurate

Makes sure you have set your station to Relative Pressure as per your manual and change the pressure reading to match with a local benchmark such as the local air pressure provided for your area on the Met Office website:

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

If your barometer is fixed on one number then your console has developed a fault.  If you are still within the 12 month warranty period then contact us by clicking here and our support team will help you out. Remember to let us know you have already tried the troubleshooting steps.

If you are outside the 12 month warranty period you can purchase a replacement transmitter by clicking on the link below (note: spare parts are not able to be broken down into smaller parts and only come as shown on our website):

https://greenfrogscientific.co.uk/accessories/

6.  Forecasts Seem Inaccurate

The prediction is for the upcoming 12 - 24 hours and doesn't necessarily reflect the current weather situation. It calculates on the basis of the pressure changes that have occurred during the past 24 hours the most likely weather forecast for the upcoming 12 - 24 hours. The weather forecast predicted has a probability of 70%. This means that observed over a period of several weeks, 7 from 10 forecasts for the upcoming 12 - 24 hours will be correct. Observing the forecast for only a few days isn't sufficient to draw any conclusions re accuracy. 

Also makes sure you have set your station to Relative Pressure as per your manual and changed the pressure reading to match with a local benchmark such as the local air pressure provided for your area on the Met Office website: 

http://www.metoffice.gov.uk/

7.  Temperature Differences Between Indoor and Outdoor Sensors

You've happened upon a common issue with temperature/humidity measurement.  You can assemble any number of thermometers and more than likely they will all read a little differently (as will hygrometers).  There are a number of reasons for this.  Each thermometer is calibrated to a specific temperature, meaning they become less accurate as they move away from their calibrated temperature (your indoor and outdoor temperature sensors are calibrated differently as the temperature ranges they are design to measure are quite different).

Also temperature and humidity are inter-related and a thermometer will read a little differently at a constant temperature as humidity changes.  Each thermometer will respond differently to various temperature/humidity combinations.  Lastly, electronic thermometers use linear approximations which can also introduce differences.  Here’s a link to an article on this that you might find interesting:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thermometer

Your station has the same level of accuracy as other mid-market brands on the market (eg La Crosse, Technoline, Oregon Scientific, iRox etc). For temperature it is +/- 1C which means even ignoring the issues above your indoor and outdoor readings could differ by up to 2C.

To judge the accuracy of one or more of your temperature sensors we recommend a mercury or red spirit (fluid) thermometer.  Bi-metal (dial) and digital thermometers (from other weather stations) are not a good source and have their own margin of error.  Using a local weather station in your area is also a poor source due to changes in location, timing (airport weather stations are only updated once per hour) and possible calibration errors.

Once you have a mercury or red spirit (fluid) thermometer place the sensor in a shaded, controlled environment next to the fluid thermometer, and allow the sensor to stabilise for 48 hours. Compare this temperature to the fluid thermometer.  If you believe you have one or more faulty temperature sensors and you are still within the 12 month warranty period then contact us by clicking here and our support team will help you out.  Remember to let us know you have already tried the troubleshooting steps.

If you are outside the 12 month warranty period you can purchase a replacement transmitter or console by clicking on the link below (note: spare parts are not able to be broken down into smaller parts and only come as shown on our website):

https://greenfrogscientific.co.uk/accessories/

8.  Transmitter Jammed in Solar Shield

If you are having trouble getting the transmitter out of the solar shield it does come out.  If it is a little stuck use a bit of twisting and pulling and it should slide out.  Don’t be afraid to pull quite hard it is pretty rugged.  Often leaving it in the sun for 5 minutes helps loosen it up too.  In the unlikely event anything breaks we will replace it free of charge.

9.  Console Beeping Randomly

The first thing to double check is that you don't have any alarms set that keep getting set off, do this by using the manual to run though and check the alarm settings for the different weather variables.  If you no longer have your hardcopy manual you will find downloadable manuals by following the link below:

http://www.aercusinstruments.com/manuals/

If you are using batteries, a different set is also worth a go just to rule out a bad batch.  Bad batteries can cause issues and whilst it is unlikely we have seen brand new batteries fail early on some occasions.  Make sure they are 1.5V non-rechargeables.

10.  Issues with Cumulus Software

Make sure you have downloaded the latest software and Basic Installation Guide by clicking on the link below and following the steps in the Basic Installation Guide.  Cumulus works on Windows XP through to Windows 10.  

http://www.aercusinstruments.com/downloads/

If you are still having problems the software author supports Cumulus directly and has an excellent wiki and support forum. For technical queries please follow the links below:

http://wiki.sandaysoft.com/a/Main_Page

http://sandaysoft.com/forum/

11.  How Do I Connect the Aercus Instruments WeatherRanger to PC/Mac to Download the Data?

To connect the WeatherRanger to PC or Mac download the appropriate version of EasyWeather IP here:

http://www.aercusinstruments.com/downloads/

12.  Console Keeps Freezing or Disconecting When Connected to a PC With the USB Cable

This can sometimes be caused by a PC's USB power management settings if they are set to switch off plugged in devices.  Below is a video on windows USB hub power management and how to switch it off: 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3IaQb0OAfbQ

This problem can also be caused by interference being picked up by the USB cable.  In this case the solution is to attach a foldable ferrite ring as shown below.  These can usually be picked up off eBay for a few dollars:

13.  Changing the Logging Interval on my WS3083/WS2083/WS1093 Console

To change the logging interval of your console you will need to run EasyWeather which you can download here:

http://www.aercusinstruments.com/downloads/

 Do NOT run EasyWeather at the same time as Cumulus.

14.  The SET Button on my WS1173 Appears to be Faulty

Double check that this is not due to the unit seeking the radio controlled time that’s making it look like the Set key is not working.  Follow these steps: 

15.  The Server Light on my WeatherSleuth Is Not Going On and Data Is Not Sending to Weather Underground

Download and install the most recent firmware by following section 4 in your manual. To download an electronic copy of the manual click here