Davis Vantage Pro Problems

[The PIT]

Also John have you done the loopback test by closing the bulletin and going to setup > communications port ?

[reef]

No problems here with the USB datalogger. That issue was solved with Weatherlink 5.9.2 beta onwards. Never had an issue in 2 years so far.

[Evening thunder]

I think Davis equipment is overpriced in the UK, I am currently thinking about getting some parts from the US via Ebay which is cheaper even with P&P (of course the parts that are allowed here and don't transmit wirelessly) as US Davis stations use a frequency not allowed here. I can't see why they should be so much more expensive here.

I guess I'm luckier than some others in that I've only had the issue I described before and the temp/hum sensor going in 2009.

You can get a replacement wind vane for about £28 in this country: http://www.skyview.c..._wind_vane.html though a whole new anemometer would cost £156 http://www.skyview.c...Anemometer.html (I'm not sure if these are 100% the cheapest prices though but they give an idea. Of course this wouldn't be much use if the anemometer is not the cause of the problem. Skyview also offer the USB datalogger for £185 - I guess it is the data logger that costs so much but it probably could be less.. (I've also seen this for £90 or £100 in the states).

I have the USB connection and have had no problems with it too, I think the original cable that came with it disconnected sometimes, but I just swapped with another USB cable that worked with it and that one was fine.

Edit: I just realised you might have the original Vantage Pro rather than the Vantage Pro 2, so the links/prices I posted may not be relevant unfortunately... Silly me.

Edited March 2, 2012 by Stormmad26

[johnholmes]

thanks for the advie folks I'll give the ideas a try. It will pass the time anyway while I wait for Davis to respond to a couple of e mails I've sent.

re the reliabilty Reef

I had no real problems until a month or so ago, bought in 2005 so, as Pit suggests, I am one of the lucky ones; had about 6 years with little if any major trouble.

[4wd]

If it was me I'd cut losses at this point and get new VP2 or new Vue or new alternative cheaper station as finances allow.

If you stick with Davis, some of your existing kit might prove useful.

If you get the current set-up fixed how long before the next expensive part needed?

You can get an alternative make for around £200 - should run fine for at least 2 or 3 years with any luck.

[johnholmes]

hi 4wd

exactly what I'm musing over although the prospect of sorting a new station out to link into my current set up on my web site is part of my reluctance to do anything at the moment.

You can get a replacement wind vane for about £28 in this country: http://www.skyview.c..._wind_vane.html though a whole new anemometer would cost £156 http://www.skyview.c...Anemometer.html (I'm not sure if these are 100% the cheapest prices though but they give an idea. Of course this wouldn't be much use if the anemometer is not the cause of the problem. Skyview also offer the USB datalogger for £185 - I guess it is the data logger that costs so much but it probably could be less.. (I've also seen this for £90 or £100 in the states).

but would that solve it? I ask as the vane is moving around okay just not sending data in?

USB link is a big no no. Almost 90% guarantee you will have problems with that.

Are you sure it's the data logger as the fault could be with the envoy or the iss board? Have you checked the log file under weather link ? If you're not careful you'll end up paying out for a new datalogger then a new envoy then a new iss board.

not sure as when the data logger was put into the Console from the Envoy it worked but as with the Envoy it would not update the graphs.

Since that change I can no longer manually update but Davis seem unable to explain why that is?

[johnholmes]

Also John have you done the loopback test by closing the bulletin and going to setup > communications port ?

sorry not sure what you mean by that Pit

closed bulleting and summary

set up shows a list of things

which one do you mean please?

[The PIT]

sorry not sure what you mean by that Pit

closed bulleting and summary

set up shows a list of things

which one do you mean please?

Go to setup > communications port and you should see Loopback as one of the options.

[The PIT]

I've attached some images showing you how to get to loopback test and the log files.

[Evening thunder]

but would that solve it? I ask as the vane is moving around okay just not sending data in?

Probably not, I just thought you mentioned a new wind vane in a post so thought it might be useful, but as you say if it's moving freely it probably isn't that unless it's connection with the anemometer body has worn or something (if that's possible?).

[johnholmes]

Go to setup > communications port and you should see Loopback as one of the options.

this is what mine shows when I enter setup?

[The PIT]

Blimey thats an old version whats under serial port ?

[johnholmes]

[johnholmes]

maybe this is what you were talking about Pit?

[The PIT]

Yup that suggests it isn't seeing the data logger. So next step is checking the communication port it's on. Click on test is the next step.

Edited March 3, 2012 by The PIT

[johnholmes]

morning Pit-doing that gives this?

Edited March 3, 2012 by johnholmes

[The PIT]

Yup so it is seeing the data logger so next stage is the log file too see what that says. If that says download successful I would start thinking about faulty ISS or envoy.

Your setup is the vp and not the vp2 isn't it?

Edited March 3, 2012 by The PIT

[johnholmes]

it is the Vantage Pro (suffix R shown)

I'll get the log file if its available and show what it says

remember the earlier prt scr I showed? It does not find what you asked for-as you commented I think-blimey that's an old version.

so what do I do next please?

Edited March 3, 2012 by johnholmes

[The PIT]

I wouldn't worry about the version of the software yours is 5.4 my is now 5.9.3 so clearly they added a few options and altered the layout since 5.4. The log file should contain some important info. Pity it's vp I've got a vp2 console and I could have driven up the motorway and we could have seen if the ISS would talk to that. So it's log file next.

[johnholmes]

I cannot get the log file Pit we tried a day or so ago it is not there, see my posts above please?

tks again for the offer about bringing your console here-never mind I appreciate the offer.

[The PIT]

Well another thing you could do is make a backup of the present weatherlink folder and then download the latest version. Run that for a while and then you should get a log file.

At least with a backup you can put everything back. By backup I mean copying the folder of the computer not system restore.

[johnholmes]

as far as I know there is an auto back up on carbonite-is that sufficient?

Edited March 4, 2012 by johnholmes

[The PIT]

as far as I know there is an auto back up on carbonite-is that sufficient?

Never used it but it doesn't seem to backing up the whole weatherlink folder. Close down weatherlink and then copy the folder to another directory on your hard drive.

[The PIT]

Just had a thought one reason why you may not have a log file is that you may not be uploading your data to the internet.

[johnholmes]

by another directory do you mean not either C or d where everything is kept?

If so how do I make another directory?

Just had a thought one reason why you may not have a log file is that you may not be uploading your data to the internet.

like on my pc the only thing going on to the web is the summary that is loading up continuously on both pc and my web site nothing else is though which is the problem