Wireless Repeater Installation Manual For AC-Powered and Solar-Powered Repeaters Models 7626 and 7627
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.
Table of Contents Wireless Repeater Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Included Components and Hardware . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 Repeater Board Contents. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 Wireless Repeater Introduction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Wireless Repeater Overview The Vantage Pro2™ Wireless Repeater can be used with any Vantage Pro2 wireless station to retransmit weather data to a Vantage Pro2 compatible receiver (Vantage Pro2 console or Weather Envoy™). The wireless repeater is used to extend the distance between one station and a receiver, or in conjunction with other repeaters to create a flexible network of stations and repeaters. Note: Not all consoles have the capability for repeater support.
Repeater Board Contents The board contained within the repeater enclosure has the following components: Solar Power Input AC Adapter Socket Battery Socket Status TX LED LED 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Transmitter DIP Switches Repeater Test Switch First In Chain Jumper Repeater DIP Switches 2
The components of the board are: •Solar Power Input (used on #7627 models only) — Connects the solar panel on the cover of the enclosure to the repeater board. •AC Adapter Socket — Used to connect the optional 110 volt AC power adapter to the repeater board. The AC adapter is available primarily for AC-powered (#7626) repeaters but is available for solar power models as well. You can purchase an optional AC power adapter (#6625) for solar power models as an alternate source of power.
Wireless Repeater Introduction The wireless repeater extends the range of a Davis Instruments weather station network and can help overcome obstruction or interference problems present in a given network. The transmission distance between a station and a receiver (known as radio-link range) can be impaired by walls or other objects.
Wireless Repeater Installation Overview The following is a overview of the steps involved for installing a repeater or series of repeaters as part of your Vantage Pro2 wireless network: •Determine the repeater/station configuration best suited to your wireless network. •Apply power (battery or AC power). •Verify communication with a station(s). •Choose a location(s) for repeater(s). •Test proposed location for signal strength.
Repeater Configuration/Architecture Vantage Pro2 wireless repeaters are used to enhance the transmission range and capabilities between a station, or multiple stations, and a receiver (console or Envoy). A repeater receives signals transmitted from a Vantage Pro2 station and retransmits it to a console, wireless Weather Envoy, or another repeater. Depending on transmission distance, one repeater or several repeaters can be used to collect and retransmit weather data.
Single Repeater Configuration Use a single repeater as part of a single station/single receiver setup when the distance is so great that a station alone can not successfully communicate with a receiver. The distance is greater than one radio-link but less than three. The diagram below shows the typical single repeater configuration , with each arrow representing a radio-link.
1 1 A 1 Any Vantage Pro2 Station A 1 Repeater B 1 B C 1 C Repeater Repeater C Vantage Pro2 Console/Receiver The above diagram displays an example daisy-chain configuration of one station and three repeaters, creating a total line of sight transmission distance of four radio-links. This configuration allows more flexibility between a station and a console, especially around obstructions or interference.
The diagram on the previous page shows a multiple transmitter configuration of three stations and one repeater, with the repeater within a radio-link of all three stations and the receiver, extending the distance between the repeater and the three stations. The repeater can receive signals from up to eight stations/transmitters of any type. However, there are some limitations as to how many and what type of transmitters the receiver can listen to.
See “Maximum Number of Transmitters in a Network with One Receiver” on page 9 for the receiver limitations. There is also a maximum of four repeaters allowable in a network. Note: Although one repeater can listen to multiple transmitters at a time, it can only listen to one other repeater. The repeaters have to be in alphabetic order, with A being first. Each repeater after repeater A looks for the repeater with the previous ID and any transmitter IDs it has been assigned.
Applying Power Applying Battery Power (for both units) 1. To view the wireless repeater board, open the shelter enclosing the wireless repeater. 2. Insert the 3-volt lithium battery into the battery socket at the top of the board. Be sure to match the “+” sign on the battery with “+” sign displayed in the battery socket. 3-Volt Lithium Battery Once the battery is installed, it begins powering the board. You may hear a high pitched sound as the repeater charges up.
Applying AC Power (# 7626 AC-Power units) 1. To view the wireless repeater board, open the shelter enclosing the wireless repeater. 2. Thread the power adapter plug through the square black grommet into the repeater shelter. Every Davis shelter has two of these grommets at the bottom of the shelter to provide weather-resistant entrances for cables.
Single Repeater Installation A single repeater installation is used in situations where one station can not successfully communicate with a receiver, or if a station needs to be farther away from a receiver than maximum line-of-sight radio link distance. The repeater can also be used as a signal amplifier for situations in which a signal is weak between a station and a receiver.
Optional: Changing Transmitter ID If there is any reason that the transmitter ID needs to be set to another channel, the DIP switch should be set now to the desired ID. To change to another ID: 1. Use a paper clip to turn DIP switch positions #1, 2, and 3 on and off as desired using the Transmitter ID Table (on the previous page) to change the station to the desired transmitter ID.
Verifying Repeater ID The wireless repeater also contains a DIP switch used to give the repeater a unique identification in the way each station’s Transmitter DIP switch gives the station a unique ID. To avoid confusion, repeaters use alphabetic identification A through H. Note: For single repeater installations, the repeater should remain on the default ID A. If the repeater is given an ID other than A, it will keep looking for a repeater with a letter previous to its ID.
The following diagram illustrates the Transmitter DIP and Repeater DIP switch positions for a normal single repeater configuration: Transmitter DIP Switch with ID 1 ON Repeater DIP Switch set to ID A 1 A ON Any Vantage Pro2 Station 1 A 1 A Vantage Pro2 Console/Receiver Repeater The STAT LED flashes red when it detects a radio signal. The STAT LED flashes green when a good packet has been received. The TX LED blinks when the packet has been repeated to a receiver.
On the Console: 1. Press DONE and the down arrow (-) to enter Setup Mode. Screen 1 lists active transmitters. This screen displays only the active transmitter IDs the console is receiving. Wireless repeater identification is not displayed on this screen. STATION STATION NO.1NO.1 4 The transmitter ID for the station set on the repeater should display on this screen, with the number displaying above the ticker tape and an “X” flashing on the bottom right of the console screen.
With the setting below, the console is set up to receive an ISS station on transmitter ID 1 from repeater A. 1 6. Press DONE to continue to the other screens in the Setup Mode, or press and hold DONE to return to the Current Weather Mode. Note: See the Vantage Pro2 Console Manual for more information on the other screens in Setup Mode if necessary. To verify that setup was successful, in the console’s Current Weather Mode: View the transmitter information displaying at the bottom of the console screen.
•If possible, mount the wireless repeater as high as possible (on a pole or atop a building) to overcome transmission limitations caused by the ground. See “Mounting the Wireless Repeater” on page 30 for more information. Testing a Proposed Location After a suitable location has been chosen in an area between the station and console, it is very important to test reception between the station, repeater, and console before permanently mounding the repeater. 1. Place the repeater in the desired location. 2.
Advanced Repeater Installation Installing more than one repeater, or getting a repeater to receive signals from multiple stations/repeaters, follows the same basic processes used to install a single repeater into a single station/single receiver network. See the individual installation instructions for the advanced repeater configuration you’ve selected.
Verifying Communication with a Transmitter and Repeaters Always start verifying communication at the beginning of the chain, which is repeater A. Once communication between repeater A and a station is established, move to the next repeater in the chain and make sure it can receive packets from repeater A. Repeat this process until you have reached the end of the chain closest to the receiver. 1. Place the first repeater in an area where it is likely to receive the station signal.
Use the following diagram for an example of transmitter and repeater DIP switch settings for each repeater in a daisy chain.
In this example, the console is set up to receive an ISS station with transmitter ID 1 from repeater C.. 1 4. Press DONE to continue to other screens in Setup Mode, or press and hold DONE to return to Current Weather Mode. Note: See the Vantage Pro2 Console Manual for more information on the Setup Mode screens if necessary. To verify that setup was successful, in the console’s current mode: View the transmitter information displaying at the bottom of the console screen.
Verifying Communication with Multiple Transmitters Note: All transmitters in the network must have unique IDs in order for any repeater to communicate with them. 1. Find out and record all the Transmitter IDs the wireless repeater will repeat. Use the “Transmitter and Repeater ID Worksheet” located inside the front cover to record the transmitter IDs used. See “Verify Transmitter ID” on page 13 for information on determining the Transmitter ID for all stations in the network. 2.
Verifying Repeater Communication with a Console The console is configured the same way it is configured in a single repeater installation, except that the repeater ID must be set for all repeated stations. On the Console in Screen 2: Configuring Transmitter IDs: 1. Find the Transmitter ID transmitting through the repeater, and if the station is not already turned on with its station type selected, do so now. Turn the station on by pressing the up arrow (+) until “ON” displays on the screen.
To verify that setup was successful, in the console’s Current Weather Mode: View the transmitter information displaying at the bottom of the console screen. If the transmitter ID being repeated is displayed and an “X” flashes in the bottom right-hand corner of the ticker tape, the transmitter is being repeated and received by the console successfully.
3. Put the repeater into Test Mode by turning on the repeater DIP Switch #4. When trying to acquire stations, the repeater goes through the following process: •It looks for a station signal for ten minutes, with the STAT LED flashing red when it detects a signal not associated with a station during this time. •It flashes yellow if it has found some stations but not all, and then; •It flashes green when all stations are found.
Verifying Repeater Communication with a Console The console is configured the same way it is configured in a single repeater installation, except that the repeater ID selected is the last repeater in the chain and for all repeated stations. On the Console in Screen 2: Configuring Transmitter IDs: 1. Select the transmitter IDs to be received through the repeaters, and if the stations are not already toggled on with station types selected, do so now.
If the transmitter ID being repeated is displayed and an “X” periodically flashes in the bottom right-hand corner of the ticker tape, the transmitter is being repeated and received by the console successfully. The repeater information also displays at the bottom of the console’s diagnostics screens. If there is more than one repeater, the last repeater ID is displayed at the bottom. See “Repeater Information in the Diagnostic Screens” on page 33 for more information.
Mounting the Wireless Repeater The wireless repeater can be installed on a flat surface or on a pole at the location designated for installation. Use the U-bolts to install the wireless repeater on a pole or the lag screws to install the repeater on a flat surface. General Installation Guidelines •If the wireless repeater is a solar power unit (#7627) the solar panel should face south if in the Northern Hemisphere, or north if in the Southern Hemisphere.
Installing the Repeater on a Pole Refer to the following illustration to install the repeater on a pole: Hex Lock Nut Flat Washer Washer U-Bolt 1. While holding the shelter against the pole, place a U-bolt around the pole and through the two holes on at the top of the shelter. 2. Place a flat washer, a lock washer and a hex nut on each of the bolt ends. 3. Using an adjustable wrench or 7/16" wrench, tighten the nuts. 4.
Console and WeatherLink Configuration The Vantage Pro2 console, Weather Envoy, and corresponding WeatherLink (version 5.6 or higher) software for Vantage Pro2 allow you to view the information coming from the stations in your network and view information directly related to your repeater network.
A number between 0 and 60 displays. A value between 30 and 60 is a sign of good signal strength. If the value is less than 20 or the field is dashed out, the repeater is having trouble communicating with a station or a previous repeater in the chain. This allows you to adjust antenna position and find optimal repeater/console location. See “Repeater Troubleshooting Error Codes” on page 36 for information on analyzing and solving communication problems.
Configuring Repeaters With a console or Envoy connected to your computer via serial or USB data logger: 1. Select Set Transceiver from the Setup Menu. The Set Transceiver dialog box displays 2. Click the Enable Repeaters check box. The Repeater drop down boxes are enabled for the available stations. 3. Select the repeater through which the station is communicating to a console or receiver.
Note: The repeater selected for the station should be the repeater closest to the console or receiver. For example, in a daisy chain of one station and three repeaters, the last repeater in chain (C) is the repeater that should be selected. 4. Continue selecting the correct repeater ID for each station in the network. Click OK to save the settings and exit the dialog box. Monitoring Repeater and Station Battery Life 1. Select Alarm and Battery Status from the Window Menu.
Maintenance and Troubleshooting Normal Repeater Operation When the repeater is in Test Mode (Repeater DIP Switch #4 is on) the STAT and TX LEDs should display the normal operation light pattern to let you know the repeater is receiving packets and transmitting them correctly. The Light Pattern is: STAT LED TX LED Description Blinking Red Off Unaquired signal detected Blinking Yellow Blinking Green STAT LED: Receiving packets bull all transmitter IDs not yet acquired.
Error 2 (Two Flashes) Problem Station ID is duplicated between two repeaters in a chain. Repeater Behavior If two repeaters are programmed to receive the same station, the second repeater in the chain ignores the signal it is receiving from the station and repeats the signal it receives from the previous repeater instead. The STAT LED on the second repeater flashes yellow twice. The TX LED then flashes the Station ID that is duplicated.
First In Chain Troubleshooting The three-pin header next to the Repeater ID DIP switch can enable a repeater with an ID other than A to become the first repeater in a chain. Default First In Chain Jumper Position (top two pins) See “First in Chain Applications” on page 41 for more information on advanced first in chain applications and networks. Note: Any repeater with ID A or that does not need to be a first in chain repeater should have the first in chain jumper left in the default position.
Repeater Maintenance Use the following maintenance routine on a regular basis to prolong the life of all repeaters in your network. •Replace batteries on a routine basis based on the number of transmitters communicating with a single repeater. See the Battery Life Expectancy table in Appendix A for more information. Also, use the console to determine when to change repeater batteries (see “Battery Information on the Console” on page 32).
Appendix A Specifications Complete specifications for all of the Vantage Pro2 weather products as well as the wireless repeater are available in the Weather Support section of our website: http://www.davisnet.com/support/weather/. General Operating Temperature. . . . . . . . . . . . . . -40 to 150° Fahrenheit (-40 to 65° Celsius) Non-Operating Temperature . . . . . . . . . . -40 to 150° Fahrenheit (-40 to 65° Celsius) Current Draw . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1.5 mA at 4-6 VDC Batteries . . . .
Appendix B First in Chain Applications The repeater contains a three-pin header next to the Repeater ID DIP switch that can enable a repeater with an ID other than A to become the first repeater in a chain if two or more repeater chains are required in a given network.
Changing First In Chain Jumper Position Note: Any repeater with ID A or that does not need to be a first in chain repeater should have the first in chain jumper left in the default position. To change a repeater to first in chain:. 1. Remove the black jumper from the top two pins of the first in chain header Default (Normal) Position 2. Replace the black jumper onto the bottom two pins of the first in chain header.
Verifying Repeater Communication with a Console On the Console in Setup Mode Screen 2: Configuring Transmitter IDs: 1. Select the Transmitter ID using the first repeater chain. If the station is not already turned on with its station type selected, do so now. Turn the station on by pressing the up arrow until “ON” displays on the screen. Change the station type by pressing GRAPH until the correct station type displays.
First In Chain Repeater Troubleshooting The TX and STAT LEDs display two error codes corresponding to first in chain repeater communication problems when the repeater is in Test Mode. The STAT LED flashes numbered error codes in red or yellow. After the error code is displayed by the STAT LED, the TX LED may flash the corresponding transmitter ID associated with the error. Also, it is possible for a repeater to display more than one error at a time.
45 Any Vantage Pro2 Station 1 Repeater A 1 Transmitter Repeater DIP Switch DIP Switch 1 ON all OFF 1 Default Jumper Position Repeater 2 C Transmitter Repeater DIP Switch DIP Switch 2 ON all OFF Vantage Pro2 Console/Receiver OR Weather Envoy Default Jumper Position 2 2 Transmitter Repeater DIP Switch DIP Switch 2 on 3 ON B First In Chain Repeater Jumper Position (First in Chain) Temperature/ Humidity Station 2 First In Chain Topology with Switch and Jumper Positions
