WS‐PRO LT Weather Station Installation Manual January 2012 GT27146
WSPRO LT Table of Contents 1.0 Installation ................................................................................................................ 2 1.1 Power Sources ...................................................................................................................................... 2 1.2 Site Selection......................................................................................................................................... 2 1.3 Grounding ..........................
1.0 Installation This manual covers the procedure for installing your WS PRO LT weather station, for both direct connect and wireless communication and for solar and DC powered options. Before installing the weather station(s) at your site, read over the discussions of power sources, site selection, grounding, wireless communication and direct connect weather stations. 2.
For example, if the height of the tree T is 8 feet and the height of the shed H is 7 feet, install the weather station at least 80 ft away from the tree (e.g., 10T = 10x8 =80 ft) and 70 ft away from the shed (e.g., 10H =10x7 = 70 ft). Do not place the weather station near a sprinkler where it is likely to be sprayed by water, as this will change the rain reported by weather station.
FIGURE 2 Line‐of‐sight examples. As the dotted line indicates, Station 1 has a clear line‐of‐sight with the Computer Site. The mountain obstructs Station 2’s line‐of‐sight and would reduce or possibly prevent wireless communications. Wireless weather stations are equipped with spread spectrum radios and include a second spread spectrum radio that is installed at the central control computer. 1.4.
2.0 Quick Start Guide 2.1 Computer Requirements • Cirrus, Nimbus II, Stratus II, or Stratus LT central control system with Automatic ET and Multiple Weather Station modules. Modules are optional with Nimbus II and Stratus II central control systems. Note: The Multiple Weather Stations module is only required if multiple weather stations will be connected to one central control system. • • 2.2 Windows 98/2000/XP, or Windows 7 Operating System Available Serial Port/COM Port Weather Station Setup 1.
12. 13. Cable for connection between weather station and RAD modem at weather station Cable for connection between RAD modem at weather station and MSP‐1 (9720) X X X X 2. Use the lift straps to remove the weather station, since removing the station by lifting on the sensors may damage the sensors (see Figure 3) FIGURE 3 Lift Straps Note: Avoid resting the weather station on the wind speed and wind direction sensors 3. Connect the serial cable (male connector) to the weather station’s RS‐232 port.
3. Enter your key code by clicking on the Software Modules Options button and entering the key code(s) in the corresponding box (see Figure 4) FIGURE 4 Key code Dialog Box 4. Click Apply button 5. Click Close button 6. Click on Today’s ET / Weather Data button 7. Click on Weather Station Configuration button 8. Select weather station from drop down menu (see Figure 5) FIGURE 5 Weather Station Configurations 9. Select Station Type Rain Bird Turf‐CR200 10.
14. Click Assign button 15. Click OK button 16. Enter download time 17. Repeat steps 8‐16 for 2nd, 3rd, …, 5th weather stations 18. Click OK when you have complete the setup 2.4 Verify Serial Communication with Weather Station 1. Click on Weather Program button 2. Note: To access Weather Program from main menu, first select Today’s ET / Weather Data button 3. Click on Monitor Current Data button 4. Monitor the sensor displays.
2.5 Radio Setup for Wireless Weather Station 1. Attach antenna to the radio connector labeled Antenna FIGURE 7 The radio antenna may be a surface mount antenna (left), a whipantenna(right) that connects directly to the radio, or other optional antennas (not shown). FIGURE 8 The connector marked Antenna on an RFXXX‐series radio is where the antennas attach. 2.
FIGURE 9 Radio connections. The serial cable (left) connects to the port marked RS232 and the AC adapter connects to the port marked DC PWR input. 3. Connect the serial cable female connector to a computer serial COM port 4. Plug the RF401 AC adapter to the RF401 connector labeled DC PWR input 5. Plug the other end of the RF401 AC adapter into a grounded AC wall outlet. The red PWR/Tx status light should illuminate 6.
2.6 Communication Wiring Setup for Direct Connect Weather Stations 1. Furnish and install a Belden #9883 Direct Burial Type, communication cable between the weather station and the central control computer (not to exceed 20,000 ft. / 3.8 miles with the specified 20 AWG Belden #9883 cable). Note: The Belden cable should consist of three (3) twisted pairs of wires (20 gauge), a bare copper drain wire and an aluminum shield.
6. Ground the bare copper drain wire of the Belden cable along with the green ground wires of both MSP‐1 surge pipes to the grounding rod using a brass ground wire clamp. Note: Do not ground the drain wire at the central end of the cable. Leave it unused. 7. Leave the Black and White pair of wires as spares 8. Connect the other end of the cable (9720) to the Computer connection on the white box (containing RAD modem). 9.
3.0 Installation Procedure 1. Mount a mast/pole 1.25” OD and 8 to 10 feet (312 cm) high on cement base. 2. Place your weather station assembly on top of the mast/pole with the base firmly seated on the top edge of the mast/pole of (see Figure 11) FIGURE 11 Installation at Pole 3. Loosely tighten the U‐bolt nuts so that the weather station is stable but can be rotated on the mast/pole. FIGURE 12 U‐Bolt Nuts 4.
N N FIGURE 13 Wind Direction Alignment 5. Firmly tighten the U‐Bolt nuts 6. Confirm the weather station is level by viewing the bull’s level on top of the weather station (see Figure 14). Minor adjustments can be made by placing shims between the weather station base and the top of the pole. Bull’s level FIGURE 14 Bull's Level on top of the weather station 7. Connect the power source that will recharge the internal sealed rechargeable battery.
11. Turn the key to the ON position and return to the computer site to confirm the weather station is working properly. 4.0 Solar Panel Installation The solar panel recharges the weather station internal battery. It has a 72 sq. inch surface area and produces 5 watts, at a peak of 17.1 volts. FIGURE 16 5W Solar Panel 1. Place the solar panel on the mast below the station to the maximum distance allowed by the solar panel cable. 2.
Appendix A – Grounding Recommendations A.1 Grounding System Installation To prevent lightning damage to your equipment, Rain Bird recommends installing a grounding system for the equipment (including controllers, weather stations, and central control systems). The grounding system discharges lightning‐induced electrical current into the earth rather than allow the surge to pass through power wires or field wires to your equipment’s electronic components. A.1.
To minimize resistance, the copper wire must be pre‐welded to the grounding rods/plates, or welded to the rods/plates using an exothermic welding process at the site. Make sure all welds are secure before burying the grounding rods. Rods and plates with welded joints do not need periodic visual inspection and can be fully buried (no valve box required). Measure the ground resistance around the grounding system after installation, and once every year after that.
FIGURE A.1‐2 Stacking groundings rods with threaded couplers can help decrease ground resistance A.2 Grounding System Designs A.2.1 Design “Y” Design “Y” Design “Y” (shown in Figures A.2‐1 and A.2‐2) consists of three, 5/8” ‐diameter x 8‐ foot‐long, copper‐clad grounding rods. Install the rods in a radial 1200 star (“Y”) configuration. Each rod must be installed in a true vertical position, at least 16 feet from the equipment Note: All grounding system diagrams are not to exact scale FIGURE A.
FIGURE A.2‐2 Grounding system “Y can be installed as shown, or with ground enchancement material to reduce ground resistance even further. A.2.2 Design “Y” (Alternate) An alternate design “Y” (shown in Figures A.2‐3 and A.2‐4) uses three radials in a 120 degree star (“Y”) arrangement. Each radial consists of three, 5/8”‐diameter x 8‐foot long copper‐clad grounding rods. The first rod in each radial must be at least eight feet from the equipment.
FIGURE A.2.‐4 The alternate version of grounding design “Y” uses nine grounding rods to reduce ground resistance A.2.3 Grounding Plate Design The “Grounding Plate” design (shown in Figures A.2‐5 and A.2‐6) consists of one vertical 8‐foot copper‐clad grounding rod at least eight feet from the equipment, and a copper grounding plate (minimum dimensions 4”x96”x.0625”). Install the grounding plate horizontally, three feet deep and 15 feet from the grounding rod. FIGURE A.
FIGURE A.2‐6 The “Grounding Plate” design may be used with or without ground enhancement material, depending on side conditions.
