BlueBugBox Weather Station Installation, Operation, and Maintenance Manual January 2004 Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual Copyright Copyright 2005, by AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. WeatherBug is a trademark of AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of AWS Convergence Technologies, Inc. The software described in this document is furnished under a license or non-disclosure agreement. The software may be used or copied only in accordance with the terms of this agreement.
BBB Weather Station Manual DISCLAIMER The procedures, methods and hardware outlined in this manual are intended to provide general guidelines for installing a WeatherBug Weather Station. Individual sites often have unique requirements that require materials and specifications that are beyond the scope of this manual. All procedures, methods and hardware used to install a WeatherBug Weather Station must conform to all applicable building codes (local, state and national).
BBB Weather Station Manual Table of Contents COPYRIGHT.................................................................................................... 2 DISCLAIMER ................................................................................................... 3 INTRODUCTION............................................................................................. 6 Weather Sensors Specifications........................................................ 6 TYPICAL WEATHER STATION INSTALLATION ........
BBB Weather Station Manual Connecting the Indoor Weather Station Components..............................................29 INDOOR WEATHER STATION CONNECTIONS ............................................ 29 SYSTEM START-UP ....................................................................................... 30 DHCP NETWORK .......................................................................................... 30 DHCP NETWORK WITH PROXY SERVER ...........................................................
BBB Weather Station Manual Introduction Congratulations on choosing a WeatherBug Weather Station, the premier automated weather system for educational and commercial applications.
BBB Weather Station Manual Introduction (Continued) Your WeatherBug Weather Station is not difficult to install when all directions are followed carefully and the installation is well planned prior to assembly. Installation is similar to that of an outdoor TV antenna (the weather station's outdoor mast and weather sensors) that you connect to an indoor VCR (the weather station's BlueBugBox unit) and a TV set (the weather station's optional Digital Display and optional computer).
BBB Weather Station Manual TYPICAL WEATHER STATION INSTALLATION Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual Getting Started Safety! • While installation of the weather station is not particularly difficult, it does usually require installation on or near the rooftop, which presents some amount of risk. • Installation must conform to national, state and local building code requirements; adhering to the most stringent guidelines.
BBB Weather Station Manual Getting Started (Continued) First Things 1. READ THIS MANUAL THOROUGHLY It is very important that you read this entire manual prior to installation. If all instructions are followed carefully, installation of the weather station should be straightforward and problem free! 2. UNPACK AND INVENTORY WEATHER STATION COMPONENTS Carefully unpack and check all weather station components using the packing list on the outside of your shipping container.
BBB Weather Station Manual Weather Station Components Outdoor Components The outdoor components (see Standard Outdoor Components, on page 12) of a standard WeatherBug Weather Station are: • Sensor Shelter (with remote Temperature/Relative Humidity (TRH) Sensor mounted inside) • Wind Sensor • Rain Gauge • Data Cable The Weather Station's sensor suite uses accurate and rugged sensors. The wind speed and direction sensor is an R.M.
BBB Weather Station Manual STANDARD OUTDOOR COMPONENTS Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual Indoor Components The weather station indoor components are: • BlueBugBox (BBB) • Optional Auxiliary Temperature Sensor • Optional Digital Display(s) • WeatherBug Achieve * (Web-based teaching application that includes interactive lesson plans, graphing, mapping, live weather data display and more) * FOR SCHOOLS ONLY INDOOR COMPONENTS Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual Indoor Components (Continued) BlueBugBox (BBB) The BlueBugBox (BBB) is a microprocessor-controlled computer with battery backup that uses your existing high-speed internet connection to transmit weather data out to the WeatherBug network. It receives live input from the remote TRH sensor, processes and stores the data in its non-volatile electronic memory, and distributes it.
BBB Weather Station Manual Indoor Components (Continued) Digital Display (Optional) The optional Digital Display receives live data every second from the BBB and displays it on several large digital LEDs. Housed in an attractive oak case, the display shows daily highs, lows and rates of change. For more information, see the Digital Display User's Manual (also provided on your Resource CD). THE DIGITAL DISPLAY Computer Connections (Optional) The BBB can also be connected to a PC through a serial cable.
BBB Weather Station Manual Installation Hardware and Tool Requirements The following hardware (equivalent or better quality) is required to install the WeatherBug Weather Station. If you are using a WeatherBug contracted installer, they will provide these materials.
BBB Weather Station Manual Tools Required The following is a list of tools necessary to install the outdoor WeatherBug Weather Station and route the data cables into the building (actual tool requirements may vary depending on site configuration): 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.
BBB Weather Station Manual Site Evaluation Before installing your weather station, conduct a thorough site evaluation to identify the best location for each component, including the outdoor sensors, and BlueBugBox. This requires working with someone who has access to all grounds, including the roof. The importance of this step cannot be overemphasized! A well-planned installation eliminates almost all problems that could be encountered later. It may prevent having to move part or all of the station.
BBB Weather Station Manual SITE SELECTION OPTIONS Locating Your Outdoor WeatherNet Weather Station Components Grassy Expanse Main Roof (1 Story) N 1 Gymnasium Roof (2Stories) Prevailing Winds (Westerly in Much of U.S.) 2 Parking Lot Example Case: In the example above, Site 1 would be the preferred location for the mast and sensors. Site 1 has clear exposure to the prevailing winds and offers unobstructed wind measurement.
BBB Weather Station Manual Installation of the Mast IMPORTANT: Ensure that all mounting brackets and mast components meet the local building codes and work with the installation site you have chosen. Properly securing the mounting brackets and mast is critical for a successful installation. The mounts must withstand harsh environments, including high winds.
BBB Weather Station Manual TYPICAL BUILDING MOUNT 4’ Minimum between Brackets 6″ From Bottom of Mast It is recommended that you use a heavy-duty mounting bracket similar to that shown in Typical Wall Mount Bracket, page 22. Brick walls require anchors in addition to the lag screws. Block or thin wall siding may require a toggle.
BBB Weather Station Manual TYPICAL WALL MOUNT BRACKET Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual Installing Outdoor Components (Continued) Follow these steps to secure the mast to the wall mounting brackets: 1. Loosen the bolts on the outside of the wall mounting brackets so the larger diameter mast can be inserted into the slots on the brackets (do not loosen the screws that hold the brackets to the wall). 2. Insert the mast into and through both wall mounting bracket slots and tool tighten bolts. 3.
BBB Weather Station Manual Installing Outdoor Components (Continued) 5. Carefully remove the Wind Sensor from its box (its cable is already attached) and place it on the top of the mast so that the black junction box will face SOUTH when the mast is raised. Securely tighten pipe clamp. Do not secure or connect the Wind Sensor cable at this point. 6. Adjust the sensor shelter to ensure it is a minimum of 8 feet from the roof’s surface and is rotated so that it hangs over the ground or lowest roof.
BBB Weather Station Manual CONNECTING CABLES TO THE TRH Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual Installing Outdoor Components (Continued) 7. Secure the three cables below the Sensor Shelter connectors with a cable tie. Form a drip loop with the three cables (see Connecting Cables to the TRH, page25). 8. Secure the WIND, RAIN and DATA cables to the mast with cable ties. 9. Raise top section of mast and secure in place by inserting bolt(s) through aligned holes in top and bottom section of mast. Tool-tighten the bolts. 10.
BBB Weather Station Manual Installing Outdoor Components (Continued) NOTES: • WeatherBug recommends that you tape the connector ends together before running them inside the building (tape them fully to prevent damage or loosening individual wires). Do not cut connectors off. A single loose cable connection can cause system errors. • Route Data Cable through 1¾ inch outside diameter conduit on exterior of building. • Seal building hole and both ends of conduit using caulk/putty.
BBB Weather Station Manual Installing Indoor Components The final step is the installation of all indoor components, including the BBB and optional Digital Display. FRONT OF BLUEBUGBOX BACK OF BLUEBUGBOX Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual Connecting the Indoor Weather Station Components 1. Connect the Power Supply to the BlueBugBox (BBB) and ensure that power is in OFF position. 2. Find the end of Data Cable coming from your outdoor sensors. Place the connector so that the arrow is on top and connect it to the back of the BBB, under the "Data Cable" label (be sure the connector is positioned properly). 3. If applicable, connect the optional Auxiliary Temperature Sensor to the BBB. 4.
BBB Weather Station Manual System Start-up Assuming that your site network is configured with a Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) where you are automatically assigned an IP address, your station is ready to be turned on. If your site network is currently using DHCP with a Proxy or Static IP addresses, please refer to the appropriate section below. DHCP Network Your BBB should be connected and ready to be turned on (before powering any component, check to ensure that all connections are correct).
BBB Weather Station Manual 4. Allow five minutes for BBB to boot up and for the C LED to illuminate. NOTE: During this time the Green A, B, and C LEDs on the front of the box may turn on/off, flash, etc. 5. Using another PC computer on the network (same subnet), download the latest BugBox Network Config program from http://wxsinfo.aws.com/TINI/Config.html and save it to the computer desktop. NOTE: If your current network setting does not allow downloads of .EXE files please download either the .
BBB Weather Station Manual 7. Using the BugBox Network Config program, select Search to seek out all BugBoxes on the network. NOTE: If the BugBox Network Config program was unable to find your BBB select the Options button, change the number of seconds from 10 to 50, and select OK. Select Search again from the BugBox Network Config program. Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual 8. Select the MAC address for the BBB. NOTE: If DHCP is enabled on your network, the BBB may appear with another IP address. 9. Using the IP address box in the center of the screen, type 0 between each dot in the IP address field. NOTE: Entering all 0’s for the IP address prevents accidentally setting the current DHCP IP as a static IP address for your BBB. 10. Using the boxes on the right side of the screen, type in the Proxy information obtained in Step 1. Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual 11. If your proxy requires a login, enter the User name and Password in the appropriate boxes. NOTE: The User name and Password fields are limited to 32 characters per field. If no Username and Password are required leave fields blank. 12. Select the Set button from the lower right hand portion of the BugBox Network Config program. NOTE: After the Set button is selected the box will automatically restart and will take a few minutes to reappear on the network. 13.
BBB Weather Station Manual Static IP Network 1. Talk to your Network Administrator to determine the following for the BlueBugBox: • IP Address • Subnet Mask • Default Gateway • Primary DNS • Secondary DNS • Proxy Settings 2. Determine if Proxy Settings are necessary: a. Open Internet Explorer web browser. b. Select Tools from the Internet Explorer menu. c. Select Internet Options. d. Select Connections Tab. e. Select LAN Settings. f.
BBB Weather Station Manual 3. Using the “On/Off” switch, turn on the Power to the BBB. 4. Verify that the Green LED lights on the back of the box, next to the “LAN” connection, are illuminated or flashing to indicate a live internet connection. 5. Allow five minutes for BBB to boot up and for the C LED to illuminate. NOTE: During this time the Green A, B, and C LEDs on the front of the box may turn on/off, flash, etc. 6.
BBB Weather Station Manual NOTE: To use the BugBox Network Config program the C Light on the front of the BBB must be illuminated. 8. Using the BugBox Network Config program, select Search to seek out all BugBoxes on the network. NOTE: If the BugBox Network Config program was unable to find your BBB select the Options button, change the number of seconds from 10 to 50, and select OK. Select Search again from the BugBox Network Config program. Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual 9. Select the MAC address for the BBB with the IP address of 192.168.237.227 (the default IP address for the BBB). NOTE: If DHCP is enabled on your network, the BBB may appear with another IP address. 10.
BBB Weather Station Manual 11. Select the Set button from the lower right hand portion of the BugBox Network Config program. NOTE: After the Set button is selected the box will automatically restart and will take a moment to reappear on the network. 12. After a few minutes, the A, B, and C LEDs should be green (no flashing). 13. Call WeatherBug Weather Station Technical Support at 800-624-4205 to confirm that data is being received and to ensure proper calibration. Version 1.
BBB Weather Station Manual System Operation Under normal conditions, your WeatherBug Weather Station should never be turned off. It is designed to operate 24 hours daily, every day, without operator input or assistance. If applicable, your optional Digital Display should immediately indicate current weather conditions, although the time may need to be set and the barometric pressure calibrated; WeatherBug does this calibration remotely upon your activation call.
BBB Weather Station Manual Homeland Security Site Data Collection As part of our Homeland Security initiative, we are collecting data from all of our weather monitoring stations. This will help ensure that your weather station can continue to offer the highest quality weather information to your community. Your data will be used to ensure that your site's weather readings are as accurate as possible, as well as to verify its calibration and to detect any problems.
BBB Weather Station Manual Calibration If your WeatherBug Weather Station is properly installed, only the time and barometric pressure will need to be calibrated. The barometric pressure sensor must be adjusted to compensate for altitude differences between the WeatherBug weather station production/testing location and your installation site. The weather station time is typically pre-set to US Eastern Standard Time (EST). All other calibration is performed prior to shipment.
BBB Weather Station Manual WeatherBug Achieve (for Schools Only) WeatherBug's award-winning educational software and curriculum is now an integrated Web-based application, called WeatherBug Achieve. It features ready-to-use interactive lesson plans, graphing, mapping, live display, historical data and more. This state-of-the-art educational tool is designed by meteorologists, teachers, and students to make teaching and learning easier, more interactive and fun.
BBB Weather Station Manual Maintenance Under normal conditions, your WeatherBug Weather Station will require very little maintenance. Most maintenance issues can be evaluated and diagnosed remotely by WeatherBug Quality Control. All components are “Plug-and-Play” (defective sensors can be removed simply by disconnecting them from the cable connections). Check the Rain Gauge every three months or any time that readings appear to be lower than they should be.
