Wind direction again

[Wadenut]

Recently, I replaced my AAG Temp/Humidity sensor due to it's failing apparantly when the humidity reached 100%. The replacement is a HobbyBoards T/H sensor. This is working fine and does report 100%.
At that point, my AAG wind direction sensor seems to have failed me. Wind speed is OK. I think I may have upgraded the plugin to v6.1.0.26 that same evening.
I've deleted all of the sensors and allowed the plugin to recreate them.
mcsTemp is seeing the sensor but reports only voltage on all the created sensors:
3700000000823C20
3700000000823C20D <--- used to be W. Direction
3700000000823C20V
3700000000823C20V1
3700000000823C20V2
3700000000823C20V3

Sensors currently on the network and working are: HB Barometer, HB T/H, AAG Wind, Rain gauge (I think this is a HB counter board which replaced the original AAG board which failed a year or so ago)

The question is; is this a config problem or am I in the market for a new wind instrument?

Additionally, the 1-Wire viewer doesn't seem to work for me on this machine and I'm reluctant to mess with it for fear of losing everything.

What I haven't tried at this point is 1. Disconnecting everything but the Wind instrument, and 2. Restoring an older backup of HS including the plugin. This second option may be next as it's easier than climbing up on the roof.

Any help is appreciated.

[Wadenut]

Looks more like a problem with the plugin.

I reinstalled an old copy of HS with all the trimmings.
Same problem.
What I've discovered is that mcsTemp will recognize either the Wind Direction sensor OR the HB Temp/Humidity sensor, but not both simultaneously.
- Disconnected both and tested each separately to verify each worked.
- Reinstalled the old AAG T/H sensor with the wind gauge and both worked.
- Checked wiring.
Currently restoring the current copy of HS and reluctantly keeping the semi-defective AAG T/H sensor.

[Pete]

Initially I had some problems with the HB's T/H/L sensors working on the same 1-wire parasitic network. It would cause similiar issues with the AAG wind instrument. I moved the HB's over to a separate "powered" network. I have two HB combo sensors outside today (H/T/L). I put one of the sensors in a pagoda. It failed (Humidity/Light) after about 6 months. The second one is functioning fine still outside (with additional voltage). Inside the house I have a T/H HB and Midon sensor. They have been functioning fine. My AAG continues to function (after 7 years) but the wind speeds have always been a bit excessive. Last night I believe I had a small microburst. It knocked down heavy potted plants on the deck and the AAG Anometer showed winds of around 100 MPH. Try removing the HB's combo sensor for said 1-Wire network and see if your AAG wind instrument shows up again. I have mine connected to a Midon Temp08. The HB's are connected to 9097's. BTW my oldest combo sensors are about 8-9 year old AAG combo T/H sensors mounted inside of the house.

Just checked my Temp08. I noticed that I have the Midon combo sensor (powered separately on the same 1-wire network) and my second "test" pagoda temperature on it too.

TEMP08 v2.12 2007-11-04
MidonDesign.com 2103

TEMP08 COM11

DIS

01 3E00000001890D1D DS2423 OK P W Wind Guage
02 6600000000FF5220 DS2450 OK P Wind Direction
03 0F0008009214B010 DS1820 OK P 2nd Pagoda Sensor
04 CE0000007518D026 DS2438 OK P V Temp on Temp08
05 05000800084E9210 DS1820 OK P Weather Station Temp
06 F900000009EA8F1D DS2423 OK P R Rain Guage - New
07 FC00000007C9371D DS2423 OK P L Lighting sensor
08 22000000E741C126 DS2438 OK P H Basement Combo Humidity/Temp
09 E5000801CB6AE510 DS1820 OK P Basement Combo Humidity/Temp
10 DC00000014C88C26 DS2438 OK P H Edward Humidity/Temperature
11 9600000014CAB326 DS2438 OK P H Kitchen Humidity/Temperature

TEMP05 COM9
TEMP05 v5.13 2003-05-25

DIS

01 D90008001347A010 DS1820 OK Garage Temp
02 BD000000AEF4A726 DS2438 OK B Barometer
03 7B0008001356AE10 DS1820 OK Family Room Temp
04 0D00080013544A10 DS1820 OK Temp on Temp05
05 9300080013572410 DS1820 OK Living Room Temp
06 BC0000000F71B012 DS2407 OK

COM3-COM13

Combo Temp/Humidity/Sunlight and counters for water meters

22 11:07:05 | Port=COM13 Address=640000000DC81C1D Family=DS2423 Counter=272183/144167 |
22 11:07:06 | Port=COM3 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=24.75 |
22 11:07:12 | Port=COM3 Address=18000801CB238A10 Family=DS1920 Temperature=21.6875 |
22 11:07:12 | Port=COM13 Address=640000000DC81C1D Family=DS2423 Counter=272183/144167 |
22 11:07:16 | Port=COM13 Address=640000000DC81C1D Family=DS2423 Counter=272183/144167 |
22 11:07:29 | Port=COM3 Address=DC000000F1D35C26 Family=DS2438 Temperature=75.81875 Humidity=40 Voltage= 4.92 2.01 0 0 |
22 11:07:34 | Port=COM3 Address=6B000000E772F326 Family=DS2438 Temperature=72.8375 Humidity=100 Voltage= 4.94 3.98 0 31 |
22 11:07:34 | Port=COM13 Address=640000000DC81C1D Family=DS2423 Counter=272183/144167 |
22 11:07:35 | Port=COM3 Address=43000801E197F110 Family=DS1920 Temperature=23.25 |
22 11:07:39 | Port=COM3 Address=54000000A9173A26 Family=DS2438 Temperature=82.23125 Humidity=100 Voltage= 5 0.09 -0.25 -6404 |
22 11:07:47 | Port=COM3 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=24.8125 |
22 11:07:48 | Port=COM3 Address=18000801CB238A10 Family=DS1920 Temperature=21.6875 |
22 11:07:48 | Port=COM13 Address=640000000DC81C1D Family=DS2423 Counter=272183/144167 |
22 11:07:54 | Port=COM3 Address=54000000A9173A26 Family=DS2438 Temperature=82.11875 Humidity=100 Voltage= 5 0.09 -0.25 -6404 |
22 11:07:56 | Port=COM13 Address=640000000DC81C1D Family=DS2423 Counter=272183/144167 |
22 11:07:57 | Port=COM3 Address=18000801CB238A10 Family=DS1920 Temperature=21.6875 |
22 11:08:02 | Port=COM3 Address=2D0008013977B510 Family=DS1920 Temperature=24.8125 |
22 11:08:09 | Port=COM3 Address=6B000000E772F326 Family=DS2438 Temperature=73.00625 Humidity=100 Voltage= 4.93 4.01 0

[Michael McSharry]

3700000000823C20D <--- used to be W. Direction
3700000000823C20V
3700000000823C20V1
3700000000823C20V2
3700000000823C20V3

The D suffix is for wind direction. The device is a DS2450 that has 4 analog channels and can be configured for its intended use. One use is for wind direction. With xapmcs1wire it will report both voltage and direction at the same time. I do not recall if mcsTemperature will do this. I think if the type is selected to be Wind Direction on the Sensor page for the 3700000000823C20 then it should report as wind direction.

[Wadenut]

@Pete:
Thanks for the confirmation. I was about to try connecting the HB T/H to the Temp08, but it appears the inteface isn't working. I discovered this yesterday. None of the sensors connected to it seem to have reported since June. These only monitor computer case temperatures and I hadn't had any reason to look at them until now. Once I can figure out this one, I will be connecting the new sensor (and any future HB sensors) to the Temp08 even though it's going to mean running another cable outside. I do have a HB barometric sensor already attached to the DS9097 along with the wind and rain instruments. It seems to play well with the others.

@Michael:
I was never able to get xapmcs working on this machine, and, as I upload to Weather Underground, I can't leave the weather station down for any length of time in order to fuss with it.

An update to previously mentioned problems with a humidity sensor (AAG) reading zero... This is what precipitated my current problems. That gauge definitely does seem to be defective and reads "0" anywhere from an actual humity of 90% upward. I ordered the HB T/H sensor not thinking to look at what I had out there, else I would have given the $50 to AAG instead. I'd also ordered the UV meter at the same time, again, not thinking.

All this coupled with problems with my W2C modem (discovered today) have made for a very interesting week.

[Pete]

Noticed an XAP thing happen tonight while playing with my network switch (shutting it off).

9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error @Async SendTo Callback The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:26:26 PM mcsXap xAP UDP(2) Socket Error The requested address is not valid in its context Line 0 The requested address is not valid in its context
9/23/2010 4:29:23 PM mcsXap xAP Heartbeat stopped

One of the two AAG combo Temp/Humidity sensors I have running is the size of about 1/8 of a penny. Never seen anything like this one before from AAG (think it was the first sensor temp/humidity I bought). I'll have to take a picture of it.

[Wadenut]

Michael:
I found a Midon T/H sensor I'd forgotten about. Will this work on the same network as the AAG equipment?
If so, I can put this outside once I build an enclosure.

My Temp08 does seem to be dead... No response even with Hyperterminal on two separate ports.

[Michael McSharry]

The Midon devices that I am familiar with will work. They are based on a standard 1-wire device from Maxim-IC and not a custom design. They will show up as the 15th and 16th characters of the ID as "26". I think Mitch has a separate DS1820 also so there will be two temperature measurements.

[Wadenut]

Thanks Michael. I'll try the Midon sensor on the network over the weekend, then work on an enclosure for outside. It'll want a coat of laquer as well before I expose it to the elements. Looks like the serial number is ...26 so I think I'm good.

[Wadenut]

Just a followup and a happy ending.

Now that I'm retired, I have time to catch up on some forgotten projects.
After putting up with the defective humidity sensor for nearly a year now I decided to try replacing just the HIH4000 (humidity element) within the AAG unit. This worked and even today with the humidity at over 95%, I now have a working humidity sensor. At $20 from Digikey it's a far cry cheaper than a new AAG device.

[Pete]

Interesting you fit the sensor in the AAG weather station. Where did you mount the sensor in the AAG device?

I have a dead HIH4000 in a HB combo sensor in a pagoda on the roof. Its been a while and I still have yet to get up on the roof.

[Wadenut]

Sorry I wasn't clear. The AAG Temp/Hum sensor is a separate sensor, tucked under the eaves of the house, out of the sun. The component I replaced is the humidity element itself... it looks like a case TO-126 transistor with windows. Looking at the original component under a microscope, it has scratches or cracks all over the element. I've saved it for bench testing.
When I originally did use the temperature from the Wind instrument itself, exposed to direct sun, Environment Canada was kind enough to point out to me (several times in fact) that my temperatures were way out of line. I'd suspect the humidity would be similarly affected if installed inside the wind instrument as Relative Humidity is a function of temperature as well.

While I'm on the subject of wind, and back on topic; my wind instrument is ageing and will probably soon need to be replaced. The newer AAG wind instrument seems to be incompatible with 1-Wire topology. They do have a RS485 version which I could probably integrate, but I have very little technical information on it. What device(s) are others using with HS?

The HIH4000 is available from Digikey.com for about $21 + shipping. Cheaper if you can combine it with an order for other parts. The HIH3610 has similar specs.

[Pete]

Thanks Greg. I have a number of AAG combo temperature and humidity sensors purchased in the late 90's which I utilize inside of the house and still function today. One style purchased is very unique. I should take a picture of it. Its maybe about 2 times the size of the humidity sensor you mention and the board is very small with numerous components on it. The two leads for 1-wire use are soldered to the board. The only failure that I have had on the combo sensors has been with the newer light, humidity and temperature HB sensors. I have had two of these fail in the last 8 years or so.

None of the older AAG or Midon combo sensors have ever failed me that I know of.

I have two AAG wind instruments. Both have been kind of rebult with recommended tweaks posted on the internet. Only one has been on the roof at any given time. I originally purchased the two of the in the late 1990's.

I look at but do not utilize the included inside of the AAG instrument temperature sensor. I never did get accurate wind speed readings from either of them; but I think this was a kind of design flaw.

HB's sells two newer 1-wire anemometer instruments that are designed better.

Better but costly is the Davis Vantage Pro. Newer electronics; better construction and less costly weather stations do exists but they are not 1-wire. I've been looking.

Outside though I have multiple combo 1-wire parasitic and non parasitic sensors plus HAI combo sensors all in different locations.

I did build a small pagoda with some plastic dishes a couple of years back; I never really liked it; but it was functional. I then purchased a pagoda; putting a combo light, humidity and temperature sensor in it. The sensor failed after a month and the pagoda with its support brackets is falling apart (cracked in numerous places) after sitting on the weather station mast for about 2-3 months. Only the temperature sensor works in the pagoda.

The weather station mast is a bit difficult to get to. Its mounted on my chimney two stories up. Getting to it is easy but when I go back to the ladder I have to slide down the roof about 4 feet or so and either use the ladder as a "stop" or the gutter; which I really don't like to do at about 20 something feet up. The endeavor alone has currently shelved a few things that need to be done on the roof. (my GPS antenna is out too). I have another roof easier to get to which I could mount a new mast and pass the wires into the attic which I was thinking of doing; but haven't done yet.