WMS-16 Weather Station Operator’s Manual
1
INTRODUCTION
Congratulations on your purchase of a WMS-16 Weather
Station, and welcome to the world of modular, user friendly
weather data collection. The WMS-16 has been carefully
designed with the user in mind, and we are confident that it
will provide you with convenient and accurate weather data
for years to come.
The WMS-16 is a state-of-the-art, microprocessor-based
weather station that provides capabilities unequaled in
similarly priced instruments. In its standard configuration,
measurements for wind speed, direction, temperature,
humidity, and precipitation are collected and processed by the
control module.
Any, or all, of these weather parameters can be included by
simply adding the appropriate sensors. The exact
configuration is determined by the user based on demands of
the intended application.
Data Output, Display, and Logging
Real-time weather data is output by the WMS-16 over its RS-
232 interface, and this data can be readily viewed by either
using a PC based communications program or with the
optional software for the WMS-16. In addition to current
weather information, the WMS-16’s data logging capability
allows up to 45 days of data taken at 15 minute intervals to be
stored in memory for later retrieval.
Special consideration has been given in the design of the
WMS-16’s display of current weather data to ensure ease of
understanding by the first-time or casual user.
Current Observations
This display is a one-page report of current weather
conditions, with each parameter clearly labeled and readily
located on the screen.
In addition to the measured parameters, the
WMS-16 also calculates values for wind chill and dew point
based on the combination of weather factors that govern those
characteristics. The WMS-16 also reports specific aspects of
the measured parameters, including peak wind speed, wind
direction variation, hourly temperature change, maximum and
minimum daily temperature, barometric pressure changes,
maximum and minimum daily pressure, relative humidity
change and daily and monthly precipitation accumulation.
Data Logging
The time interval between recordings is user determined for
periods ranging from one minute to sixty minutes. This logged
data can be retrieved for display or copied to a floppy or hard
disk for permanent storage using the options available on the
main menu.
When retrieved for viewing, the logged data is displayed as
date and time stamped single line, tab delineated entries.
Logged data can be retrieved in either hourly or daily blocks.
For permanent storage, the data logged by the WMS-16 can be
copied to a magnetic disk. The format of the logged data has
been designed to be compatible with most commercial
spreadsheet software coma delineated (Excel, Lotus 1-2-3, and
Quatro Pro among others).
The Control Module
The heart of the WMS-16 is the control module. The control
module conditions and processes the signals generated by the
attached sensors and outputs them via the RS-232 interface at
a default rate of 9600 bits per second other bit rates are user
selectable.
In addition to the RS-232 interface connector, connections are
provided on the control module’s rear panel for all of the
weather sensors.
Power is provided by an external 12V source, and the WMS-
16 comes equipped with a 12V wall transformer for powering
the station from a standard 110V outlet. A 12V battery can be
wired into the module to provide emergency power in the
event of a loss of main power. This battery will provide
backup power allowing data logging and output to continue
uninterrupted. A fully charged 12V, 7 amp-hour battery will
run the WMS-16 for three to four days.
Sensors
The standard sensors used with the WMS-16 have been
designed to be rugged, compact, and light-weight. They
interface directly to the control module without the need for
additional signal conditioning. These sensors are accurate and
reliable, and any combination can be used.
Wind
The wind sensor combines a three-cup anemometer and a
wind vane on a single axis. The anemometer is a contact-type
wind sensor which when rotated by the wind, triggers a series
of momentary switch closures that are directly related to wind
speed.
The wind vane uses a potentiometer to sense direction
changes. Depending on the position of the potentiometer
wiper, an analog voltage is output that corresponds to the
position of the vane. By orienting the vane North (360°)
during installation, wind can be easily calculated from the
output voltage. The resolution of the wind vane is 1° (azimuth
display), or 16 compass points (cardinal points display).
