WE550 - Weather Station Global Water - Free user manual and instructions

Product Type	Weather Station
Brand	Global Water
Model	WE550
Dimensions	Approximately 150 x 100 x 50 mm
Weight	Approximately 0.3 kg
Power Supply	2 x AAA batteries (not included)
Display Type	LCD screen
Temperature Range	-20°C to 60°C (-4°F to 140°F)
Humidity Range	20% to 95% RH
Wireless Range	Up to 100 meters (open area)
Main Functions	Indoor/outdoor temperature and humidity, weather forecast, barometric pressure, wind speed and direction (optional sensor), rainfall (optional sensor)
Weather Forecast	Sunny, partly cloudy, cloudy, rainy, stormy
Care and Cleaning	Clean with a soft dry cloth; avoid water and solvents
Safety Precautions	Keep away from direct sunlight and heat sources; do not immerse in water
Spare Parts and Repairability	Contact manufacturer or authorized dealer for replacement parts; not user-serviceable
General Information	Indoor use only; batteries included for remote sensor; compatible with additional sensors

Frequently Asked Questions - WE550 Global Water

How do I set up the Global Water WE550 weather station?

Insert batteries into both the main unit and the outdoor sensor. Place the sensor outside in a shaded area. The main unit will automatically sync with the sensor within a few minutes.

What is the wireless range of the outdoor sensor?

The outdoor sensor has a wireless range of up to 100 meters (328 feet) in open area. Walls and obstacles may reduce the range.

How do I change the batteries?

Open the battery compartment on the back of the main unit and the outdoor sensor. Replace with fresh 2 x AAA batteries for the main unit and 2 x AAA for the sensor (depending on model). Ensure correct polarity.

Why is the outdoor temperature not displaying?

Check that the outdoor sensor is within range and has fresh batteries. Press and hold the sensor search button on the main unit to force a reconnection. Interference from other devices may also affect signal.

Can I add additional sensors to the WE550?

Yes, the WE550 supports up to 3 outdoor sensors (sold separately). Each sensor must be set to a different channel (1, 2, or 3) and can be added via the setup menu.

How accurate is the weather forecast?

The forecast is based on barometric pressure trends and is generally accurate for the next 12-24 hours. It is not a substitute for professional meteorological data.

What does the barometric pressure graph indicate?

The graph shows pressure changes over the last 12 hours. Rising pressure indicates improving weather, falling pressure indicates worsening conditions.

How do I clean the weather station?

Use a soft, dry cloth to wipe the display and housing. Do not use water, solvents, or abrasive cleaners. Avoid spraying liquids directly onto the unit.

What should I do if the display is dim or flickering?

This usually indicates low batteries. Replace the batteries in the main unit. If the problem persists, reset the unit by removing batteries and waiting 10 seconds before reinserting.

Where can I find the user manual for the WE550?

The user manual can be downloaded for free from the manufacturer's website or from notice-facile.com. It provides detailed instructions on setup, operation, and troubleshooting.

USER MANUAL WE550 Global Water

Simple black-and-white icon with a stylized wavy line inside a rounded square (no text or symbols)

Global Water

Instrumentation, Inc.

151 Graham Road

P.O. Box 9010

College Station, TX 77842-9010

T: 800-876-1172

Int'l: [phone], F: [phone]

Barometric Pressure: WE100

Solar Radiation: WE300

Wind Speed: WE550

Wind Direction: WE570

Humidity: WE600

Temperature Sensor: WE700

Solar Shield: WE770

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Congratulations on your purchase of the Global Water Weather Sensor. This instrument has been quality tested and approved for providing accurate and reliable measurements. We are confident that you will find the sensor to be a valuable asset for your application. Should you require assistance, our technical staff will be happy to help.

Table of Contents

I. Checklist	●	●	●	●	●	●	Page	3
II. Inspection	●	●	●	●	●	●		3
III. General Sensor Installation			●	●	●	4
IV. Barometric Pressure Sensor			●	●	●	5
V. Solar Radiation Sensor		●	●	●	●	●		7
VI. Wind Speed Sensor		●	●	●	●	●		8
VII. Wind Direction Sensor		●	●	●	●	●		9
VIII. Humidity Sensor		●	●	●	●	●		10
IX. Temperature Sensor		●	●	●	●	●		11
X. Solar Shield		●	●	●	●	●		12
XI. Maintenance		●	●	●	●	●		12
XII. Troubleshooting		●	●	●	●	●		13
XIII. Warranty		●	●	●	●	●		15
XIV. Appendix A: Temperature Calibration Check								16
XV. Appendix B: 2 Wire Sensor Measurement Diagram							17
XVI. Appendix C: 3 Wire Sensor Measurement Diagram							18

* Copyright © Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. 2002

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I. Sensor Checklist

a. Weather Sensor

b. Weather Sensor Manual

II. Inspection

a. Your Weather sensor was carefully inspected and certified by our Quality Assurance Team before shipping. If any damage has occurred during shipping, please notify Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. and file a claim with the carrier involved.

Use the checklist to ensure that you have received everything needed to operate the weather instrument(s).

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III. General Sensor Installation

a. Weather sensors have many applications and therefore many installation options. The sensors should be located in a clear area on a level surface.
b. Install your Weather sensor so that it is easily accessible for calibration purposes. You may need to remove and reinstall it in the future, so plan ahead!
c. All Global Water Weather sensors produce a 4-20 mA output signal. 4-20 mA is an industrial standard signal for process control monitoring. Most PLCs (Programmable Logic Controller), RTUs (Remote Telemetry Unit), and data acquisition systems accept this signal directly. If the system only accepts voltage signals, the sensor output must be converted to a voltage signal by reading the voltage across a precision resistor in series with the signal wire. Since Ohms Law states that V = IR, if the 4-20 mA signal is dropped across a 250 ohm resistor, the output will be 1 to 5 volts DC. If the 4-20 mA signal is dropped across a 125 ohm resistor, the output will be halved to 0.5 to 2.5 VDC. The 4-20 signal wire is connected to the datalogger voltage input terminal. The resistor is placed between this input and the ground terminal of the datalogger's battery. The power (or voltage to the sensor) must be connected to positive battery terminal of the datalogger.
d. The sensors may be pulsed on or turned on by the logging system prior to taking a reading. Use a warm up time appropriate to the Weather sensor you are using to assure that the sensor is fully on. The sensors can run continuously for real time applications. Each sensor draws between 4 and 20 mA depending on whether the sensor is reading at the minimum or maximum of its range.
e. Weather sensors may be stored without any special provisions. Place the sensor inside a bag to keep the sensor clean and store on a shelf or hang it on a wall.

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IV. Barometric Pressure Sensor

a. Barometric Pressure sensor specifications.

Output: 4-19mA

Range: 800-1100 millibars

Accuracy: +1% of full scale

Operating Voltage: 10-36VDC

Current Draw: Same as sensor output

Warm Up Time: 3 seconds minimum

Operating Temperature: -40^ to +55^ C

Size of Probe: 3"x2"x1"

Weight: .13 lb.

b. The sensor is a two-wire sensor using the red wire for power and the black wire for the output signal. Warning: Always connect the sensor with the power turned off.

c. The barometric pressure sensor may be stored without any special provisions. Place the sensor inside a bag to keep the sensor clean and store on a shelf or hang it on a wall.

d. When you read a barometer the reading directly from it is the "station pressure."

Two things affect the barometer's reading, the high or low air pressure caused by weather systems, and the air pressure caused by the station's elevation, or how high it is above sea level. No matter what weather systems are doing, the air's pressure decreases with height. If you're trying to draw a weather map of air pressure patterns, you need a way to remove the effects of the station's elevation. That is, you want to see what the pressure would be at the station if it were at sea level.

You need to calculate, sea-level pressure, which is defined as: "A pressure value obtained by the theoretical reduction of barometric

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pressure to sea level. Where the Earth's surface is above sea level, it is assumed that the atmosphere extends to sea level below the station and that the properties of that hypothetical atmosphere are related to conditions observed at the station." To do this, you have to take into account the barometric reading at the station, the elevation above sea level, and the temperature.

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V. Solar Radiation Sensor

a. Solar Radiation sensor specifications.

Output: 4-20mA

Range: 0-3000 Wm 2

Accuracy: 1% of full scale

Operating Voltage: 10-36VDC

Current Draw: Same as sensor output

Warm Up Time: 3 seconds minimum

Operating Temperature: -40^ to +55^

Size of Probe: 3" diameter x 1 1/2" high

Weight: 1/4 lb.

b. The sensor is a two-wire sensor using the red wire for power and the black wire for the output signal. Warning: Always connect the sensor with the power turned off.

c. Ensure that the sensor is placed on a level surface, use the alignment bolts to adjust the sensor until it is level. Remove the red cap to begin taking readings.

d. The solar radiation sensor or pyranometer is an instrument for measuring solar radiation received from a whole hemisphere. It is suitable for measuring global sun plus sky radiation. Solar radiation varies significantly among regions. Season and time of day are major considerations, but surrounding terrain elevation, man-made obstructions, and surrounding trees can also cause large variations in locations with a small area. Often, the required measurement is, energy flux density of both direct beam and diffuse sky radiation passing through a horizontal plane of known unit area (i.e., global sun plus sky radiation).

e. Calibration should be confirmed annually.

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VI. Wind Speed Sensor

a. Wind Speed sensor specifications.

Output: 4-20mA

Range: 0-110 MPH

Accuracy: .2 MPH over the range 11 to 55 MPH

Operating Voltage: 10-36VDC

Current Draw: Same as sensor output

Warm Up Time: 3 seconds minimum

Operating Temp: -40^ to +55^ C

Size of Probe: 7" diameter x 8 1/2" long

Weight: 1 lb.

b. The sensor is a two-wire sensor using the red wire for power and the black wire for the output signal. Warning: Always connect the sensor with the power turned off.

c. The sensor comes with a stainless steel elbow that can be mounted on a 1" diameter tube. For best results ensure that the sensor is mounted parallel to the ground surface.

d. The wind speed sensor or anemometer produces a sine wave voltage signal with a frequency that changes linearly with the wind speed. The frequency is transformed into a 4-20 mA sensor signal output.

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VII. Wind Direction Sensor

a. Wind Direction sensor specifications.

Output: 4-19 mA

Range: 0 to 360° (352° electrical, 8° open)

Accuracy: 1% of full scale

Operating Voltage: 10-36VDC

Current Draw: Same as sensor output

Warm Up Time: 3 seconds minimum

Operating Temp: -40^ to +55^ C

Size: 8 12 " diameter x 10 12 " long

Weight: 1 lb.

b. The sensor is a two-wire sensor using the red wire for power and the black wire for the output signal. Warning: Always connect the sensor with the power turned off.

c. The ridge on the fixed portion of the sensor represents the 0^ direction of the sensor. The sensor comes with a stainless steel elbow that can be mounted on a 1" diameter tube. For best results ensure that the sensor is mounted parallel to the ground surface.

d. A wind direction sensor produces a ratiometric voltage signal. That voltage signal is transformed into a 4-19 mA sensor output signal.

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VIII. Humidity Sensor

a. Humidity sensor specifications.

Output: 4-19mA

Range: 0-100% RH

Accuracy: + 2% RH

Operating Voltage: 10-36VDC

Current Draw: 3 mA plus sensor

Warm Up Time: 3 seconds minimum

Operating Temp: -40^ to +55^ C

Size of Probe: 1 ½" diameter x 7" long

Weight: 12 lb.

b. The humidity sensor is a three-wire sensor. Three wire sensors use the red wire for positive voltage, the white wire for the output signal, and the black wire for ground. Warning: Always connect the sensor with the power turned off.

c. Do not install the humidity sensor in direct sunlight.

d. A humidity sensor utilizes a thin polymer that varies in dielectric constant directly proportional to changes in the amount of water vapor at the sensor element. The element provides a linear voltage output that is converted into a 4-19 mA sensor output signal.

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IX. Temperature Sensor

a. Temperature sensor specifications.

Output: 4-19mA

Range: -50^ C to +50^ C

Accuracy: ±0.2^ F or ±0.1^ C

Operating Voltage: 10-36VDC

Current Draw: Same as sensor output

Warm Up Time: 5 seconds minimum

Operating Temperature: -50^ to +100^

Size of Probe: 34 " diameter x 4 12 " long

Weight: 12 lb.

b. The sensor is a two-wire sensor using the red wire for power and the black wire for the output signal. Warning: Always connect the sensor with the power turned off.

c. Do not install the temperature sensor in direct sunlight.

d. To check the temperature sensor calibration you will need:

1 thermometer

3 containers of water

1 power supply

1 current meter

Connecting wires as necessary

Connect the sensor to the power supply and current meter in the following way. Attach the black wire to the positive input of the current meter. Connect the ground terminal of the power supply to the ground of the current meter. Attach the red wire to the positive terminal of the power supply. Warning: Always connect the sensor with the power turned off.

See Appendix A for the temperature calibration worksheet.

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X. Solar Shield

a. Solar Shield specifications.

Size:

4" diameter x 8 ½" long

Weight: 1 lb.

b. The solar shield is used to protect sensors, typically humidity and temperature, from direct sunlight. Insert a sensor into one of the two holes located on the underside of the shield. The shield provides a friction lock so the sensors will not accidentally fall out. The sensors can be removed by firmly twisting and pulling them out of the solar shield.

c. The shield comes with a stainless steel elbow that can be mounted on a 1" diameter tube. For best results ensure that the shield is mounted vertically.

XI. Maintenance

a. Global Water recommends confirming the calibration annually.

b. The sensors should be cleaned periodically. Sensors can be cleaned using a damp cotton cloth. NOTE: DO NOT submerge sensors. The sensors are water resistant, not water proof.

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XII. Trouble Shooting

Issue: Sensor reading incorrectly

a. Verify power source is supplying correct voltage.
b. Clean the sensor.
c. Confirm the sensor's calibration.

Other issues

d. Call Global Water for tech support: 800-876-1172 or 979-690-5560 (many problems can be solved over the phone). Fax: [phone] or Email: [e-mail].

When calling for tech support, please have the following information ready;

1. Model #.
2. Unit serial number.
3. P.O.# the equipment was purchased on.
4. Our sales number or the invoice number.
5. Repair instructions and/or specific problems relating to the product.

Be prepared to describe the problem you are experiencing including specific details of the application, installation, and any additional pertinent information.

e. In the event that the equipment needs to be returned to the factory for any reason, please call to obtain an RMA# (Return Material Authorization). Do not return items without an RMA# displayed on the outside of the package.

Clean and decontaminate the sensor if necessary.

Include a written statement describing the problems.

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Send the package with shipping prepaid to our factory address. Insure your shipment, Global Water's warranty does not cover damage incurred during transit.

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XIII. Warranty

a. Global Water Instrumentation, Inc. warrants that its products are free from defects in material and workmanship under normal use and service for a period of one year from date of shipment from factory. Global Water's obligations under this warranty are limited to, at Global Water's option: (I) replacing or (II) repairing; any products determined to be defective. In no case shall Global Water's liability exceed the products original purchase price. This warranty does not apply to any equipment that has been repaired or altered, except by Global Water Instrumentation, Inc., or which has been subject to misuse, negligence or accident. It is expressly agreed that this warranty will be in lieu of all warranties of fitness and in lieu of the warranty of merchantability.

b. The warranty begins on the date of your invoice.

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XIV. Appendix A: Temperature Calibration check

Step 1) Fill a container of water with enough ice that it will not melt quickly.

Step 2) Place the temperature sensor and thermometer into the container. Turn on the power supply and the current meter. Let the sensor stabilize for 30 minutes before taking any measurements.

Step 3) Record the ice bath temperature, I_ = ____, and record the output current of the sensor, I_C = ____.

Step 4) Fill a container with enough warm water that it will not cool down quickly.

Step 5) Place the temperature sensor and thermometer into the container. Turn on the power supply and the current meter. Let the sensor stabilize for 30 minutes before taking any measurements.

Step 6) Record the warm water temperature, W_T = , and record the output current of the sensor, W_C = .

Step 7) Subtract I C from W C , W C- I C = ____ = C.

Step 8) Subtract I T from W T ,W T -I T = ____ = T.

Step 9) Calculate B. W c - (C/T)(W_T) = ____ = B.

Step 10) Find the low current value for the sensor. -(C/T)(50)+B= ____ = L_c . This current is the output current the sensor would produce if the temperature were -50^ .

Step 11) Find the high current value for the sensor. (C/T)(50)+B= ____ = Hc. This current is the output current the sensor would produce if the temperature were 50°C.

Step 12) Use these new current values to recalibrate the system that is monitoring the sensor output.

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XV. Appendix B: 2 Wire Sensor Measurement Diagram

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XVI. Appendix C: 3 Wire Sensor Measurement Diagram