WS7038 - Weather station LA CROSSE TECHNOLOGY - Free user manual and instructions

USER MANUAL WS7038 LA CROSSE TECHNOLOGY

Rain Monitor Instruction Manual This operation manual is part of this product package. It contains important notes for setup and operation. Therefore please keep this manual in a safe place for later reference. Please ensure furthermore that this operation manual stays with the product in case itis forwarded #0 any third party. Introduction Dear Customer, We want to thank you for purchasing this Rain Monitor. The construction of this unit corresponds to National and European requirements with regard to electro magnetic compatibility. This unit carries the CE marking. Conformity has been proven; the respective commentaries and documents are deposited with the manufacturer. In order to maintain this condition and guarantee safe operation you as the user are requested to pay attention to this operation manual! With this product you have purchased a product laid out and manufactured using state-of-the-art technologies. The operation of this product is simple and straightforward. Nevertheless please read this operation manual careully for better understanding and optimum benefits of al its features. Intended Use The Rain Monitor (Base Station and Rain Gauge) is used to measure the rainfall volume around the home: This product is designed to operate on two 1.5V batteries per unit (battery types see item “Specifications: Operation of the Base Station is only allowed in closed and dry rooms, ie. not in open space. Contact to hurridity must be avoided. Any other use but the one described in this chapter will lead to damage of the product. Furthermore this may lead to dangers, as there are short circuit, fire, electrical shock, etc. The entire product may not be opened, altered or modified in any way.

case of damages caused by any incorrect reading of We will not accept any responsibility for consequential damages due to the above! We further will not accept any responsibility for personal injuries or material damages caused by fauity handling or failure to comply with the safety notes in this manual. Guarantee will expire in any such case. + Unauthorized alteration and/or modification of the Rain Monitor is strict forbidden due to safety and approval reasons (CE). + Onlytwo 1.5V batteries per unit of the product package may be used for power supply. + Do notexpose the Base Station to high temperatures, humidity or severe vibrations as well as mechanical stress or shock. + Do notleave any used up batteries inthe unit. Even leak proof batteries may corrode and set free chemicals destroying the batterie compartment or even endangering your health. + incorrect polarity ofthe batteries will without any question immediately ruin the units. + This product as well as the inserted batteries are not a toy. Keep out of the reach of children. + Don‘tthrowbatteries in fire. Danger of explosion! + This product may not be used for medical purposes or public information. + Never putthis Base Station into operation immediately after it has been transferred from any cold vicinity into a warm room. The then developing water of condensation will under unfavorable conditions damage the unit. Keep the unit switched off until it has reached room temperature. Product Description This Rain Monitor serves to measure the amount of rainfall around the home. The funnel in the Rain Gauge will lead the collected precipitation onto a seesaw formed like a spoon which will then in tum send an impulse to the Base Station. Transmission of data between Rain Gauge and Base Staion is performed via wireless 433MHz technique. On the Base Station the amount of rain of the last rainfall the last hour or the last 24 hours can be polled. An integrated bar graph shows the amount of rain of the last 7 days, 7 weeks or 7 months respectivelly. All measured value is stored in EEPROM and will thus not be lost even in case of a battery change. The Base Station furthermore provides a programmable rain alarm function as well as an integrated 24 hour clock with date display. The Base Station is designed for either table standing or wall mounting. The Rain Gauge will constantiy drain itself and is thus safe against any frost damage. Function Keys o® ss Hanging hole 21 saterycover

With its “RAIN/SET” and “HISTORY/#” keys the Rain Monitor is equipped with only two operating elements: and thus promises a very simple operation. The functions of each key are described in the following: RAIN/SET Key When the “RAIN/SET” key is pressed, the following functions will sequentially be displayed in the upper part ofthe LCD and will then be repeated: TOTAL rainfall since the Rain Monitor was put into operation Amount of rain during the last hour (1H) Amount of rain during the last 24 hours (24H) Amount of rain since the beginning of the last rainfall (small rain symbol) HISTORY/+ Key When the “HISTORY/+” key is pressed, the following bar graph functions will sequentially be displayed in the lower part of the LCD and will then be repeated: + DALY DAILY shows the rainfall progress in form of vertical bars running from right to left for the past 6 days and the current day. Every day at midnight (00:00 hours) the bars will shift one place to the left. + WEEKLY WEEKLY shows the rainfall progress in form of vertical bars running from right to left for the past 6 weeks and the current week. Every Monday at midnight (00:00 hours) the bars will shift one place to the left. + MONTHLY MONTHLY shows the rainfall progress in form of vertical bars running from right to left for the past 6 months and the current month. On every first day oftthe month at midnight (00:00 hours) the bars will shift one place to the left. Note! Under normal circumstancec the scaling of the graph bars shows the rainfall up to an amount of 100 millimeters (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50 und 100mm). K the rainfall exceeds an amount of 100mm, the scaling of the entire bar graph will automatically switch to a higher range (0, 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 100, 200, 300, 400, 500 und 1000mm). Numeric Display fin normal display mode the “HISTORY/+” key is pressed for longer than 2 seconds, the numeric value of the first bar in the bar graph will be displayed in millimeters in the top section of the LCD screen. Pressing the HISTORY/+” key again will move to the next bar and so on until the values of all bars have been displayed Note! K after display of the value of the last bar of the respective bar graph the “HISTORY/+” key is pressed one more time or if no key is pressed for 30 seconds then the LCD screen will return to the normal play mode.

Setting Up Remove all components from the packaging and lay them on a table in front of you. Check that the following items are included: + Base Station of Rain Monitor and table stand + Rain Gauge + Operating Manual Before setting up the Intended Use as well as the Safety Notes and the Technical Specifications included in this manual have to be observed closely. Before putting into operation ensure that the Rain Monitor will fitthe purpose it is intended to be used for. Positioning the Rain Gauge Locate the Rain Gauge outdoor on a convenient place (e.g. on a terrace, a lawn or in the garden) where it can collect rain freely and directly. Ensure that the unit is protected from wind so it cannot tip over. Screws provided with the shipment allow secure mounting, Important Note! Itis recommended t position the Rain Gauge somewhat above ground level to ensure better data transmission. Adjust the Rain Gauge evenly (e.g. by use of a spirit-evel) in order ensure safe operation of the intermal seesaw. Positioning the Base Station The Base Station of the Rain Monitor is shipped with an attached removable table stand, which provides the option of table standing or wall mounting. To wall mount proceed as follows:

1. Fixa fiting screw (not supplied) into the desired wall, leaving the head of the screw standing out by

2. Remove the table stand fromthe Base Station by pulling it away from its base. Hang the station onto

the screw by use of the hanging hole on the back. Remember to ensure that it locks safely into place before releasing. Getting started Batterie cover Battery compartiment

+ Open the battery compartment on the back of the Base Station as shown above. + Obsenving the correct polarity insert two type AAA, IEC LR3, 1.5V batteries into the batteriy compartiment. The correct polarity is printed inside the battery compartment. After inserting the batteries all segments of the LCD screen will light up briefly (appr. 3 seconds). + Replace the battery cover ofthe Base Station. + Using a coin or an appropriate tool (screwdriver) open the battery compartment in the base ofthe Rain Gauge + Observing the correct polarity insert two type AA, IEC LRG, 1.5V batteries into the batteriy compartiment. The correct polarity is printed inside the battery compartment. + Rescrewthe battery cover of the Rain Gauge. Ensure thatthe cover is flat and sufficientiy tight secured. This will prevent humidity from entering the battery compartment and subsequently damage the unit. + Holdthe body ofthe Rain Gauge and unlock the lower part by tuming it counter clockwise and separate it carefully from the body. + Hold'the seesaw and make sure it stays without movement for at least another five seconds after inserting batteries into the rain gauge since this may cause false readings and bad signal transmission. + After completing the above steps, re-assemble the body and base of the Rain Gauge. + The Base Station and the Rain Gauge are now fully operational Important Note! Always insert the batteries in the Base Station first, otherwise start up problems may occur. Note further that the batteries in the Rain Gauge must be inserted no later than 2 - 3 minutes after the insertion of the batteries into the Base Station. During this time periode the reception symbol {antenna) is displayed on the Base Station.

After insertion of the batteries the minutes digits will start flashing in the time display. To enter the programming fromthe display rain volume) press and hold the “RAIN/SET“ key for at least 2 seconds. F, in programming mode, no key is pressed for at least 40 seconds, the LCD will automatically switch back t normal display mode Press the “RAIN/SET” key to enter the programming mode. The minutes digits will start flashing. Setting of Time/Date/Weekday + Use the “HISTORY/+” key to setthe minutes, then press the “RAIN/SET” key for confirmation. The display switches to the hours. The hour digits start flashing. + Use the “HISTORY/4” key to setthe hours, then press the “RAIN/SET“ key for confirmation. The display switches to the date. The month digits start flashing. + Use the “HISTORY/+” key to setthe month, then press the “RAIN/SET“ key for confirmation. The date of day digits start flashing. + Use the “HISTORY/4” key to set the current date of day, then press the “RAIN/SET“ key for confimation. The display switches to the weekday mode. The weekday digits start flashing. + Use the “HISTORY/4” key to setthe day ofthe week. Days of the week are expressed numerically, Le. 1 = Monday, 2 = Tuesday, etr. Press the “RAIN/SET“ key for confimation. This will automatically enter the “RAIN ALARM ON/OFF“ setting mode. Rain Alarm ON/OFF + After confimmation ofthe weekday setting with the “RAIN/SET“ key the display will show a flashing “AL/OFF“ (rain alarm switched OFF). + Usingthe “HISTORY/4” key the alarm can now be switched ‘ON"or OFF“ as desired. + Press the “RAIN/SET” key for confirmation. This will automatically enter the “Resetting Total Rain Amount“ mode. Note! the alammis switched ON, an alarm will sound if it starts to rain. This alarm will switch off automatically after about 150 seconds. it can however be switched off ahead this time by pressing any key. Hit starts to rain again after a raining break, the alarm will only sound if the break has been longer than 80 minutes. Resetting Total Rain Amount + After confirmation ofthe Rain Alarm ON/OFF setting with the “RAIN/SET“ key the display will show the flashing total rain balance (TOTAL). + Ifdesired, the total rain amount can be reset to zero by use ofthe “HISTORY/+” key. + Afterthis final setting has been entered, the programming mode can be exited by pressing the “RAIN/SET” key one more time. Note! The total rain amount (TOTAL) will constantly accumulate unless the value of the total rain amount of the Rain Monitor is reset or its batteries need to be changed. A random value of total rain amount may be displayed at first start up due t initialization of the Rain Gauge. For this reason itis recommended to reset the total rain amount after first start up or after a battery change.

Resetting of all Data All rain data with the exception ofthe rain amount of the last hour is stored in the Rain Monitor non volatile EEPROM. This data will not be lost even if the batteries need to be changed and will be used again at any resetting. If all data need to be reset proceed as follows: + Afterinsertion of the batteries into the Base Station all LCD segments wil light up momentarily. Right after this the number ‘267" will be displayed. These preset digits represent the most accurate programming code for the rain multiplicator. It is therefore not necessary to assign any other rain multplicator code. + Press the “HISTORY/#” key atthe immediate instant when all LCD segments light up briefly after insertion of the batteries. Do not release the key until the preset rain muttplicator (‘267°) is shown with digit “7" flashing. + Confimthe preset value by twice pressing the “RAIN/SET“ key =>>The digit ‘2"is flashing + Hold the “RAIN/SET” key pressed until all stored data have been reset to zero (appr. 8 seconds). + Do now repeatthe procedure described in item “Programming Mode”. Resetting + Remove the batteries from both the Base Station and the Rain Gauge. + Waitatleast 30 seconds and then repeatthe procedure specified in item “Getting started“. Always wait at least 30 seconds after removing the batteries before reinserting them, otherwise start up and transmission problems may occur. Also remember, when inserting the batteries, that both units have to be reset and to always reinsertthe batteries to the Base Station first. Battery Change Itis recommended to replace the batteries in all units on an annual basis to ensure optimum accuracy of these units. À battery change should also be performed when the transmission distance of the 433MH signal starts to decrease or the Rain Gauge is no longer recognized by the Base Station. Note! In the event of resetting, i.e. changing batteries in any of the units, all units need to be reset. This is because a random security code is assigned by the Rain Gauge at start-up and this code must be received and stored by the Base Station in the first three minutes of power being supplied to it. After inserting batteries into the rain gauge, please wait at least 5 seconds, before proceeding to the testing of the tipping bucket of the rain gauge. Kinserting the batteries within 5 seconds to test the rain gauge, it may cause reading errors of the rain gauge. According to the Used Battery Regulation the end user is committed by law to retum all used up batteries (button cell to lead storage battery). Disposal through the garbage is stricty forbidden. Please participate in the preservation of the environment and dispose of your used up batteries only at your point of purchase or the authorized depot of your community. Data Transmission and Reception Reception Criteria + During normal operation the Base Station ofthe Rain Monitor attempts to receive the current data from the Rain Gauge every 5 minutes. At any reception attempt the reception symbol (Antenna) is displayed

on the LCD. Al data gathered by the Rain Gauge will only be taken over by the Base Station if this reception symbol is shown. The Rain Gauge however transmits data every one minute as long as there is no rain and immediately when it senses rain. If rain data cannot be received at three attempts in a row, then the symbol, - -" will be shown on the LCD. If this is the case, a reset as described in Item “Resetting“ must be performed. + During programming mode and during numeric display ofthe rainfall bar graphs (see “Numeric: Display“ there is no reception of the transmitted data. + Ifany keys being pressed there will be no reception of data until the key is released again. 433MHz Reception The Base Station of the Rain Monitor will automatically receive the data transmitted by the Rain Gauge after insertion of batteries. Ifthe rain data is not being received latest 15 minutes after setting up or after it starts to rain (the display shows “ - -"), then please check the following points:

1. The distance of the Rain Monitor (Base Station and Rain Gauge) to any interfering sources such as

computer monitors or TV sets should be at least 1.5 to 2 meters.

2. Avoïd placing the Rain Monitor onto or in the immediate proximity of metal window frames.

3. Using other electrical products such as headphones or speakers operating on the same signal

frequency (433MHz) may prevent correct signal transmission and reception.

4. Neïghbours using electrical devices operating on the same 433MHz signal frequency can also cause

interferences. Note: When the 433MHz signal is received correct, do not re-open the battery covers of either the Base Station or Rain Gauge, as the batteries may spring free from the contacts and force a false reset of all data. Should this happen accidentally then reset all units (see “Resetting“) otherwise transmission problems may occur. The transmission range in open space is around 20 - 25 m from the Rain Gauge to the Base Station. However, this depends on the surrounding environment and interference levels. If no reception is possible despite the observation of above factors, all units have to be reset (see “Resetting”). In such a case do also check the batteries. Important Note! Before permanentiy mounting the Rain Monitor, it is recommended to ensure that the 433MHZ signal can be sufficientiy received. f reception is not possible from the desired locations, a slight relocation will be sufficient in most any case. Once the signal is correctiy received, both units can be mounted permanentiy. Care and Maintenance + Clean the housing and screen of the Base Station only with a soft, damp cloth. Do not use abrasives or solvents. + Ensure that the Rain Gauge does not collect leaves or other dirt. Remove the funnel from the Rain Gauge every now and then and clean it under running water. Also clean the seesaw of the sensor with a damp cloth and check by lightiÿ tapping with your finger that it can move freely from side to side. + Do not clean the bottom part of the Rain Gauge under running water. This may bear the danger of water entering the units electronic parts. + Do notimmerse the Base Station in water. + Please do not attempt any repairs on your ou. Itis recommended to have repairs only performed by trained personnel at the point of purchase. Opening or improper handling of the units will void the warranty. Disposal Dispose of the no longer operable Rain Monitor only in accordance with the valid legal regulations. Technical Specifications Recommended Operating Temperature Base Station 0° to 450°C Rain Gauge 10°C to 450°C Rainfall Bar Graphs : Forthe past 6 days, weeks or months plus the current day, week or month Data Checking Intervals Base Station (Signal Reception) Every 5 minutes Rain Gauge At no rain every minute, immediately if raining Transmission Frequency : 433.92MHz Transmission Range (max) : 25 meters Power Supply (lkaline batteries recommended) Base Station : 2x Type AAA, IEC LR3, LV batteries Rain Gauge : 2x Type AA, IEC LRG, L.5V batteries Dimensions (Lx W x H) Base Station (without stand) 90 x 21 x 105mm Rain Gauge 2 132mm Dia, x 185mm Additional Notes + The technical specifications of this product may at any time be changed without prior notice: + No partof this operation manual may be copied or reproduced without written consent of the manufacturer. R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC Summary of the Declaration of Conformity: We hereby declare that this wireless transmission device does comply with the essential requirements of R&TTE Directive 1999/5/EC.