Weewx and its interaction with an interface equivalent to Davis weatherlink-USB

[Nicolás Menoni]

Hi, I am analyzing alternatives for a project, but before buying the hardware (Davis Vantage Pro 2 and weatherlink USB) I would like to know if Weewx works without problems with an interface like the one described in this link to use it in an alternative way to the DAVIS Weatherlink USB datalogger.

Is there any other alternative to the USB weatherlink for the Davis weather stations?

Any comment is welcomed.

Thanks!

[gjr80]

Hi,

As long as whatever interface you have to the console uses a serial, USB or IP link and passes through the commands listed in the Vantage Serial Communication Reference Manual you should be fine with WeeWX and the standard WeeWX vantage driver. Keep in mind that Davis made changes to its firmware a few years back (the so called green dot firmware/logger - certainly happened since your linked article was first written) that tightened up external access to the console - refer to the last comment in your linked article.

As for alternative loggers, there are a couple available, a bit of googling or searching WXForum.net should find them. From memory I think there are a couple of makers of 3rd party USB loggers and recently someone has developed a wifi interface (not sure this one logs as the other loggers do).

Gary

[Vince Skahan]

On Friday, August 3, 2018 at 1:03:21 PM UTC-7, Nicolás Menoni wrote:

Hi, I am analyzing alternatives for a project, but before buying the hardware (Davis Vantage Pro 2 and weatherlink USB) I would like to know if Weewx works without problems with an interface like the one described in this link to use it in an alternative way to the DAVIS Weatherlink USB datalogger.

My recollection is that post eventually evolved into the Belfryboy third party logger - link is http://belfryboyweatherbits.blogspot.com/p/the-belfryboy-clone-usb-logger.html

There's a fellow on wxforum.net selling a wifi type logger, but it's waaaaay more expensive than the Davis one.  

[Nigel Head]

The Belfryboy logger was just about the first, readily available 3rd party logger.

He also made a wireless logger (not wifi) and I have one of the originals, but modified by myself as the original used cheap xrf modules, now defunct.

Mine uses xbee 2.4GHz modules configured as serial interfaces.

The console unit is self contained within the same space as the Davis/cloned logger and the xbee is 2mW output.

The computer end is USB and 'looks' like a normal USB/serial interface using an FTDI chip and weewx works just fine with it.

Belfryboy's PCB's are available on Oshpark if you want to 'go it alone'.

My VP2 console is wall mounted in my dining room and my weewx computer is in another room, hence my need for wireless connectivity to/from the logger.
Not sure of maximum range, but mine ticks over at 15ft/5metres apart.

The logger stores records in the exact same way as a genuine Davis one does.

Belfryboy's original wireless concept (it now has the logger without the console extension lead - hence completely self contained within the console)

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?topic=14653.0

Nigel.

[Nicolás Menoni]

Hi! Thanks for the good info!

I am going to investigate a little more with the data that you have told me. Very useful!