WS6in1 PWS rain totals

[Paul Eaton]

Since November last year I've been happily running a Bresser PC 5in1 station using WeeWX (now using version 4.5.1) with the WS6in1 driver but I have a question about the Rain (total) values I'm recording. They are always a multiple of 0.4mm, so 0.4, 1.6, 3.2 etc, never anything in between.

I have tried both "software" and "prefer hardware" for rainRate in [StdWXCalculate] [[Calculations]] but it doesn't appear to make any difference. So I think it's governed by the Bresser console but I've noticed (via the weewx.com map) that other WS6in1 stations don't seem to have this limitation.

It's no big deal (the odd 0.1mm here or there in Manchester, England is nothing to be concerned about!) but if anyone has any thoughts on this I'd be happy to hear them.

Regards, Paul

[Arend]

Hi Paul

It has been a while since I did some configuration on a WS6in1, but will give it a try.

According to this manual your rain gauge should have a resolution of 0,254 mm (0,1 inch):

https://www.bresser.de/out/media/4ee6aeed2a360e23fae7b37bbd3f1de7.pdf

You followed these instructions in the manual to set the rainfall unit to mm on the console?

To set the rainfall unit 1. Press and hold [ RAIN ] key for 2 seconds to enter unit setting mode. 2. Press [ GRAPH / Ʌ ] or [ HISTORY / V ] key to toggle the rainfall unit between mm and in. 3. Press [ RAIN ] key to confirm and exit the setting.

In weewx.conf your configuration should show this:

    [[Defaults]]

        

        [[[Units]]]

            

            # The following section sets what unit to use for each unit group.

            # NB: The unit is always in the singular. I.e., 'mile_per_hour',

            # NOT 'miles_per_hour'

            [[[[Groups]]]]

                

                group_rain = mm    # Options are 'inch', 'cm', or 'mm'

Regards, Arend

Op zaterdag 8 mei 2021 om 18:14:22 UTC+2 schreef Paul Eaton:

[Paul Eaton]

Hi Arend

Thanks for your suggestions but everything seems OK with the units on the console - all rain totals are given as mm - and group_rain in weewx.conf is set to mm.

Interesting about the 0.254mm resolution. I've been looking at the Monthly Reports given by two of the WS6in1 stations on the weewx.com map (Little Sandhurst, UK and Millau Les Aumieres France) and all their RAIN values are multiples of 0.254 (subject to rounding to 1 decimal place) which makes complete sense.

All the RAIN values in my Seasons skin Monthly Reports are multiples of 0.4. I don't have a website to link you to my Seasons skin but from the weewx.com map the link is to my Weathercloud page where you can see what I mean (I'm the station in the north of England, near Manchester - Timperley No.1).

So, it's a bit of a mystery. Don't concern yourself too much about it though, maybe the resolution on my station is only 0.4mm!

Regards, Paul

[Arend]

If your console shows an increase in raintotal by 0,4 mm after each bucket tip then I am afraid the manufacturer has sold you a dysfunctional PWS or the manual specs are wrong.

Op zondag 9 mei 2021 om 13:25:45 UTC+2 schreef Paul Eaton:

[Paul Eaton]

Thanks Arend, I might try emailing Bresser for comment.

Paul