Weewx and the WifiLogger

[PWS]

Has anyone here tried weewx with the new WiFiLogger? There's no obvious reason why it shouldn't work AFAICS using a data feed emulating the Davis IP logger, but it would be good to get confirmation from personal experience if anyone has actually tried it.

[PWS]

Sorry, I should probably have supplied a little more detail: The WiFi Logger is a new third-party logger that fits Davis weather stations (Vue/VP2/Envoy consoles) exactly the same as the standard Davis logger, except that it communicates via WiFi (surprise, surprise!) rather than any cabled connection and can emulate the Davis IP logger (ie connection specified by IP address on port 22222). Here's a link for anyone wanting further information:

www.weatherstations.co.uk/wifi-logger.htm 

[Devonian]

More info here...

https://www.wxforum.net/index.php?PHPSESSID=dc53bd41729a67193b996bccf49ff88a&topic=34312.0

Not tried it myself, but I have an early (circa 2012)  'Belfryboy' wireless logger (not wifi), that I have modified to suit myself.

It is a small PCB that fits in the VP2 console, the same as a Davis or 3rd part logger would and works wirelessly using xbee modules and passes serial data in the same way a cabled connection would.

My VP2 console is wall mounted in my dining room and my weewx computer is in another room with a USB connection to the small unit with another xbee in it, communicating with the console.

My xbees run at 2.4GHz with 2mW output.

The console unity has the same memory as a standard Davis logger and stores it's data in exactly the same way.

It looks a bit like the new wifi logger and plugs directly into the expansion port in the same way.

It's polled by weewx every 2.5 seconds for loop data (as though it is a USB serial port) and doesn't miss a beat at a distance of 15ft/5metres, I'm not sure of it's range, but works for me ;-)

Nigel.

[PWS]

Thanks, but just asking on behalf of a user interested in using WFL + weewx, rather than alternatives. And yes I now the wxforum thread (only too well, because of the length of it!) but AFAICR it doesn't mention weewx. Sounds like there may not be anyone here who's tried this combintation as yet, but I guess quite a few may do in future.

[Andrew Milner]

If I had known of its existance 3 months ago I'd probably have tried it instead of getting a belfryboy usb logger when I changed over to Davis from FineOffset.  Still, too late now as I cannot really justify another £150 when I do not even look at the console, always use my tablet!!

Looks very interesting though I must say.

[vince]

On Sunday, August 5, 2018 at 10:32:48 AM UTC-7, PWS wrote:

Has anyone here tried weewx with the new WiFiLogger? There's no obvious reason why it shouldn't work AFAICS using a data feed emulating the Davis IP logger, but it would be good to get confirmation from personal experience if anyone has actually tried it.

Not understanding the value of this, given it costs far 'more' than the Davis logger and it's only one guy who's cooking it up.....

 

[Andrew Milner]

davis datalogger £195.  Wifi datalogger £145.  Belfryboy logger £59.  Why do you say the wifi logger costs a lot more than davis logger??

[vince]

On Monday, August 6, 2018 at 10:40:27 AM UTC-7, Andrew Milner wrote:

davis datalogger £195.  Wifi datalogger £145.  Belfryboy logger £59.  Why do you say the wifi logger costs a lot more than davis logger??

I spent about $100 US for my datalogger, but you can easily get them for $119 at Scientific Sales to name one place that sells a lot of Davis gear.

(https://www.scientificsales.com/Davis-Vantage-Vue-Accessories-s/37.htm)

 

[Devonian]

I can understand the 'value' in this - after all, I kind of did it some years ago, albeit not over wifi, but still wireless connectivity to the console.

The value for me was in having a 'clean' install of my console on my dining room wall, where everyone can see it, but at the same time being able to connect weewx to it without the need to have a computer within a cable lengths reach.

I can still access my weewx and Steel Series gauges via a tablet/smart phone etc, both over my local network and the internet.

Nigel.

[Andrew Milner]

Probably depends which side of the atlantic you are on!  You quoted US$ - so add shipping, import duty and VAT onto a US price to get a UK price.  You wont find them for that price over this side of the Atlantic!!  Also, as Devonian says, wifi itself can adds 'value' over a wired usb.

[PWS]

Well, others have highlighted the WiFi aspect, but let me just amplify that a little and add one other comment:

On the WiFi, the benefit is not just that there's no data cable needed, but that the console can be placed anywhere that your WiFi network offers a reasonable signal. So, the console and computing device can potentially be placed in completely different parts of the house, office building etc. The nearest analogy is with the Davis IP logger rather than the USB logger, which is obviously a rather different price proposition.

And remember that the WiFi logger also offers other built-in features such as the ability to upload directly to a range of weather networks, including WU, CWOP, WOW, weatherlink.com (provided Davis don't somehow block this feature) etc. I appreciate that weewx users may not find this feature so useful (ie where it's simply duplicating what weewx can already do), but it it is potentially very useful to other users.

And there are other WFL features too such as a real-time data screen that can be picked up direct from WiFi on any smartphone, tablet etc and with other new features to come.

[vince]

On Tuesday, August 7, 2018 at 1:59:30 AM UTC-7, PWS wrote:

Well, others have highlighted the WiFi aspect, but let me just amplify that a little and add one other comment:

Sure - I was commenting mostly about the price for the computer interface and logging functionality (which is extremely high) but yes the wifi logger has lots of other features that might make it worth the  money for folks.....