My old original Tempest (Serial Number ST-00007703, Hardware Revision 1, Firmware Revision 134) has been taken out of the closet its been stored in since September 2020 (we moved from the house it had been installed at and due to life, just never tried to set it up at the new house). I was a bit surprised when I turned the power switch on and a light actually showed up on the button. I’ve taken it outside and letting it get sun. My hub connected right back up to my network, and after leaving the Tempest outside for an hour I’ve got it now connected back to the Hub. Battery shows 2.37v (was 2.36v when I first connected it).
So I’m curious. Has anyone else tried to resurrect an old Tempest? Any bets on if you think the battery will even be usable? Would like to get this running again and not have to buy a new one, but will play it by ear (might be better to just buy a new one anyway. Opinions?).
I also still have my original Field Test Tempest, but it doesn’t seem to be talking anymore (hub can’t seem to see it). I’ll leave it out in the sun to see if it shows signs of life…
I worked with my original beta pre-production device ST-00007764 (like yours…probably without the colored-in North marker or WF logo on the back side) until 1:00pm CDT on 08/21/2021. . .when it was officially Retired from service. Since it had FWR (FirmWareRevision) v153 on it. . .it was not suitable nor a candidate for the Power Booster Accessory (which would have benefitted with FWR=v165) and would not hold a charge. Either the battery or the charge controller on the bottom PCB (WF-BASE02-REVJ) just would not allow it to charge up any more in the direct sunlight.
ST-7764 is now part of several items in my “Tempest° Museum”…which also includes a couple of WF-AIR01 devices; a couple of “Classic Wi-Fi” Hubs and a complete WF-SWS [not my original SWS]…which I have never used but I got it for a good deal from another community forum member who was ready to “load shed” it several years ago.
Mike. . .a brand new TWS would probably be a good fit for you. They have had some Really Good sales this year. . .like Spring, Father’s Day. . .and the Labor Day sale (just gone by). I bought one of the new systems in July in which they offered a 20% discount! I couldn’t pass that up. The new TWS is an “insurance policy”. . .in case one of my 3 operational TWS devices decides to ever “give up the ghost”. . .I can use the new one to make and clean and swift cut-over (Replace Device) without losing anything more than about 10 mins worth of data.
Occasionally check the header at the top of this page. . .
https:// shop.tempest.earth/collections/all
10% discount is okay. . . 15% is better. . .but the best is a 20% discount like I got 2 months ago!
Actually mine does have the colored in North marker and the WF logo on the back. My Field Test unit (ST-5888) does not.
Yeah, I figured I’d probably be out of luck with this unit. I’ll see how it does and probably look at buying a replacement. Bummer I just missed out on Labor Day sale. Will probably limp along with it until another good deal comes around.
This is public knowledge (I guess) because it posted as part of their site.
MyRadar Tempest Weather System
I also got one of these!. My backyard ST device now shows up on the Temperature layer of the MyRadar App (for Android). . .but not on the Windows 11 version! The Win11 version is slightly different and only allows Temperatures from Airport locations. . .but not from Tempest owners.
I have also performed several “Dr. Tempest Frankenstein” experiments with Tempests!! I have swapped out the bottom PCB (WF-BASE02-REVJ) from one that had “Temperature Failed, RH Failed”. . .and put that PCB into another Tempest that had good sensors. . .but the battery/charge controller failed. It was a success (as opposed to Boris Karloff, in the movies whose experiments met with failure!) Out of respect of my original ST-7764. . .I call one of my devices “Paver Patio Tempest° Field Test” which is the device that received the PCB transplant from the one that had the sensor failure. The bad PCB that was in “Paver Patio” is now in the one with the failed sensors. Since it doesn’t work anymore. . .that device (ST-2361) [colored-in Blue on the back side] is now just a “desk prop” that I have.
I am familiar with Frazer, CO! My Father-in-law is deceased. . .but Mother-in-law lives in the COS area. Since 1994. . we’d probably been there over a dozen times. Very familiar with Woodmen Rd; Powers; N. Union Blvd; Briargate Pkwy; Research Pkwy; Academy; Vickers . . .all in and up thru that area!
Yeah, I used to be in Falcon, CO (bedroom community NE of Colorado Springs). Moved to Banning Lewis so east of Powers and just south of Woodman Rd. I think Fraser is over near WinterPark area (never actually been there, but know of it).
Thanks for the link to the MyRadar one. Is there anything different about it? Same hub and app? Same station hardware?
There is no difference in MyRadar Tempest. It’s just that they (MyRadar) partnered with WF/Tempest to offer a deal to both types of users. I have seen this promo since earlier this year. . .it has not changed nor expired and should exist for quite some time yet.
Mike. . .you can submit a Support Ticket for your station. . .to see if they can bring the Hub up from FWR=v143. . .to the current of v194 . . . and . . . bring ST-7703 up from FWR=v134 to the current of v181 !
That’s the plan. Battery Voltage now up to 2.41v (so no longer in power save mode).
BTW: Anyone know if this can get the newer firmware updates, or is it limited to older firmware versions? I assume the updates still come down overnight? (no way to request an update)?
see my above post to you. FWR updates usually occur around 2am-7am local time. Since you’ve just put the station back in operation after several years. . .their “backend” may recognize that it is severely out-of-date. . .and ‘automatically’ schedule it on the next run. If not. . .the quickest way to go on a Live Chat with a customer support agent. I’ve have had 100% satisfaction with Live Chat. They can get things done quick and easy. For live chat. . .go to their website. . .such as
https: // shop.tempest.earth/products/tempest
then click on the “Chat” in the lower right corner. Chat Line is open from 10am EDT — 4pm EDT or 8am MDT — 2pm MDT. Chelsea has helped me Immensely several times over the past month!
Thanks, missed this when I posted a few minutes later. Interesting that its still showing as “Paint Brush Hills”. I’ve changed the name and location in the app. I guess the map takes some time to update with those changes?
Chat’d with support and they said they have it scheduled for pushing out new firmware. They looked and said my hub can’t take a newer version for the hardware (the Hub was from Field Test, and then I did the discount to get a production Tempest only (no new hub) so I’m guessing that is why.
I resurrected an original Air+Sky+Hub station for a family member after it sitting idle for a number of years. Of course those use AA so it’s easy to refresh them.
My Tempest is still sitting in the box last couple years because my Air/Sky/Hub (Station 2049) is still functioning and I haven’t felt the need to climb up onto roof to replace it yet.
I killed the app and restarted and it shows v181 now. Ok cool, that makes me feel better. And nice the hub updated too. May get to stay with this original version for awhile!
Will be looking at the script I saw that uploads to CWOP and all next. Need to get this mounted in a good spot this next week. Also want to get an indoor display set up for it.
