Yes, it has been nice having a break in the rain. I was glad for a dry no wind day when I installed the PBA on that light pole. It is very wobbly at the top of that pole. LOL Unfortunately I couldn’t mount the battery box where I could reach it without a ladder because people would steal the batteries out of it. The pole is in the middle of the parking lot.
Well, re-coiling the wire as not bad once I gave up on trying to spool is around a dowel and just placed it on a flat disk and coiled it that way. Still way too much wire.
I guess I will ask: Has anyone actually shortened the cable to get rid of all the excess cable? It probably does not contain eight (8) wires. Presume for moving battery power to the Tempest station it probably needs fewer wires??? If so, what tool(s) did you use?
Thanks in advance.
I haven’t shortened one because I don’t have waterproof connectors to use. The end is a standard RJ45 connector like those used with ethernet network wiring. A standard RJ45 crimper is used to crimp the connector. You can see the pin outs in the post I made here: https://community.tempest.earth/t/power-booster-for-tempest-owners/15712/94?u=gizmoev
Not sure if it’s the new device or the minor modifications I’ve done that have cured (almost I think!) false rain.
Tidied the tape holding the PBA cable and now have U-bolts holding the pole with all available (4) spaces, as before I left one unbolted.
Pity I may need to do more work with the PBA or new device that are dodgy due to power as in my other postings here!
Edit; 30mph winds and hardly a flutter. Certainly the notifications don’t get triggered for false rain!
Yes it does look crooked/wonky due to the house being like that.
The wafer that goes under the Tempest does not have any electronics in it so if there is an issue with the PBA I suspect it is with the battery box unit. That will make a swap much easier.
Even so…
Suggesting I buy a new PBA battery box?
But that doesn’t make sense as it was fine up until I replaced the Tempest.
Logic is pointing towards the device battery has malfunctioned!
Fault found to be corrosion in the PBA extension socket.
It was hanging vertically(the most exposed way up). I’ve cleaned the contacts and applied grease around the exposed side.
I think this connector needs a redesign with rated IP protection.
(Sorry forgot to picture the faulty copper corrosion, but sure you can imagine.)
Had to snip the plug off as the corrosion has bypassed the grease and got into the plug.
Shall crimp my own and put a screw cap on like the other side of the extension to the PBA connector.
When it stops raining of course.
Well the rain eased off so fitted new plug.
Crimped new plug but doesn’t seem to be charging, without going to test the pins.
Don’t tell me I have to remove the PBA wafer and power cycle the tempest😟
Why doesn’t the extension come with both sides protected with a screw cap?
Edit;
New protected plug extension fitted so hopefully protected from moisture.
After fitting I noticed a jump to the kind of voltage I’d expect (2.84V) weirdly enough I’m getting lightening detected frequently.
Fingers crossed it’s not faulty.
Here’s my final install. I started with the universal mount from Weatherflow, but it was a bit sketchy mounting it to one of my ABS vent pipes, so I abandoned that solution.
I bought these items for the install, all of which are quality products and made the install super easy:
- Skywalker Tripod: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009P81T30
- Skywalker’s lag bolts and roof sealant patches kit, also from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B009P79R8U
- The galvanized top fence rail that’s mentioned multiple times in this forum. Got it from Lowe’s: https://www.lowes.com/pd/Galvanized-Steel-Chain-Link-Fence-Top-Rail/999989216
The top of the roof is 29’ above grade and the Tempest is up another 8’ above that.
Nice setup and welcome. I went with a ten foot antenna mast which I just happen to have lying around the basement for about 10 years! But mine is at ground level.
Been busy for a while with our new house. So for me a new location. And a new and much better location for my Tempest.
So here is a picture of my creation.
VERY nice substantial location. My Tempests would be quite jealous of your location.
Thank you! @storm_tracker … My other house had a garden with much more trees surrounding it.
My new home is at a much more opener location with a lot of sun. Even in the winter. And way better for catching big windgusts.
Installation on rooftop deck in Northwest DC. I mostly interested in how much sun this area gets for a possible solar installation. Any suggestions on how to store irraidence measurements over time?
Obligatory weewx reply
Nice video. The Tempest is a bit high though. Should be 5 to 8 foot off the ground.
I had to reset the base due to wifi loss less than 24 hours after receiving it. Other than that it’s been good.
Aren’t they supposed to be mount from 5 to 8 feet above ground?
Depends on whether you want to optimize the ‘one’ sensor for rain or for wind.