Weather Stations

[sodamo]

Enough of a wx break to get station installed.

Tempest

Tempest Weather System

tempestwx.com

Wife not happy that there isn’t comparable rain accumulation data to Davis especially Monthly & Yearly. Anyone found a work around/3rd party?

 

[txdon]

The only thing I can see is that it keeps the rainfall in history. I can go back 8 months, to the day I set it up, and see the total rainfall for each day. But you are right it does not total the rainfall weekly/monthly/yearly. It seems like that would be a easy program to add when they do a software update.
Something to ask them if it is on the table.
Is the lack of rain totals enough for you to return it? You have 60 days.

 

[ponytug]

Enough of a wx break to get station installed.

Tempest

Tempest Weather System

tempestwx.com

Wife not happy that there isn’t comparable rain accumulation data to Davis especially Monthly & Yearly. Anyone found a work around/3rd party?

You can send it to Weather Underground. That's what I use for my Davis Vantage Pro, as does my neighbor, who has a Tempest.

All the best, Peter

 

[sodamo]

Don, At this point I don’t think I’ll be returning it. The IP data send for Davis costs almost as much as the whole Tempest and my VP2 is almost as old as the old it replaced. Gonna depend on the residential feedback I get.
The Monthly / Yearly accumulated rain feature has been requested so many some hope. I have found an app btstWX that does the monthly

Also looking at Carrot, more for the watch.

 

[buckeyefarmer]

Didn’t realize till now I can download all my weather data from ambient. But it only has the last 4 hrs of the day, for every day. Gotta figure this out.

I also thought I was on wunderground but didn’t see it, so now it’s there.

 

[sodamo]

Peter, I’ve had my Davis on WU since the beginning. Always depended on it for long term history, but the upgrade this past year seemed to cripple.
I did create a 2nd site for the Tempest but it isn’t correct location. I have an email into WU asking about it. It appears best I can get is a monthly table that would give me data to sum manually. Hoping for a way to get a running total for yearly similar to weatherlink.
Not particularly happy with weatherlink as you have to upgrade to Pro (paid) to get history and be able to share. At least WeatherFlow is easily accessible.

 

[Popgadget]

Paul, how did you determine how far above the Davis?

Very scientifically. It was exactly the length of the piece of 1” PVC that was in the pile of pipe.

 

[ponytug]

Peter, I’ve had my Davis on WU since the beginning. Always depended on it for long term history, but the upgrade this past year seemed to cripple.
I did create a 2nd site for the Tempest but it isn’t correct location. I have an email into WU asking about it. It appears best I can get is a monthly table that would give me data to sum manually. Hoping for a way to get a running total for yearly similar to weatherlink.
Not particularly happy with weatherlink as you have to upgrade to Pro (paid) to get history and be able to share. At least WeatherFlow is easily accessible.

I am sorry. I didn't understand that you wanted annual data. You might ask WU if they will put the annual totals in. They used to be pretty responsive, but I haven't asked them anything for years.

All the best, Peter

 

[sodamo]

Very scientifically. It was exactly the length of the piece of 1” PVC that was in the pile of pipe.

Same method I used. 23 inches

 

[sodamo]

Any follow up observations? In my case the 2 aren’t tracking exactly. Guessing my VP2 rain measuring could be fouled. I know the Davis anemometer is problematic.
But the most obvious disconnect for us (especially wife) is the lack of accumulated rain data on the Tempest. I have spent far too much time looking for a work around and come up short. Probably 98% of time wife clicks on weatherlink it is to check rain and temp.

So, the challenge becomes what to do. The expected stimulus check provides for a solution - keep both.

Davis IP data logger is a problem. No longer a listed product, doubt there is any further on tech support. It only connects intermittently. I did apply a firmware update, but didn’t solve issue.
The replacement is a hub, similar to Tempest. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B07PVCV8Q6/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o00_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1
Live most Davis, not cheap.

I also found a tune up kit Amazon.com : Davis Instruments 6997 Vantage Pro2 Complete Tune Up Kit : Garden & Outdoor

The Tempest does have features I like such as the Solar radiation, Lightning strikes etc, so while I could add the pricey Davis extra sensors I’ll just keep the Tempest instead. I’ll have to remember to thank our son for treating from his inheritance

I’m thinking I will keep them colocated for now.

 

[ponytug]

FWIW: I use a raspberry pi running weather view to take serial data for the Vantage Pro, via a serial to usb converter, to the raspberry pi, which pushes it out to weather underground.

All the best, Peter

 

[tibadoe]

Any follow up observations? In my case the 2 aren’t tracking exactly. Guessing my VP2 rain measuring could be fouled. I know the Davis anemometer is problematic............

I have been running both stations (VP2+ and Tempest) for five days now. Readings are pretty close considering the stations are at different heights and 9' apart. The Davis anemometer at 17' and sensors at standard 6' height. All tempest sensors at 9'. The only rain I had so far was a quick sprinkle and both stations registered .01".

I have two issues with the tempest. The barometric pressure is off by about .10 and getting some false positives on the lightning detection. I did contact tech support about the lightning detection and they "sent a remote reboot command to the Tempest". Not sure what that does but today I have had no false positives. I will contact about the BP this week.

Overall I am happy with the system. Whether viewing on the app or desktop, it gives lots of useful info. Yearly / monthly rain totals would be nice.

I will definitely be keeping the Tempest. Nice and simple for a backyard weather station.

 

[OzKioti]

I have a Davis Vantage Vue on order, and I'm getting the mast ready. Can anyone tell me the mast diameter required to mount it on please?

EDIT - All OK, I just read on another forum it will mount on poles ranging from 25mm to 44mm.

 

[Industrial Toys]

I think I might just buy a Wind Sock! Albeit, one with a light in it. It's probably more MY SPEED. I hope that high tech doesn't come back to bite me.

Transport Canada Approved. 1000 WATTS!!! Any possibility that is designed to melt snow and ice?

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Can anyone update on the accuracy of the rainfall amounts with the Tempest?

I have had mine going for just over a month now, and I don't have anything to compare the rainfall readings it gives me.

However, yesterday my Tempest showed a total of 4.49" of rain, and a neighbor about 500 yards down the street said his gauge showed 4.5". I would say that if these readings are correct, the Tempest is pretty accurate.

I would like to hear more from some of you that have other rain measuring methods side by side with your Tempest and how do the measurements compare.

 

[Popgadget]

I have a Tempest and a Davis VP2 on the same pole. They correlate well in all parameters.

 

[tibadoe]

My Tempest has been kinda all over the place. Few times it has been with-in a few tenths of an inch - sometimes it has been over by a quarter of an inch. This is comparing to a Stratus Precision Rain Gauge. Davis VP2+ comes in second for accuracy in the rain department.

Still overall very happy with the Tempest. Super easy to setup, great tech support, lots of useful info, easy to read online and mobile app. My favorite is the lightning detector.

 

[sodamo]

Mine isn’t tracking that well.
Here is a 7 day comparison VP2 = KHININOL2, Tempest = KHIHAKAL7 (wunderground IDs)

Temperature

Rain

I’m keeping a spreadsheet of daily precipitation to send to Weatherflow. Want to send 30 days of data. I was including my neighbor’s Tempest only about 1/2 mile away, but his station is down. His data varies from both of mine. He has been in contact with Weatherflow and they asked for comparative data.

 

[Popgadget]

Here’s a comparison of temps between the Tempest and Davis VP2 in my location for the last 7 days.

 

[Complete Turf Care]

Looks like they are pretty close on temperature. I'm more concerned with rainfall.

Some here say the Tempest is measuring equal to other brands, and some here say it's way off. So, now I don't know what to think.