Weather stations

[elalexander]

Homebrew2. Thanks that is what I am looking for. A friend got a LaCrosse Technologies unit for a Christmas gift and he is very satisfied so far. Big price swing on all of these units...............don't know why. EL.

 

[avorancher]

I use a wireless Davis Vantage Pro like some of the others who have responded. I got the option to allow me to measure UV and ET (evapotranspiration) data which I use to calculate crop watering schedules. I also have soil moisture and soil temperature sensors.

I use an X10-based home automation system and a computer interface for the weather station that allows them to work together. The soil moisture tells my computer when to water and the ET tells it how much to water. It also allows me to override the settings for good old common sense decisions.

I also export XML data to a regional weather website every 60 seconds.

Its been running for 3 years and have had no problems.

 

[elalexander]

Thanks Avorancher. I have no idea of what you are growing but I bet it's good.

 

[avorancher]

Thanks Avorancher. I have no idea of what you are growing but I bet it's good.

"Avo" + "rancher".... I grow guacamole. Delicious

 

[k6dyc]

I also have a Davis Vantage Pro Wireless, and it has never given me a problem in over 5 years. There is a great forum for discussion of weather stations, and software to go with them at WXforum.net :: Index It is an independent user forum so it deals with multiple stations and software available. A great group of guys there too, just like TBN.

 

[HomeBrew2]

Avo, Very hopeful that you managed the freeze (?)

 

[avorancher]

Avo, Very hopeful that you managed the freeze (?)

This area is hilly with lots of micro-climates...just 18 miles from the ocean. Temps can vary 20 degrees within just a few miles. I got away with no damage but a lot of neighbors lost entire crops and probably next year's too since many buds were destroyed.

If you're in an area like this, a weather station is the only way to get descent information. This season (since last July) we have set all-time records for the hottest, the coldest, and are now working on the dryest season ever. Who irritated mother nature?

 

[archerynut]

I also have a sun/moon weather station from LaCrosse Technologies. It has been a reliable unit. One problem was with the outdoor wireless thermo.hygo transmitter, it fell off of my camp into a mud puddle and stayed there for a couple of weeks, didn;t work so well after that. When it says rain, it will rain. I have also thought of a weather station for home with more gadgets, just haven't gotten around to buying one yet. Every once in a while you can find units on sale from Cabelas.

 

[dmccarty]

I use an X10-based home automation system and a computer interface for the weather station that allows them to work together. The soil moisture tells my computer when to water and the ET tells it how much to water. It also allows me to override the settings for good old common sense decisions.

Avorancher,

I am very happy to hear your trees are ok.

How do you turn on the water with X10?

Is the a valve on a faucet and an X10 module is hooked to the value?

I was wondering if this was possible when I was reading up the Vantage Pro. Course when I saw how much some of the packages cost I about passed out.

Ran the cost by the CFO and she did not say no nor did she say yes.

Later,
Dan

 

[avorancher]

Don't want to hijack thread, but check out http://www.wgldesigns.com for the x10 irrigation controller. I'm using Macintosh with applescript to link programs.

I justified expense as farm equipment.